Samsung N310 reviewed, deemed pretty but about average performance-wise

The Samsung N310 netbook may have the same innards as dozens of other mini-laptops (Intel Atom, 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive, etc), but it has a look all its own. The netbook comes in several colorful varieties, with a rubberized, rounded case that would make the netbook look more like a fashion accessory than a notebook if it weren’t for the huge Samsung label blazoned across the lid. Or maybe that is what makes it a fashion accessory.

Laptop Magazine’s Joanna Stern has posted a detailed review of the netbook, and she reports that it performs pretty much exactly as you’d expect any Intel Atom powered netbook running Windows XP to perform. But she says the 94% full sized keyboard which has raised “island-style” keys are a pleasure to type on.

With a standard 4 cell battery, the netbook lasted for about 3 and a half hours, which is a bit short of the 5 hours that Samsung promised. But the company does plan to make an extended, 8850mAh  battery available in the future. For more details, and a verdict on whether the machine is worth the $479 asking price, check out Laptop Magazine.