Samsung Q430 core i3 laptop- opinions

take everything

Hi i've been looking around the web for a laptop and keep coming back to this one.
Just wanted to get your opinions on it.

It ticks most of the boxes i have- 14 inch, lightish, nice enough finish, core i3, dvd drive, bluetooth, webcam, decent ram (3gb is ok i suppose, upgradeable to 4gb) and affordable (under 800).

Just a couple of questions.
1. Samsung- not the first name you think of when you think laptop but they're a pretty solid company, aren't they? Any one with a Samsung laptop with bad experiences?
I just like the look of their laptops.
Don't like the look of Sonys (and they're probably overpriced anyway).
And i'm steering away from big names like HP because of endless motherboard problems in the past.
Not mad about the Toshibas or Asuses.
So basically, are Samsungs reliable?

2. Is 3gb ram enough to run windows 7. I'm not a gamer but i'll do a bit of multitasking/loading a fair few programs and don't want it slowing down.
3gb with the i3 processor should be OK for this yeah?

3. The i3 processor with this machine- that's a proper one isn't it ( i just read in the sticky the UM or LM ones were inferior- this isn't one of these?).

4. Overall, in your opinion, does this look like a decent laptop?

Thanks.

Edit: are laptop directs reliable/ok to do business with or would a place like dabs.ie etc be better.
Thanks.

dazzday

1. Samsung are rather reliable and pleasently offer good customer support. Again when it comes down to manufactuerer preference alot has to do with personal opinion. For example Im still an Acer fanboy after all this time while some here wouldnt toiuch them with a pole. Just dont by a Dell

2. Perfect amount of RAM for your needs. You wont feel any lag multitasking.
TBH for 95% of what you are using it for RAM usage will struggle to top 3gb. My advice is to install a windows gadget to monitor RAM usage or keep an eye on task manager and see if you feel you are utilising full RAM too often etc.

3. Yep fully clocked i3 dual core 2.2GHz cpu. Again more than adequte for your needs.

4. Very good looking 14inch model i must say...digging the minimalistic look! Alumininium build looks to give it solid build quality. Reviews rate temps and noise to be on the low side, which always helps.

GPU is meh. Just powerful enough to be classed discrete and add premium price, however dont expect anything above a mediocre gaming performance. 310M will be defunct early next year with new intergrated GPUs in the new I-core processors matching and potentially exceeding it in performance. However for the casual gamer and for multimedia functions its solid. No sign of optimus which is a shame.

Cons:

Battery life a liitle on the short side for a 14inch at ~4hours under use.
Lack of E-sta or USB 3.0 is dissapointing.
meh webcam

Price is probably about right, although id be looking tior the i5 version for a fraction more.

5. I dont mind laptopsdirect, always had good experiences with them. However there are more than a few horror stories. If you can get it for similar price of dabs, elara, expansys etc id be more inclined to go with them.

Bottomline: based on your needs and pricerange, a solid purchase!