There are companies that offer the kitchen sink (including SD card readers, USB A, ethernet, and even VGA) in almost as small and light machines though. There's really no excuse other than aesthetics and penny-pinching.
Regarding "aesthetics", Samsung are apparently imitating Apple's obsession with minimalism and their "form over function" design approach. Apple are the ones who reduced the computer ports to ... 1 in some laptops (making them more... "minimal" but requiring dongles for just about anything, thus defeating the purpose of their design choice).
I don't think its fair to blame Apple for the lack of ports on a Samsung device. That's like blaming a Pizza Hut in Dallas for a rash you got from eating at McDonalds in Sacramento.
Just because Apple fails to add higher resolution cameras does not excuse Samsung from also doing so. What is it with people blaming or giving some other company a pass on something just because Apple does it?
The usecase of webcams in laptop is mostly video calls. having a higher resolution camera really doesn't offer much to most users. On phones on the other hand selfies are a much more important factor.
Smartphone sensors are relatively thick -- compared to the thickness of modern laptop LCDs. I suppose it's pointless to make the screen enclosure thicker just to accommodate a better sensor. Anyway a higher resolution camera might not necessarily be better -- I'm not sure consumers would want their scar/pimple/pores to be seen clearly in a video call. A lower res camera acts as a natural airbrush, in some way
I'm sure you don't want it at $1k, but considering the old m3 MacBook was >$1k and ipads are in similar territory, I think the price is actually decent. For something so thin and portable, why not $1k? What is it missing from the mostly dual core $1k+ ultrabooks?
You can't get something this thin for $600, for certain. You don't have to care about thin, of course, but some people do.
And not to fanboy this, I won't actually buy this, but the LTE usually costs extra too. It's not what I would spend money on, but this is the most compelling Windows on ARM book so far - I am assuming that the performance and compatibility will be there, though. Reviews to come, I suppose.
Yes this was a major disappointment from Samsung announcements yesterday, The only thing I can figured out is that Microsoft wants to get rid of legacy applications on Windows so bad. But then again possible Qualcomm could be paying Microsoft to create the version OS Also why has there never been a Microsoft Surface on it and version of OS on ARM chip besides Qualcomm.
Personally I think the better option for Qualcomm CPU would be Chromebook and certainly not at thiese pricess.
If that were true, then why would they build an x86 translation layer, plus release the SDK to allow win32 apps to be compiled for ARM? Windows 10 ARM isn't locked the store like RT was. But I totally agree with you about the missing ARM-based Surface. Microsoft needs a flagship device, so to speak, and that's what I'm waiting for. I've heard rumors they are actually working on one finally.
They want that 30% app store profit skim. Sadly almost no one ever buys an W10 app store app... grats on the $0.30 to $1.50 lifetime profit per user Microsoft, that will surely offset the disappointment after clueless joe drops $1000 and sours on how badly it performs and what software it wont run...
It also has a 16:9 display. Last year's model had a 3:2 one. I expect its price to be north of $900, obviously. It has Qualcomm's latest and greatest Snapdragon targeted exclusively at laptops, it has 8 GB of very fast DRAM, it has ... Dolby Atmos sporting speakers by AKG (I know Dolby Atmos is utterly useless and non functional in a small device with two speakers, but the noobs won't), and it also has an NVMe(?) SSD, which apparently is the only configurable bit of it. I expect the model with the 256 GB SSD to cost $900 - $950 and the model with the 512 GB SSD to cost $1050 to $1100.
super pissed this has almost 0 chance of coming to the UK. even with its biggest downside (to me at least) the screen. going from a 3:2 OLED to a 16:9 IPS (maybe PLS, who knows) is just, meh.
I agree. It is a bit pity that the screen is not 3:2 format, and OLED was as a big bonus.
The same computer with a 13.5-inch / 14-inch OLED small bezel (5mn to 7mn) screen with 3000x2000 resolution (3:2 format) and a Windows Hello IR camera would make it even better (at the condition they could still keep approx the same battery life).
Also critical is a good keyboard (at least 1.3mm to 1.5mm key travel) and good touchpad : Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is a reference on those 2 points.
I do, but I'm waiting to see if Microsoft released a ARM version of the Surface first... cause that's the device I really want. This laptop looks good though, but I want a convertible more than a laptop.
I'd be interested in a Windows on ARM laptop from competing ARM SoC vendors, but I'd really prefer someone other than Qualcomm. Nvidia Tegra or a Samsung chip, or ideally an NXP i.MX QuadMax.
Qualcomm's near-monopoly in the US phone market is too frustrating for me to ever buy a laptop-like product from them.
I'm personally willing to ignore the Windows part when I inevitably pick up a Pinebook Pro, but I know for some people that's a difficult proposition. I'd really like other ARM vendors to succeed in this space. Qualcomm and Apple are good competitors for the space, but arguably less open than Intel and AMD at this point.
My Pinebook experience was pretty good, but you're getting more of a tinkering device than something upon which you can depend to accomplish the usual computing tasks. They do the job and the hardware is fun, but an everyday computing device they are not.
I know a fair few journos with them, for us they make the perfect machines. they last forever, dont need to rely on spotty airport or trainstation wifi, decent keyboards and can do everything we need to.
there is very little that i cant do on a WoS device that i do on a daily basis, and those things are the things i do on my desktop.
Im not everyone, but there is a market for these devices.
People just want thin/light computers, no one cares that it is a tablet. I can count on one hand the number of times I've actually seen someone use a Surface as a tablet. Same reason the line has expanded to more that are more laptop centric.
Looks like Chromebook alternative for Windows fans. I am happy with my Pixelbook however, especially when I can run full Linux inside it without developer mode!
"Some applications -- like Microsoft Office -- can mix x86 and Arm code using CHPE (Compiled Hybrid Portable Executable) DLLs with Arm64 code but 32-bit x86 interfaces; as a result, hundreds of third-party Office add-ins that expect Office to be an x86 application will work with Office on Arm too. "
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Teckk - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
Just the 1 USB port? Why...SarahKerrigan - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
It seems to have another USB port on the left side, but I agree - this would be a far more attractive machine if it was more expandable.nico_mach - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
I want all the ports, too, but this is a pretty small device. It's not a terrible tradeoff.Tams80 - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
There are companies that offer the kitchen sink (including SD card readers, USB A, ethernet, and even VGA) in almost as small and light machines though.There's really no excuse other than aesthetics and penny-pinching.
Santoval - Friday, August 9, 2019 - link
Regarding "aesthetics", Samsung are apparently imitating Apple's obsession with minimalism and their "form over function" design approach. Apple are the ones who reduced the computer ports to ... 1 in some laptops (making them more... "minimal" but requiring dongles for just about anything, thus defeating the purpose of their design choice).PeachNCream - Friday, August 9, 2019 - link
I don't think its fair to blame Apple for the lack of ports on a Samsung device. That's like blaming a Pizza Hut in Dallas for a rash you got from eating at McDonalds in Sacramento.zamroni - Friday, January 31, 2020 - link
blame Johny who started the trendNICOXIS - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
720P webcam? really? I don't understand why manufacturers keep cheaping out when a 1080p or even 1440p came would cost a few more cents...shabby - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
All Macbooks have 720p cameras and some cost over 5k.PeachNCream - Friday, August 9, 2019 - link
Just because Apple fails to add higher resolution cameras does not excuse Samsung from also doing so. What is it with people blaming or giving some other company a pass on something just because Apple does it?skavi - Friday, August 9, 2019 - link
The lids of Apple laptops are extremely thin. A 720p camera might be the best option for the space available.qlum - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
The usecase of webcams in laptop is mostly video calls. having a higher resolution camera really doesn't offer much to most users. On phones on the other hand selfies are a much more important factor.29a - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
Higher resolution just uses more bandwidth, 720p is appropriate,29a - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
They only charging $1000 what do you expect, 1080p? /svoicequal - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
1080p & 1440p useless without a much better lens and OSP.Retycint - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
Smartphone sensors are relatively thick -- compared to the thickness of modern laptop LCDs. I suppose it's pointless to make the screen enclosure thicker just to accommodate a better sensor. Anyway a higher resolution camera might not necessarily be better -- I'm not sure consumers would want their scar/pimple/pores to be seen clearly in a video call. A lower res camera acts as a natural airbrush, in some wayjeremyshaw - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
As usual, pricing will decide the fate of this product.If Qualcomm and Samsung are still delusional, this will cost more than $600.
Also, they are clearly willing to do 3:2 displays for this niche product, but everything else "must" have a 16:9 display.
YoloPascual - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
Knowing that Qualcomm, Microsoft and OEMs are delusional, this will start at $999t.s - Friday, August 9, 2019 - link
You hit the jack pot!https://www.cnx-software.com/2019/08/08/samsung-ga...
HStewart - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
If they would lower the price and put Chrome OS on it - it could be a huge seller. As windows, it is DOA.voicequal - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
+1Korguz - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
yea right hsrewart...with chrome os.. it would be doa...
PeachNCream - Friday, January 31, 2020 - link
I'm sure HStewart's personal bias toward Intel is a motivating factor in the desire to keep Windows off ARM-based hardware.Samus - Sunday, February 2, 2020 - link
Yeah because I've been waiting to spend $1000 on a laptop with the performance of a Celeron CPU...nico_mach - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
I'm sure you don't want it at $1k, but considering the old m3 MacBook was >$1k and ipads are in similar territory, I think the price is actually decent. For something so thin and portable, why not $1k? What is it missing from the mostly dual core $1k+ ultrabooks?You can't get something this thin for $600, for certain. You don't have to care about thin, of course, but some people do.
nico_mach - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
And not to fanboy this, I won't actually buy this, but the LTE usually costs extra too. It's not what I would spend money on, but this is the most compelling Windows on ARM book so far - I am assuming that the performance and compatibility will be there, though. Reviews to come, I suppose.bigvlada - Friday, August 9, 2019 - link
"What is it missing from the mostly dual core $1k+ ultrabooks?"The ability to use 32-bit x86 software without the software emulator. The ability to use 64-bit software outside of Windows Store. M2 slot.
vanilla_gorilla - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
In other words: absolutely nothing their target demographic cares about.HStewart - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
Yes this was a major disappointment from Samsung announcements yesterday, The only thing I can figured out is that Microsoft wants to get rid of legacy applications on Windows so bad. But then again possible Qualcomm could be paying Microsoft to create the version OS Also why has there never been a Microsoft Surface on it and version of OS on ARM chip besides Qualcomm.Personally I think the better option for Qualcomm CPU would be Chromebook and certainly not at thiese pricess.
domboy - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
If that were true, then why would they build an x86 translation layer, plus release the SDK to allow win32 apps to be compiled for ARM? Windows 10 ARM isn't locked the store like RT was. But I totally agree with you about the missing ARM-based Surface. Microsoft needs a flagship device, so to speak, and that's what I'm waiting for. I've heard rumors they are actually working on one finally.HStewart - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
You talking about emulation apps - give me a break - new Atom chips can beat it.Wilco1 - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
Prove it and show us a link. Atom is ridiculously slow, even with emulation it's easy to beat.Korguz - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
hstewart wont prove it.. or post a link...Wilco1 - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
This Surface you mean? https://www.amazon.com/NEW-Microsoft-Surface-Pro-T...Gunbuster - Monday, August 12, 2019 - link
They want that 30% app store profit skim. Sadly almost no one ever buys an W10 app store app... grats on the $0.30 to $1.50 lifetime profit per user Microsoft, that will surely offset the disappointment after clueless joe drops $1000 and sours on how badly it performs and what software it wont run...Santoval - Friday, August 9, 2019 - link
It also has a 16:9 display. Last year's model had a 3:2 one. I expect its price to be north of $900, obviously. It has Qualcomm's latest and greatest Snapdragon targeted exclusively at laptops, it has 8 GB of very fast DRAM, it has ... Dolby Atmos sporting speakers by AKG (I know Dolby Atmos is utterly useless and non functional in a small device with two speakers, but the noobs won't), and it also has an NVMe(?) SSD, which apparently is the only configurable bit of it. I expect the model with the 256 GB SSD to cost $900 - $950 and the model with the 512 GB SSD to cost $1050 to $1100.Santoval - Friday, August 9, 2019 - link
p.s. YoloPascual below/above was right. It seems I was conservative in my estimate. Based on the link of t.s. it will *start* from $999...Mobile-Dom - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
super pissed this has almost 0 chance of coming to the UK. even with its biggest downside (to me at least) the screen. going from a 3:2 OLED to a 16:9 IPS (maybe PLS, who knows) is just, meh.Diogene7 - Sunday, November 3, 2019 - link
I agree. It is a bit pity that the screen is not 3:2 format, and OLED was as a big bonus.The same computer with a 13.5-inch / 14-inch OLED small bezel (5mn to 7mn) screen with 3000x2000 resolution (3:2 format) and a Windows Hello IR camera would make it even better (at the condition they could still keep approx the same battery life).
Also critical is a good keyboard (at least 1.3mm to 1.5mm key travel) and good touchpad : Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is a reference on those 2 points.
HStewart - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
Does any body really but Windows for Qualcomm machines like this anywayvladx - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
Yes travelling businesspersonlbatra - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
nobody buys so far. But they are looking to build a market so far. 8cx is the 1st serious attempt to do thatlbatra - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
market "for it"*Gunbuster - Monday, August 12, 2019 - link
Show me one single working professional running last years model w10 on ARM? The use case is imaginary.domboy - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
I do, but I'm waiting to see if Microsoft released a ARM version of the Surface first... cause that's the device I really want. This laptop looks good though, but I want a convertible more than a laptop.Wilco1 - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
You mean the Surface Pro X? https://www.amazon.com/NEW-Microsoft-Surface-Pro-T...lmcd - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
I'd be interested in a Windows on ARM laptop from competing ARM SoC vendors, but I'd really prefer someone other than Qualcomm. Nvidia Tegra or a Samsung chip, or ideally an NXP i.MX QuadMax.Qualcomm's near-monopoly in the US phone market is too frustrating for me to ever buy a laptop-like product from them.
lmcd - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
I'm personally willing to ignore the Windows part when I inevitably pick up a Pinebook Pro, but I know for some people that's a difficult proposition. I'd really like other ARM vendors to succeed in this space. Qualcomm and Apple are good competitors for the space, but arguably less open than Intel and AMD at this point.PeachNCream - Tuesday, August 13, 2019 - link
My Pinebook experience was pretty good, but you're getting more of a tinkering device than something upon which you can depend to accomplish the usual computing tasks. They do the job and the hardware is fun, but an everyday computing device they are not.voicequal - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
There are many other ARM SoC vendors, but hard to find a better modem. That's why it's Qualcomm here.Mobile-Dom - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
I know a fair few journos with them, for us they make the perfect machines. they last forever, dont need to rely on spotty airport or trainstation wifi, decent keyboards and can do everything we need to.there is very little that i cant do on a WoS device that i do on a daily basis, and those things are the things i do on my desktop.
Im not everyone, but there is a market for these devices.
Tams80 - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
Why isn't this a detachable?ava1ar - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
Nobody wants tablets anymoreTams80 - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
The Surface tablets are doing okay, even with their borked pen technology.PeachNCream - Friday, August 9, 2019 - link
Not really. Microsoft made the leap to Surface branded laptops. Why do you suppose that's the case?vanilla_gorilla - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
People just want thin/light computers, no one cares that it is a tablet. I can count on one hand the number of times I've actually seen someone use a Surface as a tablet. Same reason the line has expanded to more that are more laptop centric.Alexvrb - Friday, August 9, 2019 - link
Yeah I mean most modern phones are basically small tablets. Tablets are getting squished between smartphones and ultrathin laptops.Rookierookie - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
Detachables have a hard time being used in the lap, so it's not necessarily the best choice for people working on the move.ava1ar - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link
Looks like Chromebook alternative for Windows fans. I am happy with my Pixelbook however, especially when I can run full Linux inside it without developer mode!zamroni - Sunday, August 11, 2019 - link
i am waiting for thinkpad x series with snapdragon to replace my haswell laptopnandnandnand - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
This $400 laptop can be yours for the low low price of $999!Dragonstongue - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
oh snap^.^
29a - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
Nicetaisingera - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
This laptop is so thin, they needed to notch out the USB-C port. That is ridiculous.voicequal - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link
Yeah, everyone wants to look razer thin from the top. Then to be functional they all have belly bulge underneath.Korguz - Friday, January 31, 2020 - link
has any one else noticed the messed updates for posts to this ?aug 8th 2019
aug 9th
aug 12th...
drexnx - Friday, January 31, 2020 - link
looks like they bumped the storyKorguz - Friday, January 31, 2020 - link
even the date of the story is 1/30/2020.... hmmmmzamroni - Friday, January 31, 2020 - link
it's overpriced and microsoft doesn't provide native arm64 version of microsoft officeWilco1 - Saturday, February 1, 2020 - link
It actually does run Office as native AArch64 code - it pretends to be a 32-bit x86 binary for compatibility: https://www.techrepublic.com/article/windows-10-on..."Some applications -- like Microsoft Office -- can mix x86 and Arm code using CHPE (Compiled Hybrid Portable Executable) DLLs with Arm64 code but 32-bit x86 interfaces; as a result, hundreds of third-party Office add-ins that expect Office to be an x86 application will work with Office on Arm too. "