Samsung preps 'antibacterial' netbook

Samsung is to enter the increasingly crowded netbook market with the NC10, its own low-cost subnotebook.

The Korean manufacturer announced its plans for the device on Friday. The netbook will have a non-gloss, 10.2-inch LED screen with a 1,024x600-pixel resolution. As it has a six-cell battery, Samsung claims the 1.33kg mini-laptop will be able to eke out almost eight hours of usage on a single charge.

Many of the netbook's specifications are typical to the market, such as its use of Intel's Atom processor and Windows XP, and its integrated webcam. Also included are 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR wireless connectivity, a 3-in-1 multi-memory card reader, a VGA connection and three USB ports.

Several features are unusual, though, such as its "ultra-durable Protect-o-Edge casing" and the fact that it has what Samsung calls a "full-size" keyboard — most netbooks' keyboards are slightly smaller than normal laptop keyboards.

Samsung has also coated the keyboard in silver ion powder, claiming this "makes it impossible for bacteria to live and breed" on the keys.

The Samsung NC10 will go on sale in October, and will cost up to £329, excluding VAT and depending on the chosen configuration. Rival devices in the same screen-size class include Asus's Eee 1000 and the MSI Wind.