Ativ Book 9 (Series 9) feedback / improvement thread

List and discuss your ideas on how to change Samsungs flagship lineup.
While overall I'm quite contented there is always room for improvements. I start with the following:

• Bring back a matte FHD 13.3" panel

• Unlock Intels AESNI CPU extension per BIOS update - why cripple the CPU in first place?

• Status LEDs:
  move power / battery / wifi LED to the side in order to be visible with the lid closed
  add LED for SSD access

• Add hardware radio switch

• Add optional WWAN module

• Add dedicated home / end keys

• Bring back puplic http firmware / driver downloads

 

I thought there was a previous wishlist thread but it must have sunk out of sight.

Other than the display (which I agree with) you are wanting some detailed changes on which I would comment:

• Unlock Intels AESNI CPU extension per BIOS update - why cripple the CPU in first place? That's a good question although most users won't notice the difference
• Status LEDs:
  
  move power / battery / wifi LED to the side in order to be visible with the lid closed
  add LED for SSD access ​
  More indicators would be useful but putting them on the side needs to be somewhere visible when typing (ie on the edge by the touchpad)
• Add hardware radio switch Old notebooks (eg the Samsung X60plus) had this feature
• Add optional WWAN module I suspect the demand for this is decreasing given the increased use of phones or tablets when on the move and options such as MiFi when not moving. There's the related problem of decent signal strength for antennae in a metal lid.
• Add dedicated home / end keys These could be located in the space above the left / right cursor keys
• Bring back puplic http firmware / driver downloads This is unlikely. The SW Update + database approach is far easier to maintain

Another item to go onto the list is the inclusion of a mini DisplayPort, sensibly instead of the mini VGA port. And make the 8GB RAM standard.

The main thing that was wrong with the X3B / C / D/ E was the pricing. If Samsung reuse the old chassis with minimal modification then they don't need it invest in a lot of new tooling.

Maybe we'll find out what they are planning at CES 2014 in a month's time. However, i would note that not everything shown at CES 2013 has reached the consumers (eg the NP980Q3G.

John

 

The main thing i would like to be improved is the cooling. The vents on the bottom should be on the side of the machine so cooling works as well when the laptop is used in the bed / couch. Also the focus of the fan speed control should be more on keeping the machine silent than to keep CPU temps low.

 

That's a good point about the vents and the easiest fix, without spoiling the appearance, is to add an air intake on the back edge, between the two outlets. Also put an air vent in the middle of the bottom. The current locations tend to be blocked by knees if the computer is used as a laptop.

Samsung seem to have changed the fan rules as the Series 9 evolved. The X3B is quiet except under very heavy load because both fans are running together. This aspect is easily fixable if they appreciate there's a problem.

John