The Samsung Q45 is a 12.1" ultraportable notebook is a budget priced system that still manages to pack impressive performance and features into a relatively small footprint. Based around Intel's Core 2 Duo Santa Rosa platform and featuring Intel X3100 graphics and a sizable hard drive, the Q45 might just prove to be a highly desirable ultraportable. Let's take a look.
Styling and Design
When lifting the system from any corner (as one is likely to do with an ultraportable) there is no flex and the case feels extremely well built and rigid. The air intakes are distributed over the underside of the system, thus making it difficult to stop all airflow when it is on one’s knee. The exhaust is placed midway along the right side, and expels quite a lot of heat making it uncomfortable to use a mouse next to the unit at times. The bevel at the front of the unit makes typing very comfortable since there are no sharp edges to dig into the wrists.
The battery protruding from the rear is something of an issue since it increases the depth of the unit, yet makes accessing the unit very easy and also provides a handhold. A battery between the hinges (similar to Sony TZ series) would have been preferable. In all other ways, the design is unremarkable and minimal, except perhaps the thickness of the system which is quite large versus the screen size (though allows for better cooling).
