A process of refinement
There are other changes. The most important peripheral ports are no longer hidden by a door - the USB, mini-Ethernet, HDMI, USB and audio ports are always accessible, on the left of the machine. A nice touch is the mini to regular Ethernet adapter included in the box. A bay-style housing is still present, used to cover the SD card slot when it's not in use.
Port covers are out...
Software includes a backup program, a configuration manager, and Samsung's Fast Boot. Which does what it says on the tin: bringing you to the login screen in around 10 seconds. The only nagware is Norton's anti-virus software.
...easy access is in
Battery life was terrific in real life, giving over 5:30, and typically well over 6 hours in real-life usage, with WiFi on. The display is, as you would expect from Samsung, quite splendid, and as close to matte as you can get these days without actually buying a ThinkPad.
One of the thinnest 15in ultraportables you can buy
The only let down is the keyboard. This is fine by any other standards - but it has a rather tinselly feel, and in such an otherwise well-made machine, was a little incongruous. I should stress, I've used many worse keyboards. And I did like the illuminated indicator light inside the keys for CapsLock and Wi-Fi. Why has it taken laptop manufacturers 30 years to include this on laptops, when regular keyboards have had this for so long?
If Windows 8 worries you, this Windows 7 model is worth seeking out
Verdict
All in all, the Series 9 is a very well made laptop, with many small but significant improvements made over a year. The question remains – do you want to throw approaching a grand at a 15in laptop when you can get one cheaper? When I posed that question a year ago, those willing to make the investment appeared to be professionals who need to make a statement: a salesman or business owner pitching for some big contract. But it's a question that's much easier to answer this year: the matte-ish expansive screen, slimness and excellent construction make it a very good piece of kit with a broader appeal. Even more so with Windows 8 coming in, so it's worth shopping around for a bargain. ®
Review: Samsung Series 9 super slim notebook
COMMENTS
1600x900
Heading in the right direction but why not 1920x1200? That would be worth a grand of my money.
Hurry while stocks with outdated OS last !
It's a bad day for Steve 8allmer when users are urged to buy now to avoid the latest version of Windows.
Re: At least it's not win8...
You do realise that the author of the article probably put that line in there just to elicit the response that you just gave.
Congratulations for being one of the most predictable Reg Commentators.
Re: 1600x900
Mini Ethernet is a chance to sell an adapter for a standard ethernet cable, but they included it O_O.
Come on Samsung this is how Apple make money.
WTF?
"And I did like the illuminated indicator light inside the keys for CapsLock and Wi-Fi. Why has it taken laptop manufacturers 30 years to include this on laptops"
Like my 2 year old HP?
