Samsung 15" Series 9 NP900X4C with Ivy Bridge CPU

If Amazon offers a free Xbox 360 with PC purchases like last year for students, it could become a really sweet deal if you sell the Xbox.

 

If you haven't seen it in the 13" thread, it's already available to preorder, in the US at least:

Samsung Series 9 NP900X3C-A01US 13.3-Inch Laptop

Samsung Series 9 NP900X3C-A02US 13.3-Inch Laptop

Except there are 2 models, both with the same exact hardware. I kinda wish they had a better hardware hierarchy that we can choose from, like the 15" version.

 

I just went ahead and ordered an A03US from Amazon. What the heck, the only unknown is the screen, and I figure if I don't like it, I'll just send it back. Amazon has always been quite good about their returns. First Samsung I ever had, I hope I won't be disappointed. At this point, the only other potential candidate would have been the X1 that Lenovo just announced, but I like the bigger screen of the Samsung.

Apple? Why would you even look at Apple? They may be coming out with some sexy hardware, maybe, but I need to run Windows. Well, specifically Windows 7, since it looks like Win8 will beat even my worst fears once it's released...

Dell, yes, I have always liked Dell, but they've always been somewhat lacking in the appearance department.

 

Dell because I do like the appearance of the XPS 13. I looked at one closely at BestBuy just yesterday. At least they were smart enough to put a bloody mini DisplayPort video port on it. I am looking to see if the next wave of Dell Ultrabooks will have a screen resolution better than 1366x768.

As for Apple, I really do like the option of running all of the popular operating systems being sold. I am intrigued by the possibility of having a retina class display on a notebook computer.

For a personal machine, I prioritize the screen resolution and quality way up at the top of features I want. If the Samsung ends up having a PLS screen, they will move to the top of the list until someone knocks them off the perch. The only way that is going to happen is if someone comes out with an IPS screen (X1 Carbon?) or another technology like the rumored Apple retina screen.

The challenge with the Apple machine is compatibility with Windows. The current MacBook Air runs Windows 7 just fine. But what about the new Ivy Bridge machines? Will they have good bootcamp support? Will they get Windows 8 bootcamp support? Those are pretty big question marks right now.

If the NP900X4C-A03US has a PLS screen AND a mini DP port, I'll purchase. If it's missing either, I wait for the market to unfold.

 

Yeah, like I said, if the screen is sub-par (and I am quite fussy about screens, like you), then I'll return it. For the video out, there should be approriate adapters available. This is going to be my travel and meetings/presentations machine, so I guess I'll need a converter to VGA, but that's going to be about it.

 

Is the X1 Carbon the best competitor for the Series 9 900X4C? Any others out there, like the upcoming Folio Elitebook? I prefer 14" screens or bigger.

I personally like the Samsung more but I want to use my own SSD (250GB) instead of Samsung's. I prefer the option of HDD and then replacing it with my own to cut cost.

 

Dell XPS 14 and 15 refresh are due in about 3 weeks, with I am told, a chassis based on the XPS 13 and 1600x900 res. I expect they will have the glossy Gorilla glass though. At least they'll be full voltage CPUs and can be upgraded beyond 4 GB.


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The X4B has a pair of standard SODIMM slots and has been tested with 2 x 8GB. I would expect the X4C to be the same in this respect. It's the X3C that has soldered RAM and no rumour of more than 4GB.

John

 

The Folio Elitebook 9470m has a 1366x768 resolution screen and is a non starter for many. I won't consider ANY screen at that resolution regardless of the display technology.

There are many unanswered questions on the ThinkPad X1 Carbon. Lenovo has been making some mistakes over the past few years so until they fully release the specs and some reviewer machines, there simply isn't enough data on it yet.

Regarding the HDD comment, you really don't have much choice in the Samsung Series 9. They are only going to use mSATA style drives. 256GB drives are going to be $300+ USD in the retail channel so you might as well buy the 256GB model. You aren't going to save any money with an aftermarket drive.

 

Which laptops are you referring to there, John? I was referring to the forthcoming Dell XPS 14.


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1366x768 is weak.. Folio is out of the question. Another interesting ultrabook is the LG Z430 but again, 1366x768. I'll have to see what that upcoming Dell XPS 14/15 is like.

So far, the only confirmed Ivy Bridge ultrabooks with decent resolution screens are:
-Samsung Series 900X4C
-X1 Carbon
-Asus UX31 (13.3" though.. wish they made a 14-15" version)

 

The Samsung Series 9 NP900X4B supports 16GB RAM. I tested it. We assume the coming NP900X4C models will, too. I think that is what John was referring to.

 

Now I'm confused. I posted earlier it said in the Samsung site it could be upgraded (RAM) but John said that was inaccurate because it was soldered in place.

If the 13" 9 Series IB incarnation has a 1.7Ghz Core i7 and 8 GB, I'm sold. But a poxy 1.6Ghz and fixed RAM of 4GB means a £1000 laptop is barely any quicker than my three year old Dell.


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There is probably confusion because we are in the 15" thread, not the 13.3" thread. The 13.3" Ivy Bridge thread is at http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/656442-13-3-samsung-np900x3c-ivy-bridge-cpu.html

Are far as we know, the 13.3" machine still has memory that is soldered. There is speculation that might be changing, or that an 8GB SKU might emerge, but I'm pretty sure it's still speculation at this point.

 

Amazon pulled those yesterday. I still have the A03 in my cart though. I'm temped to check out with it and see what happens. My only fear is that it changes from what they had listed or they drop an A04 that I'd really want.

 

Yea, I noticed. My guess is that someone pushed the staged entries to production by accident. It was nice to get a peek at what is coming but Intel hasn't even announced and disclosed the ULV procs yet.

So Intel has to do their thing first, followed by Samsung.

I would imagine orders gets cancelled right now.

 

No, my order for the A03US is sitting there just like it did before, for whatever that's worth...

 

Insight UK has the NP900X4C is discontinued (again). Previously it was 8th June. Maybe Intel is having problems getting the new process refined sufficient to deliver the required speeds in the 17W power ceiling.

John

 

German websites listing .... from 31st may to 12th june

Samsung 900X4C (NP900X4C-A01) Ultrabook: Notebook Preisvergleich - Preise bei idealo.de

 

Speculation over here is that everything will start to light up when Microsoft announces the Windows 8 upgrade program. That announcement is expected the first week of June. Makes sense to me.

Let the selling begin.

 

I LOVE THESE SPECS! TAKE MY MONEY! when will this be available in the US?

 

Any day now, is my guess (hope?). I have mine ordered from Amazon when they had them up a few days ago. My order is still active, even though Amazon has taken the page offline, for now.

 

Same here. They haven't cancelled, so maybe it'll show up soon. I hope.

 

Samsung launches Series 5 and 9 laptops with Ivy Bridge chips - Notebooks - CNET - CNET Asia

http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung...ries-9-and-series-5-500p-notebooks/15996.html

oh, and zoom in on the spec sheet on the left:
http://assets.vr-zone.net/15996/samsung5.JPG

 

Has anyone noticed a change in the material used? np900x4b was all aluminium. On German websites np900x4c is said to be duraluminium.
http://www.conrad.de/ce/ProductDeta...productcode=878191&zanpid=1641145258203373568
And one the link provided above, their seem to have a np900x4d version in magnesium, whereas np900xc is said to have aluminium

 

Retailers don't have a clue, they just cobble together old information and mix it with the new. Take with a pinch of salt.


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The viewing angle of the 15" in the foreground of this cnet photo doesn't look like PLS.

John

 

the 13" appears to have much better viewing angles. judging from that photo

 

It's not PLS...

http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/16/samsung-15-inch-series-9-viewing-angles/



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I've seen this as well.

Samsung is just fu**in stupid!

Demanding more than 1500 USD or EUR for a laptop with an average DISPLAY.

But Samsung was never smart! Marketing of Samsung and its Laptops and Communication is soooo bad. If I would be the CEO, I would fire all the marketing people...

They could reach apple production with thus laptop, but with this screen no way.

 

Lets not jump the gun. The CNET picture shows a dude playing a video in Windows Media Player and that particular frame could be an odd flash or something. Yes, it looks particular next to the static desktop of the 13.3" sitting right next to it, but I wouldn't draw a conclusion from it.

The engadget article clearly asked the right questions, but for the current models which at the time of the interview were the Sandy Bridge machines. The executive the press was peppering with questions DID NOT say the PLS screen would be on the Ivy Bridge 15" model. He also didn't say it wouldn't and acknowledgement publicly is an extremely good sign.

When is the question.

 

I'd be really surprised if it had PLS. Last years version didn't have one, the pictures certainly dont look like one, and samsung refused to comment when asked.

CNET says june 3 release in Singapore. Any predictions on US release date? Even without PLS, I'll buy this as long as it releases before the X1 Carbon (August)

 

I'm sure the flood gates will open soon.

 

I don't understand how they managed to cram a resolution of 1600x900, AND include PLS screen for the smaller 13" model, while refusing to do the same for the 15" model. Why such a huge difference between the two? Even the motherboards are the same on both the 13" and 15".

 

You wouldn't think a 1.7" difference in the manufacturing process would be a big deal, but it apparently is.

 

yo guys im new to the samsung side of laptops. i saw some of the current s9 series in action and i must say im impressed. they look like slick machines. what i was wondering: do any of the 13-15in samsung laptops have fhd screens? also do any of the s9 have dgpu?

 

Unfortunately no FHD option has been mentioned. This is a show stopper for me and a problem with the competition from ASUS UX31A and the more $ Sony Z3 Ivy Bridge systems due out soon. I can live without the PLS display if the nits are high enough but I want FHD, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, and proper support for driving a high res external monitor. Is this asking too much?

 

If thats true I will check it next week and let you guys know about the screen. Im on the official Samsung store notification list down here, but the official date doesnt need to be the date when it hits the stores, sometimes quite slow down here. Anyway, will keep checking from the 2nd onwards.

 

NP900X4C-A01UK Samsung Series 9

Now in stock ready to be shipped in UK.

 

Wow, £1024 with the current 20% VAT rebate. Now that IS tempting... Just wish I knew what was round the corner from Dell etc before taking the plunge.


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Is the VAT rebate still on? Thought it ended earlier in May?

https://samsungvatback.com/uk/en/how-it-works

 

It did, but they extended it to 6th June...

The UK’s Largest Computer Retailer | PC World

That said, it does say 'on selected products'.... bet the bar stewards don't extend it to the new range.

UPDATE:

Samsung Spring

Click 'Eligible Models' link - it confirms this VAT offer does indeed apply to the NP900X4C.

OMG.... now what do I do... impulse buy before 6th June or wait for the new Dells and end up buying Samsung anyway and hand over £280 to the tax man?

 

Problem I have is that I'm in the Channel Islands where there is no VAT... but that supplier will not deliver there Sad panda...

 

Interesting, the link you provided clearly had the 'VAT back' banner earlier, and now it's gone...

It is still eligible on the Samsung site, but a quick check of the Q&As says that you must also buy from a participating retailer.

Quite simply, with the VAT back I think I'll buy one. But at the best part of £1,300 I think it's too steep. We need to watch VERY carefully if buying this, make sure you get the best deal.

Good... that's payback for all the stuff you've bought in your life where you haven't had to pay VAT.

 

All of 16, which is probably the same 16 being offered by this Irish site. Given that I have the X3B I'll be waiting for a better spec on the X4C.

John

 

My only reservation with this is the keyboard - I am spoilt by using a business grade Dell Latitude, just wondering if this will hamper my coding?

Other than that, it's a box-ticker alright.

 

I'm having no problems with the X3B keyboard. Not a lot of travel, but easy to use. I quickly got used to not having to push the keys down very far.

The qualifying product list still includes the NP900X4C-A01UK. I would be tempted if I hadn't bought the X3B.

John

 

When writing code, it isn't like you need to type 120WPM. However, key placement and cursor movement is pretty important for many devs.

I hear a lot of complaints from the developers when they first start using a ThinkPad with the "classic" IBM/Lenovo keyboard layout. They cry out because the Fn key is bottom left instead of Ctrl. That and other minor stuff.

So I think it's going to depend a lot on how long you've been coding, macro use, etc.

 

The qualifying list does indeed include it - but it also states at 'participating retailers only'. I can see people buying these things, hoping to get the VAT back only to be nobbled by the small print...