Samsung has announced a new range of laptops today that is meant to fit somewhere between the existing Series 3 and Series 9 lines in terms of pricing. The new Series 7 Chronos starts at $999 for a 15.6-inch model packing Intel's 2.20GHz quad-core Core i7-2675QM processor and discrete Radeon HD 6750M graphics, while a 14-inch version brings it down a notch to a dual-core Core i5-2430M processor and a 6490M graphics chip.

In both cases Samsung uses what it calls 'MAX screen' technology to achieve thinner than usual bezels. As a result, the 15.6-inch model's display is said to fit in a 14-inch body while the 14-inch laptop was built into what would normally be closer to a 13-inch chassis. Their aluminum bodies look sleek, though theyr're not as thin as the Series 9.

Samsung is also introducing what it's calling ExpressCache technology on some models, which provides 8GB of flash memory on the motherboard for faster start-up as well as increased overall performance. Like Intel's Smart Response Technology on Z68 motherboards, you can't manually select what to store in this drive, but rather it automatically places your frequently used files and programs on the SSD so it can open them faster.

Other features include a 1600 x 900-resolution, 300-nit display, backlit keyboard, HDMI, two USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0, eight hours of battery life, plus a multi-card slot that can handle SD, SDHC, SDXC and MMC cards. The new Series 7 notebooks will reportedly be available in October, priced between $999 and $1,299 depending on the configuration.