Samsung Notebook Series 9 - almost perfect but HDMI to VGA adapter still elusive

Last July 17, 2011, my Samsung Notebook Series 9 finally arrived. Was so excited in unboxing it and made sure that all the necessary tools are installed from anti-virus, Adobe tools, to OpenOffice so I can already get to work.

The Samsung Notebook Series 9 is a beautiful device. But without the HDMI to VGA adapter, it is a luxurious investment that fails serving its most useful purpose - to have a lightweight machine I can use for presentations.

It is great to have a 2nd powerful laptop with you that can perform task while busy with your main laptop. I now use this during training as my MacBook Pro oftentimes have to be connected to the projector and need to do other tasks while at it. I use this for my video uploads as well and attend to project specific tasks.

I picked this model recognizing the reality that gadgets are status symbol icons. In the field am in where most of my peers sports the latest device, I have to choose mine wisely without bordering to luxurious spending. The laptop, being sexy due to its slim body, catches attention the moment it is opened. It is fast in loading applications and has beautiful screen resolution too.

The search for VGA adapter
What only frustrates me at the moment is the unavailability of its HDMI to VGA adapter. This accessory, if I have it, should allow me to connect the Samsung Notebook Series 9 to an LCD projector and do my presentations.

Up to this moment, despite several attempts of making calls to get one, I am unsuccessful in getting it. What is funny when making calls and identifying my need, despite stating the laptop model, it seems all the tech people we talked to doesn't know what the heck is this VGA adapter. The Quick Start Guide included in the box didn't state the model number that makes things harder too. Some will give us a price of up to P6,500 requiring it on a per-order basis and needs an upfront payment.

Although the U.S. site states that this AA-AH1NAMB HDMI to VGA adapter is only US$39.99. Now I realized that I should have ordered this while in the U.S. last month and end my frustration. Note that locally, I also tried looking for unbranded counterparts in CDR King but they don't have one.

I will be in Singapore this October 13 and 14 to attend an event. If I am lucky, hope to find it there.

(hay... deep breath...)

Join the Sexy Street Style Promo and win a Samsung Notebook Series 9

Last April 28, I dropped by the Samsung Notebook Series 9: INPERSPECTIVE exhibit at Powerplant Mall Makati that showed what makes this gadget the thinnest, lightest, and brightest as interpreted by design experts publications such as Metro Home, My Home, and Real Living.

The said event was the launch pad as well of Samsung's sexiest promo in Facebook, as it redefines the word: “sexy” with the Samsung Notebook Series 9’s Sexy Street Style.

Join this fashionable promo and get a chance to win a Samsung Notebook Series 9 and designer dresses from Rajo Laurel, Rhette Eala, and Randy Ortiz!

To join:

1. Register on Samsung Notebook Series 9: Sexy Street Style Facebook fanpage.
2. Upload a stylish photo of yourself that defines what sexy for you is.
3. Write about your personal definition of sexy.
4. Ask your friends to vote for your sexy photo entry. (Check out my entry)
5. Make it your profile picture in Facebook. (view my profile photo as example)

Sexiest photos will get a chance to win either a Samsung Notebook Series 9 or a Rajo Laurel, Rhette Eala, or Randy Ortiz designer wear.

If you need some sort of inspiration to craft your personal definition of "sexy", check out how Manila's most fashionable define it in this video.

Here is the Samsung Notebook Series 9 Product Specs for your reference:

• Ultra Slim Profile at 0.64”
• Lightweight Body at 2.86lbs.
• Stunning display at 400NIT
• Intel Core i5-2537M Processor
• (1.40GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 3MB cache memory)
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
• 4GB DDR3 Memory
• 128GB Solid State Drive
• 13.3-inch LED Hi-Definition (400NIT, Non-Gloss) Screen with SuperBrightPlus Technology
• Built-in 1.3 Megapixel Hi-Definition Webcam
• Built-in Bluetooth Version 3.0 Hi-Speed
• Chargeable 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, MicroSD Card Slot
• Surround Sound 3D Sound Effect
• Arch Flow Design, Black Chassis, Made from Duralumin (2x Stronger than Aluminum)
• 3 Years Warranty (1 Year International, 2 Years Local)

Samsung Notebook Series 9 suggested retail price is seventy-nine thousand nine hundred pesos (P79,900.00). It is available in retail outlets nationwide.

Sexy for me is all about how you carry yourself well in a variety of situations that puts your best foot forward. (Friends, kindly vote or like my photo.)

In case you joined the Sexy Street Style Promo contest, let me know and will cast a vote for your entry to support. Good luck!

Gadgets and Status Symbol

I guess it is inevitable that if you are to establish yourself as a public speaker or a visible online personality, the gadgets you use can influence people's perspective on you, whether you are successful or not, whether you are credible or not.

Through the years, this is something that I noticed even more as my efforts in "gearing up" escalated due to competitive or peer pressure, among other things. It is now a situation where how you present yourself can influence whether a prospective client or customer wants to deal with you.

This became more evident to me as I saw how local SEO folks in various parts of the country "flaunt" the assets bought from what they earned in their business. Recalling a speaking engagement in a nearby province where testimonial speakers showed what they were able to purchase (I have shown none) through their earnings.

During the question and answer, one participant asked how much am I earning. Did not reveal any figures and shared my passion in re-investing with new projects. After the event, the person approached me and concluded that I must be doing better since my laptop is a Mac while the others were using netbooks or affordable laptop brands. It is interesting to see how people somehow try to arrive at an impression based on the gadget you use.

Another event had me in a panel with 3 male speakers who were all sporting Macs, iPad, and the likes while I was using my well-loved Toshiba laptop. As our topic was all about social media, its typical audience are either Mac users or those who never got their hands in a Mac before. In short, my fellow speakers already had a wow factor upon seeing their gear while I have to finish my talk piece before I get my own share of wow.

The Mac Switch

For laptops, I have tried brands like NEC, Toshiba, IBM, Fujitsu, and the last one I had was MCS - which were all Windows-based. But when I got a hit by a virus a day before a speaking engagement last year, the time to fix was not in my favor and decided to get a Mac.

On the next few days and weeks in events where I spoke, non-Mac user peers took notice with a "wow". Those who were already Mac user asked when did I switch and started giving suggestions. It is like being part of a whole new community segment. There's this feeling that "you have arrived".

The need for a PC

But then again, the more I use a Mac, the more I realize that I still need a 2nd machine that I can use when the Mac does not seem to cooperate with the projector used in an event. Furthermore, for web development testing, live webinars, and certified ethical hacker exam preparations.

With the pressure of having a cool and presentable gadget to use, a few brands came to mind like Alienware and Sony Vaio. However, another gadget that caught my attention lately was the Samsung Notebook Series 9 (dubbed as Sexy PC for being the thinnest).

It was lend to me when preparing for my notes at iBlog7 where Samsung was a sponsor. My Mac then was tied up for the event livestream.

The Samsung Notebook Series 9 has the following features and is priced at nearly eighty thousand pesos (P79k++):

• Measures 16.3mm (0.64 inches) in depth
• Screen size of 13 inches
• 1.31 kg (2.88lbs.) in weight
• uses Samsung's LED technology: 'SuperBright Plus' display (400nit) with 16 million color reproduction. 13.3-inch HD LED-backlit
• Encased in Duralumin metal alloy (known to be used in specialized aircrafts).
• 2nd Generation Intel Core i5 Processor 2537M (1.40 GHz, 3MB; turbo up to 2.3 GHz)
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) / Windows® 7 Professional (64 bit)
• 4GB DDR3 (up to 8GB)
• 128GB Solid State Drive (up to 256)
• Resolution: 1366×76
• Intel HD GT2 Integrated Graphics
• 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, WiMax
• USB 3.0
• 3 watt (1.5W x 2) stereo speakers and 1.5 watt sub-woofer
• 1.3megapixel HD Webcam
• Li-Po battery (up to 6.5 hours)

Update: April 8, 2013

I end up purchasing the Samsung Notebook Series 9 last 2011. But the lack of a VGA plug for presentations made me use it less than intended.

Nevertheless, it is now being used by my "samurai" and glad its power is being maximized.

Yes I am still contemplating on a 2nd PC unit.

Definitely, that gadget needs to be suitable when I speak at events. Durable and tech-friendly for all the experiments and trials I will do with it.