Customer reviews from Samsung US
Samsung - Series 9 Ultrabook 15" Laptop - 8GB Memory - 128GB Solid State Drive - Mineral Ash Black
Average customer rating
4.4
(37 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 37 reviews
5 Stars
24
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
2
1 Star
1
86%of customers recommend this product.
(
24 out of
28)
Customer Reviews for Samsung - Series 9 Ultrabook 15" Laptop - 8GB Memory - 128GB Solid State Drive - Mineral Ash Black
Customer Rating
4
Close to Perfection, needs a couple small tweaks
on October 5, 2012
Posted by: woz123
from USA, PA
Expertise:Expert
A little history I am an IT professional with many, many years of experience and I normally build my own desktops from parts. I also have several handfuls of computer certifications involving PC hardware, Software and System Administration, so overall I feel that I know something about computers.
Samsung has never been on my radar for PC hardware until a co-worker who I respect greatly walked into the office with his Galaxy 9. I was immediately impressed with the build quality and sleek design for a PC. While I was not nessicarily in the market for a new laptop after playing with the 9 for a couple minutes and comparing my reseach with my co-workers I convinced my self I need something new as my current home laptop is rather old and has seen many winters as kitty cat buttocks warmer. The 9 is fast and well built. This is critical for me as this box is going to get abused at my house as a couch surfer, kitty cat warmer, homework computer, and backpack travel buddy.
If your reading other reviews please make sure the v2 Series 9 also called the “new model” is the review target. There have been many slight but important upgrades between the two. If you’re doing a hands-on test in a big box store the word “new” is visible in the hinge area to the top left of the keyboard.
The 9 ROCKS! But there are three major items keeping me from rating this product as perfect the last two are easy fix’s for Samsung.
1. Power Input: This power jack while almost identical to the competition in the ultra book category looks drastically under built and may be easily broken or bent. I don’t know if this is part of the Intel reference design or not but for me this is a major concern.
2.Cables: Lack of included cables for connecting the mini-ports to true ports. This is a premium product and @ this price point include the gosh darn cables.
3.HDD: The included SDD is small 128gb and the uplift price to 256Gb is not reasonable. I could buy an entirely new drive for that and was planning to. Sadly Samsung’s web site state you invalidate the warranty if you replace the drive. The sleep and restore speeds could have seen improvements by adding their own premium hardware vs a lower priced commodity part.
2.Cables: Lack of included cables for connecting the mini-ports to true ports. This is a premium product and @ this price point include the gosh darn cables.
3.HDD: The included SDD is small 128gb and the uplift price to 256Gb is not reasonable. I could buy an entirely new drive for that and was planning to. Sadly Samsung’s web site state you invalidate the warranty if you replace the drive. The sleep and restore speeds could have seen improvements by adding their own premium hardware vs a lower priced commodity part.
I would have gladly traded the nice graphically designed packaging materials (black box) for a lager HHD or usable cables. Why include such a nice box if the purchaser can't even see it until they get the white shipping box (ugly) home?
Once last comment, even under high load running benchmarks the chasse was very quiet and quite reasonably cool, so no roasted chestnut this winter. The kitty cats however said they wanted to keep the old laptop :-)
Pros: Bright display, Realistic color, Lightweight, runs very cool and quiet, fast, not much 3rd party bloatware, industry standard battery life, larg display in a small package
Cons: power supply jack my not be robust, lack of cables, small hdd size void warranty if upgraded, some 3rd party bloatware installed
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
4
Performance
4
Design
4
Value
3
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
2
Nice but horrible touchpad
on November 11, 2012
Posted by: rumorajj
from Jacksonville, FL
Expertise:Intermediate
This COULD be a great product but the Elan touchpad is horrible. I can't use a mouse so I have to rely 100% on the touchpad. Samsungs driver has no sensitivity adjustment. Even the help screens don't reflect the actual screens you will see. The only way I have found to use it so far is to turn off most of the features of the touchpad including the touch feature. Yes, I mean you can only use it for extended periods of time if you dumb it down to the point where it is no different than any other 2 button touchpad. And even at that the buttons are hard to push. Samsung could fix this by giving us a better driver but I've never seen them be responsive when it comes to software. It is really unfortunate. I would be happy to work with anyone at Samsung so that they can get this right if they are willing.
Pros: Bright display, great looks
Cons: Poor quality, Did not meet expectations
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Features
2
Performance
2
Design
5
Value
1
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
3
Good product - missing key accessories
on June 28, 2012
Posted by: sblumen
from Washington, DC
Expertise:Expert
Product works well and is light and easy for travel. BUT, there is no availability to the VGA output dongle - which is a proprietary item only from Samsung. I have looked everywhere without success. If this part ever becomes available - which will allow me to use multiple screens on my desk, I would increase the rating.
The micro HDMI dongle that comes with the unit works - but the resolution does not fit external monitors correctly. major portions of the screen are outside of the display area, making this basically unusable.
Pros: Bright display, Lightweight
Cons: Not high def, Did not meet expectations, missing
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Features
3
Performance
2
Design
4
Value
3
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Best PC
on July 12, 2012
Posted by: SGS3
from Santa Barbara, CA
Expertise:Expert
This was quite a change for me. I'm coming from a Macbook Pro, yet I extremely pleased with this UltraBook. Upon turning on the computer for the first time, I had only around 50GB. This seems to be the only complaint i have. If Samsung would have an option to increase to a 256GB SSD then it would be the best. It feels very premium and very lightweight as expected. Overall very pleased with it.
Pros: Built-in speakers, Bright display, Durable, Realistic color, Lightweight
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
4
Performance
4
Design
5
Value
4
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Great Laptop
on June 3, 2012
Posted by: mla5008
from PA
This is an amazing laptop, came from a macbook pro and would not go back.
Pros: Bright display, Realistic color
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5
Performance
5
Design
5
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
sleek design
on February 6, 2013
Posted by: xchaoticsoldi3rx
from Houston, TX
This laptop has what you need. I'm a big streamer and enjoy watching movies alot so this work great with smooth quality.
Pros: Built-in speakers, Bright display, Durable, Realistic color, Lightweight
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
4
Performance
5
Design
3
Value
2
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
1
A Terrible Brick -- With Potential
on February 22, 2013
Posted by: MrRobots
from Massachusetts
Expertise:Intermediate
Do not purchase this product. The series 9 I received is so plagued with issues (trackpad errors, OS crashes, hard drive problems) that this is one of the worst ways you could invest your money. It certainly has good specs, though, and if it functioned properly I imagine it might be a contender for an average laptop.
Cons: Poor quality, Did not meet expectations
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Features
1
Performance
1
Design
3
Value
1
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US
Customer Rating
5
Sweetness in a box
on August 26, 2012
Posted by: blackmask321
This thing is amazing!!!. Between the Fastboot, the stylish exterior and the overall build quality there is nothing not to love. Performance shouldnt even be questioned about this thing. It will blow most desktops out of the water. I have always been fan of Samsung products and this Laptop just gives me another reason to continue. Only thing i am a little sad on is the charger of the system. I really just wish they can get a better charging system on these things. But man am i satisfied, If you dont have one get it now!!!
Pros: Bright display, Durable, Lightweight, fast, sexy, freaking ninja
Cons: charger not as innovative as laptop
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5
Performance
5
Design
5
Value
5
Written by a customer while visiting Samsung US