Samsung’s newest netbook, the $479 N310, features an elegant and thoughtful design accompanied by an excellent keyboard, according to LAPTOP. The 10-inch Atom-powered machine is equipped similarly to the other 10-inch netbooks on the market, although the N310 features a four-cell battery and relatively high price tag.

Fashion-conscious users may go for the higher price, though, as LAPTOP calls the N310 “one of the most unique and chic 10-inch netbooks on the market.” Its pebble-inspired design comes courtesy of Japanese artist Naoto Fukasawa and the body consists of a “slightly grainy, rubberized surface” instead of the traditional cheap plastic found on most competitors.

The machine weighs in at 2.8 pounds with a four-cell battery that lasts about 3.5 hours on a single charge. Samsung will apparently be offering a battery capable of over 10 hours — presumably an eight-cell version. Screen resolution is the standard, dumpy 1024×600 although that’s apparently expandable to 1024×768 via software. LAPTOP was able to play an HD video clip without problems, which is something that generally trips up many standard netbooks. Alas, the screen isn’t hi-res enough to actually display HD content faithfully.

Aside from that, the N310 appears to be a slightly-above average entry to the netbook market that’ll appeal mainly to those concerned with form first, function second. The machine is apparently shipping in the UK and Korea already, but not yet in the US. Shouldn’t be too much longer, though.

A Review of the Samsung N310 [LAPTOP]