Samsung Rebrands Windows PCs to ATIV, Rolls Out New Laptops

Samsung has rebranded its Windows-based PC lineup to ATIV to match its mobile device products, a move the Korean manufacturer said reflects the growing crossover of PC and mobile technologies. The ATIV designation now covers Samsung’s lineup of tablets, all-in-one PCs, laptops and ultrabooks.

Customers will find it easier to understand the various products Samsung offers with the entire portfolio under one banner, Samsung said. The vendor used the occasion to roll out two new Windows PCs under the ATIV name—the ATIV Book 5 and ATIV Book 6—highlighting its commitment to PCs and to extending its mobile technology across its entire product lineup.

“Samsung has been the fastest growing PC brand for the past three years, in part because of our commitment to developing solutions that meet and exceed the ever-evolving needs of our customers,” said Mike Abary, Samsung consumer IT product marketing senior vice president.

The ATIV Book 5 ultrabook is powered by an Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) Core i5 processor, runs Windows 8, features 4GB of memory and a 500GB hard drive. The unit has a 14-inch, 1366 x 768 touchscreen display, weighs slightly over 4 lbs. and is less than one-inch thick. It is priced at $899.99.

Samsung’s ATIV Book 6 is more powerful than the ATIV 5, running an Intel Core i7 processor with 8GB of RAM and 1TB of hard disk storage. The unit features a 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 touchscreen display, weighs a little more than 5 lbs. and is just under one-inch thick. It is priced at $1,199.99.

Both models come equipped with Samsung’s SideSynch technology, a new feature that enables users to toggle back and forth between working on their PC to an Android-based Samsung smartphone through a USB connection. For example, users can respond to a smartphone-received text from their PC keyboard and also view mobile phone screens on their PC displays. SideSync is compatible with all ATIV notebooks, laptops, tablet devices and All-in-One-PCs with Windows 8, Samsung said. It comes pre-loaded on all Samsung Windows 8 ATIV models and currently supports Samsung Android-based devices.

“Our expanded ATIV brand and the introduction of solutions like SideSync create the necessary synergy between our mobile and PC lines to create real ease of use for consumers,” Abary said. “These synergies enable us to maintain our momentum and continue to offer our customers innovations that enhance the way they live and work.”