14 DAY TRIAL // Solar-powered electronics really do seem to be steadily gaining popularity, as Samsung has added its name to the list of purveyors of full-fledged mobile computers which possess the ability to harness the might of the Sun.
Not too long ago, the only application of solar cells was in those large power plants that were meant to transform solar light into electricity.
The past years, however, saw solar cells evolving to the point where they can bring real benefits to peripherals, laptops and other such things.
In fact, a certain Samsung laptop became available for pre-order back in this year's July (2011).
Now, the same company has issued a press release in which it announces that the Sense NC 215 notebook series has reached Korea.
The newcomers aren't overly large, understandable knowing that the performance of solar cells has not yet reached the apex, so powering big things can't easily, and cost-affordably, be done.
The diagonal length is, thus, of 10.1 inches, which might suggest netbook specs, though the 'mini-notebook' moniker is the one used in this case.
Either way, it is impossible to tell just what users can expect, since Samsung decided against disclosing hardware specifications.
One can also wonder about how well Samsung handled the display visibility issue (LCDs don't deal well with bright ambient light) or the fact that sunlight tends to cause hardware to heat up more than it should.
Fortunately, the company did, at least, say exactly how useful the solar cells are going to be. By having the laptop spend two hours under the sun, the batteries inside should gain enough energy to last for one hour.
Finally, the machines weigh 1.37 kilograms and feature the Duracase technology, which grants scratch resistance.
Tomorrow (August 23) is when sales will start, for between 599,000 won (the rough equivalent of US$533).