2013 Ativ Book 9 Plus owner's lounge (NP940X3G)

Thanks for the extra information.

I wonder if the rubber strip is to hold the antennae connectors in place and make sure they don't touch the metal base of the computer.

The screwdriver that works for my Series 9 notebooks is Philips size 0. I use this one because the relatively big handle allows good control. The key to getting the screws loosened is a firm grip and good pressure to ensure that the screwdriver bit does not lift out of the grooves. Once the bit gets damaged or worn then it's time to get another.

John

 

You're welcome. The antennae connectors are tightly plugged just like with old HMW wifi card, but maybe you're right, the rubber strip is there to make sure the connectors don't touch the metal base.

 

Do your screws have a blue coating on them? I think this is what makes them so troublesome on my S9.

 

That's Loktite or similar which is used to stop the screws coming loose. It also means that some extra effort is required to break the seal and start the screws turning.

Yes, I have that on my screws which is one reason why I use a screwdriver with a reasonably big handle.

John

 

Just received my Ativ 9. First off: love it!
However, I think I'm having a fan issue. It seems that the fan is on a lot and it's pretty loud (sort of a real high whine). I've had several laptops (Lenovo, Asus, Toshiba) and never noticed the fan like this. Does anyone else think the fan is really loud?

Thanks!

 

I just installed Win 8.1 on the new drive successfully, and all drivers can be installed via SW Update, but Intel ME Interface Driver always comes up with an "installation failed". What is Intel ME Interface Driver? Do we need it in AB9+?

 

No, the fans of the Ativ Book 9 Plus are usually very silent. But Windows might do some first run stuff in the background that puts high load on the CPU and therefore trigger the fans. If that's not the case then you probably have a faulty unit.

 

Thanks. I contacted Amazon and they said they'll have a unit to me tomorrow. Great support!

 

Thank you.

Hmm. That's less positive.
Where can you order replacements from?

 

Return for RMA.
Both my two Samsung ativ book 9 + units have never had any audible fan issues even whilst gaming (banished).
I recall hearing one in store(last year) that was noisy so do return it if noisy.

For me it is dead silent and only a very light fan noise can be heard(ear next to case) when gaming and air is pulled in and pushed out at the grills below the QHD screen.

 

Ugh. I just received the replacement today. On this one the fan is ALWAYS on. I'm not doing anything. It's just sitting there and the fan is going.. What the heck...

 

What CPU activity does Task Manager show when on idle? It should be well below 5%.

John

 

It's doing better now. I uninstalled a bunch of stuff and now it's quiet. Probably something I uninstalled was causing the problem. The fan still kicks in when I'm installing new software but I can deal with that.

Thanks!

 

Note that the Samsung Settings program is needed for proper operation including use of the Fn key controls and SW Update is your gateway to Samsung driver / software updates.

John

 

Much happier with this one. The other fan was really loud when it was on. At least this one sounds like a normal fan when I need to hear it.

 

Is there an owner here who has upgraded ( downgraded ) from 900x3E ? I mean some body who has practically used both 940x3G and 900X3E for a reasonable amount of time, so that he can really weigh out the pros and cons.
siki

 

It seems I have damaged one or two pins on the right usb port near the headphone jack, trying to plug in the headphones I accidentally inserted in the usb port. I hope this can be fixed DYI.......anyone have a link to a part supplier?

 

Take a look at this post: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...lus-owners-lounge-np940x3g-3.html#post9403518 and look through the other posts from this user.

Also, the current alternative option to the AB9+ is the 900X3G which also comes with Haswell processors. In the end IMO it just comes down to what is more important to you, weight or having a touchscreen.

 

First I would take a closer look at the port. The contacts are on the bottom side of the tab in the port. Did you break the tab or bend something out of line?

Samsungparts.com have a big list of spares (but some of the descriptions are somewhat cryptic). I don't know if they ship to Canada. If they don't then the Samsung Canada website should list the authorized service agents.

John

 

Hello, i have a AB9 i5 4gb ram (128gb ssd) upgraded to 480crucial. Running Banished in 3800x1600 makes the fans go allmost full speed after 30 sec. Even with lowest settings on graphics. I cannot understand how your AB9 manages to play it without fan spinning up???

Regards HB

 

That's an interesting site, thanks.

I don't suppose anyone has been able to find a copy of the service manual online?

 

Can anyone help me upgrade my wifi card to the AC version? Step by step instructions please. I already brought the screw drivers off amazon, can someone link me to the card we need for our laptop?

 

Hello ,

The card looks like this:

INTEL Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 2x2 (7260.NGWWB)

 

That would be me. I bought both the 900X3E and the 940X3G to compare side-by-side. The 900X3E was nearly perfect in my mind, especially with regards to form factor, portability, and keyboard feel, but the few even minor imperfections it had (light leakage in the keyboard, keyboard leaving oily prints on the screen, shorter battery life, etc) kept me from wanting to keep it at the lower price point over the AB9+ with Haswell and touchscreen. The AB9+ is just a bit heavier, noticeable really only because the extra weight is in the lid rather than the base, but it's never been something to complain about for me. The AB9+ still impresses all of my MBP- and MBA-toting friends in its slimness and size, and the AB9+ display is really phenomenal in my opinion.

Take a look at my side-by-side pics of my AB9, AB9+, and MBA if you like: Book9 Photos by leftbrain99 | Photobucket

 

Anyone else who has upgraded to Wireless-AC, have you noticed considerably decreased battery life? I have not been very precise in my examination, but my general feeling has been much quicker drain since I swapped the cards out. Don't hold me to that opinion - I just wanted to see if anyone else could confirm or deny before I start looking into it more. Thanks.

 

Thanks, you were really helpful, and great effort in comparing all three in pictures, presently I am inclined to switch my x3e with 940x3g, however I would appreciate if you could help out in giving your opinion on few precise points.

1. x3e web cam is average , and really does not work in low light condition , and I can understand that because putting a camera in that thinnest screen frame, was a tough job, however, is the camera better in 940x3g because it has a fatter lid?

2. I had cursor jump problems while typing, with my previous (other than AB9s) laptops due touchpads, but 900x3e reduced that to a significant degree , Now I see the touch pad in 940 being moved to the right by 1 cm, and I am expecting cursor jump due palm hitting, did you notice that? Or have they solved it software wise? I mean did you practically find any problem while typing for this particular issue?

3. My kind of use, 900x3e generally gives me around 4 hours (100% down to 10%) on battery, can you comment on what am I likely to get on 940x3g?

4. You think, i5 Haswell ( performance wise ) is better than third gen i7 ?

5. Am I likely to forget my beautiful Matte FHD, after I use that QHD on 940? ( I can live with a bigger form factor and weight )

Regards
Siki

 

I don't know that I have ever used the web cam on the AB9+, other than maybe once to make sure the driver was working. I don't use it, so I can't fairly comment on it; likewise on the AB9

No cursor jump problems for me. I may have seen that issue a few times with the earlier drivers back in September when I got it, but it has been rock-steady for a long time now.

I feel like I get an easy 6 hours on my AB9+ with my normal use - I am in law school and I use it in 2-6 hours of class each day, 4+ more hours back-and-forth between locations studying, etc. I do have to plug in at one point or another every day, but I easily have 10 hours of run time each day and more of that is on battery than plugged in. But your results may vary depending on usage.

My understanding is that Haswell has a 5-10% bump in performance over Ivy Bridge at the same core and equal clock speeds, but i7 offers about a 10% bump in performance over i5. I think the i7 AB9 I had was a bit speedier than the i5 AB9+, but not very noticeably. Battery life was more important to me. You should also note, though, that AB9+ has one or two less-publicized architectural advantages over AB9, like 2 USB3.0 ports rather than one, and a USB3.0 SDcard reader interface - where the AB9 is limited to 20MB/s read speed on its USB2.0 SDcard interface, I get 45MB/s on a class 10 card, and I'm sure there is room to go faster with higher-rated cards.

I was a die-hard Thinkpad user for years and was 100% devoted to the matte screens for their lack of glare, reflection, etc. The AB9 matte screen is truly wonderful, and I thought it might make me want to go without touch capability. In the end, however, it didn't. Glare, reflection, etc on the AB9+ either wasn't noticeable enough or just didn't bother me enough - the amazing color reproduction and resolution was too much to let go, as well. Some still swear by the matte display, and I can't blame them, but I use the touch capability and I have absolutely no complaints at all about the glass AB9+ display. But you'll have to see it for yourself to be sure.

To be completely fair, I HATED returning the AB9 because I think it is a really kick- notebook, especially at the $999 price I got that AB9 i7 for back in September. I would have loved to have found a place for both the AB9 and the AB9+, but practically and economically, I couldn't justify it.

 

I want to upgrade my wifi card can you give me step by step instructions?

 

Has anyone else experienced issues with two-finger scrolling in Chrome?
I'm finding that as I scroll it will start randomly jumping to the top or bottom of the page.

 

Have used two finger scroll for quite a while and no issue with ie8. Did try chrome for a month or so but no real issue either. You sure your third finger not causing it to jump?

 

I am in the USA and about to take a trip to southern Europe. Do I need a voltage converter for Samsung power re-charger or will a plug adapter be sufficient?

 

Check the PSU label. I expect it says "100-240V, 50-60Hz", in which case you will be fine with just a plug adapter.

In reality, the PSU should be able to handle electricity at least 10% outside the specified range. None have complained about my house where the voltage is about 250V (a legacy of when 250V was standard in the UK - it's within 10% of the nominal 230V and is therefore considered OK).

John

 

I don't think I've seen a laptop in 15+ years that didn't come with a world charger, so I would be very surprised if the AB9+ doesn't do the same -- meaning you only need a plug adapter. But do check the label on the charger as John mentioned.

 

It's honestly extremely self-intuitive, just be careful and be prepared for the possibility of having your warranty voided...

You need a precision Phillips-head screwdriver (I think size 0 is the right one), and carefully remove every screw you see on the bottom-side of the notebook - keep track of where they go.

The bottom then snaps off pretty easily. And you will see this:

samsung ativ book 9 plus internals - Imgur

The part in the top left of the first pic is the wireless card. You need to pry up a strip of black foam, pop the black and white antenna wires off the card, remove the screw and lift the card out.

Reverse the process, being very, very careful not to strip the threads of the screws or the head (that's why you need the right size screwdriver).

 

It definitely isn't my third finger causing the issue.
I found a setting in Chrome's flags that seemed to sort it, I think I've had one jump since I enabled it.



On a completely unrelated note, anyone got a good source for wallpapers for the AB9+?

 

Good to hear. Are you running chrome at 3200x1800 with zoom at 150%? Curious.
Wallpaper wise search google 3200x1800 wallpaper
I like the milky way galaxy one(looks like Apple wallpaper lol) and the young girl with blue eye anime sketch. What is everyone else running for their wallpaper? Do share them.

 

Does anyone have a suggestion on a good replacement SSD? Is the Crucial the only good option right now?

 

Search for a higher capacity version of the Toshiba SSD that your notebook probably shipped with.

John

 

If you have to get one now, the Crucial M5X0 SSDs are a) pretty much the only option and b) seem to offer a decent enough balance between price and performance.

But if you can wait and/or are just asking generally, then I'd say try and wait for something better.

 

There is another difference... TPM- (Trusted Platform Module)*
Check the Samsung site.
K03CH
vs
K04CH

 

I just installed Windows 8.1 Update 1 - just started using it but I think scaling is going to work a lot better now!

 

Unless I am very mistaken, the NP940X3G still has yellow issue even after the patch from Samsung. This symptom is observable whether you are on battery or plugged in.

If you set the screen brightness to anything other than max, the yellow is okay. However, if you set the brightness to MAX (without adaptive brightness control) then the yellow turns into mustard.

This has been driving me crazy because I sometimes need max brightness to have the laptop visible outside.

Does anyone else also notice this issue and have a solution?

Thanks in advance!

 

Highly unlikely and more so the patch has not installed correctly.
Did you install it correctly?

 

Thanks for getting back to me. Yes I did install the patch correctly. Without the patch, yellow is always mustard like on battery. After the patch, on battery and on plugged in, yellow looks okay until I hit the MAX brightness.

You can observe the yellow changing to mustard by changing brightness on the Best Buy website. You will see their buttons and logo look just fine until 90% brightness, but then when you push it to max, then the yellow turns into mustard.

 

I keep mine at 90%. Is there a real reason you have to keep it 100%?. Even if it is in the sun, difference between 90 and 100 is not much.

 

That's true that the difference between 90% and 100% may not be THAT different. However, I am simply pointing out the fact that the yellow mustard issue has not been fully resolved. And that is limiting the hardware to run at its full capacity (quite below what it has been advertised as, 350nit). Even at full 100%, this is not 350nit.

 

Hi all, I have read all 100 pages and just bought the NP940X3G-S01US - win 8.1 pro. I am a total laptop novice and will appreciate any advice on the first things to do once the laptop is delivered. Many thanks....:

 

Welcome.

Get a 32GB flash drive (but not Sandisk) and use Samsung Recovery Solution to make a full backup.

Also get familiar with Samsung's Settings and SW Update programs. If SW Update offers a BIOS update then I recommend you do that separately as discussed here.

John

 

Thank you so much John.

 

Also make sure that flash drive is USB2, not USB3. It's just a compatiblity issue with Recovery and newer flash drives when creating bootable backups on USB sticks. This post has more details; just follow the first two steps.