Samsung managed to make a 15-inch ultrabook that weighs under 3 pounds

Today at CES 2016 Samsung announced two new laptops running Windows 10, and they are certainly stunners. In fact, Samsung may have very well created the lightest Ultrabooks yet that still run full Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors, you won't find any Atom or Core M processors here.

The 15-inch Samsung Notebook 9 (notice they dropped 'ATIV') weighs a mind-blowing 2.84lbs (1.29kg) and uses an Intel 6th-generation Skylake-U Core i5 or Core i7 CPU with Intel HD520 graphics. There is no word on battery life delivered from the 39Wh battery, but Samsung says "all day" and highlight the rapid charge system that can give two hours of power in with just a 20-minute charge.

Samsung Notebook 9 15-inch

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CategorySpecification
Operating SystemWindows 10
PlatformIntel 6th Gen. Platform (SkyLake-U)
Display15", 350nit, FHD(1920x1080), PLS, 180°, LR
ProcessorIntel Core i5/i7
GraphicsIntel HD520
Storage128GB / 256GB SSD
System Memory4 / 8GB LPDDR3 (On board)
Wired LANGigabit
Wireless LAN802.11 ac 2x2 802.11 ac 2x2
BluetoothBluetooth 4.1 Bluetooth 4.1
Sound2W x 2 speakers
Integrated Camera720p
MicInternal Dual Array Digital Mic
Keyboard1.5mm stroke, Backlit
I/O Ports2 x USB 3.01 x USB Type C (PD, DP support w/ 5Gbps)HP/Mic
AC Adapter40W
Dimensions346.5 x 236.8 x 14.5mm
Weight2.84lb (1.29kg)
Battery5,120mAh, 39Wh
DesignMaterial / Color Mg / Iron Silver, Modern Pink

No word on pricing, although you know it will be high. Availability for the new Ultrabook will be in early 2016 at select retailers and Samsung.com. A similar Notebook 9 version with a 13-inch display will also be offered and that one is just 1.85 pounds.

Samsung has created a gorgeous contender here and in a world dominated by 4.5-pound 15-inch laptops, you have to give them credit for a 33% percent weight reduction. Hopefully, however, it wasn't all in the battery. Stay tuned for more coverage of these devices later today.

Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.