Samsung announces new NC310 netbook

Samsung has previously hinted at a new 10-inch netbook, and now the company has released a few details. The specs look nearly identical to current netbooks--including Samsung's own NC10--but the Samsung NC310 has an entirely different design.

The rounded edges and edge-to-edge display give it a look that's similar to the HP Mini 1000 and Mini 2140, but the NC310 has a chiclet-style keyboard. At 2.7 pounds, the NC310 also weighs slightly more than the Mini 1000. Samsung hasn't released the full specs, but based on a translation of the press release (here's the original version in Korean), we know the NC310 will be based on an Intel Atom N-series processor, 1GB of memory, and a 160GB hard drive, and will offer WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G wireless. Samsung says it will get up to 11 hours of life with an extended battery and five hours with the standard one.

The NC310 won't replace the NC10, which has only recently reached the U.S--instead Samsung plans to sell both for some time. The company may position the NC310 as more of a "premium netbook" because of its design. Samsung has not announced pricing, but a UK-based tech news site, Electricpig, reported that it will be priced at about $580 (via Engadget). You can get an identically-configured NC10 for $428. The NC310 will be available North America--as well as Asia, Europe and Russia--starting sometime in April.