Samsung laptops splash onto U.S. shores

With the exception of the Netbook, all the laptops share the existing red-and-black Samsung brand design.

(Credit: Michelle Thatcher/CNET)

Samsung has long sold laptops in Europe and Asia, but for years its reach in the U.S. mobile computing market has been limited to the Q1 UMPC, a niche product. That's all set to change after Tuesday, though, when the company announced that it would begin selling laptops in the United States.

Given the tight margins and fierce competition of the American laptop market, it's always a pleasant surprise--for consumers and reviewers, at least--whenever a new player enters the fray. And Samsung looks to be off to a solid, if conservative, start by launching seven laptops in four categories: Netbook (the NC10), slim ultraportable (the X series), mainstream consumer (the Q series and R series) and business (the P series).

With the exception of the Netbook, all the laptops share the existing red-and-black Samsung brand design. And though the laptops are competitively priced, none will dip below $1,000 (again, the Netbook is an exception), making Samsung a player in the premium laptop market and a competitor to such manufacturers as Sony and Apple.

For specs and more details on individual laptops, check our blog posts for the NC10, the X series, the Q/R series, and the P series.

[jkeels]

Well, this is certainly interesting news. I know that the European press has praised Samsung laptops for a long time. Frankly, I am surprised that samsung didn't make the move into the American market sooner. They certainly will face strong competition here. However, given that Samsung has some of the best laptops available in Europe I think they will be alright. Samsung generally has excellent products anyway.

[jwrupe]

Do any have touch screens? Appears no. If not, I'll stick with my Q1P/vista

[maverick_nick]

After looking at the new Macbook, I don't think that I could look at another computer in the same way again.

[zarrik]

It's hard to "look" at the new MacBook Pro because it's new glossy, glass screen doesn't resist glare.

[zarrik]

[continuation of myprevious comment] Look at the photos taken at the event which were not provided by Apple. The glare on the MacBook screen is very noticeable and much worse than gloss-coated LCD screens.

[zarrik]

Samsung makes great products, and I think it's about time they entered this market.

[mishani]

"will begin selling laptops" is not quite correct. Samsung had laptops in the US markets 10 years ago or so, but did not had much success, so it's making a comeback now.