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1Here’s the Series 9 Ultrabook 13-Inch Version
2Default Screen Brightness Setting Falls Short
3Samsung Brightness Claim Is a Stretch
The second round brightness test shows that you can increase the brightness on the Series 9’s screen so that it’s about equal to that of the Lenovo T-410. This makes Samsung’s claim that their notebook is twice as bright as other notebook computers questionable. It may well be twice as bright as other Ultrabooks, however.
4Maximum Brightness Falls Short of iPad
5The Series 9 Is Unquestionably Thin
6Built-In Speakers Won’t Provide Optimal Sound
7Series 9 Flat Keyboard Works Fine–Except for Right Clicks
This is a close look at the Series 9’s keyboard. You’ll note that the keys are very flat. However, the flat area below the keyboard provides a very useful palm rest that makes typing easier than it might be otherwise. Note the “Fn” key on the lower left of the keyboard. To get a right click, you must press this, and also press the right “Ctrl” key, which is on the right side of the space bar. You can see the tiny menu to tell you that it does this. It’s quite inconvenient. The rectangular area is the touch surface that clicks when pressed. It provides good control and is easy to use, except when right clicks are required.
8Series 9 Right-Side View
9Series 9 Left-Side View
On the left side of the computer is the rest of the port complement. They are a power input, a USB 3.0 port, the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port (you need another dongle here), and the Ethernet port (this dongle is included with the computer). The DVD drive is external, optional and connects to the USB port.
10Series 9 Rear View
11Screen Is Still Visible From Extreme Vertical Angle
12Screen Provides Broad Horizontal Viewing Angle
The Series 9 also allows a very wide horizontal viewing angle, as this photo taken from the side shows. Several people can view the screen at one time and still be able to see it.