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.
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.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
