No successor to Ativ Series 9 / Book 9 15 inch screen model (NP900X4C/D)?

We did have a few reported cases of what seemed to be genuine bricking, as described in the thread linked below. Samsung replaced the motherboards in those cases:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/706510-samsung-laptops-bricked-using-uefi.html

So far we have not had any reports of this happening on 2013 models designed from scratch for Win8 (UEFI/GPT).

I had a theory that the issue was limited to the 2012 "tweener models" that were originally designed for Win7 (no UEFI) then updated with a new BIOS track to be compliant with Win8 (UEFI/GPT). But we have since had one bricking report on an original Win7 model. Of course it could be a fluke, since we didn't get these bricking reports before the Win8 models came out -- even though many members installed Linux and Windows with UEFI enabled on those machines.

 

The Linux kernel 3.10 has a fix for the UEFI-bricking as well.

 

If only Samsung could make something like this I'd give them all my money:

Ativ Book 9 Plus 15 inch
Haswell i7
3200x2000 resolution (16:10, there is room if you just remove the Samsung logo!)
16 GB RAM
512 GB SSD
802.11ac Wi-Fi
12 hours battery life

Now, how difficult can that be? ;-)

The design of the 9-series are as close to perfection as I can imagine, so much so that I don't want any other brand or model. It's frustrating though, that they have come up with only 13.3 inch, 4 GB RAM and 128 GB of SSD for the new Ative Book Plus. What kind of specs are those? Is it 2008 or 2013? I know you can expand it somewhat, but these are the specs of the first release it seems. And I need a new computer now. Such a pitty! I might have to go for some other brand anyway, like Asus...

 

I've got the chance to get a X4C with 8gb RAM (two modules, such that dual channel will be enabled) and 256GB SSD, which would be enough storage room for my purposes.
Does anybody know whether the 256GB SSDs are crappy Sandisks as well, or actually decent ones?

 

I would recommend you ask this either in the Series 9 X4C Owner's Lounge or the Series 9 mSATA thread, both of which are linked below. I think you have a much better chance of getting an answer from current owners there.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/650581-samsung-15-series-9-np900x4c-ivy-bridge-cpu.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/672173-series-9-owners-third-party-msata-upgrades.html

 

So I guess it's time for me to face up to the fact that a update to the 15" model just isn't happening? I'm regretting not picking one up whilst I had the chance as I'm struggling to find a suitable alternative.

 

We can't yet be sure that a new 15" is not in the pipeline: The only new Samsung notebooks in recent months are the 9+ and the 9 Lite so we are overdue updates of the 2013 platforms. Perhaps they will be announced once Windows 8.1 is officially released.

If you are willing to live with a US keyboard then UK ebay has a selection of US X4Cs.

John

 

Yeah I don't know what the holdup is with the haswell refreshes. But they have to do something for the holiday season. Hopefully the 15" makes a triumphant comeback. Along with an AB8.

 

Is there a newsletter I can subscribe to in order to be informed if Samsung ever decides to commit to a Haswell refresh of the series 9 models?

 

I agree and I'll give them all my money too.

I want to add: Weight 3.5 lbs or less

 

I'll slum it with an i-5, 8gb ram, 1080p, 256gb hd and be more than happy. 15" is the Goldilocks screen size for me,

 

1080p would be fine for me too.
I also could slum it with 8GB of RAM
and 256GB SSD
and even 6 hrs battery life.

I just want a nice 15 inch display with at least 1080p

 

Attn: Oh-Hyun Kwon Vice Chairman & CEO, Samsung Electronics
Gee-Sung Choi Head, Corporate Strategy Office, Samsung Electronics
Yangkyu (Y.K) Kim President and CEO of Samsung Electronics North America ,
Tim Baxter, President of Samsung Electronics America
Tod Pike, Senior Vice President, Samsung Enterprise Business

I hope you visit this forum from time to time. Consider it FREE Market Research

 

Are there any 15" Haswell laptops yet with great displays and under 4 lbs?

 

Nothing bigger than 14" within the weight limit that I know of. And watch out for the weights of models with hardware options and "starting from" weights. The actual weight can be significantly more.

Don't forget that this 15" Series 9 uses a 15.0" display which is about half way in size between the 14" panels and the 15.6" panels. This helped keep the overall size and weight down.

John

 

Apple just announced Macbook Pro with 15" / haswell / retina / etc all the latest - it is ready and available.

Samsung? Cant you even guys match Apple? I have postponed myself for more than 3 months in hope of Samsung 15"/Haswell/etc. And now there is a conundrum, to buy Apple (which I dont generally like, but there we have a perfect match for my needs) or to wait for Gods know how long for Samsung equivalent.

Guys, seriously, do something about your fan and loyal customer not to convert (since for the ease and compatibility I will get the Iphone 6 instead of Galaxy S5 and all other gadgets will follow)

 

I can't imagine Samsung would go much longer without a 15" haswell model. But I too thought it would happen so much sooner. Maybe they just wanted to see what Apple put out so they could ape it.

 

Who is making the new Macbooks? If Samsung has a substantial interest as a component manufacturer then there might be an agreement to not launch a competing product within an agreed timescale. Not that I consider the 15" s9 a competitor to the Macbook Pro. The latter is significantly heavier.

John

 

Could be. It does seem like Samsung's computer segment frequently takes a back seat to their component interests. Also possible they are far behind on their W8.1 drivers to release any new products (or support their old). I'm more interested in an 7/8 refresh as that would be a direct competitor, but it's also MIA.

 

I'm tracking these:

15" Haswell:
Apple MacBook Pro [15.4" 2880x1800 IPS] (4.46 pounds) $2000+
Dell M3800 [15.6" 3200x1800 IPS touch] (4.5 pounds) $1,800+
HP EliteBook 850 [15.6" 1366x768 TN] (4.15 pounds) $1,000+
Toshiba Tecra Z50 [15.6" 1600x900 ?] (3.9 pounds) ?
Lenovo T540S ????
Samund Series 9 ???

14" Haswell:
Lenovo T440S [14" 1920x1080 IPS] (3.44 pounds)
Fujistsu U904 [14" 3,200 x 1,800 nonglare] (3.06 pounds)

Really waiting for the Samsung 15" specs to decide. Another key for me is a very bright screen for outdoor work... At least 400 nits.

 

Dell XPS 15 already available, I think it's basically the same as M3800. Neither has a proper docking solution (usb3 ).

 

Second this with all my 4 limbs. Matte display and outdoor visibility are a must. ~$2000 in less civilized, but still European and exchangable currency, is waiting for you, Samsung.

 

Fujitsu U904 is not 3.06 pounds but 3.15 pounds
Sorry for being pedantic

Plus, it is 14 inch
If you are looking for 14 inch, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (i5-3337U, 128-256 SSD, 2.9 pounds) may be is one of the best

Still...
Only one 15-inch notebook has a weight under 3.8 lbs
Samsung 900XX series

 

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Display: 14.0" HD+ Anti-Glare ( 1600 x 900) (300 NITS) Wide Viewing

 

...but it costs over 500$ more than the NP900X4D

all I want is a matte 14 or 15" display with 1600x900 (or better), haswell, small SSD and very light weight. i don't care about the computing power.

 

any news here?

i want a 15" with a better display :-(

 

No news is bad news. Checking Engadget every day for poorly-researched crumbs is getting very old

 

Yeah it's not looking good at all. It's almost as if Samsung is writing off their entire PC line save the AB9+. If they were going to release other models for the holidays, they probably would've announced them already as they would be shipping within the next two weeks. It's not clear they care about anything but smartphone and component sales though. I guess it's understandable given the W8/8.1 fiasco and tablet cannibalization that have decimated PC sales.

 

I want to see anybody get work done on a tablet.

 

me too! 15" matt display haswell. Still waiting and hopefully samsung will make it. But it seems they aren't interessted in this size

 

Still playing the waiting game myself. I'm currently leaning towards the Dell M3800/XPS15, but still hoping for something lighter. I'm assuming we'll see more 15" lightweight laptops revealed in CES.

 

How about a MacBook Pro with Boot Camp? 4.5 pounds.

ZDNet: Want the most reliable Windows PC? Buy a Mac
Want the most reliable Windows PC? Buy a Mac

 

That's fine and hopefully we'll see at least a couple of 17" lightweight laptops revealed as well with the 3800/XPS 15 screen resolution.

 

Maingear just unveiled a 17-inch gaming laptop - it weighs just under 6 pounds:
Maingear announces Pulse 17, the 'world's thinnest' 17-inch gaming notebook

 

Nothing against Dell, but if i must buy a Dell for 2500$ i buy a MacBook with the same specs for 3000$ :thumbsup:

 

Well it starts at $1800 (32GB+1TB), which I think is still too high. Seems like they're charging several hundred dollars extra because it has a touch-enabled high-res screen which probably costs them all of $50 more in parts. Below $1400 it would be much more interesting, and I'll upgrade the msata myself.

 

With the same MacBook specification it start at 2299$
XPS 15 Touch Screen Laptop Details | Dell
that is less than 300$ against the Mac
MacBook Pro - Buy MacBook Pro with Retina display - Apple Store (U.S.)

and for "only" 300$ i think that the MacBook is more attractive

 

It seems it is the end of 15 inch Ativ book 9.
I am now looking for alternatives that includes 14 inch notebooks.
I found these two very interesting. I want to first get a user review. My only doubt on them is their display.
Acer TravelMate P645 - 3.3Ibs - 14 inch
HP ZBook 14

 

The Acer has crap resolution.
The only alternative for me is the Thinkpad X1 Carbon (the matte version without touch). Sadly it is massively overpriced.

 

Given that the only Samsung Haswell model to have surfaced until now is the Book 9 Plus, the 15" Series 9 is in the same state of uncertainty as the Book 6, Book 7 and Book 8. Either there's an imminent avalanche of new models if Samsung want to get a share of the pre-Christmas sales (but they will still grab some of the trade using current models if the pricing is right) or Samsung have decided to save their efforts until 2014. Maybe there will be something interesting at CES in January.

John

 

I agree with that.

 

For good sake what its wrong with Samsung.Why they dont make 900X4C Haswell ?
Did they buy to much Ive Bridge or what?
Man i would love to get inside head of Notebook division manager to see will i wait or not.
Does somebody have any kind of info.

 

Maybe they are skipping Haswell and are waiting for the next generation Intel chip.

 

I hope they dont.I hope they show us something at CES.But most important is that Samsung dont forget completely on 15".I bought 13.3 and its just to small.After one month of use i still cant adjust and i plan to go back to 15" real soon.
Ativ Book plus didn't get too much in battery life with Haswell processor.I believe its because touch screen ,but 900X4C with Haswell would have crazy battery life ,at least 11 hours of surfing over WiFi..

 

I opted for a Lenovo T431s at the moment. Ivy version of T440s effectively. Touchpad took some getting used to, but a great system until Samsung launches anything with a mini-display port.

 

I'll be going to CES next month and a 15" lightweight/Haswell/hi-res laptop is what I'll be keeping an eye out the most. I'll definitely post pics in this thread when/if I find any.

 

I'm sitting here. Waiting. With money.

 

I don't know how it goes with cpu production and did maybe Samsung made reservation to late.
But i know for sure ,in fact i am 100% sure ,if they put they Haswell supplies in new 15" ative book instead in ativ book plus 13.3" they would be now out of stocks.

 

I wrote an email to the director of operations for laptops at Samsung. I told him that many were waiting with money to buy a 15" haswell laptop. No reply. I pulled the trigger and ordered the Dell XPS 15 with the QHD touch screen. 18mm thick so was a perfect choice. Too late, Samsung! I gave my $2500 to Dell.

 

Unfortunately this will be my choice too. As soon as I get back home (Dec 22) I will NOT have an opportuninty to get new Samsung Haswell laptops for my Dad and myself (17" and ultrabook respectively). Something has to be bought, time has shown that it could have been done weeks earlier. Good move, Samsung. BTW - SGS5 better be good