Samsung redefines sleek with its seductive new Sandy Bridge ultraportable. Here's five things to like about the latest would-be MacBook Air killer.
The flagship product of Samsung's recent 2011 Australian IT range launch, the Samsung Series 9 looks different, feels different, is different. We've spent some hands-on time with a review unit in the APC Labs, and we like what we see. A number of small innovations and design choices across the board make this the standout Sandy Bridge ultraportable of the moment.
Of course, at $2,499 it's not exactly a cheap machine, but neither does the Series 9 represent poor value. It is what it is: a premium, design-centric thin-and-light notebook with Intel's latest-generation Core i5 CPU (2537M) inside. If you're the kind of person to spend 2.5K on an ultraportable, we think you'll like it. Here are five things we're particularly taken with:
1. "Featherweight" design
Samsung cheesily launched the Series 9 with the pun "the weight is over", and while we can't readily excuse that line, we at least have to agree with where they're coming from. At 1.31kg and just 16.3mm thick, the Series 9 feels good in your hands. It's light, easy to carry, and looks great. Samsung claims the dimensions render the Series 9 the thinnest and lightest 13in second-generation Intel Core i5 notebook on the market. It will attract compliments.
2. Duralumin
We know what you're thinking: isn't that the stuff that Wolverine's claws are made from? (Nope, that's Adamantium.) Duralumin is an aircraft-grade metal alloy used for the external casing of the Series 9. It provides twice the strength of aluminium while offering equal lightness. This is a boon, as while aluminium-cased notebooks are tough, they can be prone to warping if sufficient force is brought to bear against them. (Pursuing the aircraft theme, Samsung also claims the Series 9 has an "aerodynamic style", but we don't recommend testing this.)
3. Speedy Gonzales
This thing is fast. Samsung claims its "Fast Start" technology allows the notebook to wake from sleep in three seconds and to boot in just 22. We didn't get out the stopwatch when we were playing with the Series 9, but Samsung's figures sound about right. In any case, general use with the machine gives a nice impression of speed. A Sandy Bridge CPU mixed with solid state storage makes for a brisk user experience and less twiddling of thumbs all round.
4. 128GB SSD
This part doesn't really require any explanation. The fact that the Series 9 doesn't include a mechanical hard drive helps account for its lightness and speed, and it'll also help with power efficiency. We should point out however that the MacBook Air is upgradeable to 256GB (and still costs less than the Series 9 in that configuration). But until the Airs get upgraded to Sandy Bridge (expected later in the year), there's really no comparison between their Core 2 Duo CPUs and the Series 9's Intel second-generation Core i5. Apples and oranges.
5. Invisible ports
Okay, so they're not really "invisible", but the ports for USB, microSD, HDMI (etc.) on either side of the Series 9 can be hidden and revealed alternately by simply flicking a little panel up and down on the underside of the notebook. It's a simple touch, but the attention to detail is nice, and it aids the overall "aerodynamic" impression of the machine (being semi-reminiscent of wing landing flaps). Plus, it helps to ensure that your connectors don't get damaged (or linted) in transit.
The Samsung Series 9 retails for $2,499. It's available now at Harvey Norman and will be sold at other retailers from next month onwards. Look out for APC's full review in our upcoming July issue.
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