The 2012 Samsung Series 9 13.3" (NP900X3B)

My batterycare information is similar to yours... designed capacity of 40071 mWh, total capacity 38850 mWh, wear level 3.05%.

 

Can you open the lid with only one hand?

 

See... you DO need a VGA port.

At least DP or DVI has easier (and cheaper) VGA solutions... HDMI to VGA is not as easy as you thought it was.

 

No, I need a mini DisplayPort. This was a mistake by Samsung.

 

I can open mine with my thumb.

Which utility are you and Shelley using to look at this information?

 

I'm using BatteryCare, but Battery Bar will also give you the info. I like Battery Care because you can set it to automatically turn off some background Windows services when you are on battery, it tells you the cpu temp (sometimes! I can't get it to work all the time), and it's donationware.

Iso: I am very glad to hear your battery report, so at least I know this mWh and battery wear level is standard. I am finding that, even with optimized power settings, I run down the battery fairly briskly. (of course I am only charging to 80%) I would MUCH rather have this computer with shortish battery life than a brick that runs a long time, but it is noticeable to me.

So, no reports on the A02 model?

Finally: I heard back from one of Jeff's helpers at Amazon. They told me that the page is working properly. I fired back a testy email saying it's not working properly for me or any of the users on Notebook Review. It's much too big of a company to be engaging in a consipiracy about one computer, but I'm frustrated that they don't have it up and working, and by their indifference to it. 1400 is a lot of money to me!

 

Good to know. The Dell Ultrabook I played with was surprisingly hard to open (even with two hands).

 

Sorry, I meant 9 seconds to wake up....so if I am using my laptop and I close the lid, it takes 9 seconds for the display to come on in Windows. I had an Asus UX31 with an i5 and it took 2 seconds.

 

I see. Yes, that is quite some time. Are you running Windows 7? I imagine the rapid start software has something to do with waking from sleep? Did you remove it? Go to samsungs support site for it and see what software/drivers are available, and compare it to what you have installed.

You should get 1-2 second resume from sleep.

BTW, I had slight blacklight bleed from the bottom of my panel in my first series 9 that I took back; my new one is perfect. IPS-like panels, and samsungs panels in general, have backlight bleeding similar to the iPad. Glad they are not all like that.

 

Samsung samsung NP900X3B Samsung Notebook Series 9 : Questions, Answers, How To, FAQs, Tips, Advice, Answers, Buying Guide

Not sure if this is a mistake but the Samsung service reply here states the RAM is upgradable to 8GB?

Apologies if mentioned already

 

The 1st generation series 9 (13.3") has two RAM slots, and can take 4-8GB of memory on that basis. It was sold with various configurations, and there are videos and blog entries out there that show how to upgrade the memory yourself.

Looking at the Samsung site, the specs for the first gen Series 9 shows the max memory as 8GB, but for the second gen, the max memory is blank. This seems to imply that maybe there is only one memory slot, with max memory at 4GB.

Does anybody know conclusively if the second generation machines have one or two memory slots?

As a programmer, it would be a big disappointment not to be able to upgrade to 8GB...

Regards,
Colin

 

On my Asus Zenbook, I installed autohotkeys and it works great. Just be sure to run the compiler so it creates an exe file that you can put in your startup folder.

How to Get the Worst OS X Lion Feature in Windows (Reverse Scrolling) - How-To Geek

If you get an error message when scrolling too fast, you can raise the limits. This all sounds much more complicated than it really is.

On my Toshiba Portege z835, I had to install twofingerscroll to get the two-finger right click, and installed autohotkeys along with it to get the reverse scrolling to work.

This thread is great, I've tried reading all the pages. I'm still in search of the perfect ultrabook (or ultra whatever, as Samsung says theirs isn't an ultrabook). My thoughts so far:

Toshiba:
Lighter than zenbook, but only i5 and 128gb. Has the lit keyboard, but the screen resolution is terrible compared to Zenbook. I prefer 1600x900.

Zenbook:
Heavier (that half pound is very noticeable, I'm serious). No backlit keyboard. It does have i7 and 256gb, but costs $1200-1300. Toshiba was $850 on Amazon after giftcard. I also think the edges of the zenbook dig into my wrists too much while typing.

I think I'm going to try the Samsung Series 9. It only has the i5 and 128gb, (at the same price as faster zenbook), but I'm hoping the lighter weight and backlit keyboard make up for that. Can anyone comment on whether the edges of the Samsung dig into your wrists while you are laying in bed/couch typing?

 

I might be sending my 13" back so before I do, I will remove the screws and take some pictures if they don't show up on a review somewhere else first.

And the reason for the potential return is the 128GB SSD. I can live with 128GB but I don't want to force my wife to. She needs a 160GB+ model. And if I decide to buy and keep the 15", then that makes the machine I currently have null and void. That and I need to see she is happy with the touchpad, keyboard, etc. It's a big change going from a ThinkPad T400 to this machine.

As you can see WAF is critical as usual.

 

In the end I bit the bullet and ordered one of the machines from Tiger, since I live in Canada (where they are not available yet), but visiting the US next week.

So I will find out about the memory, probably by the end of this coming week. I will post an update here when I know anything. Worst case, I will give the machine to my wife, who can get by with 4GB...

Regards,
Colin

 

Thors, If you knew the SS9 had a 128GB SSD before buying it, why is it also the reason you may be returning it?

 

Because I wanted to. Is that good enough for you? No? Tough.

I bought it because there are many more facets than the storage capacity to evaluate. And you can't do all that from reading terrible reviews on the internet.

There is the possibility the wife will hate it. In that case I will keep it and use it until the 15" 256GB model arrives.

 

I currently live in Europe but there are no S9 here yet, fortunately I will be going to the US soon.
Since you can only buy online I want to order and pick it up at a store, so, apart from Best Buy (who ran out of stock apparently) are there any other retailers who offer this service??

 

It doesn't bother me a bit-- and one of the things that bothered me about the MBA was the sharp edges. The edges on this thing are machined, but somehow not sharp, at least to me. And the brushed aluminum has a very nice smooth feeling when resting my hands. It's a pleasure to type on. (Unlike, I must add, the Toshiba, which had such a wobbly screen that I couldn't type with it on my lap.)

Amazon page back up. I got a final letter from Customer Service thanking me for bringing it to their attention. I pointed out that several people brought it to their attention, actually, over a period of more than ten days.

 

If you'd like, I can buy it and have the notebook forwarded to you in Europe, as long as you cover the full shipping costs.

As for stores if you want to do it yourself, If Best Buy is a no-go, you can try frys if they carry this model. You can order online for store pickup, or just buy it directly at the store. They also have price matching, only problem is that there's only a handful of frys in the US, while Best Buy is has a number of store in almost every state I think.

 

You can try tigerdirect/CompUSA too. Some of their stores carry it.

 

Thanks for the suggestions!
Dragon I appreciate your offer but the shipping costs is the problem.
I went to Frys site and they dont seem to have the Samsung, and what is wrong with Best Buy??!
Dave I checked Tigerdirect but they dont have it in New york which is where I will be going...

 

I'm sure best buy will get more in soon.

Otherwise, will you have somewhere that Amazon can ship to when you visit?

 

Pato, how long will you be in the US for, and what state? I suggest finding online stores that ships it to you because most likely you won't have to pay tax (saves ~$100). Amazon, tigerdirect, newegg, and JR.com currently has these that most states do not have to pay taxes. If you do instore pickup at best buy, you'll get taxed.

 

Yeah, I left the Intel Rapid Start software installed. Is there any other software that might cause it to slow down?

 

I'll be in New York for about 2 days only...
How quick would delivery be from Amazon?

 

I went to BestBuy today hoping to find a 13.3" laptop with 1600x900 resolution (so I'd know if I can handle this S9) but no luck. My search continues...

 

Try Vaio Z at frys. 13.1" with 1600x900 I believe.

amazon has 2 day shipping, but order it a day or two before you get to NY just in case. That's assuming they still have it in stock by the time you order.

 

Amazon also has overnight shipping. If you can sign up for a Prime membership or a Prime trial, its only $3.99 overnight.

 

I see a lot of people concerned with the drive space. I agree a larger drive would be nice, but for $175 you can buy a 128gb SDXC card and pop it in the series 9. That'll fix the issue for me! (unless on this tiny machine, the card sticks out of the slot, in which case I'll just make due with the smaller hard drive)

By the way, I just ordered a series 9 for myself. I'm sick of my netbook's atrocious resolution! And I'm sick of my work laptops weight and size! Give me portability!

 

Does anyone know when we can get the i7, 8GB memory, 256GB SSD version of this Samsung Series 9 or if we can get it by no later than May 2012?

 

I don't think even Samsung knows.

 

Thor,
Keep us posted on the RAM upgradeability. If the A02 model ends up not being upgradeable, I may try and find the A01 "old" stock to keep my RAM options open.

On a separate note, how hard would it be to put a 256gb (or higher) SSD drive in this notebook? Would the physical dimensions be the same? I'm thinking about picking up this notebook, and upgrading the drive later if I need the room.

 

If you're desperate for 8gb, i7, and 256gb SSD, you can always buy this notebook now and upgrade it yourself, then sell the leftover parts to recover some of the costs.

 

I'm pretty there are pics on the internet of a 2012 SS9 taken apart thus showing the RAM is soldered. If I find the link later today I'll post it. Sorry I don't have it bookmarked already.

As for the SSD, these are mSATA drives so the form factor is known. The problem you face is finding a 256GB mSATA device. The only one you really want is the one from Samsung and they aren't sold in the retail channel, yet.

 

I have purchased a 128GB pcie mSATA from samsungparts.com before. I remember seeing a 256GB version last year too (uSATA though, but same form factor), but it off their website now. Anyway, once a 256GB version becomes available (or we can find the part number), you can usually buy them from there to upgrade.

Samsung Parts, Accessories, DLP TV Lamp, Remote Controls, AC Adapters

 

Are you thinking of this?

John

 

Hmmm, that might be it... Last year immediately after the Samsung Series 2011 came out in May, I upgraded the 64GB to 128GB with this BA5902995A - Original Samsung Parts & Accessories and Products because it was mSATA and pcie. The 256GB SSD listed although is found in the refreshed SS9 2011 had uSATA connection, so it won't be compatible mSATA of pcie of the early Series 9. Come to think of it now, if that link is the one, it is not even pcie; it is 1.8" uSATA.

 

I'm still waiting for confirmation if the SSD and memory are upgradable too.

And on this same note, is the processor upgradable to an i7 variant? Based on the socket of this S9, I can't seem to find any available i7 that's compatible. Anyone know any compatible i7 models?

 

Well, the SSD is definitely upgradable. You can see in the pics posted earlier in the thread that it is exposed... just need to find a PCIe mSATA SSD. Based on the images, however the memory is not easily upgradeable.

 

Hmmm, so has there been any confirmation as to what the difference is between A01 and A02 versions? I've seen both for sale, not sure which is better/more upgradeable, etc.

 

I realized today that I don't think I can live with a 128GB laptop. I was using my current laptop out in my backyard to go through the few hundred pictures that I took on our recent vacation, when it hit me that I just wouldn't feel comfortable having to deal with a separate external hard drive for my pictures. I have a feeling the 256GB version of the S9 (either 13" or 15") will probably be more than I'll want to spend, so I guess I've got some thinking to do. Decisions, decisions...

 

Same here. If they don't drop a 256gb version on the market soon, I'll have to consider something else. Using a limping latitude d630 now.

 

I was debating on sticking a 128gb SD card in the slot for pics/video, and having it sync up to Dropbox.

 

Which picture are you looking at for the RAM?

 

I've got an old Dell Latitude D420. Haven't used it in years, but I always liked it.

 

What are you guys storing that you don't have enough room?

 

Do your S9's wake up from sleep upon opening the lid? My first one didn't, but this one does...

 

Nothing out of the ordinary. Typical software programs (MS Office, Photoshop, Lightroom, etc, etc) plus pictures, video and typical data. All told, I'm at around 230GB.

 

You're holding on to way to much at a time. I was the same way 1.5years ago...... Do you really need all of that with you at ALL times? These saved me from being chained to the hard drive, and, give me reliable backup:

*Dropbox
*Google Docs
*Picasa
*Google Music
*Rdio

Livin' in the cloud!

 

My perfect sizes are around 120GB and 500GB. If I really want to be able to carry all my music and photos everywhere, 256GB will definitely not be enough either for me, but 500GB would be perfect. For that reason, I leave my music and photos mostly in the "cloud" via my desktop that is on 24/7, or portable external drive. With the current 128GB, I have all my apps installed (office, photoshop, illustrator, acrobat, and lots of work apps) + about 30GB of non-media data, and still have about 45GB free. which is perfect (virtual + 2x hibernation files take about 10GB, removed recovery partition) . True, I have to stream my music or take connect to my server at home if I want to see some of my pics, but I don't look at them often. So, I have happy with the 128GB mainly because 256GB won't change anything for me. Come on 512GB SSD!!!

sensationxe posted internal pictures earlier in this thread, showing the SSD, wifi card, memory, battery, etc.