Samsung has announced a refresh of its premium Notebook 9 lineup, updating both versions of its standard Notebook 9. However, that's not all: Samsung has also introduced a new option, the Notebook 9 Pen, to the mix.
In terms of updates, both versions of the new Samsung Notebook 9 (2018) feature enhanced graphics and a bump to Intel's latest eighth-generation Core processors. Screen sizes remain at 13.3-inches and 15-inches, and both can be equipped with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. An included fingerprint sensor is Windows Hello-compatible, and the larger model can be fitted with NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics. In terms of finishes, Samsung says that the Notebook 9 will be available in "Titan Silver" or "Crush White." The company is also touting the material the notebooks are made of, dubbed Metal12, which it says offers a lighter and more durable frame.
As its name suggests, the new Samsung Notebook 9 Pen is a 2-in-1 variant of the Notebook 9 with a focus on inking. Like the previously released Notebook 9 Pro, the Notebook 9 Pen includes a built-in S Pen stylus, which can recognize 4,096 levels of pressure and runs without the need for a battery. The S Pen can also be used to quickly access notes and shortcuts with Samsung's Air Command software.
In terms of build, the Notebook 9 Pen's 13.3-inch screen can also be rotated behind the keyboard, and the whole thing is made of the same Metal12 material Samsung is touting for the standard Notebook 9. Specs are also remarkably similar to the standard Notebook 9, with eighth-generation Intel Core chips and up to 16GB of RAM. A fingerprint sensor is also included for Windows Hello.
Here's a look at how the specs compare for each model:
| Category | Notebook 9 (2018) 13.3" | Notebook 9 (2018) 15" | Samsung Notebook 9 Pen 13" |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | 8th Generation Intel Core i7 Processor | 8th Generation Intel Core i7 Processor | 8th Generation Intel Core i7 Processor |
| Memory | Up to 16GB (DDR4) | Up to 16GB (DDR4) | Up to 16GB (DDR4) |
| Storage | Up to 1TB SSD (NVMe PCIe) | Up to 1TB SSD (NVMe PCIe) | Up to 512GB (NVMe PCIe) |
| Graphics | Intel® HD Graphics | Intel HD Graphics / NVIDIA GeForce MX150 (GDDR5 2GB) | Intel® HD Graphics |
| Display | 13.3" RealViewDisplay Full HD (1920 x 1080) | 15.0" RealViewDisplay Full HD (1920 x 1080) | 13.3" Samsung RealViewTouch, FHD (1920 x 1080) |
| Keyboard | Backlit KBD, Precision Touchpad | Backlit KBD, Precision Touchpad | Backlit KBD, Precision Touchpad |
| Material | Metal12 (Mg) | Metal12 (Mg) | Metal12 (Mg) |
| Camera | 720p | 720p | IR camera, 720p |
| Stylus | N/A | N/A | Integrated S Pen (Bundle) |
| Ports | USB-C x 1, USB 3.0 X 2, HDMI X1, uSD, HP/Mic, DC-in | Thunderbolt 3 x 1 (or USB type C), USB 3.0 x 2, USB 2.0 x 1, HDMI x 1, uSD x 1, HP/Mic x 1, DC-in | USB-C x 1, USB 3.0 X 1, HDMI X1, uSD, HP/Mic, DC-in |
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor |
| Power | 75Wh | 75Wh | 39Wh |
| Weight | 995g | 1,250g - 1,290g | 995g |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 309.4 x 208 x 14.9mm | 347.9 x 229.4 x 15.4mm | 310.5 x 206.6 x 14.6-16.5mm |
| Colors | Titan Silver/Crush White | Titan Silver/Crush White | Light Titan |
When we reviewed the Samsung Notebook 9 15 Ext earlier in 2017, we came away pretty impressed with the notebook's feature set and build quality, positing that it could've been the best 15-inch Ultrabook available at the time. With a similar design, we'd expect the story to be similar with these refreshed models, but we'll have to wait and see. The Samsung Notebook 9 (2018) and Notebook 9 Pen will be available this month in Korea and the first quarter of 2018 in the U.S. Pricing is still an unknown. For now, the current Samsung Notebook 9 is available at retailers at a list price of $1,399 for the 15-inch model, or around $1,000 for the 13-inch model.
Samsung Notebook 9 15 Ext review: Quite possibly the best 15-inch Ultrabook
See Samsung Notebook 9 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
