Samsung 9 Series laptop (ZX310 / 900X3A) unveiled

Looks like new Sony Z will have a better battery life than S9 with a full voltage cpu and a slightly smaller battery. Is anybody else considering Z like me? Other than the price point I think Z looks very tempting!

 

After all the time that I've invested in the Samsung Series 9, I'm going make this sucker work for me!

I'd reviewed the details on the Sony Z before I ordered my second Series 9 and decided that the S9 was the better choice for me.

 

YES!

I decided to keep my S9 at least until I can get my hands on a Z2 at retail to make sure it lives up to the specs, but I am 90% sure I will get the Z and then keep my S9 as a back-up or give it away to a friend or family member.

Even the price point of the Z2 is better than I expected, below $2k with the dock seems quite reasonable, so without the dock it shouldn't be much more than the S9.

All that said, I still think the S9 is a great laptop overall, and quite addictive to use. Wish I had the new A05 version Brian has though, the fingerprints get on my nerves and improved wifi (not to mention larger SSD) would be a big plus.

 

Thanks for posting the photos of inside. Since it's an SSD now, is it heavier than A03, which uses PCI card?

 

Definitely not that I noticed.

I've just put in on an accurate kitchen scale and it says it's 3.0 pounds (1.368 kg). I wonder what an A03 or A04 weighs? I do have 8GB RAM now but can't imagine that that added much weight...

 

Bare its 2.88lbs which might account for that diff.

 

Not really a meaningful test but have been wanting to try this for a while to see if it's definitely the case impacting the internal antenna.

I connected a new pair of antenna to Centrino 6230 and placed the antenna ends outside the case. I then put the bottom of the notebook back on.

With this configuration, with two antenna hanging out, it then performed
1. as well as using the Alfa USB adapter
2. better than my iPhone
3. better than my Dell E4200

I tried putting these antenna leads in multiple different positions in the case and tested that. I never got anything better than the regular internal antenna provide.

Here's a pic of the other antenna connected before I put the case back on for the tests mentioned above.

 

Tx and linked/forwarded

 

I think you were more correct the first time. According to Samsung, the 13.3" model weighs 2.89 lbs.

 

Strange. When I get time maybe I'll download the user guide for that black diamond. In my Dlink DGL-4500 router when I login at the top I select status then Wireless and it gives me the actual connection strength. Maybe it's hidden somewhere and you just missed it.

EDIT: In that router try going to "Advanced Settings" - then "Wireless" - it could be under General or Professional. Not sure specifically as the guide doesnt dive into the settings too far into each setting. It should have it and it will give you a accurate signal strength number showing the connection to each of your wireless devices. Or if you like install inSSIDer 2 on your laptops to do a comparison as it gives you this data too but from the device side. The router side is easier though. Let us know, I would love to see real numbers. This goes for anyone else testing too, try this.

 

I am with you and waiting for the Sony Z as well. I had an S9 A03 and A05 both with June build dates and both with broadcom wifi cards. Both were horrible, but the A03 actually was performing better than the A05 which I thought was strange.

I can see if you spend most of the time at home and you have a good connection and like the S9 then it may be its fine to keep since it's a nice form factor and design for a pc laptop. One of the best I think. However if you travel a lot and are spending time in airports, hotels, coffee shops, etc it's probably not a good choice and you should get something else. The other thing that bothered me was the screen does do this weird dimming thing between dark screens and bright, which I could never solve. Also the keyboard backlight would sometimes stall and take a long time to turn on when waking in a dark room. I wanted instant on for everything. But that's just my opinion and two cents. I don't think samsung will ever admit to this issue and the fix won't be through the supply chains for a while, so you can't depend on ordering one and getting one that has been fixed or should I say "updated" as Samsung would!

 

I think the A04 US has 8GB of RAM right out of the box...only 128GB on the SSD, but it does have the full 8GB on RAM...thanks for your insight Kalahari ! It is much appreciated.....

/DEM

 

Aircraft have "Externally" mounted through hull antenna.....hence the duralumin has no blocking effect...

 

It's not about blocking effect, it's about interference that might be created by this metal. When you use an external USB wireless adapter it's also mounted "externally"...

 

K... Gotta shake your head on this one... External = Outside hence Internal = Inside. The part that separates outside from inside is the casing...duraluminum.

I kinda figured this being the issue was a given by now.

 

After a night of testing, I can say that the "fix" of changing out to the Intel WIFI results in my being able to connect without dropping the connection from my bedroom, but the performance makes it unusable. By slow I mean type in the URL, wait several seconds, then watch the screen slowly scroll like you are using a dialup connection. After using it this way I grabbed my old ASUS, which gets an excellent connection from this spot (just as good as in the den), and did not pick up the Samsung again. For now it is staying in the den. This is Samsungs "fix" as of Wednesday. In other words, it seems that as of now they don't have a real fix. If they don't find a real fix then this thing is going up for sale as soon the vaio z hits the US. No matter how sexy and cool, if I can't connect to networks then it is just a cool looking brick.

 

Now this is very weird and I cannot make any sense of it, but I have done repeated tests and the result is always the same: My new A03 has better speedtest.net results than the old one, both with the Broadcom chip:

Ping 12ms
Download 4.70Mbps
Upload 1.83Mbps

Ping 5ms
Download 9.54Mbps
Upload 1.86Mbps

Same test server of course, both sitting next to each other (I even switched them on the table and made sure that the screens were at exactely the same angle). The software on both laptops is identical (I copied the disk image with Arconis True Image).

 

Not to some of us. Phil reported only a small percentage difference removing the back cover. Someone else reported getting a second unit with initial good wifi performance but low WEI score, then when he got the WEI score up the wifi performance dropped, which is obviously unrelated to the material. And I didn't see much difference with or without the cover - a small increase in range, but eventually the sudden dropoff still happened.

 

You missing the point of my initial idea:

 

Is anybody having an issue with Easy Display Manager. The Samsung enabled function keys F1, 2 3 7 and 8 do not seem to work.

I have tried to run the East Display Manager without luck. Did an uninstall and reinstall with no luck. Also rolled back to the older version -- also no luck.

Any suggestions (except a clean install of windows)...

 

Well......my first AO3 went back because of the wifi issue and I ordered the AO5, hoping for it to be fixed.

Unfortunately....It wasn't, so it went back to Costco yesterday. Very frustrating, because the S9 is an otherwise incredible laptop. I really want to love it!

I think I'll sit on the sidelines for a bit and let Samsung figure this out before jumping back in the pool a third time!

I will continue to monitor this terrific forum...I've learned alot here.

 

Yeah, well that was in response to the "why do aircraft not have......?"

Besides......Duralumin in not used in conventional aircraft today...it had been used in Blimps for years....it had a lot more Magnesium which is much more of a conductor than pure aluminum....

Oh well.....wifi issues continue...

 

Just 4 days ago, I posted that my new Series 9 "A05 Jun 2011" had WiFi as good as my Dell E6400 and iPhone 4. That A05 was "out of the box" with no driver upgrades and the original Win 7 x64 Premium. On some of SpeedTest.net tests, the S9 was even slightly better. It was WAY better than what I'd seen with my earlier A03 model.

Since then, I have updated a number of Intel drivers and upgraded to Win 7 x64 Pro. I also upgraded RAM for a short time but have gone back to the original 6GB.

So what's my point? The point is that my WiFi sucks after installing all the Intel driver upgrades and Win 7 Pro (and my other software -- which shouldn't have had an impact) WiFi capabilities, or lack thereof, have gone back to what I was getting with my "A03 Apr 2011".

I have done extensive testing compared to a Dell E6400 and tested with ASUS NT-R56U (Black Diamond), LinkSys WRT54G and 2Wire 2701HG-B routers. Unfortunately, unless it's right near the router, the S9 WiFi capabilities are really really weak.

Another negative is how much the S9's SpeedTest.net results fluctuate from test to test where the SpeedTest.net results are pretty consistent on the Dell at a particular distance from the router. The S9 results are always lower than the Dell (50-70% lower). Using Alfa USB wireless is much better than S9 too.

I am doing a backup now and restoring to original state. Then will do testing again and consider upgrading drivers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update #1:
Restore to original state complete. Just run first test against remote 2Wire router in basement. Dell is getting 10 to 11+ Mbps and S9 getting 9 to 11+ Mbps download speeds! My ISP max is 12 Mbps. Still more testing needed but this is the start that I needed!

Update #2:
Went and recreated the testing that I was doing for hours this morning. That is in the kitchen connecting to the ASUS router in study. Dell was consistently capable but S9 was all over the place from 0.1 Mbps up to 8 Mbps (there was only one time in 20 that it got over 6 Mbps!)... In my testing now, photo attached, the S9 got 11.21 Mbps and the Dell 11.12 Mbps. Absolutely, f...ing amazing!!
One caveat that I need to note. The Dell can just be moved around from location and it will keep the network connection. I have found the S9 (most times) needs the network to be reset.

#Update #3:
At that point in the kitchen where the S9 was probably averaging around 2 Mbps this morning, these are its most recent 4 scores: 11.2, 11.5, 11.3, 11.3. The Dell's 4 most recent are: 11.2, 6.6, 2.0, 6.3 --- so can't explain this...
I did go even further away into another room. The Dell was able to connect to router and get 1.2 Mpbs on SpeedTest.net. The S9 could not connect even after network resets. It's possible that I could get it work but it could take a long time.
Now to figure out what drivers I absolutely need to install. And to decide whether I need to upgrade to Win Pro or not. Also time for backup...

Update #4:
Allowed Samsung updater to install the Samsung Support Center and Easy Display updates.
Ran Intel Driver Update (on Intel site) for interest. It said no updates needed. Samsung has new Intel Wireless driver 14.1.1.3 on website. Installed that.
Added 8GB RAM. WiFi still testing out well so no issues there.
Now to do the dozens of updates that Microsoft says are needed for Win 7 x64 Prem.

Update #5:
Completed all Windows update. WiFi still OK.
Just did SpeedTest comparisons to a MacBook Pro in different locations. The Samsung 9 wireless results did not even come close

BTW, I really think that Samsung should be paying me for doing all this testing!!! My thanks go to out phil1980, Series 9 Guy and others who've helped...

 

LOL!! That's cool. Thanks!

 

Boy that last picture looks familiar. I don't understand how anyone can question that the issue is anything other than the fact that duralumin significantly reduces the wifi signal, regardless of the card installed. Atleast two of us have tested, both with the base cover removed and replaced, and also, with external antenna leads outside of the base and then inside.

It absolutely without a doubt HAS to be the duraluminum. We can go back and forth all we want but there is, as of yet, no indication of poor signal from the cards or weak power issues.

Lets hope this gets fixed quick! Well...... quickly as the quick part has now passed. As much as I hate not having this machine, I hate seeing new people enter the thread with the same complaint over and over, only to reconfirm what we already know through testing.

 

@Series 9 Guy,

My picture is actually showing good news. I think that Samsung may have changed the Duralim in some way already?

My new A05 feels smoother on top (didn't it used to have a slightly ridged finish?) and fingerprints, of which there are few that appear, can just be removed by rubbing with hand. No special cloth necessary. This applies to the inside next to the touch pad too but does NOT apply to the bottom. That "plasticy" finish is like a fingerprint magnet (but I don't really care).

 

And that is another issue that we spoke of but the wifi remains. I would love to know the result if you feed those long wires under the keyboard and then replace it. Its a simple unclip, route the wires through and then clip it back in again.

 

I had such a battle getting the original antenna back on this last time -- don't know why. But it makes me hesitant to do anything more with any antenna leads. I'll think about it...

 

Question:

When the back of the laptop is off and the Wi-fi signal improves, does Wi-Fi signal remain strong and stable or do you see drop offs eventually even though the back is off?

The reason I ask is that we are all assuming the adapter or antenna(s) are being blocked by the metal case. Could the weak wi-fi be a problem farther down the line, say communicating with something on the motherboard instead?

 

Removed as it's not seeing the behavior described right now

 

I don't see a "simple unclip". Looks complicated; can't see to even start. Any instructions? Thanks

 

So if I send in my laptop to samsung they will replace my a03 chip to the 6230?

 

I could be wrong as I have done this to about 6 diff laptops lately but, if I remember, its a simple slide and lift of a credit card.

 

Then how would you comment S9 gettin' 15Mbps from a certain place and half hour later it's only 2Mbps? Same laptop, same config, no changes at all.

Story 2: S9 A5US showing 12Mbps with Win 7 Home Premium and 2Mbps with Win 7 Pro. Same laptop, same config, same location, different software.

I think it's something else besides Duralumin that makes this laptop so fluctuated with wi-fi performance...

 

Most likely - yes!

 

I am interested in this laptop, but I really don't want to buy it if there are wifi issues. Can anyone confirm that this is still an issue for the newly refreshed models? Specifically, I am talking about both the NP900X3A-B01US and B02US. Does this issue affect all users? Thanks.

 

Your observations are ALWAYS made with an antenna within the system correct? Recreate the same as above with an exterior USB plug in antenna or with the base removed. Actually, anyone... please plug in an external USB wifi and let us know your result.

I was getting 16MBps reception (according to speedtest) with the internal wifi as well but it was not consistent and wouldn't download a thing. Also, when I remove the base or plug in a USB wifi it is perfect.

I would think the combination of all we have seen would lead anyone to the same conclusion:

1. There is significantly different results with and without the duraluminum base;
2. There is significantly different results when comparing the built in wifi to that of a cheap plugged in USB wifi;
3. There are significantly different results when an antenna lead is attached and compared outside the duraluminum base and with the antenna inside the duraluminum base;
4. Every configuration of card has been tried and, although there are small differences, none have yet to have adequate signal 'on a consistent basis;
5. There is no indication that there is any power issues which would reduce the power of the internal card; and
6. having tested around the world, in airports and in my office, with 4 different systems and right beside either one of two other laptops I own (Acer Timeline/Dell M1330), the signal has never even once been equal UNLESS the plug in USB antenna has been installed or the base removed.

I understand we all have our views but, IMHO, the global picture indicates only interference through the case material. For EVERY scenario so far, I would suggest removing the base or adding an external has or could solve that problem.

Don't take my response as minimizing your thoughts in any way as we are all getting frustrated but regardless of what we believe of the interior, it can always be fixed by bypassing the duraluminum barrier in some way shape or form. I am going through this very thing with Product Development at Samsung and flat out told them to put ANY system in my hands. I can recreate the exact same problem and solution with any system or so I believe. Everything here only seems to confirm this.

Who knows...at the end of the day I may eat my words... just don't think so though... not after having and returning 4 of these babies, all with excellent 6230 cards and all with the EXACT same issues.

 

Just a question that came to me, if the duraluminun is the problem why it isnt affecting the 11.6" version, arent both made with duraluminum? the wifi problem.

 

Series 9 Guy.....your results mirror what mine have been as well.

On my second unit (AO5, May, 2011 build) I did exactly what you did, comparing the internal wifi capabilities with those of an inexpensive external USB wifi unit. Here's what I saw using my Netgear 3700 Dual band N-router:

1) All tests were initially done with the internal S9 wifi enabled, then I shut off the internal and connected the external USB wifi unit.

2) I tested the external unit in two configurations. One was to plug the external wifi receiver directly into the USB port on the S9 and test it, then remove the external unit and plug it into it's base which I set about 12 inches away from the S9 then connected the base to the S9 via it's USB cable.

3) When very close to the router, no differences noted. All three configurations generated a strong connection and a 30.1Mps link.

4) Move to another room further away and both the internal as well as the USB direct plug in dropped to less than 20Mps, while the external base connection maintained a 30.1Mps rate.

5) Move upstairs on the other side of the house and the internal and the direct USB plug in dropped to 0.3Mps, while the external base unit never missed a beat.....30.0Mps.

Again, I will avoid drawing absolute conclusions, but when I have the S9 sitting in the same spot and it gets a 0.3 connection, then I plug in an external USB directly into the side USB port and it gets a 0.3 connection, then I plug in the USB cable, stretch it out about a foot and plug the USB receiver into the now detached base unit and it registers a 30.0 Mps.......it appears that the small amount of separation from the S9 made all the difference in my case.

Just my experience and two cents worth......

 

Do we know this? I haven't heard a 11.6" owner chime in yet and I will concede it is something I expected. I would also love to know where the antenna base is on that system.

IMHO, a simple moving from its present position to under the keyboard might do the trick...

 

S9 Guy does make a good point. There is no fluctuation that I've observed with external USB -- and I'll do some more testing on that at home (with two routers) and then when I start traveling on Friday.

I could very well be the Duralim that's ultimately causing both the weak wireless and the fluctuating speeds (because of where the antenna are placed). There might not be any better antenna positions. I tried a whole lot (except under the keyboard because I couldn't figure out how to get there). It's also worth noting that connecting antenna which I dangled outside the laptop allowed good and stable performance. I did not do significant testing of that "configuration" though so cannot say "it performed as well as other devices".

One thing that I need to note that I have minimal improvement with bottom of the case off on the old A03 and the new A05.

 

If someone tells me how to do that without damaging my A05, I'll try it. I went through all the pics posted by the guy that disassembled a Series 9 on ZDNet but he didn't remove the keyboard...

A question for you. I knew that I was taking the risk, and I don't regret it because it can be returned, but one of the reasons that I bought a second Series 9 was because you said that Samsung said (or gave the impression?) that the WiFi problem would be fixed in the June build. Do you have any more info on that?

 

Unfortunately, if you're looking for someone to say that the WiFi problem has been fixed, you won't get that answer. If you can wait a month or two, I would recommend you do that. The Series 9 is a great laptop (except for...).

As I've reported before, the wireless in my new A05 is better than my old A03 but the fluctuation in performance and the difficulty and time that it to connect to new networks, means that I cannot recommend it. Often have to reset the adapter before you can connect to new network (or power off seems to work too)..

I will probably keep my new A05 but I will be opening up (yet another) case with Samsung Tech Support this week. I will NOT be sending it in for repair because there is no indication that they know how to fix the problem yet.

 

Wonder if you ever saw what I did? I would have the case where the S9 could not even see the access point. I would then plug in the USB wireless adapter, it would see the access point and then, a couples of seconds later, the internal S9 wireless would see it too! This happened on more than one occasion.
Unfortunately, or as expected, the USB wireless adapter still had the stronger connection but it just seems weird that it would "wake up" the internal adapter (or possibly help it?).

 

I remember saying that and I think I later said that maybe they are just paying me lip service as I am here. I am only passing on what I am being told in conversation (not e-mail) with their PM team

 

OK, thanks. Was just wondering whether you'd seen any documentation or felt confident that they really felt it was solved. You've answered my question. Thanks.

 

I said it before the June builds don't fix the problem! Also it was said before that the intel wifi cards changes don't work either! Stop wasting your time with this! Its a manufacturing defect and I doubt it will ever be fixed!

If ANYONE is thinking about purchasing this heed my advise and posts! DO NOT BUY THIS LAPTOP IF WIFI IS IMPORTANT AND VITAL. If you have a good signal at home, don't travel, etc then it maybe fine for you. If you need it outside and don't mind the external USB, maybe. But my overall recommendation is DO NOT BUY this machine! Keep moving and wait until Asus or Sony release their new ultraportables. Even on Endgaget people are complainng about the WiFi issue! Dont waste your time and $$! The S9 is not ready for primetime!!!!!

 

The wild fluctuation is something I have noticed too. And also, that my new A03 which is of a later built, has significantly better Wifi than my old A03 (very first batch at Costco).

Either way, I have tried very hard to find another laptop and ended up buying the S9 again. It is certainly not perfect, but I could not find anything better ... ('though I thought that the MBA is outstanding; but I don't want to leave Windows).

 

It's sad to say, but I'm starting to wonder if Samsung has a clue to what the problem is?

How can you design/build/market such a wonderful laptop and screw up the WiFi so badly?

Somebody really "screwed the pooch" on this one.....

What are we consumers supposed to do? Keep returning them in volumes until you get the message?

C'mon, Samsung! Get this fixed!!!!