Samsung picks Via Nano CPU for its NC20 Netbook
Samsung Electronics is adopting the Nano processor from Via Technologies for its NC20 Netbook.
The NC20 is set to be Samsung's successor to the NC10, which, like most Netbooks on the market, has an Intel Atom central processing unit.
The new Samsung NC20 Netbook
(Credit: Via Technologies)Via's Nano chips are its first 64-bit, superscalar processors in its x86 platform portfolio. When coupled with the Via VX800 system media processor, a Nano chip supports full Microsoft DirectX 9.0 3D graphics, high-definition video and audio playback, and up to 4GB of DDR2 system memory.
The Samsung NC20 will feature the 1.3GHz Via Nano CPU and a 12.1-inch display with 1,280x800-pixel resolution. At 3.4 pounds, it will be a tad heavier than its 2.8-pound, 10.2-inch NC10 predecessor.
The Netbook will come equipped with Wi-Fi (802.11g) and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and a six-cell battery that provides up to 6.5 hours on a full charge. You'll be able to choose between a regular SATA hard drive or a solid-state drive for storage. Other than that, the computer will also have an integrated 1.3-megapixel Webcam, a 3-in-1 memory card reader, and three built-in USB ports.
The Samsung NC20 will be available for purchase soon, with an estimated price of about $650 that will vary with configurations.
Dong Ngo is a CNET editor who covers networking and network storage, and writes about anything else he finds interesting. You can also listen to his podcast at insidecnetlabs.cnet.com. E-mail Dong. 
Where are you doing all of your testing on the NC20. It hasn't been released in the US. Are you in Britain? It might be wise to see how the actual netbook performs before referring to it as a "lame duck." Seems a little premature.
- by Notoapplefanbois February 28, 2009 6:03 AM PST
- Umm, anyone looked at the part which says 4GB of ram, last time I checked atom based pc's could only take 2GB so this will be a more vista-able laptop with less power consumption.
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- by random truth February 28, 2009 10:17 AM PST
- This is cnet, dont use logic with them. Anyways I came up with this equation for appoximate proccessor power for multi-core ones.
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- by tech_crazy February 28, 2009 1:20 PM PST
- Did you even bother to read that the NC20 uses the Via Nano and NOT the Intel Atom? And also that the Nano is 64-bit. Make sure you read the article before posting ridiculous comments.
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(6 Comments)Also the speed doesn't matter for netbook's, the amount of core's does. You could have a 3ghz uni-core cpu in a netbook but for what they're for, a 1ghz dual core will out-run it, let alone the 1ghz 5-core.
ghz*cores*0.8