Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus review: High-resolution, small-footprint premium laptop

The good:: The actual Ativ Guide 9 In addition laptop computer includes a durable, trim style, ultra-high-res touchscreen, as well as great electric battery existence.

 The bad: Expenses a number of 100 a lot more than we’d choose; shrunken HDMI interface; doesn’t transform to some pill type -- purely the laptop computer.

 The bottom line: In the event that you’re simply searching for a good all-around wonderfully created Home windows contact ultrabook as well as don’t thoughts it's about the costly aspect (and doesn’t transform to some tablet), the actual enhanced Samsung Ativ Guide 9 In addition may be worth the actual expense.



 Have a stunning Windows ultrabook design. Give a super-high-resolution contact screen as well as longer-battery-life Intel Haswell processor chip. Exactly what might be incorrect with this?

 Very little. The actual Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus is really a revival from the Book 9/Series 9, the laptop collection we’ve cherished for a long time due to the strong form, trim design, as well as powerful overall performance. Samsung’s rebranding associated with Windows laptops in order to “Ativ” is really a small complicated, because may be the breaking from the collection in to 2 slim laptops: the actual Samsung Ativ Book 9 En aning as well as Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus. The actual En aning, that I’ve currently examined, is actually plastic material, comes with an AMD processor chip, and it is another kind of item, however expenses close to $750. The actual Plus is really a much better ultrabook, however it’s $1, 399, almost two times the cost. This includes exactly what quantities towards the Brand new Regular within high quality Windows ultrabooks: the greater-than-1080p 3, 200x1, 800-resolution contact screen, Plus enhanced electric battery existence because of the Intel Haswell Primary i5 processor chip within.

 Would you draw the actual bring about about the more costly ultrabook? I'd. The actual Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus is actually among my personal favorite Windows 8 laptops, seems excellent to make use of, as well as I’d spend several 100 much more for this, begrudgingly. Actually the actual equivalently set up 13-inch MacBook Air, although having a lower-res non-touch screen, expenses regarding $300 much less. Along with other Windows laptops with this place can be found nearer to $1, 000.

 Nonetheless, it’s difficult in order to defeat the actual real bundle how the Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus provides. It may not really transform to some tablet, however it certain is really a fairly sweet, however costly, laptop.


Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus
design: Enhanced ultrabook
 The actual Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus is very like the old Book 9: gunmetal-blue on the exterior, metallic sides, the bent, tapered user profile as an Airfoil, along with a impact scaled-down than the usual 13-inch MacBook Air.

 You may make a disagreement -- a simple 1, actually -- how the greatest point keeping back again Windows 8 laptops is actually Windows 8 by itself. Equipment producers tend to be obviously attempting to perform their finest, however there’s a choice to become created: design the flippy-convertible tablet-to-laptop animal, or simply create a good laptop?
Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus
  The actual Samsung Book 9 Plus opts for that second option route, as well as most likely sensibly therefore. It’s weightier compared to final Samsung Ativ Book 9/Series 9, evaluating within from 3. two lbs as opposed to the actual sub-3-pound question it had been formerly. It’s a bit heavier, as well, to support top of the lid’s brand new contact screen. You most likely won’t discover a lot; the final Samsung Ativ Book 9 had been shockingly gentle, which brand new design simply seems regular.

Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus
  Display: Much more pixels compared to you’ll understand how to proceed along with
 The final 12 months offers observed lots of computer systems implementing higher pixel-density “ultra-high-res” Displays, greater than 1080p as well as offering a lot clearer picture high quality. The actual enhancements could be difficult to understand: when you overcome 1080p, the actual sharpness associated with textual content as well as picture high quality quantities in order to close-up fine detail a lot more than jump-out clearness.

 The actual Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus is victorious the actual pixel hands competition having a spectacular 3, 200x1, 800-pixel 13. 3-inch Display; the actual Toshiba Kirabook clocks within two, 560x1, 440 pixels, and also the 13-inch Retina Display MacBook Professional offers two, 550x1, 660. That’s extraordinary pixel denseness, along with a large jump in the 1, 600x900-pixel Display about the prior Book 9.

 However, whilst which high quality Display is ideal for clearness as well as watching high-resolution pictures, many of the worth is actually theoretical, because so many Windows 8 applications don’t make the most of this particular quality however, and it is not likely your own movie diet plan includes content material much better than 1080p.

 The actual polished Display can be a small tougher to determine within immediate gentle as opposed to the actual matte Display the actual Samsung Ativ Book 9 accustomed to possess, however polished works more effectively with regard to capacitive contact. Attaining which function is really a Plus -- actually, it’s difficult to think this particular high-end laptop was missing contact so far. Top of the cover starts upward one hundred and eighty levels, laying toned using the computer keyboard on the desk should you desire, however it won’t switch right into a tablet. Attaining contact indicates simpler compatibility along with Windows 8 applications. The actual IPS Display appears superb as well as vibrant through just about all perspectives.

 However in the 3, 200x1, eight hundred quality, desktop computer setting gets the hopelessly little scenery associated with mini-icons as well as micro-text. Within tile-based application setting, nevertheless, applications remain exactly the same dimension however obtain much more depth whenever optimized (for photos as well as textual content, in many cases). Textual content dimension could be optimized in either case. To tell the truth, although, We had been generally good employed in 1080p; the actual extra-high quality is simply COMPUTER gravy.

 The actual on-ship loudspeakers provide good, powerful seem, as well. The actual 720p Web cam additionally appears better-than-average. General, the actual Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus includes a fairly stick out group of audiovisual elements because of its little dimension.

Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus
 Computer keyboard as well as touch pad tend to be upon stage
 Indeed, this particular computer keyboard is actually backlit; however, it’s therefore quietly carried out that you might not really discover within regular gentle. The actual bluish BROUGHT illumination functions lightly, sufficient so the secrets tend to be understandable in most gentle problems, as opposed to appear “lit upward. ” The actual elevated secrets tend to be fairly toned, such as upon numerous slim laptops, however the computer keyboard is actually organized along with nice spaciousness, as well as seems good in order to kind upon.

Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus
 The actual broad clickable touch pad is actually once more truly good, along with plenty of multifinger motion space, as well as it’s simple to perform off-edge swiping. Key boards as well as touch pads issue, as well as Samsung usually fingernails each about the Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus.


Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus
 Mini-ports in abundance
 OKAY, here’s something I truly desire had been enhanced because the final Samsung Ativ Book 9: Samsung truly enjoys mini-ports about the Book 9 Plus. HDMI as well as VGA video-out tend to be plainly symbolized through micro-ports. You will find 2 complete HARDWARE 3. 0 plug-ins as well as a good Facts position, however wouldn't it end up being therefore difficult to suit a normal HDMI interface within, as well? Simply interested.

 Wireless bluetooth four. 0 as well as 802. 11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi tend to be right here, although, because you’d anticipate, although not 802. 11ac, the brand new, quicker Wi-Fi regular. Proceed determine.



Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus MacBook Air 13-inch (June 2013) Acer Aspire S7- 392-6411
Price $1,399 $1,099 $1,399
Display size/resolution 13.3-inch, 3,200x1,800 touch screen 13.3-inch, 1,440x900 screen 13.3-inch, 1,920x1,080 touch screen
PC CPU 1.6GHz Intel Core i5 4200U 1.3GHz Intel Core i5 4250U 1.6GHz Intel Core i5 4200U
PC Memory 4096MB DDR3 SDRAM 1,600MHz 4096MB DDR3 SDRAM 1,600MHz 8192MB DDR3 SDRAM 1,600MHz
Graphics 1749MB (shared) Intel HD Graphics 4400 1024MB Intel HD Graphics5000 128MB Intel HD Graphics 4400
Storage 128GB SSD hard drive 128GB SSD hard drive 128GB SSD hard drive
Optical drive None None None
Networking 802.11b/g/n wireless, Bluetooth 4.0 802.11a/c wireless, Bluetooth 4.0 802.11b/g/n wireless, Bluetooth 4.0
Operating system Windows 8 (64-bit) OSX Mountain Lion 10.8.4 Windows 8 (64-bit)

The term upon SideSync
 Samsung’s current Windows-compatible laptops function SideSync software program which allows Samsung Universe tablets as well as cell phones to operate side-by-side as well as reveal key boards as well as screen room. It’s smart things: you are able to reflection your own telephone or even tablet’s screen about the Book 9 Plus in order to keep track of phone calls as well as notices as well as make use of applications as the additional gadget is actually saved, and also the Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus’ computer keyboard as well as touch pad may be used to run the telephone or even tablet.

 It may be useful inside a thin work area just like a plane’s tray-table, or even throughout a cramped occasion such as, state, the technology reside weblog. In the event that you’re currently the Samsung gadget proprietor, it’s a pleasant benefit.


Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus
 Overall performance as well as electric battery existence
 The actual Book 9 Plus quantities to some regular fourth-gen Intel Core i5 ultrabook below it's pores and skin, as well as, in order to no real surprise, this works such as 1. “Haswell” Intel processors within slim laptops equal to much better on-ship images as well as large jumps within electric battery existence a lot more than general program pace. As possible observe about the standard graphs, the brand new Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus having a fourth-gen 1. 6GHz Intel Core i5 4200U processor experienced overall performance fairly near to the Book 9 managing a last-gen 2GHz Intel Core i7 3527U.


  Most of all, be aware the actual jump within standard overall performance in between this particular Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus and also the Book 9 En aning, Samsung’s almost half-the-price semi-similar-looking plastic material laptop managing a quad-Core AMD processor. The actual Plus is a lot quicker.

 Electric battery existence requires a good anticipated jump, although not the jaw-dropping 1: upon the video-playback electric battery check, all of us could overcome 8 several hours (8 several hours twenty nine min's, to become exact). However, progressively, numerous current-gen Windows ultrabooks tend to be striking individuals amounts. It’s not really industry-leading, however more than 8 several hours (and most likely much more, should you change settings) is sufficient for any complete day’s function. This arrives near to the Sony Vaio Professional 13.



Multimedia multitasking test (in seconds)(Longer bars indicate better performance)
MacBook Air 13-inch (June 2013)
211 
Samsung Ativ Book 9 (13-inch, Spring 2013)
385 
Acer Aspire S7- 392-6411
435 
Sony Vaio Pro 13
437 
Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus
438 
Samsung Ativ Book 9 Lite
1,158 

Adobe Photoshop CS5 image-processing test (in seconds)(Longer bars indicate better performance)
Acer Aspire S7- 392-6411
237 
Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus
248 
Samsung Ativ Book 9 (13-inch, Spring 2013)
251 
Sony Vaio Pro 13
277 
MacBook Air 13-inch (June 2013)
333 
Samsung Ativ Book 9 Lite
674 

Apple iTunes encoding test (in seconds)(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
MacBook Air 13-inch (June 2013)
82 
Samsung Ativ Book 9 (13-inch, Spring 2013)
106 
Acer Aspire S7- 392-6411
119 
Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus
119 
Sony Vaio Pro 13
122 
Samsung Ativ Book 9 Lite
367 

Multimedia multitasking: Handbrake (in seconds)(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
Samsung Ativ Book 9 (13-inch, Spring 2013)
494 
Acer Aspire S7- 392-6411
500 
Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus
506 
MacBook Air 13-inch (June 2013)
532 
Sony Vaio Pro 13
532 
Samsung Ativ Book 9 Lite
1310 

Video playback battery drain test (in minutes)(Longer bars indicate better performance)
MacBook Air 13-inch (June 2013)
865 
Sony Vaio Pro 13
533 
Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus
509 
Acer Aspire S7- 392-6411
434 
Samsung Ativ Book 9 Lite
307 
Samsung Ativ Book 9 (13-inch, Spring 2013)
305 



Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus
 Unsurprising, but nonetheless truly good
 The actual Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus feels as though a clear connect-the-dots in between final year’s excellent design plus some looked forward to past due functions, such as touch Display along with a lengthier electric battery existence. That’s not really a bad point: in the end, in the event that you’re following a go-to functional laptop, enhancements frequently issue a lot more than improvements. It’s not really the actual electric battery full such as the MacBook Air, however it’s very good, and also the higher-than-1080p Display retains this upon par along with numerous high quality Windows 8 laptops.

 However this particular isn’t a significant shock; ultrabooks happen to be carrying this out with regard to several weeks (see the actual Toshiba Kirabook, as well as forthcoming laptops such as the Lenovo Yoga exercise 2). Samsung was previously a bit more intense using its COMPUTER designs; recently, it has been on the much more traditional route, a minimum of in contrast to your competition. However that isn't always the bad point.

 Samsung’s top-end Windows slim laptop fits your competition as well as provides a great item. It’s not really supercheap from $1, 399, however it’s not really ultra-expensive, possibly. Nevertheless, just getting 128GB associated with on-ship SSD storage space as well as 4GB associated with MEMORY for your cost feels as though the disappointment.

Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus
This particular isn’t the convertible tablet-laptop design. It’s only a laptop. However for individuals who would like among the best slim Windows 8 laptops available, the actual Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus is definitely an simple choose. You need to be prepared to invest several 100 much more for that opportunity.