Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9 ultraportable notebook

Samsung Series 9 (Model: 900X3A) teardown

\n\tAt CES 2011, Samsung revealed its answer to the Apple MacBook Air–the Series 9 notebook. This ultraportable laptop has some impressive hardware (Intel Core i5 CPU, 128GB SSD, and 4GB of RAM), but it also has an impressive price tag.
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\n\tSamsung sent TechRepublic a 13″ Series 9 to test, and I just couldn’t resist taking it apart. I’m glad I did. Unlike the MacBook Air, the Series 9’s case is easy to open, you can upgrade the RAM, and it uses standard Phillips screws. Follow along as I crack open the ultrathin Samsung Series 9 laptop.

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\n\tCheck out the TR Dojo blog, for my observations about the Series 9 and our teardown process.
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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Box

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: In the box

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Hardware Specifications

\n\tAs of this writing, the 13″ Samsung Series 9 (Model: 900X3A) has a suggested retail price of $1,649.99 (US).

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\n\tThe 11″ Series 9 (Model: 900X1A) has a suggested retail price of $1,199.99 (US).

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\n\tOur 13″ test machine had the following technical specifications:

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• \n\t\tProcessor: 1.4GHz Intel Core i5-2537M

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• \n\t\tGPU: Intel HD Graphics 3000

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• \n\t\tRAM: 4GB DDR3 (8GB max)

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• \n\t\tStorage: 128GB Samsung SSD

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• \n\t\tDisplay: 13.3″ LED display (400nit; 1366 x 768 max resolution)

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• \n\t\tBattery: 6-cell Lithium, 6300 mAh (up to 7 hours of battery life)

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• \n\t\tPorts: Micro HDMI, Ethernet (requires dongle), 1 USB, 2 USB, Micro DS Card slot, headphone jack, mic-in jack

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• \n\t\tSpeakers: 3W Stereo speakers with HD audio

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• \n\t\tCamera: 1.3MP HD webcam (optional)

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• \n\t\tInput device: Touch pad (supports multitouch)

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• \n\t\tWireless: 802.11 b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth V3.0 High Speed

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• \n\t\tWarranty: 3-year

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• \n\t\tOperating system: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Box contents

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Top

\n\tThe 13″ Samsung Series 9 has a unique Duralumin case, weighs 2.88 pounds, and measures 12.9″ (W) x 8.9″ (D) x ~0.62″ (H).
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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: DC Jack, Wired LAN port, Micro HDMI port, USB 3.0 port

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Speaker, MicroSD card slot, headphone/microphone jack, USB port

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Bottom

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Wired LAN, Micro HDMI, and USB 3.0 ports open

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: MicroSD card slot, headphone/microphone jack, and USB port open

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Compared to the Macbook Air (13-inch 2010)

\n\tThe 13″ Series 9 and 13″ Macbook Air (2010)’s dimensions and weight are nearly identical.
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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: End to end with the MacBook Air (13-inch 2010)

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Side by side with the MacBook Air (13-inch 2010)

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Bottom cover screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the bottom cover screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Two screw hidden under rear, rubber pads

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the hidden bottom cover screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Screws hidden under small rubber discs

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Popping loose the bottom cover after removing all screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Lifting off the bottom cover

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Bottom cover removed

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the battery screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Disconnecting the battery from the motherboard

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: 6-cell Li-Polymer Battery (DC7.4V, 46WH, 6300 mAh)

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Battery removed

Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the RAM

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the RAM replacement warning sticker

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: 4GB DDR3 Samsung RAM chip

\n\tSamsung 4GB DDR3 RAM chip (M471B5273CH0-CH9)

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the right-side port assembly screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Disconnecting the right-side port assembly ribbon cables

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the right-side port assembly

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Right-side port assembly - Top

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Right-side port assembly - Bottom

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the left-side port assembly screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Disconnecting the left-side port assembly ribbon cables

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the left-side port assembly

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Left-side port assembly - Top

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Left-side port assembly - Bottom

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the SSD screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the SSD

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: 128GB Samsung SSD MZMPA128HMFU-00000

\n\t128GB Samsung SATA II SSD – MZMPA128HMFU-00000

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the SSD bracket screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Disconnecting the wireless antenna cables

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Moving the right-side speaker cable away from the SSD bracket

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the SSD bracket

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: SSD bracket - Top

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: SSD Bracket - Bottom

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the wireless card screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the wireless card

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Broadcom 4324A-BRCM1048 802.11b/g/n WLAN+BT PCI-E Mini Card - Top

\n\tBroadcom 4324A-BRCM1048  802.11b/g/n WLAN+BT PCI-E Mini Card

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Broadcom 4324A-BRCM1048 802.11b/g/n WLAN+BT PCI-E Mini Card - Bottom

\n\tBroadcom 4324A-BRCM1048  802.11b/g/n WLAN+BT PCI-E Mini Card

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the right-side PCB screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Right-side lide hinge cover removed

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Disconnecting the right-side PCB ribbon cable from the motherboard

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Disconnecting the right-side speaker cable

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the right-side PCB ribbon cable

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Right-side PCB ribbon cable - Top

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Right-side PCB ribbon cable - Bottom

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the right-side PCB

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Right-side PCB - Top

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Right-side PCB - Bottom

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Right-side PCB markings

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Realtek ALC269 - High Definition Audio Codec with Embedded Class D Speaker Amplifier

\n\tRealtek ALC269 – High Definition Audio Codec with Embedded Class D Speaker Amplifier

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Genesys Logic GL823 USB 2.0 SD/MMC Flash Card Reader single chip

\n\tGenesys Logic GL823 USB 2.0 SD/MMC Flash Card Reader single chip

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Power button contact

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Right-side speaker

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Left-side speaker

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Reading to remove fan and cooling assembly

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the interal fan screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Disconnecting the internal fan cable from the motherboard

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the internal fan

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Internal Fan - Bottom

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Internal fan - Top

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the cooling assembly screws

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the cooling assembly

Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Cooling assembly - Top

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Cooling assembly - Bottom

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Remaining motherboard cables

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Disconnecting the left-side speaker cable from the motherboard

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Disconnecting the Touchpad ribbon cable from the motherboard

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Disconnecting the power jack and display cables from the motherboard

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the motherboard screws

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the motherboard

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Case with motherboard and most internal components removed

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Synaptics Touchpad

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Synaptics T1320A Touchpad controller

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Motherboard (with CMOS battery)

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Removing the CMOS battery

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: CMOS battery

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Motherboard - Top

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Motherboard - Bottom

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Intel Core i5-2537M Processor (3M Cache, 1.40 GHz)

\n\tIntel Core i5-2537M Processor (3M Cache, 1.40 GHz)

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Intel BD82HM65 Platform Controller Hub (PCH)

\n\tIntel BD82HM65 Platform Controller Hub (PCH)

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: SMSC MEC1310-NU Keyboard and Embedded Contoller

\n\tSMSC MEC1310-NU Keyboard and Embedded Contoller

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: NEC USB 3.0 controller (D720200AF1)

\n\tNEC USB 3.0 controller (D720200AF1)

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Parade PS810 HDMI/DVI Level Shifter

\n\tParade PS810 HDMI/DVI Level Shifter

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Texas Instruments TS3L500AE 16-bit to 8-bit SPDT Gigabit LAN switch (Markings: TK500AE)

\n\tTexas Instruments TS3L500AE (Markings: TK500AE) 16-bit to 8-bit SPDT Gigabit LAN switch with LED switch and enahnced ESD protection

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Realtek RTL811E Integrated Gigabit Ethernet Controller for PCI Express Applications

\n\tRealtek RTL811E Integrated Gigabit Ethernet Controller for PCI Express Applications

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Macronix MX25L5121E 512Kb CMOS Serial Flash Memory

\n\tMacronix MX25L5121E 512Kb CMOS Serial Flash Memory

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Intersil ISL95831 3+1 Voltage Regulator for IMVP-7/VR12 CPUs

\n\tIntersil ISL95831 3+1 Voltage Regulator for IMVP-7/VR12 CPUs

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Alpha & Omega AON6786 30V N-Channel MOSFET

\n\tAlpha & Omega AON6786 30V N-Channel MOSFET

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Advanced Power Electronics AP0803GMT-HF Power MOSFET

\n\tAdvanced Power Electronics AP0803GMT-HF 30V 50 A Single N-channel Power MOSFET

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Alpha & Omega AON6912A MOSFET

\n\tAlpha & Omega AON6912A 30V Dual Asymmetric N-Channel MOSFET

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: SMSC EMC2112 Fan controller

\n\tSMSC EMC2112 Fan controller (link to newer EMC2113)

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Texas Instruments TPS54319 Synchronous Step-Down Switcher With Integrated FETs

\n\tTexas Instruments TPS54319 2.95-Vto6-VInput, 3-AOutput, 2-MHz, Synchronous Step-Down Switcher With Integrated FETs

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler

Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Intersil ISL6255 Highly Integrated Battery Charger

\n\tIntersil ISL6255 Highly Integrated Battery Charger with Automatic Power Source Selector for Notebook Computers

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Chip with markings CP=CM U0C

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Advanced Power Electronics APE8953 3A Ultra Low Dropout Linear Regulator

\n\tAdvanced Power Electronics APE8953 3A Ultra Low Dropout Linear Regulator (top markings 8953MP A3929B)

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Motherboard markings

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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Motherboard marking - Logo

\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
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Cracking Open the Samsung Series 9: Completely disassembled

\n\tThanks to its standard Phillips screws, pop-off cover, internal layout, the Samsung Series 9 was a snap to disassemble. I also like that you can upgrade the machine’s RAM. Something you can’t do on the 2010 MacBook Air. Unfortunately, the Series 9 uses the Intel Core i5-2537M processor’s integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 technology. For the price, I would have preferred the Series 9 to use a separate GPU, such as the MacBook Air’s NVIDIA GeForce 320M.

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\n\tPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
\n\tCaption by: Bill Detwiler