Samsung Series 4 vs. Sony SB/SA

Was looking around for X220 and SB/SA contenders and discovered that Samsung is also releasing a new Sandy Bridge business laptop: Series 4.

The Series 4 caught my eye with its 12.5" version powered by the Sandy Bridge i3/i5/i7. Turns out they all have hard external casing, HDD drop sensor, and anti-spill design. Sounds like it might be the same durable design as the hyped ultra-light Series 9.

Announced on Engadget: Samsung serves up Series 2, Series 4, and Series 6 laptops for serious, professional types -- Engadget

Did some more research and found the model number of the Series 4 (NP400B2B), some specs, and prices.

From Priceguidenetwork:

Weight: 3.74 lb
Platform: Samsung Series 4 Model
Name: Samsung Series 4 Business Notebook (400B2B)
Description: Samsung 12.5 Series 4 Business Notebook PC
Screen Size: 12.5 LED HD Display
Brightness: 200 nit Display
Processor: Intel Core i5 - 2520M Processor
Processor Speed: 2.50 Ghz
Hard Drive Size: 320 GB 7200 RPM SATA
Memory Size: 4GB DDR3 expandable to 8GB, 2-slot SODIMM
I/O Ports: Docking Station Connector, 2 x USB 2.0, (1 Sleep-in -Charge, 1 USB/eSATA Combo 1 x USB 3.0) VGA, HDMI, Headphone in, Mic-in, RJ45,4-in-1 Multimemory Card Slot (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 3000
Optical Drive: DVD/RW Super multi Dual layer
Durability: Hard drive free-fall sensor, spill-resistant keyboard
Connectivity: Intel 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth V 2.1 high/speed, 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit LAN
Battery: 6-Cell 66 Whr Lithium Ion, 9-cell optional
Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Professional-64bit
Security: Kensington Lock, Fingerprint Reader, Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
Other: 1.3 MP HD Webcam
Docking station: available

Anti-reflective SuperBright LED screen confirmed here: Dabs.com


Prices:

CDW: $989
Priceguidenetwork: $988
ProVantage: $961
Costcentral: $940



Cons for the Thinkpad:
- USB 3.0 is only available with the i7 ( X220 data sheet)
- no HDMI ( mobiletechreview)
- no optical drive ( mobiletechreview)
- 3.0 lb only with 3-cell, but 3.4 lb with 6-cell ( mobiletechreview)

Cons for the SB:
- SB slightly bigger and bulkier
- Poor viewing angles
- Expensive

Series 4 specs look promising. Its cousin, the Samsung Series 9 is much anticipated for its thinness/lightness, but will have ULV Sandy processors. This Series 4, however, uses the full powered mobile Sandy Bridge cpus like the X220 and SB/SA. And if the durability and quality is as good as the hyped Series 9, then it may well be a true contender to the X220/SB/SA.

I'm in the market for a 12"-13", non-glossy, non-ULV, Sandy Bridge laptop, with optical drive, under 3.8 lbs. Wanted to see what you guys thought of this little-known Series 4.

 

It looks a lot like an old thinkpad to me , I think being a samsung the screen should be better than the SA/SB though you could've assumed the same thing about Sony, so I guess you'd have to wait for a review on that. Other than that the big deciding factor would be graphics card.

If you don't need a graphics card... i don't really think that thing about the 6 cell on the x220 is really a con... it's still lighter than the series 4 quote. I would go with the thinkpad based on tried and true durability and the known to be excellent screen, unless you REALLY need the HDMI and if USB 3 REALLY matters that much to you.

 

Yeah, looks very much like the Thinkpad. It's even got the 12.5" form factor. It's pretty much got all the features I want, and price is great. Quality and durability are yet to answered, though.

April is always an exciting time. I played around with the Sony SB and it's nice. Probably gonna check out the X220 when it reaches stores. So many new choices.