Next Samsung Series 9 Release

For Win7, are SecureBoot and UEFI simply changed to disabled prior to the install?

 

Put "site:forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/ Windows 7" into Google and look through the threads that it finds. You may also need for reformat the drive if going from W8 to W7. I've not needed to do it so I don't have first-hand knowledge of what's involved.

John

 

If your PC was delivered with Win8, there is more to it. In fact, just disabling UEFI while your disk is still GPT will probably NOT work.

Many, many discussions of that around here in various threads. Start here or here.

 

If you disable UEFI, then you must change the partitioning scheme from GPT to MBR. This is true for Windows 7 or Windows 8.

 

I was expecting the Haswell version to be the "F", but here's an X3F with Ivy Bridge.

Typo (but replicated in several places)? There's also a similar looking NP900X3E-K02BE.

John

 

Hello all,

My local computershop informed me that a new Samsung laptop is expected for delivery any day now, one with specs similar to the ATIV Book 8. Unfortunately, they could not provide me with exact specifications, only a model number: np900x4d This seems to be indicative of an ATIV Book 9.

Is there any one here who knows more about this specific model and how it compares with the new ATIV Book 8?

Edit: Just found this so nvm... 15 inch ATIV Book 9 - OVERZICHT | SAMSUNG

 

Thanks. That's the first reference I have seen to the ATIV Book 9. Samsung like to keep up confused so they have given the X4D model number (up to now an indicator of the unpainted magnesium finish) to something that looks like an X4C (ie volcanic ash black) but the weight is for the magnesium version (perhaps it is painted magnesium rather than painted aluminium - we won't be certain until someone gets one and weighs it). The specs are the same as for the normal X4C/D except they don't show the HDMI port as being the micro version (which has 1920 x 1080 limit on output) but the photo shows its the normal micro port. I also see from the photos that there is only one air vent at the back whereas my X4C has two.

John

 

Good to see the kept with the 1600x900

 

Nothing is updated except the name. I don't expect to see a proper refresh until the Haswell version arrives.

However, looking at the OVERZICHT page I see that there are three colour "Kleur" options: Black, silver and grey which fortunately all come with black keys (Samsung went astray with the new Series 7 machines by providing silver keys with hard-to-read backlit lettering). However, the specifications for this model say black.

John

 

Notebookcheck.com News mentions 900X3F models in reference to a Samsung promotion:

NP900X3F-K01DE
NP900X3F-K02DE

What does the "K" stand for in contrast to the more common "A"? There are also "K" Models of the X3E mentioned!?

NP900X3E-K01DE
NP900X3E-K02DE

None of these models show up on the Samsung site yet though.


EDIT:
The official Samsung Promotion Site now also lists all the mentioned models: Samsung - Gratis Tablet

 

Interesting! There are a lot of Google hits for the NP900X3F. The Australian one says it is touchscreen. There are also French and Belgian versions if anyone can understand what the specs say.

John

 

Very interesting indeed. I love leaks.

 

Not a leak but yet another infill product as if Haswell wasn't expected next month. The Belgian specs translates to "reflective" although I can't see a mention of touchscreen of touchscreen.

John

 

Not quite. A local Samsung rep provided me with the following specs for the B2B model (NP900X3E-K01), it will feature a full HD screen:

 

Specs page says it's a third of a millimeter thicker than X3E while 30g lighter. Browsing the gallery the side of chassis is black now and the silver frame around the touchpad is gone.

 

It's shame if they dropped the polished edge around the unit. I thought that added a touch of class.

 

He was referring to the 15" model.

Anyway looking at your specs I can't see a big difference between the "K" and "A" model.

 

I sort of like it all black. I'm wondering why its .3mm thicker though. I guess that's not enough to get it touch-ready, but could it indicate a panel change nonetheless?

 

The 13" X3E model in the video at Samsung Series 9 (900X3E) Ultrabook Review - YouTube still has the polished edge. Sorry ninjas.

 

Don't get confused. Its the X3F model in all black (see X3F Gallery - Samsung Belgium)

X3F & X3E-K models now mentioned on the official German Samsung Promotion

 

Redefining hi-res (god help us with windows scaling):

Samsung to exhibit 13.3-inch notebook display with 3,200 x 1,800 resolution

 

This tide towards higher res displays is long overdue, in my opinion. I guess we can thank Apple for that. Hopefully it will drive the last stone age apps to become independent of resolution and work properly with Windows scaling. Keeping display resolutions low because apps can only use a fixed DPI is soooooo 1990s

 

Sufficient, but not excessive, resolution is fine. More is just for bragging rights will slow down the graphics perfermance unless you sit huddled over the display. See the article here which suggests that 145 ppi at 60cm viewing distance (which is about right - I just checked) is the limit of the human eye's resolving power. FHD on my 15" Series 9 is 146 ppi while FHD on 13.3" is 165 ppi so people won't be able to use the extra detail unless they sit closer to the display.

And the problem with some of the stone age apps is that they have never been updated but there isn't a modern equivalent.

As for the power savings claimed by Samsung: The display might be more efficient but could well be offset because the GPU will have to work harder. Why not just provide a more efficient display with a sensible pixel density and we can then have an overall power saving?

John

 

Couldn't agree more. The 900p display on the X3* is great, particularly for a matte panel. I'm guessing it won't show up in any of the new models and be replaced with the 1080p of the X3E, which is fine. Four times as many pixels may be too much for me, I would prefer the power savings. Perhaps that will be reserved for the most expensive i7, 512GB model, but it may not be for the haswell refresh at all (just showboating). They better do something about that lackluster X4* panel though.

 

Of course there is a point where more resolution becomes pointless and just a drag on performance. But I am skeptical of those general rules about resolution and distance: So-called experts in the AV industry insisted for years how nobody could see the difference between 720p and 1080p on their TV if watching more than a few feet away, based on some formula. Yet ANYBODY with good eyes could CLEARLY see the difference in detail and sharpness (assuming a quality signal).

Particularly in photo rendering (including video) the eye's inability to resolve a single pixel is not an accurate criterion for whether those pixels can help improve the visual clarity of a picture.

My reaction to the 3200x1800 announcement (which I admit is ridiculously high on a 13 inch screen) stems simply from the fact that for the last several years, you almost couldn't buy a laptop, tablet or phone with a decent resolution unless you were willing to buy Apple (which I am not). My unwillingness to accept a glossy 1368x768 LCD was one of the main reasons I discovered Samsung's laptops in the first place, when I was in the market last summer.

Edit: Something else I should add: My opinion is undoubtedly skewed by the fact that I have used high res monitors since mid 80s, mostly 1600x1200 (in the days of 4:3) working in prepress and graphics. It's hard to go back when you're used to having all that real estate.

 

I would like to chime in with those who feel that greater pixel density reaches first diminishing marginal returns then negative returns particularly if software and OS is not accommodative to the higher resolution. There are many qualities of a display that are of greater importance than pixel density, particularly once you are near 150 ppi on a laptop. These include color gamut, color accuracy, low black levels and high white levels and uniformity throughout the screen, viewing angles, energy efficiency, all things that greatly benefit users, far more than excessive pixel density. But thanks in large measure to Apple, the market is singularly obsessed with pixel density and if mfrs follow suit we will be as poorly served -relative to what is achieveable at a given price point - as we were when we were paying for processing power nobody needed and seeing blurry washed out images and text on 720p 16" screens.

 

I agree with a few of your points. Everyone wants excellent color, contrast, blacks, whites, etc. However, most people didn't have a clue about any of those characteristics until HDTV became mainstream and more affordable.

Apple deserves some credit for driving the discussion, but it's ironic that their best Retina screens are made by Samsung. I am using the 13" Retina MacBook Pro at 1680x1050 right now and dig it.

Anyway, I think it is cool Samsung is being innovative. Some experiments will work. Some will fail. The market decides.

 

Also ironic that Samsung's SSDs rarely end up in their own laptops, but they'll happily sell them to apple as well. Credit also to Sony for putting a hi-def panel on a thin and light before anyone else. Where their innovation has gone as of late I have no idea.

 

Agreed. It's irritating you can't buy Samsung mSATA SSD's in the retail channel. I hope that changes with the new storage form factor standards.

 

I was looking at one of these in bestbuy the other day and noticed it had a liton SSD (128). I'm sure it's not as fast as the raid version that Acer uses but still must be better than the Sandisk they have been using. Oh well, another two weeks and the Haswell machines will be available. They say they have already started shipping to the suppliers although there are no details on what manufactures are included in that.

 

Liteon is actually pretty good. Looks like Samsung will be showcasing haswell on 6/20 (I'm hoping the X4 gets a screen bump):

Samsung teases new Galaxy and ATIV devices for upcoming London event

 

Which model?
While still Ivy bridge the X3E was reported to have a Samsung PM841 Series SSD earlier in this thread

 

Couldn't agree more with your post.

However, just read about the plans for resolution scaling in Windows Blue 8.1, and am skeptical that we will see any huge improvement in high-res handling by Windows.
If this is the case, then will we see Samsung and other manufacturers ship 3200x1800 panels with a good utility that will display this resolution as doubled 1600x900?
This is effectively what Apple did with the Retina Pro models, but it still required apps to be "retina aware" to work properly.

I have been working with an NP900X3E for a few weeks, and its 1920x1080 display.
IE10 scales ok, but I don't like it, Chrome has issues, trying a beta Firefox now, some apps are ok, some are not.
1920x1080 graphics look fantastic on it when displayed properly.
It will be interested to see if 3200x1800 can be made any more usable.

Just saw on the front page article here at NBR that HP has announced a bunch of new models, some to come with 3200x1800 panels.
So, are they putting a lot of stake in Windows 8.1 handling the resolution properly?

I have zero desire to purchase any HP notebook product, but this seems to be a pretty big undertaking by a major company simply to put out displays that are competitive
with the Retina Pro, if they have no indication that they are usable.

 

Same model..the only one BB sells..NP900X3E-A02US and yes that is why I was suprised to the the liteon inside.

 

Samsung's New Ativ ultrabook, which would replace the Samsung Series 9.

The invitation pictures what looks to be a new version of Samsung's Ativ ultrabook, which would replace the Samsung Series 9.

Samsung Officially Announces Galaxy, Ativ, UK event

Samsung Galaxy launch date revealed - Telegraph

 

I guess we'll know for sure on June 20. Until then, pure speculation.

 

My X3E can with the Lite-On SSD via Amazon. And it benchmarks faster than the Samsung PM840 in our Series 7 Ultra.

 

Are you on this forum Lisa? I´m always watching your videos on Youtube and been asking for a Series 9 review, so realy glad you made one, and realy liked the computer

 

Yes, I visit here from time to time. Glad you enjoy the reviews!

 

Well, at least we know it will have touch if it has Haswell.

 

Well so it seems the ATIV Book 9 is available in my market ( NP900X4D-K01)
Does anybody knows if it's possible to pop the keys easily in and out? I can't seem to find anything about that on the net. I'm a dvorak user and would like to change my keyboard layout. I'm using a macbook atm, and those keys are easily interchangeable.
And there is no change to upgrade the RAM later on, right?

 

Not necessarily. Samsung's got enough clout to do what they want. I'm thinking they'll have both a touch and non-touch.

 

Samsung has already started relabeling the Series 7 Ultra (exactly same unit as existing Series 7 Ultra) as the ATIV Book 7 and the Series 9 current models like the 1080p version I just reviewed as the ATIV Book 9. It's a rebranding without a refresh at the moment. But hopefully we'll see something lovely from their upcoming event. And yes, Samsung has enough clout to do what they wish, they can certainly pair Haswell with a non-touch display. That would only lose the official "ultrabook" moniker.

 

Maybe not. Intel still markets the Series 9 as an Ultrabook. See Shop for Ultrabooks. Whether Samsung gets any of the Intel marketing funds, I do not know, but it doesn't seem like Samsung is hurting for cash.

 

Hi...

i am new here, so please dont bother me

Currently I am using an Mid 2011 Macbook Air i5, 4GB and 256GB SSD, and I need a new one with more RAM because of excessive usage of virtual machines and some 3D Rendering and Photoshop.
I looked around and came to the following conclusion:
- Dell XPS 13:
I had tons of problems with the support - especially for Dell Printers. Horrible.. Also.. the battery runtime is not very good and just a glossy display. -> Nogo
- Asus Zenbooks:
I dont like the design and i read many reviews and comments about bad quality of touchpad behavior.
- Apple Macbook Pro/Air:
I dont want Apple again - I am trying to change my main operation system to Linux.. Currently i am using Mint14, soon Mint15. The 256GB+ SSD and i7 are too expensive, the chassis too heavy. Also glossy screens.

Now. this is finally on-topic:

Samsung Series 7 (730u3e):
The 1080p Display is not very bright if you plan to use it outside.
Only the display case is made out of aluminum, main case and hand rest around the keyboard+touchpad and case bottom are made out of plastic.
AMD+Intel combination does not work very well under Linux -> both graphics card always run at full speed -> Battery eater.
RAM: 6GB (2GB onboard + 4GB extra) So there is a maximum of 10GB of RAM. Because you cant use identical modules: No Dual Channel
Btw: Only available in colour "metall" (silver) with german keyboard layout - No black/dark version!

Samsung Series 9 in 13" (900x3e):
1080p display is not as bright as the 900p version - in germany, the 900p is more expensiv than the 1080p.
BIGGEST Fault: The 4GB Ram is soldered to the main board. -> No chance to upgrade to 8GB, even if you have a reflow tool. (I am IT-Student)

Samsung Series 9 in 15" (900x4c):
10h of battery time, no second graphics card, only 14mm thick and 512GB SSD available: BRILLIANT!
2x USB 3.0 ports and 1x USB 2.0 - nice.
BUT.... Display is . TN-Panel with really bad contrast (around 130:1 - X3C has almost 700:1) and high blacklevel. (>2 cd/m2 - X3C has less than 0,5cd/m2)
900p resolution is ok for me, 1080p would be nice - but its tolerable.

---

So here is my problem:
A few online-Shops list the 900x4c-K01 as available! (Synonym: Ativ Book 9).

I called samsung many many times... The Samsung Hotline-workers dont have ANY informations about the K01-Version.
So i searched the web for more information and found the chinese Samsung page.
There is no information about a new display, but its a bit heavier than the 900x4c-A0* Models. (1,58kg to 1,65kg).
CPU changed from Core i7-3517u to 3537u. So.. Still no haswell...

So... What about the displays. Has anybody maybe touched a 900x4c-K01 or K02? I want to know if there is now a better panel with better contrast. (Maybe IPS/PLS?)

It would be SOOO nice if anybody could help me to find those things out...

 

If you can wait till 6/20 the haswell refresh may have an 8GB option. At least it's about time they did bump it.

 

Yea, I would definitely wait until 6/20. We might get lucky and see Samsung announce a 15" PLS screen for the Series 9 machines.

 

Samsung Latvia shows 900X3F product page.
It confirms the all black finish as well as the .3mm thickness increase we've seen on the Belgium site.

 

I am impressed with the Haswell PCMark 7 benchmark ( 6025):
Intel 4th Generation Core Processor Benchmarked | Haswell Benchmarks

That's 33% higher than my W520 and the current Series 9.

(Since I run mostly productivity apps, PCMark 7 is "THE" performance benchmark I use for purchasing decisions.)

A 15-inch Samsung ATIV Book 9 with Haswell and a decent screen will be a winner!

 

Note the benchmark system specs: that's a large gaming rig with a full mobile 2.4GHz Q series quad core CPU (not ULV dual core for Ultrabooks) and it has a Nvidia GeForce GTX 780M graphics card! Can't really compare an Alienware or Toshiba Qosmio with a midsize portable like the W520 or an Ultrabook like the Series 9.