Help me choose a successor to a 15" NP900X4C Series 9?? (AKA Samsung's new names don't make sense)

So I love my 15" Series 9 NP900X4C. Why?
-Because 15" is big enough to use side-by-side screens.
-Battery life is 8+ hours; good enough to get through a day without worry/stressing.
-It's thin and light enough to fit in a backpack comfortably. About the same size as a magazine/notebook
-It has the typical features of an ultrabook: SSD, USB 3.0, backlit keyboard, etc.


But I'm looking for a successor mainly due to the low screen resolution. Also the keyboard and touchpad leave a lot to be desired if you're doing anything more than light work. Samsung threw me off with the transition from the "Series 9" to the "Ativ Book 9" monikers so if anyone can give a brief summary of what 15" models are available from between now and my NP900X4C I'd really appreciate a brief list. If there are models from other manufacturers I should check out I'd like to hear about those too.


Basically I'm confused about the Ativ Book 9 Plus, Ativ Book 9, Ativ Book 9 2014 edition, etc. etc. I liked the simple NP900X__. Oh well. It seems like the only other 15" options are the MBP (not an Apple fan), or the Asus Zenbook UX51VZ but that looks like it's a lot bulkier than the Series 9.

Thanks for any help!


ETA** List of options:
Ativ Book 9 2014: NP930X5J (Non Touchscreen) 1080p
NP 940X5J (Touchscreen) 1080p

 

The Ativ Book 9 2014 15" models are either NP930X5J (non-touchscreen) or NP940X5J (touchscreen). They have 1080P displays and are available in either i5 or i7 models.

 

Unfortunately, the 2014 15" Book 9 has got slightly bigger due to its 15.6" display (as opposed to the 15.0" panel in the X4C) and has also put on weight. One improvement over the X4C is that it has two fans, but the RAM is soldered so that's a step backwards. When originally announced we were told it would have two SSD slots. However, Samsung seem to have decided to save a few cents on the production costs of some versions and have left off the second slot. You can read more about this model in this thread.

If you don't like the way that this model has grown then you will have to look at the 14" products from other manufacturers. The Dell E7400 might be worth a look as long as you can track down the version with the FHD panel.

John

 

Dang so I'm probably better off keeping my NP900X4C Series 9 until I can get my hands on a display model of the 2014 edition. I don't mind the slight size + weight increase (0.6", 0.2lbs), but it's not clear if the new model is really an upgrade and not a side-grade Wish Samsung would've just thrown a better screen on the NP900X4C

 

There's quite a few people here (including myself) who agree with that sentiment. However, the 15.0" panel was a unique size and Samsung probably didn't get the sales (due to lack of marketing effort) to justify the special display size.

Another good reason for holding off buying the new model is that M.2 SSD upgrade options are currently limited while you can, if you want, upgrade your X4C to 1TB.

However, you need to watch the supply situation of the new models closely. Samsung seem to be making them very slowly.

John

 

Also keep in mind that both touch & non-touch of the 2014 Ativ Book 9 are glossy.

 

Glossy screens look great, but I've never owned one on a laptop so I can't imagine what they're like outdoors. Touchscreen would be nice I guess, but probably more useful on something tablet-esque like the Yoga. Too bad the Zenbook UX51VZ is so bulky. a 15" UX31A would be something beautiful. Man I understand why Samsung didn't choose a better screen for the older Series 9, but it's such a terrible spot for an Achilles heel. Even the average keyboard and touchpad are decent enough

 

Also can someone clear something else up for me? Has there been a 15" Series 9 introduced between the last model NP900X4D and the 2014 NP930X5J/NP940X5J? I thought the Ativ Book 9 was offered in a 15" model but I could be mistaken.

 

Later production of the NP900X4C / NP900X4D might have been marketed as 'Book 9' but were the same product inside.

I would also note that Samsung showed a Book 9 Style (model NP910S5J) at CEBIT which appears to to be based on the NP930X5J with added bling and more weight.

John

 

How about the Vizio CT15 Thin + Light, or 15" Yoga Flex? I'm feeling impatient waiting for Best Buy to get a display model 2014 Edition