Samsung Series 9

[Adevictus]

Looks like the new Samsung Series 9 just hit stores in Canada.

I just saw stumbled across the 15" model on Staples: http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?webid=860977&CatIds=&AffixedCode=WW&=&=&=&cm_mmc=Channel_Intelligence-_-Shopping-_-Feed-_-860977

I noticed the price tag is a little high though... what about this laptop justifies the $1500 price tag?

[Dwight10]

I think this price is perfect for this Laptop.

[george__]

It's a tadd expensive. But generally speaking
BUT,
A lot of Samsung notebooks, I've seen, carry a premium like Sony VAIO.
But this laptop has a SSD, a above average display (it'll do 1600x900) <-- I think because it says HD+, a 8 cell battery (compared to usual 6 cell), 8GB of ram and a i5 (3rd gen Ivy Bridge so no 2nd gen Sandy Bridge).
AND ALL OF THIS inside a TINY THIN laptop!

http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/06/samsung-series-9-2012/ <-- a review
http://thessdreview.com/hardware/notebooks/samsung-series-9-15-np400x4c-ivy-bridge-ultrabook-overview-ssd-performance-analysis/

It looks like it'll snap in half if you drop it to be honest. But if you're into this sort of stuff, I think the asking price isn't too bad... Compare to similar spec Macbooks for example. Easily much more!

[PitchyDawg]

128GB Solid State Drive

I know the screen size and resolution costs money, but SSD should really be 256GB at this price range.

[george__]

128GB Solid State Drive

I know the screen size and resolution costs money, but SSD should really be 256GB at this price range.

Doubt the lowering ssd price will impact manufacturers for a couple more months. They always so slooww to change

[kwanyeung20]

i guess it is expensive because of the weight 3.36 pounds for 15" laptop... even 13" laptop are hard to do 3.36 pounds... the screen should really have 1080p though for this price

[time space]

SSD should really be 256GB at this price range.

screen should really have 1080p though for this price

Processor should really be an i7 at this price range.

[ichpen]

Looks like the new Samsung Series 9 just hit stores in Canada.

I just saw stumbled across the 15" model on Staples: http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?webid=860977&CatIds=&AffixedCode=WW&=&=&=&cm_mmc=Channel_Intelligence-_-Shopping-_-Feed-_-860977

I noticed the price tag is a little high though... what about this laptop justifies the $1500 price tag?

It's by far the thinnest and lightest ultra portable. It's always been the flagship model for Samsung and competes with the high end Sonys and the Macbook Air.

I also happen to think it's the most striking ultrabook. It's lightyears ahead in design, battery life and portability (yes I'm including the MBA and Asus ultra books in that statement). It's very simple and elegant. It's half a pound lighter than its closest rival MBA and the Asus I think with the 13" model. It's battery life lasts a good few hours longer that the Asus/Apple to boot and that's in 15" vs 13" form.

15" is a thing of beauty. Might get one soon if they ever do a 1080p screen until then I'll refrain.

There's a price to pay for this.

A favourable review here: http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/09/15-inch-samsung-series-9-review-2012/

Pricewise it's equivalent to an MBA, maybe a little more expensive but you do get a lot more bells and whistles with the Samsung.

If you have the coin this is the one to get as long as you can live with the shortcomings of an ultraportable.

[cloakster]

Put a 1080p screen, an i7 ulv cpu, keep the price the same and i'll take it. Its pretty impressive to have a 15" sized laptop weigh only 3.35lbs. Also, the price is pretty much justified by the fact that its one of a kind. Is there any other 15" ultrabooks out yet?

[george__]

Yeah there are.
Putting a i7 might kill its battery life

[plucky duck]

I like the Series 9 form factor. It's 13.3" is a tad smaller than the 13.3" Air. Looks very unique. My issue is with the trackpad, as in Windows it just isn't very responsive at all to gesture commands. Often I would have to retry 2-3 times before it registers, even then it is laggy and out of synch with my timings. Trackpad via Bootcamp on the Air needs work, but it honestly is more tolerable than the trackpad on the Series 9.

Another thing is there is a thing as being too thin and too light, at least for me. On paper and in person at the store I thought I would love the thinness and lack of weight, but after bringing it home for use it didn't have the proper heft to it, as it was moving around when I didn't want it to. Yeah, go figure.

[Adevictus]

Samsung Series 9 15" - i5, 128 gb ssd, 8 gb ram, 1600 x 900 resolution, thin and light form factor = $1500 + taxes
Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A - i5, 128 gb ssd, 4 gb ram, 1980 x 1080 resolution, thin and light form factor = $1099 + taxes

???

[ichpen]

???? ???? ..???

[george__]

The Zenbook seems like a nice deal.... Even without the 8GB of ram.

[Adevictus]

The Zenbook seems like a nice deal.... Even without the 8GB of ram.

I'd say that the 1080p display makes up for it. Not to mention that you could upgrade to 8 GB for like $30.

[george__]

I'd say that the 1080p display makes up for it. Not to mention that you could upgrade to 8 GB for like $30.

YES! go for Asus dude. The screen alone = epicc but battery life might be a little worse

[ichpen]

I'd say that the 1080p display makes up for it. Not to mention that you could upgrade to 8 GB for like $30.

Ok, guess I'll state the obvious. One is a 13" the other a 15". I don't think ram is upgradeable on either of them.

I have the first gen ux31. It has its quirks but I think a 1080p screen is pushing it on a 13" laptop. Samsung would still be my choice.

[george__]

^^
Good point. Plus trying to type on a 13" is going to be pretty hard depending on how fat your hands are ><

[ElvaSoShexai]

Asus ux31a isn't upgradeable which is a drawback. Only the ux32vd is. The 32vd is slightly thicker, 32gb ssd expresscache+ 500gb hdd has a nvidia switchable gpu, same 1080p screen and is $1,299.

[kwanyeung20]

The price is expensive just because there isn't a 15" laptop that is so light and portable... excluding the Macbook the closest one I can find is Sony Vaio S which is 2kg ~ 4.4 pounds. still one pound heavier than this... although in that laptop it has a 1920x1080 IPS screen and i5-ivy, backlit keyboard with 6 hours battery for $880-900, still a lot cheaper than this

[philosopherdog]

Well, there's cheap laptops and then there's quality. For a 15 inch 128 ssd at this build quality it's reasonable. It's comparable to Apple machines, which are generally higher build quality than Samsung, which after all are just copying Apple at this point. In any case, you have to pay a bit more for a decent box. You're not going to get anything decent at those rock bottom prices. If you're just a casual user then go for cheap. If you're on the thing all day, then it's worth getting something that won't constantly annoy.

[ad19]

Staples has reduced the price to $1359.