Samsung slims down with X-Series laptops

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By Mike Jennings in Berlin

Posted on 4 Sep 2009 at 10:01

Samsung has unveiled its X-Series range of low-power ultraportable laptops, a day after Sony took the covers off its own range of super-light devices bearing the same name.

Samsung's X-Series encompasses three models – the X120, X420 and X520 – which boast 11.6in, 14in and 15.6in screens respectively along with a thickness of around 24mm.

Patrick Povel, a senior manager with Samsung's Strategic Marketing Team, claimed the 1.76kg X420 is the "lightest 14in laptop in the world". The X250 isn't much heavier, at 2.09kg, while the X120 tipped the scales at a mere 1.76kg.

He also explained that the trio of new laptops would prove more affordable than rivals, perhaps with an eye on Sony's own VAIO X-Series, which will cost at least 1,500 euros. By contrast, we're assured that Samsung's trio of machines should cost no more than 700 euros.

The reasonable price can be partly explained by a new low-power Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which makes its debut in the three new notebooks. No details were forthcoming, but it was implied by Alberto Spinelli, an EMEA product marketing director with Intel, that the new chip is Intel's most powerful low-voltage part yet.

He explained that Intel "are going to offer a whole range of devices" with the new chip and that, while it may be powerful enough to prove its worth in all manner of devices, its low price "allows for affordable systems" to reach broader audiences.

Elsewhere, the three X-Series laptops offer a tempting specification, with Windows 7, between two and four gigabytes of RAM and hard disks as large as 500GB. The trio of machines also boast Intel GMA 4500HD graphics, draft-n wireless and Samsung's typically glossy design.

As with Samsung’s three new netbooks, plenty of time has been spent refining battery life, with Povel alleging that the new 6-cell battery will result in a 9-hour lifespan.

Povel also had a sly dig at competitor Sony, which has been plagued with battery problems over the past few months, claiming that a new “ceramic coating” on Samsung’s batteries would prevent them from igniting.