Samsung 900X3A
Specifications
Pricecompare
Average of 40 scores (from 60 reviews)
Reviews for the Samsung 900X3A
Endurance with style. As slim as a MacBook, as fast as a workstation and as portable as a netbook – series 9 reaches for the superlatives and is surprisingly successful in doing so. Why a "very good" is justified even without a VGA port can be read in this review.
Source: Gadgetmix Archive.org version
However, at $1350, you’ll pay a premium for the breath-taking design and that flawless screen. If you want more computational bang for your buck, take a look at the Acer Aspire S3, but if it’s sumptuous user-experience on a Windows machine you’re after, Samsung Series 9 could be your baby.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/31/2012
Source: Wired Magazine Archive.org version
Considering it’s substantially slower and lower in resolution than the Air, I was hoping for an Acer-like price tag (in the realm of $900), but that’s not to be. At $1,650, the Series 9 costs $350 more than the similarly equipped Air. I expect Samsung will start slashing prices to something more appropriate as more sub-$1,000 ultrabook competition arrives on the market, but for now this machine’s performance just can’t back up its hefty outlay.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 11/16/2011
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: Hardware Zone Archive.org version
The 13.3-inch Samsung Series 9 is by far one of the thinnest and sexiest Windows notebooks we have seen in a long time, and equipped with the new Sandy Bridge processors, it could very well be one of the most useful ultra-portables we have seen too. The integrated graphics can’t play PC games very well, but its low-voltage, 1.4GHz Core i5 processor and Intel HD 3000 graphics are capable of rendering movies, web pages with flash and spreadsheets just fine.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 09/08/2011
Rating: Total score: 85% price: 75% performance: 75% mobility: 95%
Source: Hardware Canucks Archive.org version
To many of our readers the Series 9 will look like an almost desperate attempt by Samsung to create a bona fide Macbook Air competitor or at the very least make their presence known in the ultra portable market. Well, a statement has certainly been made; this svelte notebook crams a significant amount of power into its confined chassis and performance is actually quite respectable.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/31/2011
Source: Pocket Lint Archive.org version
The stunning design of the Series 9 is sleek, slim and sturdy all at the same time. It's amazing that Samsung can pack performance, battery power and the ports you actually need in, along with a great keyboard and screen, plus surprisingly good sound. The 3-year warranty makes this a PC that's good enough for business users (although beware, as not all of the first models released have a TPM chip). So what's not to like? If you’re a perfectionist, the keyboard could be better. The touch pad irritated us far too often and the price is undeniably high (though less than the chunkier ThinkPad X1). A system this thin makes compromises but we think Samsung has made all the right ones. If you fancy an Air but don't want OS X, the Series 9 is almost perfect.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/24/2011
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Pocket Lint Archive.org version
The stunning design of the Series 9 is sleek, slim and sturdy all at the same time. It's amazing that Samsung can pack performance, battery power and the ports you actually need in, along with a great keyboard and screen, plus surprisingly good sound. The 3-year warranty makes this a PC that's good enough for business users (although beware, as not all of the first models released have a TPM chip). So what's not to like? If you’re a perfectionist, the keyboard could be better. The touch pad irritated us far too often and the price is undeniably high (though less than the chunkier ThinkPad X1). A system this thin makes compromises but we think Samsung has made all the right ones. If you fancy an Air but don't want OS X, the Series 9 is almost perfect.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/24/2011
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Computer Active Archive.org version
Samsung's Series 9 laptop arrived in a blaze of publicity, with a glamorous unveiling party at Harrods attended by models and, bizarrely, an England international cricketer. This is an impressively portable laptop that looks great. But in terms of computing power it's not a great deal better than a £300 netbook, despite costing more than three times as much
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/15/2011
Rating: Total score: 60%
Source: ITNews Australia Archive.org version
Samsung's Series 9 remains about as refined as an ultraportable can get, but at $2499, that refinement comes at a considerable cost. Deep-pocketed consumers craving the latest in swish ultraportables will be pleased, but with Apple's MacBook Air due for a Sandy Bridge update, the Samsung's wow-factor may be short-lived.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/15/2011
Source: PC Authority Archive.org version
Samsung's Series 9 remains about as refined as an ultraportable can get, but at $2499, that refinement comes at a considerable cost. Deep-pocketed consumers craving the latest in swish ultraportables will be pleased, but with Apple's MacBook Air due for a Sandy Bridge update, the Samsung's wow-factor may be short-lived.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/05/2011
Rating: Total score: 67% price: 67% performance: 67% features: 83% ergonomy: 83%
Source: APC Mag Archive.org version
Though it sounds like there are more downsides than upsides in this review, we've come at it at a particularly harsh angle. It's definitely not perfect, but it's so much better than many thin and light notebooks out there. What it does have going for it, it does brilliantly. It's supremely fast for its category.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/02/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: IT Reviews Archive.org version
A stunning slimline laptop that provides a realistic Windows-based alternative to the Apple MacBook Air.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 07/25/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: T Break Archive.org version
Priced at AED 6,999, the Samsung Series 9 certainly comes out a bit on the pricey side. But when you look at the competition, or the MacBook Air 13?, that sells for around the same with a slightly worse CPU but a better battery life and GPU. If Windows is your thing, then the Samsung Series 9 is definitely your best choice for something that is incredibly thin and stylish with good performance.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/04/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: CNet Archive.org version
Just as the original 13-inch Samsung Series 9 laptop was a direct shot across the bow of the 13-inch MacBook Air, this new 11.6-inch version is aimed squarely at the smaller version of the Air. The smaller, 11.6-inch version of Samsung's excellent Series 9 laptop is thin and light, and has a few features the MacBook Air lacks, but it's more expensive and doesn't trump the competition where it counts.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 06/16/2011
Rating: Total score: 70% performance: 70% mobility: 70%
Source: Maximum PC Archive.org version
This raises the question of values. If a stylish, stand-out design is of paramount importance, the Series 9 brings it—more so than any other ultraportable PC around—while offering respectable features and performance. But better features and performance can be found in an ultraportable form factor that makes less of a fashion statement.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 05/25/2011
Source: Stuff TV Archive.org version
Is the Series 9 impressive enough to warrant the price, though? The top-spec Air is cheaper and, although it lacks the Samsung's USB 3.0, HDMI and Ethernet ports, it has a higher-resolution screen and a proper SD card reader. The Samsung 900X3A is indeed lovely, but on balance we’d stick with the Mac. However, if you must have Windows 7, this is the closest thing to a MacBook Air you’ll find, and that’s pretty high praise.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 05/17/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: T3 Archive.org version
The Samsung 900X3A’s slender chassis is made from the same stuff as military aircraft, but this laptop is a lot more attractive than any stealth bomber.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 05/10/2011
Source: CNet Archive.org version
If you've lusted after a MacBook Air, but just can't bring yourself to make the switch to OS X, Samsung hopes to have you salivating over its Series 9 laptop. It's hugely expensive, so it's obviously not going to appeal to everyone. But if you've been lusting after a Windows alternative to the MacBook Air, the series 9 has both the lust factor and performance to warrant the high asking price.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/28/2011
Rating: Total score: 100%
Source: Digital Versus Archive.org version
While it's more powerful than the MacBook Air, the Samsung NP900X3A suffers from the same faults, namely limited connectivity and very low capacity in games. It is, nevertheless, a light, well-finished, high-quality model that'll make an excellent alternative for those who don't want to use Mac OS.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/22/2011
Rating: Total score: 100%
Source: T3 Archive.org version
The Samsung 900X3A doesn't come cheap, but in return you get a beautiful piece of highly portable kit, packing plenty of power. Aside from the ropey touchpad and limited storage, we recommend this machine for regular travellers who demand strong performance.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 04/21/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Techradar Archive.org version
The inclusion of a Sandy Bridge Intel processor makes the 900XSA a laptop that's as capable as it is pretty, and those worried that performance might have taken a back seat to form factor needn't worry – this is an extremely powerful laptop, both in everyday performance and graphically.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 04/11/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Techreview Source Archive.org version
Battery life is decent, but not the best out there. Expect to get about 5-6 hours of battery life, which isn't as good as netbooks, but it is slightly longer than the Macbook Air.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 04/11/2011
Source: Trusted Reviews Archive.org version
Lighter and arguably thinner than Apple's Macbook Air, the 13.3in, Series 9 900X3A may not be as pretty and attracts more fingerprints, but offers far more power and connectivity. Combined with a truly excellent screen, surprisingly good speakers, the best touchpad on any Windows laptop and decent battery life, if you're looking for one of the thinnest and lightest Windows 7 machines around it's an excellent choice and well worth its high asking price.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/08/2011
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 70% performance: 90% features: 100% mobility: 80% ergonomy: 80%
Source: Trusted Reviews Archive.org version
Lighter and arguably thinner than Apple's Macbook Air, the 13.3in, Series 9 900X3A may not be as pretty and attracts more fingerprints, but offers far more power and connectivity. Combined with a truly excellent screen, surprisingly good speakers, the best touchpad on any Windows laptop and decent battery life, if you're looking for one of the thinnest and lightest Windows 7 machines around it's an excellent choice and well worth its high asking price.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/08/2011
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 70% performance: 90% features: 100% mobility: 80% ergonomy: 80%
Source: PC World Archive.org version
If you can afford it, Samsung's high-style superthin laptop will make you the envy of your friends with bulky PCs.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/07/2011
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Computer Shopper Archive.org version
Very few notebooks sweep into our offices and truly wow us with their thin, light, and gorgeous designs. We can count the recent candidates on one hand: the Apple MacBook Air, the Sony VAIO Z Series, and the Toshiba Portégé R Series. Sleek design, a light-yet-durable chassis, and solid speed make this ultraportable a serious wow-inducer, even if it can't quite surpass its tough competition.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/01/2011
Rating: Total score: 87%
Source: CNet Archive.org version
If every action has an equal and opposite reaction, then consider the Samsung Series 9 NP900X3A to be a direct response to Apple's MacBook Air. The $1,649 Samsung Series 9 NP900X3A certainly won't be for every wallet, but this light, well-featured, and striking 13-incher is the closest the Windows world will ever come to a MacBook Air. However, its higher-than-the-Air price will be hard to stomach.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/30/2011
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 70% mobility: 80%
Source: PC Mag Archive.org version
The Samsung Series 9 ultraportable laptop is a cracker-thin (but robust) Windows version of the Air 13-inch and will cost you just as much.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 03/29/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Engadget Archive.org version
Finally! The Series 9 gets right what so many other ultrathin PCs have repeatedly gotten wrong. It's got a brand spankin' new and speedy Sandy Bridge Core i5 processor, a fast 128GB SSD as well as a high quality screen and stunning exterior. And on top of all that, it doesn't require that you drag along the AC adapter everywhere you go.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/28/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
With its sleek and strong design, ultra-bright display, excellent keyboard and touchpad, and fast performance, the Samsung Series 9 is one of the most compelling premium ultraportables we've tested. However, $1,649 is a lot of money to spend on a laptop, even when you factor in the three-year warranty. The 13-inch MacBook Air delivers longer battery life, better graphics, and a higher-res display for $350 less, and you can get a 256GB SSD inside for $50 less than the Series 9. The Series 9 isn't an Air killer, but it is a killer Windows notebook that combines plenty of style and substance. We just wish it lasted longer on a charge.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/28/2011
Rating: Total score: 70%
Source: Netbooknews.com Archive.org version
It sports a 13.3-inch 1366 x 768 matte display, new Core (2011) i5-2537M processor, 4GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD, 1.5-watt speakers plus subwoofer and Windows 7 Home Premium. Ports are a bit sparse though with only a 2x USB, mini HDMI, headphone and a MicroSD card slot. Battery is non-removable. Chiclet backlit keyboard. Buttonless and large trackpad. Matte aluminum finish lid. Nice one, Samsung. Will be out in February for around $1,600.
Video review
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 01/06/2011
Foreign Reviews
Source: PC Magazin - Spezial 53 Ultrabooks
Comparison, , Length Unknown, Date: 02/01/2013
Rating: Total score: 85%
Source: Notebookinfo DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/08/2012
Rating: Total score: 90% performance: 80% display: 100% mobility: 100% ergonomy: 100% emissions: 90%
Source: Chip.de - Test&Kauf 2/12
Comparison, , Length Unknown, Date: 03/01/2012
Rating: Total score: 84%
Source: Chip.de - 2/12
Comparison, , Medium, Date: 01/01/2012
Rating: Total score: 73% performance: 60% features: 64% display: 100% mobility: 72% ergonomy: 83%
Source: PC Welt DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 04/30/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: ZDNet DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 04/01/2011
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 80% features: 70% mobility: 80% ergonomy: 80%
Source: Notebookcheck DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 03/22/2011
Rating: Total score: 89% performance: 75% display: 86% mobility: 92% workmanship: 94% ergonomy: 93% emissions: 86%
Source: c't - 10/11
performance and battery runtime good
Single Review, , Long, Date: 05/01/2011
Source: Netzwelt DE→EN Archive.org version
lightweight
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/08/2011
Source: PC Actual ES→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 05/17/2011
Rating: Total score: 95% price: 89%
Source: PCM NL→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 04/19/2011
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Erenumerique FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/08/2011
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: PC Lab.pl PL→EN Archive.org version
combination of elegance, functionality, portability, a technical masterpiece but price far too high
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/24/2011
Source: 3DNews.ru RU→EN Archive.org version
matte display, high price, battery runtime like with competing laptops
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 05/12/2011
Source: Zoom RU→EN Archive.org version
high performance, low weight
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/21/2011
Source: Hi-Tech Mail RU→EN Archive.org version
good performance and battery runtime, expensive
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 04/20/2011
Source: NotebookTV.hu HU→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/15/2011
Source: NotebookTV.hu HU→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 05/06/2011
Source: Prohardver.hu HU→EN Archive.org version
Recommended by Prohardver
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/26/2011
Source: Notebook.cz CZ→EN Archive.org version
Positive: sleek, robust, silent fan mode, SSD; negative: graphics card exit only micro-HDMI
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/18/2011
Source: enet.com.cn zh-CN→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 05/09/2011
Source: Komputer for alle DA→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/05/2011
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Laptopworld.dk DA→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/29/2011
Rating: Total score: 73% display: 30% mobility: 100%
Source: Datormagazin SV→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 04/13/2011
Source: Notegear KO→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 05/22/2011
Comment
Series:
At the Beginning of 2011, Samsung introduced the Series 9 with two new devices, which celebrated their debut at the Consumer Electronics Show 2011 in Las Vegas, shortly CES. Simultaneously Samsung has begun to change the series-discriptions and their sorting. In addition to the Ultra-Thin Series 9, Samsung provides the Series 2, 3 (B2C), 4 and 6 for Business-Notebooks, the Series 5 for devices with Google Chrome OS and also the new Series 7 Chronos plus Series 7 Gamer for multimedia- respectively gaming-users.
Back to Samsungs Series 9: After the introduction of the Samsung Series 9 900X3A (13.3 inch) and the smaller 900X1B Subnotebook (11.6 inch) the hype was relatively large, because apparently they seem to be the first available alternative to Apples MacBook Air series, which runs on Apples Mac OS X. High-quality displays and a chassis made of lightweight and sturdy Duraluminium are two key-assets of Samsung Series 9 devices. In comparison to the german retail-market, Samsung provides both devices to their US-Costumers from the beginning. The MSRP located between 1199.99 and 1649.99 US-Dollar.
Major advantages in our reviews of the Samsung Series 9 900X3A and 900X1B are the good battery life, the rapid SSD storage, the convincing display, the LED-Backlit keyboard and furthermore the attractive design. Disadvantages are the limited expandability, the port-positioning, the missing dockingport and the long battery charge time. On average, the review-ratings are above 80 percent and thereby in a good rating range.
Intel HD Graphics 3000: Integrated graphics card in the Intel Sandy Bridge processors (Core ix-2xxx). The HD 3000 is the faster (internally GT2 called) version with 12 Execution Units (EUs).
Only some 3D games with very low demands are playable with these cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
2537M: Power saving ULV processor clocked at 1.4-2.3 GHz due to Turbo boost. Offers an integrated HD 3000 clocked at slow 350 / 900 MHz and a DDR3-1333 memory controller.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
13.30":
There are hardly any tablets in this display size range anymore. For subnotebooks, on the other hand, it is the standard format.
The advantage of subnotebooks is that the entire laptop can be small and therefore easily portable. The smaller display also has the advantage of requiring less power, which further improves battery life and thus mobility. The disadvantage is that reading texts is more strenuous on the eyes. High resolutions are more likely to be found in standard laptops.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.Samsung: Samsung Group is the largest South Korean conglomerate and was founded in 1938. Samsung Group employed 489,000 people in 2014 and is one of the world's largest companies in terms of revenue and market strength. The name Samsung means "Three Stars" in Korean and represents the three sons of the company's founder. The company was founded in 1938 as a grocery store. With its subsidiary Samsung Electronics, founded in 1969, Samsung took up the production of electrotechnical items, focusing on consumer electronics and household appliances at an early stage. Other branches in which the large corporation is active include mechanical engineering, automobiles (Hyundai), insurance, wholesale, real estate and leisure. Samsung manufactures a wide range of electronic products, including smartphones, televisions, home appliances and semiconductors. The company's Galaxy line of smartphones is one of the most popular in the world. Samsung is also a major player in the semiconductor industry, making memory chips and processors for many other electronics manufacturers.
82.75%: This rating is slightly above average, there are somewhat more devices with worse ratings. However, clear purchase recommendations look different.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.