Samsung Notebook Series 9 rivals Apple's Macbook Air

KOREAN HARDWARE GIANT Samsung has announced that its MacBook Air rival, the Notebook Series 9, will be available from UK retailers in May.

Announced in January, the Notebook Series 9 measures only 16.3mm thick. This is thinner than the MacBook Air if you go by its thickest point, which is 17.3mm. But when you consider that the MacBook Air's thinnest point is only 3mm you'll have to decide for yourself which one is actually thinner.

Samsung hasn't managed to surpass Apple in the weight game though, as the Series 9 weighs a respectable 1.31kg but that is 0.25kg more than the MacBook Air.

Fast Start is one main feature of the Series 9. Samsung claims that the 'instant-on' feature allows users to start working in 12 seconds. If the notebook is in sleep mode then Fast Start powers it on in just 3 seconds.

The Notebook Series 9 is equipped with Intel's second generation Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB solid state drive, and is preloaded with Windows 7. Samsung has opted for duralumin for the chassis material, which is apparently twice as strong as aluminium. Prices will start at £1,299. µ