Samsung Notebook 9 Review: Strong In Most Areas, But Doesn’t Excel

Samsung, along with other hardware manufactures, know when it’s time to upgrade their work. The Notebook series, their long-running laptops, has three new members: the Samsung Notebook 9 and its Spin and Pro variants. So, how does the standard Notebook 9 fare in a crowded marketplace?

SAMSUNG NOTEBOOK 9 REVIEW

The Notebook 9 is available in two sizes: 13.3 inches and 15 inches. In most cases, like the quality of their displays and their aesthetics, they’re identical. However, one discernible difference is in their battery life; the smaller Notebook 9 will maintain its charge for 10 hours while its slightly larger counterpart will remain powered for 12.

Moreover, the 13.3-inch model has a Intel Core i5 processor, whereas the 15-inch (as well as the Spin and Pro models) have Core i7. Otherwise, the pair share identical internal components and Windows 10 Home as their operating system. As with the Notebook 9 Pro, the standard laptops have screens with 180 degree mobility, allowing you to enjoy them as a tablet.

Moreover, the biggest improvement the ninth model made from prior Notebooks is with its light weight. The Notebook 9’s durability was a consideration when designing it, hence the inclusion of aluminum and magnesium in its construction.

CNET’s reviewer noted how a thoughtful consolidation is taking place, removing obsolete or underused inputs. Ultimately, he believed the Notebook 9 hits a nice sweet spot with its “two standard type-A USB ports, an HDMI output, a single USB-C port, a microSD card slot, and a micro-port for an optional Ethernet dongle. ”

Regrettably, some of the higher-end luxuries, such as a backlit keyboard and a touchscreen — the latter of which would work well with the rotating screen — aren’t accounted for. However, one nice convenience exists if you own a Galaxy S7: SideSync. This gives you the freedom to share your files between your devices.

The respective prices for the Samsung Notebook 9 are $999.99 for the 13.3-inch model and $1,199.99 for its slightly better endowed sibling. Ultimately, neither of them excel in any one specific field, but they’re solid performers across the board.