13.3" Samsung NP900X3C with Ivy Bridge CPU

Yes, I have seen the 13" and 15" side-by-side and fully agree.

I had no idea about possible spacebar mods, that is why I deferred it to you.
The spacebar noise is not a huge deal to me - I type very softly and not that fast.

 

Make sure you have disabled the auto-brightness on the Easy Settings Display page.

John

 

Did you guys see this:

Samsung smuggles new Series 9 prototype into IFA: 2,560 x 1,440 on a matte display (hands-on) -- Engadget

I wonder when this is going to be available...

 

Just about to post that Cableman. Looks incredible! Glad to see so much development in display technology rather quickly.

 

Yes, auto brightness is turned off for both plugged in and on power.

 

Interesting, but usability will depend on Windows 8 fixing the residual display scaling problems. X4C owners would prefer that Samsung give priority to a 15" PLS panel.

Another bit of news is the arrival of the NBR review of the X3C. I'm seeking clarification of RAM being expandable to 8GB - perhaps the reviewer didn't look inside.

John

 

I can't not make heads or tails of Mr. Jefferies' STAR RATING of 3 out of 5. I read the review, and he overall seems to love it, and it sounded like, from what I read, a 4 or 4+ out of 5. Then, he gives it a 3 primarily, it seems because of the score weighting he gives to non-expandability.

I am sorry, folks, but in the "age of ultrabooks" and super-ultraportables, most netbooks and tablets, what you buy is what you have. This is not a notebook that you pull into the bay, hoist up on the rack and make changes to. Can we simply get beyond that.

Same with "not enough ports" or "too many dongles" in ultrabook reviews where the unit is like 1/4" thick!!

 

This is why you should have done the review.

 

Good review but I felt the same way. The star rating doesn't reflect the actual review. Also I was surprised to see "loud touchpad clicks" mentioned as one of the major cons. It would've been nice if the review unit was opened up to clarify vagueness about the RAM slot.

 

I agree, the rating should be based on what one can expect from an ultrabook in which case price is the only real drawback (and only 4GB RAM would push it down a notch in our assessment). Hence 4 stars as a minimum (or 4 1/2 if you think the RAM can be expanded).

I suggest you comment on the rating on the discussion of the review.

John

 

Was debating between Zenbook Prime and Gigabyte U2442 until today's Samsung Series 9 review popped up. Skimming this thread and trying out the Samsung Series 9 in person at the store had me convinced. If anyone else is interested, jr.com has a few Samsung NP900X3C left at $1180. If you use the code LABORDAY, it takes $15 off the total.

 

This is a very long thread and I don't have the time to read every single posts. I just read the review of this laptop and I am interested in this even though I've been a Thinkpad guy for a very long time. Right now I have the X1 Carbon and the T430u in mind, but the Series 9 have my attention due to the better screen. I generally do prefer business grade laptop, but this laptop seems well built. One main issue that is cited in the review is the inability to upgrade the parts. So is there absolutely no way to upgrade either the RAM and the SSD?

 

You can not upgrade the RAM in the 13" Series 9 models.
This has been stated hundreds of times in this thread.

The SSD absolutely can be upgraded.
Unlike the X1 Carbon which takes a proprietary SSD, the Series 9 takes a standard mSATA SSD, and it is easily replaceable.
Now...a few owners here will point out that Samsung claims to be able to void the warranty for doing this, but it is, to my knowledge, unlawful to attempt to void the warranty for such an upgrade, provided that no damage is done to any system internals doing so.

It would be unlawful to void a warranty in the USA for such a reason.

Also, I have noted the absence of any stickers or markings on the bottom of the notebook which might say "warranty void if sticker removed", "no user serviceable parts inside" or any such warnings. They do not exist on the Series 9.

It might also be prudent to keep the original SSD to put back in case of another issue which requires that the notebook be sent in under warranty.

John Ratsey is the moderator of this forum and a senior person here, and he has done upgrades on the Series 9, and has no issue with it.
When I am ready to do it, I would not think twice about it.

John Ratsey has another thread on these Samsung forums solely related to third party SSD upgrades for these notebooks, so, yes, SSD upgrades most certainly can be done.

Now - you said that you want a "business class" notebook.
I feel that this notebook meets that requirement in terms of build quality, without a doubt. The Series 9 is put together by Samsung to perfection, and very few defects are ever mentioned here. Contrast that to the ASUS Zenbook forums where it seems to be one defect after another, on and on.

The "business class" element that you will NOT get from a Series 9 is support. Once again, ASUS is much worse, in fact I would call ASUS the worst of the worst support (and I have bought ASUS motherboards exclusively for 20+ years), but Samsung is very, very weak in the support department. Also, you will find no on-site service options for Samsung. If it screws up, you are going to have to ship it off to Samsung.

Some of the recent PC support reviews have actually ranked Samsung ahead of many other companies, and they have scores in the A- range and below on such review sites, but my experience has not been fun with them to this point.

So, yes, it is a business-class product, but without business-class support.

I hope this helps you.

 

I would suggest that you also consider the 15" Samsung NP900X4C which you can read about here. It lacks the excellent display of the NP900X3C but is more usable in many other respects, particularly if your eyes are starting to age. I came to my current NP900X4C from a T420s via the NP900X3B.

Officially, none of the Series 9 have user-upgradeable parts and there are 10 screws to remove to get inside. However, they use a standard mSATA SSD (unlike some other ultrabooks that use different mini SSD formats) and, while the X3C has 4GB of soldered RAM (the new review is misleading in that respect), the X4C has two SODIMM slots. Note there's also an X4D which is in magnesium alloy if you prefer silver.

John

 

Like I said before, it's a very long thread and it's unrealistic to expect someone new to the thread to read the entire thread.

I hear ya and support isn't really an issue for me. I am tech savvy and I do build my own desktops. I have seen this laptop or something very similar to it at the Microsoft Store in Minneapolis. I don't doubt the build quality of this laptop. However, I never tried out the keyboard. Is it close enough to the legendary reputation of the Thinkpad keyboard?

 

A 15" laptop is a non-starter. It's too big and heavier than what I need.

Is there a way to get the NP900X3C with 8GB of RAM?

 

I took the time to read the thread and learned a lot. I hate wasting people's time by asking the same questions that's been asked and answered about every 6-7 pages. If your time is that much more valuable than everybody else's, try using the search function. You could find an answer or even a link to an entire thread specifically discussing mSata SSD upgrade options for this computer in about 2 minutes.

 

Is it just me or is this high level of resolution on a 13 inch latop a no-go because the text is simply too small?

Do people generally adjust their DPI settings for this new breed of laptops with very high levels of resolution ? Or maybe i'm missing something here with talk of Pro-retina displays etc....

 

Usually they come with text size zoomed at 125%/150% for better readability.

 

No intent here to blast you for not reading the whole thread, or even for not searching. It is just that EVERYONE wants to know if the 13" Series 9 can be upgraded past 4GB, and it just can not be.

Similar (but different) to the X1 Carbon. There, you can get 8GB, but if you order 4GB you can not upgrade. Same as all but the UX32VD Zenbook with 4GB as the only option in them.

The Carbon has all but been a "vapor-PC" to this point, a few reviewers have seen them, advanced configs have been delayed, orders have been cancelled by Lenovo. Right now, IMHO, the Carbon has been a story to tell around the campfire. It got "launched" but there are none around. Hopefully that will change in a few days to a few weeks.

But...when the Carbon does get into user's hands, it is not going to have a screen like the 13" Series 9, and it is a larger, thicker and slightly heavier notebook. It weighs about what a 13" Air does, and this S9 is about 1/2 pound less and weighs about what a SONY Z2 weighs. This 13" S9 that I have here fits in a cheap stretchy case for an 11.6" Acer Aspire!! No other 13" notebook I have ever seen can do that!!!

It is like having a 13" screen with the weight and size of an 11" notebook, pretty much!

When the Carbon gets into user's hands, those users will have a machine that will have a better keyboard. The S9's keyboard is not in the same league as the "legendary Thinkpad keyboards" that you mention. Very few people have seen the Carbon in person. Some reviewers say that the keyboard keeps the legend alive, some don't, but it will be better than the S9's for sure. Now, to the extent that the "legend" extends to the Trackpoint red eraser-head, I don't give a darn about it, and wish it was absent - sorry about that to old, "true Thinkpadders".

If you are close to an MS Store, go try the S9 keyboard.
Or try a 15" at a BB or such, pretty much the same keyboard as the 13".

Also, Carbon owners will have better support through IBM by far than anyone getting support from Samsung.

Those are the only comparisons I have for you at this point.

 

You mentioned you were considering the T430 which, according to this page, weighs 4.08 lbs. The NP900X4C weighs 3.65 lbs and the NP900X4D (which uses magnesium alloy) weighs in at about 3.5 lbs. Note that the 15" Series 9 uses a 15.0" panel so it is a size smaller than the average 15.6" notebook but I would admit that my X4C is 1/2" wider than the T420s. The 15" Series 9 is worth considering.

John

 

Any idea why my wifi download speeds are about 30% slower than what I could get on my old Samsung laptop? Or any ideas of how to speed them up?

 

I think there's a happy medium between being flamed because the question you ask has been dealt with somewhere in a relatively long thread and being lazy and asking a question that has been discussed throughout the thread in, maybe 20% of the posts.

I might add that as much as I detest the new NBR U/I I am finding the new thread search feature works pretty well, worth a try before undertaking to read a 10+ page thread if you just want to answer a specific question.

 

Yeah, not a big fan of the new site UI either, and is the advertisement that pops up multiple times just because I don't have a lot of posts yet? It's pretty annoying. It's all worth it though since the search function works now. That was a pretty big hindrance to research before.

On the wifi speeds, IIRC the S9 uses the same wifi card as the UX32vd and everybody complains about the speed with it as well. I never noticed any issues for the week or so I had mine.

 

1. Try the vBulletin Default style. 2. I use Google for the searching - if often lists multiple pages with a thread.

The WiFi performance in my X4C (Intel 6235) is also a step down from the X3B (Intel 6230). Perhaps one day I'll try swapping the WiFi cards. In the mean time try (i) putting the WiFi power onto maximum and (ii) disabling Bluetooth if you aren't using it.

John

 

Just switched to the vBulletin Default style. Much better, thanks for the tip!

Also, I just remembered I upgraded the WiFi card in my old Toshiba netbook a while back with some newer intel card. I get great speeds with it. Might just swap it out and see if there is a noticable difference. First step though, need to get my S9 past the USPS prying eyes and into my hands

 

Note that the Series 9 uses a combo WiFi Bluetooth card which limits your alternatives unless you forgo the Bluetooth.

John

 

I really like the NP900X3C-A04US but want 8GB Ram. I will purchase one only when and if it becomes available w/8GB Ram.

I can live with 256GB mSata SSD but would like a 512GB mSATA (if it every becomes available).

I really like the foot print, thickness, screen, weight and finish of the case. From what I read, the performance also meets my needs.

 

FYI, don't expect an 8GB version till summer 2013. Aftermarket 512GB msata's will be available in the next few months, but I would assume will cost a premium for some time.

 

You don't say why you need 8GB. There's no inherent benefit unless you're working with some pretty large files. Windows 8 has a smaller footprint and is less RAM hungry than Win 7. My old np900x3a had 8GB and my new np900x3b has 4GB. Unless you really need 8GB, other factors like a faster SSD are much more important.

 

This is my biggest complaint after 2 months of use. I've set wireless performance to maximum under all power plan settings, but it's still slower than my old Dell.

 

I will mainly carry the small Ultrabook when traveling but do a lot of editing with PS CS6 and Premiere CS5.5. I would expect to upload (200 – 500) 25megapixel RAW files and video files while out of the house and then when returning home hook up a large external monitor for editing. That’s the way I am doing things now but with a much larger laptop (Dell Studio XPS 1645). My process works for me but I would enjoy a smaller and lighter Ultrabook w/o sacrificing any performance (i.e. RAM).

 

Photoshop DOES like memory, even more than a fast CPU.
Sounds like you are doing professional photo work, in which case this is probably
not the right notebook for you. The current SONY Z would have the power and RAM
that you need, but the screen is higher-res and the keyboard and trackpad are worse
(or different) from the S9's. However, when you are home, you could hook up an external
keyboard and mouse for your editing.

If I was doing the kind of work you are doing on a regular basis, I would not choose an S9.

 

I'd agree. He may not like 4GB of RAM although everything else is a huge step forward from his Dell. The Vaio Z's a good idea but may be overkill given what he's been using and I couldn't live with the 90s styling.

Two thoughts: actually try the x3c because you may be pleasantly surprised (and don't discount completely the beneficial effect of Win 8); if that doesn't work, take a look at the 15" x4c A04. At 3.5 pounds, it's still smaller and lighter than most other 14" stuff out there, it has even better battery life than the x3c and you can upgrade it to 8GB.

 

small discount 5% on SSD's from Crucial.

Just noticed a link from TechBargains: Best Deals, Dell Coupons, Cheap Laptops, Computer Sales for a 5% off Storewide NO MINIMUM (discount is automatically applied). Expires: Soon
that reduces the price on their 256GB Crucial m4 mSATA 6Gb/s SSD
256GB Crucial m4 Internal mSATA Solid State Drive • 500MB/s Read, 260MB/s Write
Part #: CT256M4SSD3 to ~$215

 

Hey my sis just got this laptop and I want to do a clean install but im so irritated i dont know how to. Like i know how to do it but i cant seem to boot onto the USB drive. Ive gone into the BIOS and made sure that it only boots into the USB HDD but still nothing, all i get is a screen with two tabs one that says devices and the other that directs me back to the BIOS page. Can anyone please help me??

 

You have to disable the fast boot options in the BIOS.
Then USB will boot.

 

If you haven't done so already, first use the backup option in Samsung Recovery Solution to make a backup copy of the drivers and software.

John

 

allright ill do the recovery, and the usb drive seems to be recognized now in the boot priority list but whenever i try to boot into it it gets stuck in a bootloop...is it maybe something wrong with my flash drive?

 

is there any other way to get the drivers like from the samsung website??

 

Try pressing F10 at the BIOS screen to get a one-time boot menu then choose the flash drive. If that doesn't work then thee are some tips on trouble-shooting boot issues are here. However, the problem may be the bootable installation on the flash drive. Some work better than others.

You can download most, but not everything. Also note that Samsung's Easy Software Manager helps manage the Samsung software and driver updates. You should also run the Samsung BIOS updater to check and manage the BIOS updating.

John

 

allright i tried pressing f10 and it worked, the USB drive is recognized as a boot option, but when i select it and press enter, nothing happens. Thanks for the help so far though John!

 

Are you using the USB 3.0 port (blue tab). If so, try the USB 2.0 port. Otherwise try a different method of creating a bootable USB drive.

John

 

I tried both usb ports and still nothing, but its weird because i can boot onto the drive on my computer (not a series 9)

 

ill try reformatting it, it might be because i was using ntfs instead of fat32, might not make a difference but its worth a shot

 

Hmmm, nothing....ill try to use a different usb drive but i dont have one, but i need one anyways. Ill go down to the shops sometime and get a different thumb drive and see if it makes a difference

 

Thanks John, I haven't logged in a while. Yes I had made that adjustment but doesn't it still needs more light than my other cams. I guess it's what you said, too thin to put as good a one as even the Lenovo X series, whose screen is significantly more thick than S9, even though it's a pre-ultrabook ultra-portable laptop

 

Hi All,

I have interested in a Samsung 900x3c. But I have read some reports that gets too warm (on surface) when running stress tasks... 4ºC or 5ºC plus over max temps from other ultrabooks under same stress, like Asus Ux31a one (my other alternative). I live in an area which summers are very very hot. So cooling issues are important to me.

Samsung 13" Series 9 (900X3C): Full Review (see temperatures section)
Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A: Full Review (see temperatures section)

What is your experience about?. I'm a bit concerned about temperatures & feelings at hands & on lap.

Can Samsung np900x3c fans speed to be controlled by software (ie: Hwinfo) o Bios?

Thank you very much.

 

Some points on temperatures:
1. Those maximum temperatures are with the CPU under sustained full load, which is not the normal operating condition for use on the lap (battery life would also be seriously reduced).
2. The X3C has two fans which share the cooling work. This arrangement provides effective cooling with minimal fan noise (the Asus review indicates that the fan noise is quite noticeable under full load).
3. I've not noticed heat issues with my previous generation X3B and there haven't been complaints here about the X3C getting uncomfortably hot.

No one here has reported finding a method for over-riding the BIOS-level fan control. However, you can use Fn+F11 to enable the quiet fan option, which also puts the CPU to minimum speed.

John

 

Just picked mine up from the post office along with my Crucial 256GB mSata drive! Typing from it right now and I really like it so far. Feels much more solid than the UX32 did. Space bar does clack a bit but nothing I would have noticed on my own. A couple buttons clack a little like the backspace. I wonder why they are different from the rest. Touchpad is MUCH better than the UX32 also, not that I use it that much. I just wish they made a version of my Logitech Anywhere MX mouse in bluetooth so I didn't have to kill a USB port.