13.3" Samsung NP900X3C with Ivy Bridge CPU

My only reason for gravitating towards the S9 over the Zenbook Prime at this point is the promise of a Samsung SSD, as was present in my X3B. However, everyone who's posted on here with one of the new Ivy Bridge units seems to indicate that their unit has the SanDisk SSD that I'm trying to avoid. People who already have the Ivy Bridge S9--which SSD did you get? Where are you located? Does it use mSATA?

EDIT: I'm also interested in those of you who paid for the more expensive variants with TPM chips. Perhaps you guys got better SSD's as well? I noticed that there has been a consistent $100 price drop compared to last gen on all other units...

 

My reference point:

Model: NP900X3C-A02US
Location: US
Reseller: Amazon
Drive Sandisk

FYI - same for NP900X4C-A02US (15")

 

The 128GB is SanDisk, the 256GB is the Samsung drive.


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I think samsung sold a lot of SSDs to apple and other vendors. It's ridiculous they would put an inferior competitor's drive in their own laptop, but that's what happens when you have divisions competiting within a company. I'm sure it was cheaper to buy the sandisk lot than to pay the equivalent cost the SSD division was getting from external customers. There may have been stock issues as well.

 

Why can't we get this in the US anywhere but Amazon right now?

 

I don`t see a problem selling SanDisk on eBay and getting whatever you wish/can afford. Why make it so complicated?

 

And replace it with what? It is complicated because there is a lack of choice and you are going to lose money.

 

And when you pay a premium for something you shouldn't have to immediately upgrade it.


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tbh I might end up buying a macbook air and put windows on it once it comes out after WWDC

 

Enjoy your command key

 

For example
OWC OWCSSDAPE6G120 120GB Mercury Aura Pro Express... in stock at OWC

This particular one won`t fit, but there are many mSATA ssd`s you can buy.

 

Its not premium, S9 doesn`t cost $2k, just 1400, so I wouldn`t call it premium in any way.

 

Do you work for Samsung? I don't really understand your position. It seems you feel it's OK for Samsung to ship mSATA SSD drives that aren't made by them.

Samsung makes excellent SSD drives. It is reasonable to expect one in their top tier Series 9 machine.

You do understand that? That is the crux of the issue.

You say there are many mSATA SSD's on the market. Why would someone spend the extra money on a different SSD? The point most people are making is that a replacement should not be necessary to start with.

 

He's just trolling and I don't know why. Samsung ultraportables are some of the most expensive on the market, and for them to be hobbled with a terrible SSD when Samsung makes amazing SSD's of their own is baffling, and especially infuriating given that the previous model of the same unit had a Samsung SSD. There's also no way for the user to know which SSD they're getting, since nowhere on the specifications sheet does it list the particular model of SSD in each unit. And 300 dollars is not a trivial sum of money to pay for an upgrade--it's about a 25% premium above the initial cost.

 

If you would be true gadget fan then you would not b*itch, simply buy it and upgrade it as per your needs If you can`t afford it, then buy Acer Moaning about SanDisk SSD won`t change anything. Pull it out, sell it, replace with Samsung if you need. Trust me, if Samsung could, they would fit their own ssd`s. Maybe then it woud be too expensive to compete with other products on market?

 

No words.

On a related note, Acer had some good stuff at Computex. That company's on the up-and-up.

 

Hmm the new S9s were taken down from the BB website...

 

How is the s9 keyboard? I tried the vaio z today and the keyboard is utterly , felt like tapping on a thin sheet of cheap plastic.

 

I find my X3B's keyboard to be very acceptable considering the limited travel.

John

 

how would you say it compares to the MBA's keyboard? the air's felt decent enough to me, the vaio z is utterly unacceptable

 

I had the same concerns before buying my S9. It's much better than the VAIO Z keyboard and roughly on a par with the Air, the Air probably just shades it.

The S9 keyboard simply doesn't compare to those found in full fat laptops but this is true of all slim laptops except maybe for the Dell XPS 13 which has an excellent keyboard.


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That is good to know, I'm basically stuck between the 15 and 13 inch, rather have 8gb of ram but the pls display, 128gb ssd I can live with. guess I could also wait for the apple stuff and see if the MPB is worth it since its getting much thinner and lighter

 

Do you guys know what "economics" is? Your whole argument, that since Samsung makes good SSDs, they should put them into their ultrabooks, makes zero sense. Samsung is a business; they care about sales and profit. If it was "cheaper" to put their own SSD inside, by all means they would've done it, since it would've been more profit for them. However, they decided to with whatever the hell is inside the 9 right now FOR A REASON. They aren't elementary kids; they've made a decision after much thought, calculations, and deals. How would you know it cost them more money for the Sandisk SSD? Do you work for them (just like you asked)? Do you know the internal workings and what all their contracts state?
Furthermore, by logic, they would've made a decision based on what is the larger pool of consumers; it's obvious there are more potential customers who don't care what SSD is inside as long as it's an SSD, than customers who will cry over a brand of a component. (Good for you; you're more aware, educated, yet more picky. It's too bad there aren't more of you so we can actually get a Samsung SSD, which would've been great).

Please tell me HOW it's "reasonable" to expect such a thing just because Samsung makes excellent SSDs. There is no correlation at all. Business is all about money; I hope you realize this in your head. You have 2000+ posts here and yet you're making posts that someone like I should make.

Further, @quazeal why are you even complaining in here? Do you think they're going to read your post and realize what a big mistake they'd made, and apologize and go fix it? Christ, grow up.

I don't mean to assail you guys; this is a wake up call.

 

You have a point. Ford use Volvo engines in some of their cars for example. You don't need to be quite so aggressive and defensive of your argument, however.

I think our point wasn't one of cost. The S9 is marketed as their flagship product. The best they can offer. Why then cripple it with an inferior SSD?

Ford use the Volvo engine in their Focus ST because it's better. For a product they trumpet as being the best in every area - screen, build, performance etc., they've let it down with a few inferior components.

I think we're all agreed that we would rather have paid a little more and had a Samsung SSD.

Please give your opinions by all means but do not come here and insult us all with verbal abuse, it's completely unnecessary and somewhat childish.


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Reminds me of the story when the aston martin owner peeled away the key tag and dash and found ford stuff under it

 

...because Ford owned Aston & Jaguar at the time. They didn't go out and specifically purchase Ford parts, they already had them.

Let's just agree to disagree.


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Sandisk SSD is just another strike against this product for me.
1. No 8GB option.
2. Inferior SSD, 256GB option only aftermarket.
3. No i7 option.
4. Battery life.
5. $$ (at least not $$$)
For a top tier line, there's just too many issues right now. Most are easily correctable though. I saw a commercial for the S9 last night, it was in a gunslinging duel. Clever.

 

This is exactly what is wrong with the world.

Sorry man, I am not going to agree with you so I will respectfully dismiss myself from this argument.

 

@FickleLove

I don't think that my complaining will make Samsung reconsider their decision to use a SanDisk SSD, but I do think that it might dissaude others on this forum from being essentially bait-and-switched into buying an inferior product. And even if it doesn't change any minds, where else am I going to complain about it but here? This is pretty much THE place to complain about these kind of issues...

Also, I do understand economics, but I lament that Samsung made the economic decision to pop in a SanDisk and lower the price (especially since it's obviously cheaper for them to use a Samsung SSD than it would be for the competition, though likely more expensive than the crappy SanDisk) thereby making it a worse buy for users like us and eliminating one of the few advantages they had over the Zenbook Prime. Don't you? I also know that Samsung is on the record as pursuing Apple-like margins on their products, so I am certain that they could be more competitive in their pricing. Hell, the Zenbook line is evidence enough of that.

 

But, I do!
Samsung, WE want 8GB memory and 256GB SSD at the very least! i7 cpu would be great, but not necessary for me to buy it. My fellow plebeians, now chant with me:

"Shame on Samsung, Shame on Samsung!"

On a serious note like several of you, I was also on the verge of buying this "ultrabook" but the 4GB memory & 128GB hard drive limitation turned me off. Plus, the display had only 1 brightness setting that was acceptable (5 / 8) since this display has very poor brightness distribution @ the same setting.

It is strange BestBuy removed this from their website...did they have any problems with these notebooks?

 

Clearly Samsung is responding to our complaints and giving us bigger and better SSD's, it's the only explanation

 

You can technically purchase one from Korea, model # NT900X3C-A74. North of $2000.

 

Interesting, I was not aware of this model. But still 4GB

 

For anyone who is a bit worried about the 4Gb RAM, what is your daily tasking like? I'm trying to get a feel for if I'd need 8Gb or if 4 is enough. 4 vs. 8 definitely made a difference for me in my iMac.

 

Looking to come back to windows very soon. And this appears just right, from what I plan to make the move. But the confidence is just not building for it.

With so much noise that this laptop has made, it is odd for BB has to take it off their site, while no one else seems to be willing to sell it. Just Amazon - with no liability of course.

Any thoughts/advice!!!

 

@FickleLove

For many users 4GB is sufficient. Really depends on what software you are using. But if you do a lot of dev, photo/video work, run VM's, etc. 4GB can be quite limiting.

@Prabhash

Supplies are fairly tight right now. Keep in mind every manufacturer is clamoring for the new ivy bridge chips. I went to best buy yesterday and they had the 15" on display. Pretty cool but the screen is fairly "washed out". Congratulations on moving back to windows, but perhaps make sure the new macair will not suit your needs better. For what it's worth, besides the limit of 4GB ram, a slower SSD and fairly unimpressive battery life, the 13" is otherwise a well-regarded system.

 

New MacBook Pro`s being announced tonight - Kepler grapchics, retina displays, thinner, lighter. Just stand by guys, this will create some waves in the market.

 

@FickleLove

I use 4gb RAM on my primary desktop machine and have only rarely run into issues with certain memory intensive applications. Realistically, I don't see myself running into those same issues on an ultrabook with a relatively weak processor, since I probably won't be running too many intensive apps. It should most likely be sufficient for you, and most ultrabooks (including the Air) are capped at 4gb.

 

4GB works pretty well right now, and is in-line with the power of the ULV processors. In 18 months though, the 4GB cap (and weak processor) will be more evident. Depends how long you plan to use your computer and what your daily tasks are going to be. I realized that an ultrabook just wasn't going to cut it for photo/video editing since I plan to keep my computer for 3 years.

 

The new macbook specs have been released and they have 8GB instead of the Samsung Series 9's 4GB limitation. Plus, the new macbook air 13 has Great display, 8gb memory, 256gb ssd, i7 cpu, & bigger battery, and thinner, so I'm sold. Goodbye Samsung, hello Apple / Mac .

 

Apple can always get it right. Announced, and guess what? Shipping today. What did Samsung do, sell all of their memory, SSD's, display ports and batteries to Apple?

Samsung is still trying to figure out how to sell a product, the S9 was announced 6+ months ago. Maybe it would have been cool 6+ months ago, but who wants to buy something when it's 6+ months old already.

 

Uh, if you could kindly point me to the Air with the retina display I'd be quite happy, but I'm fairly certain the only computer to get the retina bump was the "next generation" Macbook Pro, which starts at $2200.

 

Samsung needs to wake up and put 8GB in already. Other than that I find the macair refresh pretty uneventful, how can they still start at 64GB on the 11" and not lower the price? That's a crime. Clearly the macbook was the focus, not my cup of tea but this should start the push away from 720p.

Anyways, I hope samsung wakes up, the macair now has:
1. 8GB RAM option
2. Apparently samsung's own superior SSD
3. A $100 price difference
Samsung is relying on their design, a 1/2 lb, and W7 vs. OSX to win over customers, a questionable strategy to say the least. I predict within a few months they will match apple at least on the RAM front. I would probably pay $1700 for an i7, 256GB, 8GB S9. $1500 would be easier to stomach though.

 

You are correct. The only Mac that got a Retina display today was the new MacBook Pro. It seems weird Apple didn't lower the prices on the other MacBook Pros since they are more expensive than a Retina model.

Cannibalization of their own MBP line to follow.

As for the Air, the 8GB model is welcome. I'd much rather have a MacBook Air with 8GB and a 256GB SSD than the 13.3" Series 9 with 4GB of RAM, 128GB SSD, no DisplayPort, and terrible support channel. So I think the $300 is well spent on the 8GB 256GB MBA (compared to the Samsung Series 9). I look forward to seeing what Dell and Lenovo do now.

Competition is good.

Prediction: Retina MBA by Christmas.

 

How is Windows on the Air? I loathe the Apple ecosystem but am seriously considering an Air seeing as no other company can seem to get an ultrabook right.

 

I'd much rather have the Samsung with the same specs as the MBA, but Samsung is taking the low road here and losing in the process. Nobody even knows about the Samsung, and it has worse specs, and it is more money. Apple is the high price leader, if Samsung wants market share they need to get noticed by providing a better value.

I would take the MBA with 8GB and 256GB SSD if only it got rid of the god awful screen and bezel, I would learn to deal with the command key in the wrong spot.

I really don't see how hard it could be for one company to make a good product, ie. MBA with a matte display or an option for it, Samsung with a modern amount of memory and display adapter.

 

I would rather have the Series 9 if it had the right specs, too. But it doesn't so I ordered a Pro Retina.

Looking forward to trying it. Should be in my hands possibly by Friday 6/22.

I will likely go dark in these forums until Samsung offers a 13.3" with 8GB RAM and other features I want. The same is true for the 15" Sammy. I want a PLS screen on it and either Thunderbolt or DisplayPort. Mini VGA is not an option.

Take care folks,

Thor

 

"The new "retina display" MacBook Pro measures 15.5 inches across and contains an Intel quad-core i7 processor. It will feature up to 16GB of memory and up to 768GB of internal flash storage, Marketing Vice President Phil Schiller told attendees. It goes on sale today." TODAY.
First, I am a Windows person. LOVE Samsung (Or at least have been a big fan for a long while.)
Although bought a last year's S9 - BECAUSE I was WAITING for an 8GB 256 SD (and dare I hoped - an i7)....
AND I really do not want to go back to MAC. Not because Apple was anything less than STELLAR - but I simply cannot afford multiple platforms for software, etc.

BUT - What is UP with the less (so far LESS than ideal) from Samsung? And for so long? The new S9 series should have been wonderful - i.e., great RAM, the very good 256 GB SAMSUNG SD, ....

Is anyone else feeling.... left out by today's Apple news?

 

uh-huh!

 

I've used windows 7 on a 2011 macbook air 11" and it ran great with all my windows apps.