Samsung Q30 ultra-portable notebook

Very thin, very light - but totally desirable?

Raw performance was never going to be amazing on a machine running a 1.1GHz ULV CPU, but in use the Q30 feels responsive enough. The integrated Intel graphics chipset isn't going to be suitable for games so there was no point running any 3D benchmarks. On the whole though, running general office applications didn't phase the Q30, even when I had Word, Excel, Photoshop and multiple Web browsers open. When it comes down to it though, battery life is the most important performance factor with a machine like this, and the Q30 passes that test with flying colours.

Samsung even throws in a couple of choice bits of software: there's Ulead Video Studio 7 SE, Photo Explorer 7 SE Platinum, Norton Anti-Virus and CyberLink Power DVD.

Samsung has put a stake in the ground and decided that it's going to base its notebook range on the slim and stylish market, and with products like the Q30 on offer, the future is looking good. With an estimated retail price of £1775 the Q30 is far from cheap, but you are getting two batteries and the super-slim optical drive thrown in. When you consider the overall design, weight and the amount of features that Samsung has squeezed into such a tiny chassis, the price seems relatively modest - especially when you consider that even now the Sony X505 will still cost you as much on the street.

Verdict

If you're looking for a very light and slim notebook to carry around with you all day, every day, you'd be hard pushed to find a better unit than the Samsung Q30. Just make sure that you don't need PC Card or Bluetooth support. At last, the Sony Vaio X505 has some seriously stylish competition.

Samsung Q30
Rating	80%
Price	£1775
More info	The Samsung UK site

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