The 2012 Samsung Series 9 13.3" (NP900X3B)

Strange... have you tried Samsung support through their easy program app? I'm curious to find out how responsive they are =)

 

I just got off the phone with Samsung Support, and they basically don't have any info on this laptop yet. The tech suggests looking in the forums, hehe.

Issue: Closing the lid, laptop does not go to sleep (or any other setting I choose for it)...

So far, I have tried...

1. Ghost image of factory default settings, bios default settings
2. Windows DVD w/o and with drivers
3. Fast Start off/on

The monitor does turn off when I close the lid though, so the laptop does know it is being close I believe. It just won't go to sleep (or shutdown if I change the setting). Using the power buttong, the laptop does go to sleep so sleeping is not the issue. On my previous SS9 2011, with Fast Start, the power settings are usually greyed out for it to work. On the 2012, it is not greyed out.

Other then this, the laptop is great... I'll wait a few more days and if this is not a common problem, I guess I'll exchange it.

 

Well ... Despite your Sleep issue, I'm going on faith and ordering the Samsung now. Hoping it shows up problem free because I will not have time for returns before travel and will probably get stuck with a ux31.

 

hey iso,
you probably already tried this but just in case....

 

Narcema, yeah I really do love the SS9 2012, despite the issue I am currently having with sleep. Here are random thoughts...

Screen is gorgeous at almost any angle. You can't find a better screen. It's matted!!! At 100%, it seem too bright actually.

Build is very nice, very solid. I like the "dark grey" look. I don't think it will attract finger prints.

Keyboard needs some getting used to. The depth is very low. The trackpad is also very large, so I accidentally would touch that while I am typing. The touchpad is fine, if not a little too sensitive (haven't tweak the settings yet). Touchpad is by ELAN. I actually prefer both the keyboard and touchpad on the original SS9. The backlight for the keyboard is rather dim compared to 2011. I usually turn those off anyhow.

Boot-up times are fast. The Windows animation stops halfway cuz it's so fast!

I can't comment on the battery life yet, cuz I have been mosting troubleshooting, reformating, etc. My guess now is 4-5 hours.

The laptop does not come with a micro hdmi to VGA adapter, but the one for the 2011 model works.

Compared to the UK model, the US has a Samsung MZMPC128HBFU SSD, not sandisk.

I didn't notice any odd fan noses, just normal speed ups when stressed.

If you need to boot up via usb (flash or dvd), make sure you disable fast bios and reorder the boot sequence.

The Samsung software manager program (updates drivers/programs), will not open w/out the recovery partition.

The Windows DVD (included), lacks Samsung drivers (that is on the recovery partition only).

I don't think the Intel Rapid Start Technology software (it creates a second partitoin to hibernate), really works... only because I see both that partition and a hibernation file still on the C drive. I don't know how to confirm that it is actually working.

This case fits the laptop perfectly (since it does have a smaller footprint than the air)... Speck Products MacBook Air / Ultrabook 13-Inch TrimSleeve Black (SPK-A0293)

Other than the fact that my laptop won't sleep when I close the lid, I am loving it. If I can't find a fix, I would have to exchange it for another one. For the time being, I have to press the power button for it to sleep.

---

haxor, thanks. yeah, i have tried chanigng everything possible in the windows power options including those.

 

how much does it weigh? as in exactly? i'm interested to see if its managed to pip the Z830 to the post and weigh in at less than that unit

i'm seriously in two minds about the new S9, i absolutely love the look of it, i want it so badly just for that, but theres just so many reasons i cant warrant spending so much on a flawed and frankly from a hardware point of view, sub par laptop. the lack of oomph from the cpu, no RAM upgrade and no dual channel is frankly just shocking in a second generation machine after the first gen having those features. basically the old model can out grunt the new one. i'm hoping that an ivybridge revamp will see these issues addressed

oh heres my tosh on the scales.

 

1994F7PT, what are your thoughts on the new Dell Ultrabook? (the XPS 13)

 

I measured 2 5/8 lb, so about 1190 grams?

In the Bios, it actually lists 2x 2040MB memory for 4048MB, CPUZ lists nothing, so probably onboard?

 

its definately onboard in the S9, but that BIOS info would suggest dual channel, yet its only pushing what was it, 5.9 on the WEI for RAM? my tosh pushes 7.3 on mix matched RAM, 2Gb onboard and a 4Gb stick

not really looked into the Dell Mr Good, its not available in the UK either, we only get the 14 or the 15 which are both considerably bulkier and heavier.

edit: according to the dell uk website its coming march 2012......which is now!lol! but still not listed under the products page, looks okay, very thin but very little connectivity, not sure i could cope with it tbh. do like the look of the screen with thin bezel, but tbh its still not a patch on the S9 gen 2 for looks

although i know i imported my Z830 but don't think i'd do it again, customs charges screwed me!lol!

 

in fact it doesnt sound that light the dell, its 2.99lb

seems nothing can touch the tosh for weight! lol!

 

Gotcha. The S9 is still my current favorite, but the extra-small footprint of the Dell keeps grabbing my attention.

 

For sure, the Toshiba is king of the lightweights!

 

i'd like to see them side by side and drag my Z830 along too for a face off, see how they all stack up!

i still love my tosh, now the fans sorted its a brilliant bit of kit

 

I loved everything about the Toshiba until I typed on it. I just couldn't get used to the feel of the keyboard. Not sure why, exactly. But other than that, it's got A LOT going for it!

 

i reckon the S9 screen at 1600x900 will blow it out the water though, its a very sexy proposition, i may have to have a trundle to John Lewis at the weekend for a play about with one!

 

It's not last years SSD. It should be the new one PM 830

check here for version...

http://www.samsung.com/us/business/oem-solutions/pdfs/PM830_mSATA SSD_32_64_128_256GB_Spec_1.0.pdf

Can u see if it's 6gbps?

 

Ops, you are correct... I misread the C for an A. My 2011 has the A. Will correct.

 

Damn it, got an expected delivery date of April 4th - 16th. Not sure I have the patience ...

 

Where did you place your order and when?

I just placed mine with CDW on Tuesday, March 6 and was told not to expect anything before end of March (highly unlikely), but more so mid-April at the earliest.

But - I also ordered the N4B, 15-inch. I figured that if I had to wait that long, I might as well aim for the one I really wanted, (the 15") and if it wasn't too far behind, it just might work for me afterall. Like you though, I just don't know if I have the patience. (not only waiting for it, but having to find and use all types of computers on different campuses knowing that I should just have my own....) Some day soon.

 

Placed it a few hours ago on Amazon. Such a long wait time has me still looking at the hp envy 14 spectre. Maybe some weak souls ahead of me in queue will wander off elsewhere.

 

I've found Amazon to get new items sooner than CDW. At least, when the new Asus EP121 Slate was released last year. I ordered from CDW (they offer a very decent government and education discount), but when their projected date was far behind Amazon and Fry's, I ordered one also from Amazon, planning to cancel whoever came in last. It was CDW by a long shot.

So why am I going with them again (or attempting to) you might ask? Well, first I felt somewhat badly to cancel on my rep when I know he was keeping in touch all along and worked on it for me. But, this time around (besides the small guilt factor) is that they also offered the pre-order for the 15-inch and Amazon doesn't. No contest. I might wait a little longer (and I am sure I will) but I might get to snag the X4B.

Keep an eye on who else has ordered from Amazon. All of a sudden they will move you up in the queue out of nowhere!

 

Tigerdirect has it in stock right now...

Samsung NP900X3B-A01US Series 9 Notebook PC - Intel Core i5-2467M 1.6GHz, 4GB DDR3, 128GB SSD, 13.3 Display, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit at TigerDirect.com

 

Tiger Direct was also the first to have the Series 7 in stock back in November, hopefully they will have it in-store soon to check it out.

*I would never buy from Tiger Direct

 

It would appear as though it's made it's way into Best Buys system as well:

Samsung - 13.3" Series 9 Ultrabook Laptop - 4GB Memory - 128GB Solid State Drive - Mineral Black - NP900X3B-A01US

 

But if you place it in your cart, it won't take the order-- "not available for shipping."

 

xyzbit, out of curiosity, why would you never buy from tiger direct? I've ordered from them occasionally and have never had an issue (although I usually prefer newegg). I'm wondering if I'm unaware of something I should be in the know about.

Sorry everyone for going off topic!

 

I just saw the the s9 is beginning to pop up in other UK stores..see here:
SAMSUNG Series 9 900X3B 13.3" Ultrabook? - Black at cheap prices | PC World

It says it's available for home delivery, dabs.com also has it on preorder.

 

Why wouldn't you buy from Tiger Direct? Just asking since I've never bought from them and was actually thinking of canceling my Amazon order if TD actually has it available to ship now...

 

I wouldn't simply due to their return policy.

 

I just got a "good news" email from Amazon saying that my order will ship soon, arrival scheduled for March 13. I placed my order 3/4/2012 right after I made arrangements to return my xps 13, and at that time the estimated delivery was March 28 - April 11. So for all those waiting, Amazon queue is moving relatively briskly. Can't wait to share my thoughts.

 

Sorry, but I'll need you to get it sooner than that.

 

That's awesome news!!! I ordered mine yesterday -- hopefully it ships as soon as yours will!!

 

I' so jealous...
It's annoying not living in the UK nor the US.
I cant wait to get the announcement for the release date and prices for the rest of Europe.
In the US its 1400 Dollars which is about 1057 Euros.
In the UK its 1200 Pounds which is about 1430 Euros
The differences are huge... The problem is that I cannot ship it from the US and if I get it from the UK it would be too expensive, so I'm hoping the prices for the rest of Europe will be between those 2 values.

 

No kidding, right? I think they have an insurance code for this condition. Hopefully the copay is small.

 

Tiger Direct has a bad return policy, I would prefer Walmart, then Best Buy, then Amazon

 

You can use services like borderlinx.com to order from the US and get it shipped to Europe.

 

hmmm -- Amazon just charged my card - is that a sign of things to come?? I only ordered yesterday!

 

Did you get the full charge of $1399? If so, they will be shipping it soon/today. If it is $1, then it doesn't mean anything.

 

Full charge. But I didn't get an email or anything saying that it'll ship soon like shelleyevans received ...

 

Thanks for the suggestion!
Have you ever used their services? if so can you tell me if you were satisfied with their service?

 

Last time I got the charge, then the email a day later... congrats! They are probably shipping yours!

 

No but I have heard good things about them. The company is part of DHL I think. There are also other companies which offer this service for similar costs. I am also thinking about getting one from the states as I can't wait until Samsung releases it in mid/end of April in Europe.

 

Thanks, some people dont know what we have to go through , the wait is killing me!!

 

Just got the email, actually. It's supposed to arrive tomorrow ... that was super fast for a 3-5 week supposed shipping time. Hope all is in good order. Did you sort out your sleep issue?

 

That was quick... wow, you just ordered yesterday! Nope, never figured it out. Let me know if yours go to sleep when you close the lid or not.

 

Wierd why is it more expensive in UK? I reckon its cheaper to ship it there than US, but the US is a larger market.

 

A couple of very negative reviews on Amazon about the touchpad. Hmmm.... I don't recall any complaints here...? Could those of you who have the computer confirm that the touchpad is working okay, and model/drivers? Thanks. (Nothing to do but worry while I wait....)

 

When I lived in the UK I used to take quarterly trips to the US to get electronics and the sort. The 20% VAT is extra cost. It's actually about the same price there (999 pound) - then VAT is tacked on (200 pound).

 

Touchpad works fine, ELAN not Synaptics.

 

Well I went ahead and ordered one from TigerDirect. It was shipped today and should arrive tomorrow. I want to see how the screen compares to my Vaio Z (1600x900)