Macbook Air vs Samsung Series 9

[tryharder]

Hi,

Macbook Air: http://store.apple.com/us_edu_22179/configure/MD231LL/A

Samsung Series 9: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-NP900X...msung+esries+9

I'm trying to decide between these two laptops (Macbook Air vs Samsung Series 9, price not concern). I'm a college student, so I'll primarily be using word/excel/ppt, doing homework, streaming videos and movies, creating/listening to/editing music, and occasionally gaming.

I wish I could wait a few more months for all the Windows 8 touchscreen models to come out, but I simply can't; I need a notebook now, as my old one just died, and borrowing others' computers/using public desktops has been a huge hassle these past 2 weeks.

So, these two laptops seem to be pretty comparable (approximately the same price, similar build, etc). As far as OS goes, I'm fine with either, as I'm very well acquainted with both Mac and Windows.

Here are my personal pros and cons of each, excluding price (please comment or correct me if you feel any of my views are off):

Macbook Air

Pros:
-overall great computer; I've used it countless times and don't really have any gripes
-Thunderbolt port
-8GB memory option

Cons:
-been using my brother's (Mac Air) and my own (Mac Pro) for the past 2 years, so I'm a little sick of Mac; would be nice to switch to Windows for a change
-1440 x 900 resolution as opposed to 1600 x 900


Samsung Series 9
Pros:
-1600x900 resolution
-will be fun switching to Windows
-a tiny bit lighter, thinner than the Air

Cons:
-no 1080p
-trackpad is reported to have issues
-Air is reported to be faster?
-no option for upgrading to 8GB memory
-screen isn't as good?

Although there are more cons for the Samsung, I'm actually leaning towards it a little more simply because I like the idea of change. However, the Mac Air seems like a better computer overall; what are your thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Sunburn74]

Between the two, I'd go with the macbook air assuming OS doesn't play a role. The reviews on amazon for the series 9 13 have some real concerns about build quality. Assuming price is equal (which they are for the higher end series 9), I'd go with the air also for the apple support. However, I for the most part am tied to windows machines so I can't really consider it (they air takes a huge battery life hit with windows).

Have you considered the asus ux31? Its cheaper at $999, has the best screen of them all, and probably 95% as good a trackpad as the air (asus uses a glass trackpade which is quite awesome. the issues are that 1) windows really doesn't seem to be an OS designed around trackpad use and 2) the trackpad apparently will fire clicks when you're typing and accidentally nudge it (however I never ran into that when I was playing around with it in the store so I don't know. I will say I was pretty freaking impressed with the trackpad in the store though).

There is also the asus ux32 series that have dedicated gaming cards.

Have you also considered some full fledged notebooks with dedicated GPUs as well?

 

[sgrinavi]

I thought you could put Win on the MBA and dual boot, no?

 

[Talaii]

I thought you could put Win on the MBA and dual boot, no?

(they air takes a huge battery life hit with windows).

For a machine that's meant to be portable, deliberately sabotaging your battery life might not be the best option.

 

[Sunburn74]

I thought you could put Win on the MBA and dual boot, no?

Yeah thats the issue. The air takes at least a 2-2.5 hour battery life hit running windows instead of OSX. Dedicated windows machines don't suffer this issue.

So you really do kind of have to decide that OSX is your OS of choice if you buy the air.

 

[Lonyo]

If you are considering touchscreen devices, why not buy a cheap $300 or less laptop and use it for a while, then sell it on and buy something you might want when you can see what the choices are?

 

[happysmiles]

Asus.

 

[Phynaz]

Asus.

He obviously wants quality, not cheap crap.

 

[gorcorps]

He obviously wants quality, not cheap crap.

Sounds like you're confusing Asus with Acer

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

I just got the Ivy Samsung S9 13". Aesthetics are one up and above the Mac Air. Screen resolution is up there, and the fact that it has a matte screen.

The thing is though, I feel like I am trapped in the Apple circle of life. I already have an iMac and thunderbolt device. I enjoy using OSX and Windows, and the Air's ability to bootcamp into Win 7 is something I wish is available to me. With the thunderbolt I can plug in my external SSD and run bootcamp from there if I want to.

Another thing is the shallow keyboard on the S9 really takes some getting used to. Oh and the trackpad on the S9 is not on the same level as the trackpad on the Air.

I am still undecided and may pickup a 2011/2012 Air to see if I like that option better.