Samsung Series 5 Ultrabook Hits US Pre-Order

Samsung's Series 5 ultrabook has gone up for preorder in the US, though the company is still yet to confirm launch plans for the ultraportable laptop outside of Korea. Announced and thrown up for sale in Korea last month, the 13.3-inch Series 5 has been listed by US retailer J&R for $899.99, which will net you a 1.6GHz Core i5-2467M processor, 4GB of RAM and a 1366 x 768 anti-reflective display, all wrapped up in a 3.24lb package.

Samsung's Series 5 uses the ultrabook name, though it doesn't quite conform to all of the original minimum specifications Intel mandated. The ultraportable uses a 500GB hard-drive, rather than SSD storage, but pairs that with 16GB of ExpressCache that is used to pare down boot times; Samsung reckons users will go from hibernate to the desktop in seven seconds, or from sleep mode in two seconds.

Otherwise there's Intel HD Graphics 3000, WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0+HS and WiDi support, along with gigabit ethernet, a multiformat memory card slot, 1.3-megapixel webcam and 4W speakers. Connectivity includes a single USB 3.0, two USB 2.0, a combo audio in/out and HDMI, and the whole thing measures 12.4 x 8.6 x 0.58-0.69 inches.

J&R isn't saying when the Series 5 is expected in stock, only that it's "coming soon"; still, it's pricing is competitive (compared to both the converted Korean pricing and Samsung's own Series 9 range).

[Thanks Deron!]