Of course, the big talking point is the NC20’s usage of VIA’s 1.3GHz Nano processor, one of the first netbooks to opt for this over the all-conquering Intel Atom CPU. The Nano processor is expected to make an impact this year and finally give the Atom some much needed competition (and give us bloggers a less mundane job in reporting new netbook releases).

Other confirmed specifications are 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive space, a 6-cell battery, and the option of 802.11b/g WiFi and Bluetooth. You can also make the choice of a HDD or SSD. Pricing remains a mystery, but it is likely to cost more than the typical netbook and could retail at over $500.

Unsurprisingly rumored to be called the Samsung NC20, the first thing worth mentioning is that it will be another of those hybrid netbooks that defy the original definition much like the Dell Mini 12, its 12.1-inch screen raising the ongoing question of “netbook or notebook?”.

The 3.3-pound NC20 is expected to come packed with a 1.3GHz VIA Nano U225 processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 160GB hard drive, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11b/g WiFi, Ethernet, a 3-in-1 card reader, and a 1.3-megapixel camera. The price is thought to be around $642 and sounds pretty high for what is on offer, but given the NC10’s popularity, you could place a safe bet on this machine being something worthwhile.

There is a possibility we could hear more about it at CES before the expected release date of February, and this isn’t likely to be the last of these bigger netbooks (if you even consider them such) to be unveiled this year, with Asus and others thought to have some in the pipeline.

Sources: Engadget & Laptop Magazine