Taking a note from Apple--and Sony before it--Samsung opts for a cutout keyboard. That is, the keys pop out through holes in the case. This design makes for a more solid feel and creates a nice amount of spacing between the keys. But the real question is, does typing on this keyboard feel good? Yes. With its solid, tactile feedback, you can register every key press. The keys don't offer much of a textured touch, but they don't feel flimsy.

You won't find any superfluous multimedia shortcut keys. Extra tasks are handled by pressing the Function button and one of the F-row keys. (That's the only way you can toggle the number and caps lock.) The sole dedicated buttons are a shortcut to the Samsung MagicDoctor utility (basically a quick-fix finder for problems on the PC) and a speed-boost shortcut key (really a quick toggle between basic power-saving settings and full speed). As for the mousepad, it's pleasantly sensitive, and the two buttons are both well-spaced and solid to the touch.

The sound is surprisingly big considering its miniscule source. Not that you'll go using this machine as some nerdy boombox, but sitting in an outdoor area with a lot of ambient noise, I was still able to clearly hear the stylings of without missing a beat(box). Of course, it's a little hollow because it lacks a proper subwoofer, but the mids and highs do an ample job. The volume can be turned up enough that you won't always need headphones.

People who loathe preinstalled bloatware will love the scarcity of software here. But it's not completely barren. Our unit comes with Samsung's one-step diagnostic and system recovery application, which can help fix things that could go wrong with installs and get you back to a factory-fresh state. You can also perform a quick reinstall of important Windows files, while keeping your data intact. (Wait a sec--a fast restore that takes only 2 to 3 minutes to work? Sign me up!) The other program on board is the OmniPass security software, made to work in tandem with the built-in biometrics.

I'm pretty impressed with the Samsung X460. Oh, sure, I have a couple quibbles about choices like the discrete but low-end GPU (obviously a cost-cutting measure), but that doesn't stop me from recommending this machine. It's a little outside the range of our definition of an ultraportable laptop (which includes a screen smaller than 13.3 inches diagonally and usually a weight under 4 pounds), but this is a great thin-and-light choice, regardless.