Hands on: Samsung ZX310 9 Series review

While many tech companies have been playing catch-up and releasing tablet products to rival the iPad at CES 2011, it seems that Samsung has another Apple device in its sights: the MacBook Air.

The ZX310 9 Series laptop is thinner than the MacBook Air and is also has offers better specs.

The chassis looks superb. It has been fashioned out of some wonder metal called duralumin. It's meant to be double the strength of aluminium and is used in the production of planes.


Duralimin means that the laptop is also light, at 1.31kg.

The look of the laptop couldn't be more different from the MacBook Air. It's got a matte finish, unlike the Air, with contours on the surface.
When snapped shut the laptop has a curved lip look, almost like an executive's folder.
Beneath the impressive chassis are some equally impressive specs. These include: an Intel i7 processor, to 8GB memory, a 256GB solid state drive and a 13.1-inch screen.
Also on board is Windows 7, a 1.3MP HD webcam, a touch sensitive gesture pad and uses a lithium-polymer battery.
The gesture pad is responsive and makes it a whole lot easier to move around the laptop's screen.

Not only is the laptop speedy, but it also starts speedy as well. It only takes 12 seconds to boot up – this is a massive boon for those who want to be working straight away.

With battery power that's said to be around three times more powerful than an average laptop, double the memory of the MacBook Air and killer looks, TechRadar can't wait for the UK release date of the ZX310 9 Series laptop to come around.

Hopefully we won't have to wait too long, as the 9 Series is pencilled in for an April release, with pricing to be announced.