Air beware- 2.3-pound Samsung laptop hits stores

Air beware: 2.3-pound Samsung laptop hits stores
Samsung seems to be on a mission to--let's put this carefully--emulate Apple.First Samsung came out with the 13.3-inch Series 9. Like the 13.3-inch MacBook Air, it is carved out of aluminum, is super thin at 0.64 inches (the MacBook Air is 0.68 inches at its thickest point), weighs just less than 3 pounds (2.88 pounds) and has a great display (with 400 nit brightness). Now, Samsung has come out with a likeness of the 11.6-inch MacBook Air.And just like the the Air, it is 2.3 pounds.Hmm...I'm beginning to see a pattern here. The 11.6-inch Series 9 is now listed as "in stock" at stores like Amazon.Previously, it had been listed as pre-order only.Though Samsung is obviously following Apple's lead, there are some important departures from the Apple template.First, the Series 9 uses Intel Core i series processors, not the older Core 2 Duo Intel chips in the MBAs.Second, it has a USB 3.0 port (the Air only has USB 2.0, no Thunderbolt ports--yet). Third, it packs 4G WiMax capability (Air has Wi-Fi only).A few Samsung Series 9 11.6-inch highlights: Weight/height: 2.3 pounds, 0.65 inches Materials: "arching duralumin" enclosure Processor: Intel Core i3-380UM, ultra-power-efficient Core i chip Storage: 64GB solid-state drive Memory: 2GB Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0; WiMax 4GPorts: USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, MicroSD Battery life: specified at 7 hours Software: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) Price: $1,199 (though this list price is discounted at Amazon) That's a pretty impressive spec sheet.Not only matching Apple on design but besting it on hardware in some areas.Not everything comes up roses, though.The $1,199 11.6-inch MacBook Air packs a 128GB solid-state drive, twice that of the Samsung.And despite the high-end design, Samsung still must contend with the formidable Apple brand. Via Netbooknews