Samsung’s newest notebooks are shameless MacBook Pro clones

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Samsung Notebook 7
Can you tell the difference?
Photo: Samsung

Samsung now sells a MacBook Pro powered by Windows.

It’s not actually a MacBook Pro, of course, but it’s so similar to Apple’s machine that some consumers won’t be able to tell the difference. It doesn’t have a Touch Bar — but it does have a fingerprint scanner.

The Notebook 7 comes in 13- and 15-inch sizes — just like the MacBook Pro — and sports an attractive machined aluminum chassis. One big advantage it has over its rival is a slew of useful ports that Apple no longer supports.

Those include traditional USB 3.0 alongside USB-C, an HDMI connector, and a microSD card slot. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack that will work with microphones, too. The Notebook 7 also impresses under the hood.

Notebook 7 is powered by 8th gen. Intel processors

Samsung has stuffed eighth-generation Intel Core processors into the Notebook 7 lineup. They can be combined with up to 24GB of RAM and up to 512GB of SSD storage. There are also dedicated graphics options.

The 13-inch model offers Intel UHD graphics, like the entry-level 15-inch model. But if you have more to spend, you can upgrade to an Nvidia GeForce MX250 chip in the latter, or buy the beefier Notebook 7 Force with a GTX 1650.

Samsung Notebook 7 Force
The Notebook 7 Force is only available in black.
Photo: Samsung

Whichever model you choose, you’ll get a Full HD (1080p) display, ultra-fast Wi-Fi, a 720p webcam, and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos. All include a fingerprint scanner on the keyboard, too.

Coming to the U.S. on July 26

The Notebook 7 will arrive in the U.S. on July 26 and you’ll be able to buy it through Amazon and Samsung’s own store. Prices start at $999 for the entry-level 13-inch model, which offers 8GB of RAM.

The beefy Notebook 7 Force, which only comes in black, is priced at $1,499. The extra cash not only gets you the most powerful graphics, but also two additional storage slots, 16GB of RAM, and an Ethernet port.

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