Samsung Q330 laptop review

The baby of Samsung's Q series laptops, the Q330 boasts a combination of full functionality coupled with portability for on-the-go use.

Weighing in at 1.97kg, though, means on first picking up the device there is a bit of a surprise at the bulk of the thing. It's clear that this is definitely a laptop, not a netbook.

That said, it's still highly portable and with dimensions of 329mm x 229mm x 32mm it can be easily moved around with the screen open, or carried under the arm, making it ideal for use in the office or out and about.

The portable aspect of the Q330 is helped by Samsung's promise that it will last up to five hours on a single charge. We tested it under normal working conditions and it got impressively close to the five-hour mark.

So, for business users who frequently travel, the laptop is off to a good start, and the specs aren’t bad either.

The Core-i3 350M processor clocked at 2.26GHz isn’t the fastest processor out there, but it’s certainly capable of meeting the needs of most business users and the preinstalled Windows 7 Home Premium ran smoothly. Similarly, an HD movie demo on the laptop opened instantly and ran without any pauses or stuttering.

Trial versions of McAfee aren’t uncommon on laptops, and given recent developments you’re even more likely to see this software preinstalled on Intel-based laptops.

Small laptops often have problems expelling hot air generated by the processor and other components. Thankfully the laptop’s fans are barely audible, although it did get a tad warm on the underside, meaning you probably wouldn't to work off your lap for too long.

The display is clear, crisp and sharp, with the Q330 boasting a 13.3in glossy LED-backlit screen. This allows the device to run full-screen HD video with excellent clarity.

However, the inbuilt webcam is only 0.3-megapixels, which is a touch disappointing, but it is perfectly adequate for video conferencing.

On the input side of things, the Q330 has an 'island' keypad with the keys spaced slightly apart. It's responsive and smooth, with only light touches required, which makes for a pleasant typing experience.

While some may prefer, or be more used to, a 'closed' keypad, an island layout certainly looks more stylish, a bit like a MacBook, and it takes next to no time to get used to.

The trackpad is good, but it's a touch on the small side and its buttons aren't as fluid as we'd like; for periods of extended use, we’d recommend investing in a small wireless mouse.

Three USB ports and a three-in-one reader for SD, SDHC and MMC cards mean there are plenty of connectivity options for uploading files or using a secondary device through the laptop.

A 320GB hard disk provides plenty of storage, and Samsung has split it into two partitions by default. The Q330 also isn’t lacking in terms of connectivity, with the usual 802.11b/g/n wireless and 10/100Mbit/s LAN being joined by built-in Bluetooth.

Aside from a selection of Samsung’s own utilities, supplied software is thin on the ground, with Cyberlink DVD Suite being the only notable title.

Finally, in the looks department, the Q330 is pretty tasty. Those wanting to show off with their new kit will be able to crow about the matt silver finish that gives it a stylish edge some laptops often lack.

On the lid there is a faux mahogany look, with grained lines running horizontally across the casing, so it looks pretty swish closed too, perfect for catching the eye as you stroll into a meeting with it tucked under your arm.

Overall, the Q330 is a strong, compact and well put together piece of kit with decent, though certainly not chart-topping performance. It is slightly heavy, though, and anyone looking for something more portable would do well to consider Toshiba’s Portege R700 series. A similarly-specified R700 model weighs just 1.28kg and, Toshiba claims, will last up to nine hours. However, at over £700 it’s also a fair bit more expensive compared to Samsung's Q330.

Windows 7 Home Premium, Intel Core i3 350M processor, 13.3in display, 1,366 x 768 resolution, 3GB RAM, 320GB hard drive, 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth, webcam, three-in-one media card reader, six-cell battery