Samsung 9 Series laptop (ZX310 / 900X3A) unveiled

This isn't a gaming laptop though, its for "professionals" who want thin and light, not teenagers who want to play WoW or starcraft on the go.

 

I am going to pull the trigger on the U36. As much as I want the Samsung waiting longer is just pissing me off with little to no information on pricing and release I don't feel it is worth the wait. Worst case I will pick one up in a year and give my wife the Asus.

 

Ill let you guys know how I like the U36 it should be here in a couple days.

 

U36 looks great but at 3.7lbs it's a bit too heavy for my liking for this class of laptop. Are there any others hoovering around or under 3lbs?

 

Pretty much this, Macbook Air, Toshiba R700, Sony, or a netbook.

I wasn't thrilled about the little bit of extra weight from the Asus, but my old laptop was 7.5lbs in comparison so this is a drastic change. Around Christmas of 2011 Samsung 9 should be very reasonably priced and I will probably purchase it and just give my wife the U36.

 

Matte display ?

 

Yep, it has a matte display! This means (just in case you don't know) that the screen surface isn't reflective, but has 'frosted' finish. The colours come through fine, but the screen doesn't suffer from glare or reflections all-too-typical with todays devices. Reflections and glare can be quite distracting and make things on-screen hard to view in bright environments. A matte screen suffers less from this by effectively muting glare and reflections.

I think this is a HUGE feature, and one more laptop manufacturers would be wise to follow.

 

One thing to note is that this laptop comes with USB3.0.

I know that some users are cringing at the thought of losing their laptop docks, but USB3.0 partially remedies this situation thanks to its high bandwidth nature. With the additional bandwidth, it should be quite possible to push multiple video streams over USB3 to support multiple screens. Think I'm lying? The same can effectively be currently be done with USB2, but thanks to USB3's higher bandwidth, it should be able to handle this with relative ease.

In fact, as I understand it, there are companies that are making USB3 'docks', which effectively serve the same function.

The only additional cord that would be required is the power cord. Sure a dock is one less cord (which I agree is an attractive feature), but having to attach two cords is not a bad trade-off IMHO.

Targus currently makes a USB2 docking station as does HP:
YouTube - Targus USB2.0 Docking Station with Video
YouTube - DisplayLink: HP USB Dock

Here's a video of a USB2 driving 3 screens
YouTube - 3 DisplayLink USB Video Adapters On One System
YouTube - DisplayLink: Connecting 3 Monitors Over USB

The refresh rate is quite good, though it degrades when there is action on all three (ie. video or games). However, for productivity, it seems quite adequate. USB3 should make it not only adequate, but also very good even if there is action on all screens.

Here's a video preview of USB3 video:
YouTube - DisplayLink Super Speed USB ( USB 3.0 ) Demo at CES 2010

The verdict? USB3 should allow for a dock that works very well with the 9-series. For video, it will be very good, and for general productivity, it will be flawless.

 

So many fingerprints!

 

This was really interesting. Rep points incoming!

ETA: another advantage of docks is that the laptop is closed, so you don't have to deal with the small screen while using the big one. I guess if you go this USB route, there's no way of using only the external display(s)?

 

Agreed that USB3.0 will be AWESOME, but ........

The USB3.0 spec suggests a 1000% speed improvement (10x) over USB2.0.

However, that theoretical maximum speed was not even close to being achievable in earlier implementations (eg, the ASUS U33JC USB3.0 port produced transfer rate improvement over USB2.0 of only 200% max.)

The bottleneck will always be the I/O bandwidth of the appropriate M/B chipset.

Hopefully, in the case of both the Samsung 9 Series and the ASUS U36, no bottlenecks will seriously cap the max. speed of USB3.0.

 

That's a good point, but this is a software issue, and if the software is implemented well, I see no reason why it shouldn't be possible.

ie. When the dock is connected, temporarily disable the 'auto sleep' functionality, and when the screen is closed, push output over USB.

This is how display link does it:
DisplayLink: Support

At first it seems cumbersome, but if you set your laptop up to 'never sleep' when plugged in, and to 'turn screen off' when lid is closed, it should effectively provide the same functionality.

It would be far better if this were automatic, though it's still possible, which is nice.

 

Definitely. Even so, the bandwidth should be markedly higher than USB2 -- or I would as least hope.

I look forward to actual throughput tests!

 

Anyone have any idea what that laptop stand is in this video? It doesn't look like a Targus product (at least I couldn't see it on their web site.) Looks rather nice.

 

That's a good question!

It's probably one of these (EDIT: It's the first one):
Targus|AWE05US–Targus Ergo D-Pro Desktop Laptop Stand
Targus - Targus Laptop Stand with Removable Chill Hub customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings

They look as though the have room for the USB docking station (which is good product plannning if true).

My only gripe with the USB docking station, is no Linux support (I use ubuntu exclusively)! I'll have to stick with HDMI out (which is fine for me), and a good USB hub (incl. some audio device).

Still, this is a great option for Windows users.

 

Right, there it is.

By the way, Amazon users hate the Targus dock. Sounds like it's got a nasty installation process.

It will be interesting to see when the USB 3.0 versions of these start showing up.

 

That's very good to know. Thanks!

I'm comfortable sticking with the standard HDMI out (audio/video), a standard USB hub, and a power cord. Yes, there are three connections to make as opposed to a single one, but it's not all that painful for me as I move the computer somewhat infrequently. I also have very little choice being a linux user

What I'd really like, is to be able to output to two screens, which seems to be limited to USB output solutions (or laptops with VGA and HDMI/Displayport). Good for windows users, bad for linux users. It's not enough to have me denounce this laptop, though. I'm contemplating a large 37"-42" screen, a desk set back from the wall (think middle of the room), and a very nice speaker system to complement the system. Now that's luxurious (and not too expensive either).

 

Hold the phone! It seems that the latest displaylink adapter has working Linux drivers!
http://libdlo.freedesktop.org/wiki/

It may be possible to set up a laptop dock afterall! Too bad I'm sold on my utopian vision of a large screen and a desk in the center of the room.

 

I was just on Samsung's US site and noticed a video right off the homepage showing and talking about the 9 Series...I still cannot actually find it listed under their laptop section, but they do at least have the press release there that states it will be released in February.

 

any word on the processor it'll have? Sandybridge i3 perhaps?

 

Sandybridge moblie i5.

 

Wish samsung would at least put some information on their website... I wonder what the pricing tier will be like - wouldnt actually mind a core i3 at a lower price because wooh $1599!! Makes apple look cheap (specs are different I know)

 

The MBA is $1400 for a 13 inch 4gig model. Id spend $200 more for this any day. In addition the upgraded models came from Apple and that is $150 more in taxes, unless their is aftermarket sales that sell upgraded models. The fully loaded MBA is $1700 and a sub par processor.

 

Amazon sells upgraded macbook airs

Amazon.com: Apple 13.3" MacBook Air 2.13GHz, 4GB RAM, 256GB Flash Storage, NVIDIA GeForce 320M (Z0JH-2.13-4GB): Electronics

or

Amazon.com: Apple 13.3" MacBook Air 1.86GHz, 4GB RAM, 128GB Flash Storage, NVIDIA GeForce 320M (Z0JG-4GB): Electronics

 

What sucks is I would've bought the 2.13gig version if they wouldn't have made the 256gig hard drive as mandatory with it.

I retract my tax argument though thanks X34.

 

I personally do not mind a small harddrive as I'd simply have a portable harddrive at home with the data that I don't require when traveling (my current Asus g1 has barely 140gb of usable storage anyhow).

Now with regards to the MBA --- it still expensive though w/out the taxes and I agree about the outdated processor. If it had a core i3 it would be a serious contender as I plan to keep this new notebook for at least the next 3-4 years!

 

I'm looking forward to this laptop as well. There is no point of comparing this to the current MBA since the Samsung is better. I would bet that the new MBA would be much more expensive.

 

Actually these units are not sold by Amazon, but are third party sellers (OnSale) in this case and may, or may not have tax added depending on their location and yours, so there is still a risk and I personally would not vouch for OnSale. In most cases you would have to still add sales tax to Apple Airbooks.

 

nice but MBA's missing Sandybridge, USB 3.0 and backlit keyboard at that price is deal breaker.

 

I think we can forget about this laptop till mid-to-late 2011. Intel is recalling all Sandybridge systems. All production of new stock is halted and is not expected to go back to full production till sometime in April.

Intel finds flaw in 6-series chipsets, halts shipments - The Tech Report

 

=( Well well... that sucks
Especially for samsung as apple might already be completing their new design for a more competitive Air model. And the Asus U36's gap model between the old processor and new ones might be longer than originally expected! Certainly makes my decision harder... and now I wonder what sort of additional problems might arrive with the chip after its release!

Technology a love hate relationship!

 

Definitely makes reinforces my decision to snag the U36 now.

Heck maybe around X-mas I will be looking at an Apple.

 

Ya the article actually says for laptop releases, it will delay units originally schedule for the first couple of weeks of February (Samsung most likely in this group) to the end of February or the first few weeks of March. So most likely by the end of March.

The beauty is I just had a new desktop ship last week (Friday) with the i7-2600 sandy bridge cpu, sigh. This most likely means having Dell replace the motherboard sometime in March. The question is, how soon (if at all) will Dell send out notices to those affected? I mean it is a voluntary recall and is official from Intel so I would assume it is only a matter of time.

 

Here's something that IMO makes this laptop all the more desirable:

Onlive has a $9.99/mo unlimited plan!

OnLive launches $9.99/month flat-rate video game plan

This is full quality gaming for $120/year including a full library of games. In addition, you can share the games with your TV or other supported devices.

Try to build a gaming rig, much less purchase the games for $120/year.

While the 9-series may not have an super powerful graphics card, the only real need for this is gaming. For other tasks, the GPU should more more than adequate.

 

doubt apple will even update Airs t sandybridge. never mind, a redesign

 

I'm really pissed off at this delay. Damn you intel for the screw up. I guess I have to play the waiting game now.

 

My current laptop has a 1.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo ULV SU9400. Does anyone have much of an idea what performance boost the Sandy Bridge in this Samsung would have? I was surprised to see that it's also 1.4 GHz, unless you go into "turbo" mode, which presumably sucks battery. Please enlighten me!

 

I can tell you that for sure a noticeable amount the gpu will be better than the C2D(ULV or not) 4500hd gpu. CPU not sure how much better it will be.

 

Turbo mode may not suck the battery provided that it is not sustained. You can expect less overall power consumption if the CPU can execute tasks as quickly as possible and then go back to sleep. As already noted, you can expect a useful boost to the graphics performance. One reason for this is the tight integration of CPU, GPU and memory controller. This also helps to improve the overall performance. In my experience the hardware which gives the biggest boost to everyday usage is an SSD.

John

 

Thanks folks. One more question - do these processors switch between normal and turbo mode automatically, or is user intervention required?

 

In the balanced power profile, turbo mode should happen automatically. How much turbo boost you get depends on several factors. For example: The full turbo speed usually only happens if one thread is active (very rare) but you will get some turbo boost on both cores if the CPU is busy but not the GPU (my i5 540M is nominally 2.53GHz but will run for long periods at 2.8GHz if there is work to be done).

If you use the Windows power saver profile (or a Samsung custom battery saver profile if provided) then the CPU's maximum speed may be limited to less than 100%.

John

 

Ok, so bottom line, this should blow my Toshiba R600 out of the water for CPU-intensive tasks and for anything involving 3D graphics. Thanks!

 

this laptop is a thing of beauty but i wonder how the heat is

 

isnt it illegal for samsung to sell laptops in USA?

 

How so? I know they had the X360, X460, along with the 14in QX series, and their vast line of netbooks sold here.

 

When Dell rebadged the Samsung Q30 to sell as the Latitude X1 there was an agreement that Samsung would not directly compete with Dell in the North American market. However, that agreement expired a couple of years ago (maybe more).

John

 

So does anyone know when they are coming out?

 

Depends on where you live, seems like 24 Feb in Germany:

Samsung Series 9 900X3A - Ultradünnes Premium-Book mit neuester Technologie!

 

Nice find! but wooh 1599 euro = 2150usd --- most certainly a premium price!

 

I doubt that euro price will equal the US price, electronics are almost always more expensive in Europe