Samsung Unveils New Premium Laptops

Samsung on Wednesday unveiled the Galaxy Book Pro premium laptops in its first dedicated launch event for mobile computing.

The notebook market has seen a surprising rebound in the coronavirus pandemic as much persons were forced to home based, and Samsung hopes to expand its Galaxy type of smartphones and tablets into the segment.

The brand new concept emulates Apple's integrated system where content could be shared around all platforms.

Samsung's mobile business chief Roh Tae-moon said at the web event, "That is a really mobile computer that's ultralight and boasts powerful performance and great connectivity with other Galaxy devices."

The laptop come in two versions -- the Galaxy Book Pro 360, with an S Pen stylus and touchscreen that rotates 360 degrees, and the standard Galaxy Book Pro. 

The brand new models are slimmer and lighter than earlier versions for improved portability and also have OLED screens, an initial for the company.

The 13.3-inch style of Galaxy Book Pro, the slimmest and lightest notebook computer Samsung has available, is 11.2 mm thick and weighs just 868 g. 

Pre-orders get started on Thursday in Korea, and they'll hit the stores on May 14. The retail charges for the Galaxy Book Pro will range between W1.3 million and W2.51 million and the Galaxy Book Pro 360 from W1.81 million to W2.74 million (US$1=W1,114).

Samsung was keen to highlight the connectivity to other Galaxy devices. Unlike Apple products that use the same operating system, Samsung's smartphones use Android and its laptops Windows, so compatibility is a problem.

However now Samsung says it has worked closely with Microsoft to iron out difficulties. For example, the "hook up to Windows" function in the Galaxy smartphone allows users to access up to five smartphone apps on the notebook simultaneously, to allow them to make calls, send messages, and play games via laptop. Also, pictures and videos taken with the phone can be instantly accessed and edited on the laptop.