X-bit labs

Your A4-Size Business Companion: Choosing the Best Compact Notebook. Part I (page 27)

Category: Mobile

by Vasily Melnik

[ 11/16/2005 | 04:24 PM ]

Samsung Q30

This is one of the smallest and at the same time one of the most expensive models in the company’s product range, and the configuration and design of the Q30 are appropriate to its size and price. The notebook is thin, light, and well-equipped. There’s nothing to find fault with – the single drawback of this model will be mentioned later on. Let’s first just take a look at it:

This is how notebooks should be designed: a thin screen bezel with a black insert, a mild gray color scheme, a traditional keyboard and touchpad. The front view may give you a deceiving impression about the notebook’s thickness, though.

It is in fact wedge-shaped, being thicker at the rear due to the battery. On the left of the front part of the case you can find a card-reader that supports SD, MMC, MS and MS Pro formats, and a block of LED indicators:

The developers just threw all indicators into one heap there, the notebook’s and the keyboard’s alike, so it is not very convenient to keep track of the keyboard’s ones because you cover them with your hand when you’re typing text.

The slogan on the lid is a fitting description of this machine:

Running a little ahead, I want to tell you that the Samsung Q30 is among the leaders in this review in the battery life parameter, so it fits perfectly the “Digital Freedom” concept.

I think the notebook’s appearance should appeal to the female half of the target group.

A deep red color, lacquered surfaces, low weight and small dimensions is just what a woman’s handbag needs. The reinforced battery spoils the impression somewhat, but you can replace it with a standard one which does not make the notebook larger. I should acknowledge that the Q30’s is one of the best “half-size” batteries and can last for quite a long time. But if you are a male and you like everything about this notebook except its color, you can consider the gray, lacquer-less version of the Q30 which is also available. This version is more practical – you can’t leave your fingerprints on the matte gray coating, and it is also harder to accidentally scratch it.