Samsung Q30 Centrino Ultra Slim Notebook

Loaded With Features

Loaded With Features

In order for many lightweight notebooks to boast an impressive set of vital statistics to market, functionalities were more often than not compromised. This was not quite the case for the Q30. In a move of rarity and perhaps a demonstration of engineering supremacy, the designers behind the Q30 were able to pack in a 6-pin IEEE 1394 connector and a CompactFlash card reader into the already decked out flanks of the notebook. The inclusion of these two interface meant the Q30 could be put to good use for quick picture and video editing on the go; thus the origin behind its "DIGITall FREEDOM" marketing phrase.

As expected of notebooks of this class, optical storage came in the form of an external 9.5mm Super-Multi drive that connects to the notebook via the 6-pin FireWire 400 connection. This serves as a supplementary storage unit to the modest 40GB primary storage made available by the 1.8-inch Toshiba hard disk drive. While there's no doubt that its after all just an auxiliary storage unit, Samsung has nevertheless applied the same quality finishing to its exterior, resulting in a perfect match in both color and design when connected and seated beside the Q30. Media that are compatible with the drive include CD-R/RW, DVD±R/RW and DVD-RAM.

For all the connections that are available on the Q30, there's an apparent absence of Bluetooth and PC Card slot. The lack of the latter interface might not be vital to many save perhaps for 3G, GPRS, EDGE and GPS users, but the lack of Bluetooth might just put some people off, since it would imply a certain investment in an external USB Bluetooth dongle should the short-range wireless connection be called upon.