Samsung’s new Notebook 9 bucks the trend of being a bonafide 15-inch computer that weighs less than 1.5 kgs. It’s thin enough to slip into a bag with ease, and it doesn’t compromise specs in the name of design. The 3.6 million Notebook 9 has a Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. There are distinct advantages to having a larger display since it’s easier to read text on, easier to multitask with, and overall, just more enjoyable to use for hours at a time. Further, a larger screen provides room for a larger keyboard and trackpad, as well as more ports than you might get on an ultra-compact computer. Its 15-inch screen has a 1080p resolution, which isn’t as high as other Windows 10 laptops, but is still plenty sharp enough for most purposes. It’s bright enough to work outdoors, if need be, and the bezel surrounding the screen is a scant 0.24-inches wide, making the display feel even larger than it is. The base Notebook 9 does not have a touchscreen. This gadget includes a useful array of ports a two USB 3.0, USB Type-C, and a full-size HDMI. However it has a dedicated Ethernet port which requires the use of an adapter and the microSD card slot, which would be much more useful as a full-size SD slot. Also, while the USB Type-C port can be used to connect or charge a smartphone it can’t be used to charge the laptop, so you’re still stuck with using Samsung’s proprietary power connector.
The good
• Light weight
• Big screen
• Snappy performance
The bad
• No backlit keyboard