Did you take a look at the Samsung 900X1B and think hmm, 1.3Ghz with no Turbo = Not good enough? Take another look because there’s a 1.6Ghz Core i5 (2467M) version on its way. You’ll get turbo goodness to 2.3Ghz with the Samsung NP-900X1B-A03
The Series 9, available in 11″ and 13″ matt screen sizes, is not strictly an Ultrabook due to lack of Intel Anti Theft core but apart from that, it’s a close match to the Asus UX21
We reviewed the 13″ Series 9 here.
On the minus side you have only 2GB of RAM and 64GB in the base version (we’re seeing a 4GB, 128GB version too) and if the SSD is the same as I tested in the 13″ version, it’s not as fast as the ASUS UX21 but it’s not a slow-coach either. On the plus-side you get a MicroSD slot (it’s a real shame this isn’t a full-size slot but it could be useful for storage expansion if it supports SDXC), an illuminated keyboard, the same weight as the UX21 and a matt screen. USB3.0 and USB2.0 slots are included along with a mini HDMI port. An adaptor is included for 10/100/1000 ethernet. The Bluetooth variant is 3.0+HS.
Oh, and if you’re looking to get the biggest battery possible in the smallest 11″ shell as possible, Samsung has done it. The 40W battery is 14% bigger than the one in the UX21.
As for the price, it looks like it could be competitive too. Pre-order prices in Austria are coming in lower than the UX21 at under 950 Euros inclusive of 20% tax. If you don’t need the 128GB storage of the UX21 and have been looking for the matt display and back-lit keyboard, take a very close look at this. I’m trying to get a review sample for later this month. Note that prices are dropping across the Series 9 range.
The 900X1B is already in our database. Here’s a side-by-side of the 11″ ‘Ultrabook’ options.
Source: Geizhals Thanks Phorsta
Any word on the Samsung Series 7?
End of October, beginning of November in Europe is the last I heard. Its shipping already to early orders I believe.
tnx for the update Chippy
I udgarped to a new Vista laptop last year, and have been unhappy and frustrated with it from the start. When my daughter’s laptop died a horrible death, I really didn’t want to go through the same Vista pains with her, so I decided to replace it with a Mac (it’s going to be a Christmas present, so shhh!). As designated tech support for my family and friends, I started learning everything I could about Mac before she started asking questions. The more I learned about it, the more I wanted one for myself, and now that I have one, I am really kicking myself for not switching last year. It’s simply beautiful. I know it sounds like I drank the apple-flavored Kool-Aid, but the Macbook really is a marvel of elegant form and function. It feels solid and substantial, without being bulky and heavy. the aluminum design is a work of art, and I really appreciate all of the eco-friendly choices that were made regarding the components. The LED screen is brighter and clearer than my old laptop’s LCD screen. Looking at them side by side, the difference is amazing (and my old laptop was marketed as a portable entertainment PC, with an udgarped screen). I don’t know what kind of LCD screens some of the other users have, but the Macbook screen is far superior to any notebook screen I’ve ever seen. The back-lit keyboard is great – no more keyboard light needed. The keys have a solid feel to them, they’re not mushy or noisy like some keyboards can be, they’re just right, and the key layout is just like a full-size keyboard – no more hunting to figure out where the heck the backslash key is hidden or hitting the wrong key because your pinky slipped off of an undersized shift key. I’ll admit that I couldn’t figure out the trackpad at first, but I felt like a dork once I realized how simple it is. I did change the settings so that I can tap to click in addition to pressing down on the trackpad (since that’s what I’m used to). It’s just incredibly easy once you get going. Swipe two fingers down the pad to scroll, swipe four for expose, tap with two fingers for secondary-click… it does more straight out of the box than my old highly-programed touch-pad. And after about an hour, the gestures become second-nature. As far as the built-in speakers go, they’re nicer than I expected, especially since I can’t figure out how the heck they fit any speakers into such a tiny case. Seriously, it’s like the whole case is the speaker. As I type this review, I’m listening to the album Paradise Lost by Symphony X and It sounds pretty good to me. of course, it sounds even better played through my Klipsch Room Groove, but um.. hey… they’re integrated laptop speakers – though they are very nice ones. There are only two USB ports, but since the keyboard and trackpad are so functional, you won’t need external input devices (though a number pad is a must for me when doing a lot of data-entry). I only use USB for external storage and synching my iPod, so it’s not a problem for me (my iPod touch has a program that lets it act like a number pad when I need one). If I ever need more devices at once, I’ll get a USB hub. Now, it’s confession time: As a Windows-centric IT Professional, I never liked Apple much, and I spent many years making fun of Mac and Mac users. When OS X came out, I couldn’t justify further ridicule, so I just ignored Mac whenever the subject came up. After using Leopard for a short time, I can tell you that I don’t have the appetite to eat the big heaping serving of humble pie that I’m owed. Leopard is slick and smooth and oh so fast. I’m truly enamored with iLife and iWork, and Time Machine is just about perfect (better than shadow copies, for the Windows guys and gals). It’s packed with a lot of little things (like Spotlight and Preview) that are unobtrusive and helpful, which is a vast improvement over Vista’s annoying and unhelpful features. So, now I’m a happy convert. I still have two programs that are Windows-only (until I find replacements), and I still go back to my old (1 year old) laptop occasionally (for just the two, I don’t want to bother with Boot Camp or Parallels). I hate going back to Vista after using my Macbook. Even though that laptop technically has higher RAM and processor specs than the Macbook, it’s slow and clunky in comparison. I always sigh in relief when I can put it away again. Bottom line: I love my Macbook and I wish I hadn’t waited so long to make the switch. If you’re worried about switching to Mac, visit an Apple Store – even if you have to make a day trip to get there, it will be worth it. Spend a little hands on time with the Macbook, and check out all the free classes the store offers. If you buy from the store, they will move your files from your old PC for you (for free). If all of that doesn’t convince you, then come see me, and I’ll offer you…
Chippy,
Do you have any more info as to when these Series 9 Core i5-2467M (1.6GHz) and the Core i7-2637M (1.7GHz) are supposed to hit the USA? They have been available in Asia for a while and in some European countries too. The Asian ones have fixed the weak WiFi by using an Intel Centrino 6300 (with 3 antenna) WiFi adapter where the 3rd antenna goes up into the hinge or LCD — I’m hoping that that problem is solved on all new models.
Thanks . . . . Brian
Though I dont own it, I have seen the Series 9 11.6 in shops and I have to admit, its not as beautiful as a MacBook Air 11.
40W battery is cant give any good time. The cpu uses 17W (TDP), how long can it really last?
I had a 63W battery in my Asus UL20A and the cpu was a SU7300 C2D that was 10W (TDP)That only gave 6 hours.
I disagree with you on the MBA being more “beatiful” than the Samsung Series 9. That Series 9, while I had it, got so much attention and love that I could not believe.
All that being said, I’m waiting for Samsung to fix some issues before I get another Series 9…
I viewed one of this series in the store the other day (13″ i5) and I was surprised how cheap it felt. It was very light, looked good on the outside, had a good screen, but the cheap plastic used on the inside, the ‘lose’ screen, cracking screen adjustment and the broken click-pad, made me hesitant about ultrabooks (seeing the scores this one gets…) They are probably not handled with to much care but still.
I am definitely not a apple fanboy, do not like their OS, but when I compared the quality I would consider paying that much more for the ‘name’ but especially for the build quality. Thus I was wondering how do the upcoming ultrabooks compare with the samsung and mac book air in this area (sturdiness, feel, bend-ability, ‘cracking’ ect)? I know it’s a bit of a vague concept I am talking about, hope you understand.