The 2012 Samsung Series 9 13.3" (NP900X3B)

[Maelwys]

For anyone who is new to this thread, or the 900X3B - the 15" model is similar in appearance only. It has a far inferior screen, inferior audio and apparently not even the same touchpad.

This makes me sad.

[slopokdave]

No way Samsung put a different screen in the 15" model. Hmmm............

edit: just re-read what I wrote, sounds stupid.. OF COURSE it's a different screen, it's 15" vs 13.3", however, no way its inferior other than the resolution being the same and the image is "blown up"

or is there?

[burger96]

Good point. My box was in the batch sent to the distribution centre.

I assume that the fast Start is on in the Easy Settings. There is also an Intel Rapid Start Technology setting at the bottom of the Easy Settings page. Mine is set to on.

What happens if you re-enable sleep in the power options?

You can also look in Event Viewer's System Log for clues about what didn't shut down properly.

John

The only error is below, which i have idea what it's even saying. I guess a full rebuild is in order, right?

Event filter with query "SELECT * FROM __InstanceModificationEvent WITHIN 60 WHERE TargetInstance ISA "Win32_Processor" AND TargetInstance.LoadPercentage > 99" could not be reactivated in namespace "//./root/CIMV2" because of error 0x80041003. Events cannot be delivered through this filter until the problem is corrected.

[Thors.Hammer]

For anyone who is new to this thread, or the 900X3B - the 15" model is similar in appearance only. It has a far inferior screen, inferior audio and apparently not even the same touchpad, if you compare Endgadget's description to all the reviews of the 3B.

Just thought it would be good to know if you didn't already.

Do you have both?

[lovelaptops]

Do you have both?

I own neither , but have now demoed both. I can vouch for the screen and audio differences first hand. Can't really say I observed differences in build quality, but have read about it in more than one source. Kinda surprising, as I wouldn't think it would cost Samsung more to equip the 4 with the same audio and a PLS 15.6" screen, as it is their patented technology and, as a supplier, they will have far more demand for the 15.6" than for the 13.3" The only explanation I can come up with for de-contenting the 4: $$profit$$. Make the larger one look like the 3B but way cheaper to make, sell it for $200 more.

Other ideas?

No way Samsung put a different screen in the 15" model. Hmmm............

edit: just re-read what I wrote, sounds stupid.. OF COURSE it's a different screen, it's 15" vs 13.3", however, no way its inferior other than the resolution being the same and the image is "blown up"

or is there?

Yeah, it really is a different screen technology, think 900X3A caliber screen, but 15.6" and 1600 x 900. If you read this review of the 3B and this review and this review ("Matte is good, but Samsung chose a larger screen instead of a better one") of the 4 and tell me they have the same screen and same audio. Why ?? (see above)

This makes me sad.

Yeah. Me too. A little mad too, because people are buying the larger one thinking it is just a larger screen version of the 900X3B. Ironically, they may lose sales of the 3B as word about the 4 get around and people assume the 3B is the same, only smaller. I guess Apple's position is less at risk than I thouught.

[Thors.Hammer]

I own neither , but have now demoed both. I can vouch for the screen and audio differences first hand. Can't really say I observed differences in build quality, but have read about it in more than one source. Kinda surprising, as I wouldn't think it would cost Samsung more to equip the 4 with the same audio and a PLS 15.6" screen, as it is their patented technology and, as a supplier, they will have far more demand for the 15.6" than for the 13.3" The only explanation I can come up with for de-contenting the 4: $$profit$$. Make the larger one look like the 3B but way cheaper to make, sell it for $200 more.

I should have my 15" this week. If it is inferior, I will return it. I really like the 13.3" but considering I am buying several for my family, I want to see both up close and personal.

[trifthen]

So, it looks like there's another BIOS update. From P04AAH to P05AAH. Anyone happen to know what's different, if anything? Samsung seems not to know what the word "Changelog" means.

[lovelaptops]

I should have my 15" this week. If it is inferior, I will return it. I really like the 13.3" but considering I am buying several for my family, I want to see both up close and personal.

I think that's the only way to go. I can't remember the last laptop I bought without a free trial period. Looking forward to hearing your assessment having them at home, side by side. Thing is, at 15" if weight is not an issue, you can get a Dell XPS 15, soon w/IB, for around $1,000 and it has pretty much the best 15" display in the market (though glossy, but you can easily apply non-gloss protector) and definitely the best audio. I'm sure the IB refreshes of the Sony SE and HP Envy 15 will not have the notorious "orange red" problem, and those are also cheaper than the Sammy with IPS displays and great audio on the Envy, not so good on the Sony.

Still, i am totally hooked on the razor thin design of the Sammys and will be ordering two 3Bs once 256GB versions are available; probably wait for IB versions too.

[WhiteFireDragon]

No way Samsung put a different screen in the 15" model. Hmmm............

edit: just re-read what I wrote, sounds stupid.. OF COURSE it's a different screen, it's 15" vs 13.3", however, no way its inferior other than the resolution being the same and the image is "blown up"

or is there?

If you actually read through the both threads, I believe the 15" model does not actually have the PLS screen, only the 13" model does.

[isosunrise]

So, it looks like there's another BIOS update. From P04AAH to P05AAH. Anyone happen to know what's different, if anything? Samsung seems not to know what the word "Changelog" means.

I just did the update for the hell of it (just glad it didn't brick). Don't see anything different in the BIOS, except I did have to tell it to go back to default settings since some of the optimizing settings were disabled.