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Samsung's Core i5 Laptop Is Lighter, Thinner Than Air
- Thread starter ghileman
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This used to be the case, and while Samsung definitely supplies a bunch of OEM parts (RAM Chips, SSD Storage chips), the Actual Apple SSDs are largely made by Toshiba these days.
Look at your system profiler. If you have a MBA or a 2010/2011 MBP with SSD, it says APPLE SSD TS128C (most likely). That TS = Toshiba.
The older (slower SSD) MBA's from 2008-2009 were Samsung SSDs, they said "SM128" as their SSD
Wait, what brightness level do y'all use? Unless I'm in a really bright room or on my porch, mine stays at one bar. Right now, I'm in my bed, and if there were a half-bar setting, I'd be using it.
And to amend my previous statement about aesthetics, most of the promo pictures show the profile view, which I think is uggs. The rest of the body is fairly attractive. If the silver on MBA/MBP weren't so iconic and ingrained in my head, I'd consider that finish if it were an option.
And to amend my previous statement about aesthetics, most of the promo pictures show the profile view, which I think is uggs. The rest of the body is fairly attractive. If the silver on MBA/MBP weren't so iconic and ingrained in my head, I'd consider that finish if it were an option.
Intel said we won't see PCs with TB before late 2011 or more likely early 2012. It doesn't really matter if TB provides greater performance in theory because an average Joe will not be able to take advantage of it. Mechanical HDs top out at 150MB/s, something that USB 3.0 can very easily provide.
That is why I don't see TB being that big deal. USB 3.0 will be integrated into Intel's 7-series (i.e. Ivy Bridge) chipsets while there are no news about TB integration. It is theoretically cool but for an average Joe, USB 3.0 provides the same things. Here and today and relatively cheap.
Just read Engadget's review for the samsung series 9, and here are their benchmark results:
Samsung Series 9 (Core i5-2537M)
PCMarkVantage: 7582 3Dmark06: 2240
13-inch MacBook Air (Core 2 Duo, GeForce 320M)
PCMarkVantage: 5170 3Dmark06: 4643
Better CPU, but worse graphics. Suppose it depends on your needs.
Off-Topic: I imagine the Sandy Bridge Macbook Air (if it happens) would have similar specs to the samsung, so this is probably a good indicator of what kind of performance trade-offs we can expect.
Personally, I think I'll be buying a current gen macbook air independent of any refresh.
Samsung Series 9 (Core i5-2537M)
PCMarkVantage: 7582 3Dmark06: 2240
13-inch MacBook Air (Core 2 Duo, GeForce 320M)
PCMarkVantage: 5170 3Dmark06: 4643
Better CPU, but worse graphics. Suppose it depends on your needs.
Off-Topic: I imagine the Sandy Bridge Macbook Air (if it happens) would have similar specs to the samsung, so this is probably a good indicator of what kind of performance trade-offs we can expect.
Personally, I think I'll be buying a current gen macbook air independent of any refresh.
quote from Engadget's review:
"Like most of Samsung's laptops, the Series 9 is preloaded with a bit of the company's own utilities. Listed under Samsung in the Start menu are Easy File Share, Easy Migration, Easy Network Management, and other "Easy" tools.
Shockingly, the rest of the system is pretty bare on third-party software
But just as we're about to say the Series 9 hits it out of the park, we're hit in the face with its $1,649 price tag.
No matter how you slice it, this ultraportable is still meant for a niche user who's willing to shell out over $1,600 for a laptop (although, we are seeing it listed for $1,599 at Best Buy).
And while it may have more processing power than Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air and a backlit keyboard, Apple's offering shaves off $350, has a higher resolution display, slightly longer battery life, stronger graphics performance, and a better multitouch touchpad experience, and ultimately, we assume that will be enough for those seeking an incredibly thin laptop. That said, the Series 9 has the horsepower to be one's main system and finally proves that PC manufacturers can build an incredibly thin, head-turning laptop without sacrificing the vitals. And well, despite the Samsung tax, that's quite a feat."
all that said, it looks like *****, only runs Windows, and you'd need to buy many $ worth of software to be functional on the thing.
the rubbery feel to the touchpad would also drive me nuts.
for the full review go here >> http://goo.gl/Xjh3A
That 3DMark06 score is around the 9400m's score.
So the pessimistic way to look at it, is that you get 1/2 the Graphics capabilities with the lower-clocked HD 3000 graphics vs. the 320M.
But with only 17W TDP, instead of ~25W TDP, you'd get 30%+ CPU boost and potentially a 30% battery life improvement (imagine the Apple PR taglines now - 30% faster... and it lasts 30% longer!)
It'll be interesting to see if Apple is willing to take that trade-off, performance-wise. It would definitely be a good $$ decision for them - the SB chipset on it's own (if we're looking at the i5-2537M) costs $250 vs. $284/$316 for the SL9X00's that are currently in the air. Add in, say another $10-15 minimum for the 320M chip, as we're looking at a savings of $50-$60/machine in build costs for Apple.
If Apple's selling 1.1 Million of these things per quarter, that means $50-$60 Million dollars saved every 4 months if Apple put the i5 into the MBA.
As I mentioned in another topic (but forgot which one
), the 2537M is a 1.4Ghz Ultra-Low voltage cpu that you'd normally find in the 11", that's compared here to a 13" with 1.83Ghz Low Voltage one. Which makes the CPU gain even more impressive.Of course, it depends on the benchmark, I'm not sure if this benchmark (PCMarkVantage) is multi- or singlethreaded. If it's singlethreaded, it would see a huge benefit from the Turbo Boost feature, which the current C2D CPU's in the Air don't have. But not all applications in daily usage would benefit from Turbo Boost (for example, if they're multithreaded). But I'm glad to see the performance gain is definitely there.
As I mentioned in another topic (but forgot which one
Of course, it depends on the benchmark, I'm not sure if this benchmark (PCMarkVantage) is multi- or singlethreaded. If it's singlethreaded, it would see a huge benefit from the Turbo Boost feature, which the current C2D CPU's in the Air don't have. But not all applications in daily usage would benefit from Turbo Boost (for example, if they're multithreaded). But I'm glad to see the performance gain is definitely there.
What makes the CPU impressive to me is the rumor that Apple is going to use a similar chip, disable the IGP, over clock the crap out of it (possible since none of the power needs reserved for the IGP), and use an AMD discrete GPU with it. I see this as a lower power consumption than current MBAs, better CPU, better GPU, and shear destruction of the competition.
Even though a member above doesn't think Thunderbolt has any point as he is only seeing it as connectivity for spinning disks, it actually brings single cable solutions to docking stations otherwise known as the ACD. The ACD could have FireWire or USB 3.0 on it along with speakers, a 27" display, webcam, and etc and alll run off one Thunderbolt cable... In addition, the future bandwidth capabilities with the exact same current ports further the argument. Thunderbolt is something we all want we just all don't know it yet. Imagine your MBA doesn't have FireWire or USB 3.0, but it has Thunderbolt and therefore it could still run those ports. It is the great foresight at getting future tech to work on Macs released today that makes Thunderbolt so incredible.
Or even imagine a discrete GPU built into a docking station or ACD. Now even though your MBA is stuck with an Intel IGP, when docked it could have an expansion port allowing you to use an AMD discrete GPU. It is way more than a way to get data to and from your spinning disks... It is all I mentioned and way more plus will even do the spinning disks at their full capabilities simultaneously. I really look forward to having future capabilities on Macs I buy today, and Thunderbolt will actually achieve it.
There is better than that: quarter-increments. Option, Shift, brightness key.
I hope Anandtech does an in depth test of the Samsung and compares it to the MBA. They'll do a much more in depth review and better comparison.
Holy. Jesus.
There is a shortcut for EVERYTHING on Macs. I learn a new one in every thread I read.
I know there are fairly comprehensive guides to all the common ones, but is there a comprehensive list of all the weird ones that no one ever needs, until they do?
The most obscure one I use on a regular basis is Apple+Shift+(and Apple+Shift+]) for switching between browser tabs.
Interesting
Of all the comments on future possibilities that Scottsdale has written, this is the most intriguing one ever for me. I'm sure someone will come up with some technical reason as to why this wouldn't make sense but I can't think of any at this time.
I would really like a Sandy Bridge MBA but I think I would be very unhappy going backwards in the GPU performance with Intel's IGP (the video performance we have with the current MBA is amazing). I would, however be OK with the Intel IGP if I had the option to improve it significantly with a GPU on the ACD via Thunderbolt. I currently don't own an ACD but I am very certain that I will be getting one in the future for work.
I also wonder if the limitations of the (relatively) small SSD on the MBAs could also be augmented using the same Thunderbolt connection. I would be more than a docking station...it would be a computer upgrade made simply via the Thunderbolt connection: Incredible fast external storage, improved graphics when using the ADC.
(And, if this was available, it wouldn't matter if Thunderbolt didn't connect to any other peripheral. If it just connected to my ACD that would be fine)
Of all the comments on future possibilities that Scottsdale has written, this is the most intriguing one ever for me. I'm sure someone will come up with some technical reason as to why this wouldn't make sense but I can't think of any at this time.
I would really like a Sandy Bridge MBA but I think I would be very unhappy going backwards in the GPU performance with Intel's IGP (the video performance we have with the current MBA is amazing). I would, however be OK with the Intel IGP if I had the option to improve it significantly with a GPU on the ACD via Thunderbolt. I currently don't own an ACD but I am very certain that I will be getting one in the future for work.
I also wonder if the limitations of the (relatively) small SSD on the MBAs could also be augmented using the same Thunderbolt connection. I would be more than a docking station...it would be a computer upgrade made simply via the Thunderbolt connection: Incredible fast external storage, improved graphics when using the ADC.
(And, if this was available, it wouldn't matter if Thunderbolt didn't connect to any other peripheral. If it just connected to my ACD that would be fine)
Thunderbolt is only 10Gb/s, that is the issue. PCIe 2.x x16 slot provides 64Gb/s. It's hard to say how much the limited bandwidth would affect performance but at least higher-end GPUs would be crippled by that. Probably a great bump over the IGP though.
I'm not saying TB isn't great but for a regular user, it doesn't provide much that DP + USB 3.0 combo wouldn't. I'm just afraid that the prices of TB peripherals will hefty.
First it's bidirectional. Second it's forward comipatible. It is going to be probably 10x faster as soon as the cable support is added. The chip has full PCI capabilities from all I have read.
sorry....hard for me to justify....afterall...it is Windows and it aint an APPLE!!...........yuck.
...........yuck.OSX will always be the deciding factor. Every company on the planet can attempt to copy hardware and design but none of them will have OSX. Its really that simple.
None of those change the fact that it is still limited to 10Gb/s. Sure, future versions will be faster but will require a new controller. On the other hand, GPUs will be faster, and games and applications will be more demanding as well. What we got now is 10Gb/s, which is much less than what PCIe 2.x can offer. How much the limited bandwidth will affect the performance is something that none of us can answer, yet.
Samsung responds to installation of keylogger on its laptop computers
Samsung responds to installation of keylogger on its laptop computers
In the first part of this two-part report, MSIA 2009 graduate Mohamed Hassan told of discovering a keylogger on two different models of Samsung portable computers. Today he continues the story. Everything that follows is Mr Hassan's own work with minor edits.
On March 1, 2011, I called and logged incident 2101163379 with Samsung Support (SS). First, as Sony BMG did six years ago, the SS personnel denied the presence of such software on its laptops. After having been informed of the two models where the software was found and the location, SS changed its story by referring the author to Microsoft since "all Samsung did was to manufacture the hardware." When told that did not make sense, SS personnel relented and escalated the incident to one of the support supervisors.
The supervisor who spoke with me was not sure how this software ended up in the new laptop thus put me on hold. He confirmed that yes, Samsung did knowingly put this software on the laptop to, as he put it, "monitor the performance of the machine and to find out how it is being used."
In other words, Samsung wanted to gather usage data without obtaining consent from laptop owners.
While in the Sony BMG security incident described in the first article in this pair one had to buy and install the CD on one's computer, Samsung has gone one step further by actually preinstalling the monitoring software on its brand laptops. This is a déjà vu security incident with far reaching potential consequences. In the words of the of former FTC chairman Deborah Platt Majoras, "Installations of secret software that create security risks are intrusive and unlawful." (FTC, 2007).
Samsung's conduct may be illegal; even if it is eventually ruled legal by the courts, the issue has legal, ethical, and privacy implications for both the businesses and individuals who may purchase and use Samsung laptops. Samsung could also be liable should the vast amount of information collected through StarLogger fall into the wrong hands.
[Mich Kabay adds:]
We contacted three public relations officers for Samsung for comment about this issue and gave them a week to send us their comments. No one from the company replied.
Good luck, Samsung! We see a class-action lawsuit in your future .
Samsung responds to installation of keylogger on its laptop computers
In the first part of this two-part report, MSIA 2009 graduate Mohamed Hassan told of discovering a keylogger on two different models of Samsung portable computers. Today he continues the story. Everything that follows is Mr Hassan's own work with minor edits.
On March 1, 2011, I called and logged incident 2101163379 with Samsung Support (SS). First, as Sony BMG did six years ago, the SS personnel denied the presence of such software on its laptops. After having been informed of the two models where the software was found and the location, SS changed its story by referring the author to Microsoft since "all Samsung did was to manufacture the hardware." When told that did not make sense, SS personnel relented and escalated the incident to one of the support supervisors.
The supervisor who spoke with me was not sure how this software ended up in the new laptop thus put me on hold. He confirmed that yes, Samsung did knowingly put this software on the laptop to, as he put it, "monitor the performance of the machine and to find out how it is being used."
In other words, Samsung wanted to gather usage data without obtaining consent from laptop owners.
While in the Sony BMG security incident described in the first article in this pair one had to buy and install the CD on one's computer, Samsung has gone one step further by actually preinstalling the monitoring software on its brand laptops. This is a déjà vu security incident with far reaching potential consequences. In the words of the of former FTC chairman Deborah Platt Majoras, "Installations of secret software that create security risks are intrusive and unlawful." (FTC, 2007).
Samsung's conduct may be illegal; even if it is eventually ruled legal by the courts, the issue has legal, ethical, and privacy implications for both the businesses and individuals who may purchase and use Samsung laptops. Samsung could also be liable should the vast amount of information collected through StarLogger fall into the wrong hands.
[Mich Kabay adds:]
We contacted three public relations officers for Samsung for comment about this issue and gave them a week to send us their comments. No one from the company replied.
Good luck, Samsung! We see a class-action lawsuit in your future .
I bought an HP/Compaq desktop 6 years ago (don't ask). Its biggest weakness was all the bloated crapware that came loaded on it. Over time, thanks to my teenaged grandson's use of it, it got even further loaded down with the kind of OS crippling stuff to which Windows machines are vulnerable, while Macs are virtually immune. The Windows desktop finally got so slow and unstable that this week I reformatted the drive and installed an old copy of Windows XP Professional on it. So far, so good. I have never, ever, had anything like the problems I have experienced on Windows boxes with any Mac. Your report about Samsung's secretly loading a keylogger program on its high end laptops is a classic example of what goes on in the Windows world. Yikes!
If your argument is based on the video posted earlier then you are wrong. As stated below the video in the link, the Air was not a fresh instal whilst the Samsung 9 was fresh from the box.
My Air boots much faster than the one in the video, because i keep it clean.
I really doubt that from happening as Apple will have to make it a 3 chip design +1 with tbolt. Unless Intel allows AMD to make a south bridge/gpu combo chip that's compatible with sandy bridge.
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