I may be of use...

Hi there, i just thought i'd introduce myself. i may be able to make myself quite usefull in this forum as i'm currently working for Samsung's technical support team in the UK, meaning i'm privy to very up-to-date information. If there's anything that you think I could help with, please just ask.

 

Hello

nice to meet samsung ppl

 

welcome home!

 

Brig, glad to have you. Can you convince your peers to get some notebooks to the US? That would be great

 

Thanks guys,


I'm not sure about the current legislation, but to my knowledge there is a legally binding agreement between Dell and Samsung stating that Samsung will not sell directly to US distributors. I'll check it out in more detail tomorrow morning.

p.s. i'll try and get some specs for the X60 / R65 too.

 

Brigand21 !!!! OMG!! Nice to have you here man.

Oddly I was just hoping that someone could acutally give a well detailed review of the X60 and future models that Samsung has to offer, also Pricing would help too

You can count me in for asking alot of Q's

Firstly, If you can write a review of the Samsung X60:
Can you follow this template... or similiar.. hehe it's hefty.

Specs of the Laptop
- List all of the specs
Price
- Euros, Canadian Dollar, US Dollar, British Pound
Reason to get a Laptop
- School
- Desktop Replacement
Other Laptop Choices
- ASUS Z70va, cheaper, more flexible, but not an ensemble unit
- ASUS W1 CE, fully loaded, little heavy, was not recommended to me
- Samsung X20 and ASUS V6va are great, but i now prefer widescreen
- Acer Ferrari, Hp Dvz4000 there nice, but not as light or thin as X50
Intial Impressions (PICS of Body)
- what you like about it
Screen (Pic of Screen)
- Flex
- Viewing Angles (Pics of Horizontal and Vertical Angles to CRT)
- Brightness (Pics of different Brightness)
- Overall Display
Keyboard (Pic of Keyboard)
- Flex
- Sound
- Softness
- Ergonomics
Touchpad (Pic of Touch Pad)
- Heat
- Smooth movement
- Buttons in general
Flex
- Screen Flex
- Hinges no Creak
- Keyboard Flex
- Wristpads Flex and Creak
Build Quality
- Overall sturdyness
- Can hold laptop in different corners without flex (Pic of these)
Size and Weight
- Remeasure all dimensions and weight
- Weight the Battery (Pic of battery)
- Weight the machine without the Battery
- Your opinion of the overall size
Heat and Noise
- Where are the warm spots?
- How warm are these spots?
- How fast the it get warm?
- Where does the noise come from?
- On Different Power modes, compare noise
Battery Life
- No U-Volt, Wifi on, BT off, Battery mode, Brightness readable
- No U-Volt, Wifi on, BT on, Battery mode, Brightness Max
- U-Volt, Wifi on, BT off, Battery mode, Brightness readable
- U-Volt, Wifi on, BT on, Battery mode, Brightness Max
- U-Volt, Wifi on, BT off, Battery mode, Brightness MAx, Play DVD
- U-Volt, Wifi on, BT off, Battery mode, Brightness MAx, Play Game
- U-Volt, Wifi Off, BT off, Battery mode, Brightness MAx, Video DJ
- U-Volt, Wifi Off, BT off, Battery mode, Brightness readable, Audio DJ
Benchmarks
- All on fresh boots
- 3DMark01 SE
- 3DMark03
- 3DMark05
- PCMark05
> State the current programs and processes running
Games
- Quake 4, state graphic setting and resolution, Min FPS, Avg FPS, Max FPS
- AOE III, " " " " " " " "
- F.E.A.R. " " " " " " " "
- NFS MW " " " " " " "
> State the current programs and processes running
Final Impressions
- State some things that are good or bad or neutral
PROs
- list them according to the headings above
CONS
- list them according ot the headings above
Recommend the laptop
- Tell the people whether you recommend this laptop based on above topics.

SEcondly if you can't lol, then could you comment about the Screen, Screen brightness and viewing angles and flex.

Also what versions of the Samsung X60 will come to the UK?
AS for the X50 the UK only got the X600 vid card which I was extremely dissapointed in, and other European countries got the X700 GPU.

The X60 comes with GMA 900 or X1400 or X1600, I am hopeing the X60 UK will come with the X1600.

Also does the X60 have the ability to swtich from GMA900 to X1600 and vice versa?

Thanks in advance,

MysticGolem

 

I know that deal is in play partly because of the Latitude X1, but it's my understanding that Dell isn't working with Samsung after that unit. Any light you can shed on that would be excellent.

 

Hi Brigand21

Id like to second mysticgolem's post as I am very interested in the X60, and would love to know when I may be able to purchase a HI-RES version WSXGA+ in the UK

thanks

 

P.S - 1 more thing....what is Samsung UK's pixel tolarence policy?

 

FYI

http://www.samsungpc.com/gb/support/x60/specs/x60spec.pdf

 

The pixel policy varies from panel to panel, even within the same model, which particular model is in question? a model code from the base of the machine would be ideal. (to identify the model code if it is a UK model the model code would end "/SUK" )

 

thanks for that.

1 thing i have noticed from the spec is that both displays are only 18bit which is a real shame, especially as I do graphics for a living....

 

Additionally just in response to Mystic Golem's Uber post! we've not actually got an X60 in the office atm, so I can't run any benchmarks on the machine yet, but it's just a matter of time.

 

WOW great, thanks for the Spec Sheet Brigand21

BTw, do you know the end Configurations for the X60 in the UK? And their Prices?

If not I don't mind waiting


Thanks,

MysticGolem

 

Hi Brigand 21,
Actually, yes, I certainly could use your advise - I've just posted a new thread called "re-install Samsung drivers" which is right in your area of knowledge.

Also, a quick extra question; the speakers on the X10 are very, ummm, tinny! I know they have to be small, but there does not even seem any access to adjusting the Bass & Treble levels, to balance this out a bit!
Any suggestions?
thanks in advance
Sandman

 

I was going to suggest taking a looking at the "advanced" settings under the volume controls, but I’ve just checked our X10 and the driver doesn't support tone changes... bummer. All I can suggest to get a better sound from your notebook is either try an external sound card like creative lab's Audigy pcmcia effort or sourcing a set of external powered speakers that will likely have tone controls on them directly. I hate when the only solution I can think of involves shelling out more cash but nothing else springs to mind.

Sorry about that, but it's worth noting that laptop sound in general is pretty poor and usually near the bottom of the list of design constraints when it comes to notebook design, people just aren't vocal enough when it comes to the audio requirements for their notebooks. If enough people speak up, then perhaps manufacturers will heed this and address the situation.

 

Hi,
Thanks for that - we already have an exterior set-up, but just wanted to see if we were missing something "internal" we could alter.
By the way, we are doing the re-install right now of Windows XP Home - any thoughts on drivers etc (See my other post)
Thanks again
Sandman

 

You'll find the most up-to-date drivers on www.samsungpc.com and it looks like the audio driver has been updated since release, i'll try and find time to update our machine at some point today to see if it will enable the tone controls, but I must say I remain sceptical...

 

Sorry for not being thorough I just read your other post just to note that there is no advantage in using the older drivers and updating them, you're better off just using the latest ones first. Additionally there's no specific order of installation necesary, but in general the recommended order is:

1. Chipset drivers
2. Drivers for the other devices ( GFX, network drivers etc. )
3. Latest version of direct x
4. Then run the latest windows updates

Please note this advice isn't specific to your machine, but from my experience this is the best order to set up your machine after running a basic windows install.

Hope that helps. please feel free to quiz me further, i've just started work for the day so i'll be checking back regularly.

 

Hi,
Thanks for the info - we actually forged ahead last night and installed everything we could - the latest audio driver doesn't allow any further control unfortunately, but no matter.
Most of the items installed Ok, but we found some could be installed straight from the zip, and some needed unpacking.
Some observations/questions below;
One thing very noticeable - the USB2 Driver when installed totally caused the USB ports to fail - only uninstalling it got everything back! I wondered if this was a SP2 problem?
Another thing - I am not convinced the Chipset Driver 6.2.1.1001 installed. Is there a way to check if it is installed? (The driver for the processor showing in System Hardware is 5.1.2600.0 but I'm not sure this is the same driver & this number doesn't relate to anything we installed). Is there somewhere else to look, and if it has not taken, any danger in installing it now with everything else up & running?
Lastly, there still does not seem to be any way to set power profiles for Centrino speed & screen brightness when on battery. Our other laptop is a Toshiba M15-S405, and the Toshiba power controls allow me to have different profiles for these items as well as the usual windows controls for when the hard drive turns off, screen turns off etc.
Any help/comments on the above would be most appreciated.
All the Best
Sandman

 

Firstly it's always prudent to unzip the drivers before installing them, some may even appear to install correctly from the zip but could be missing certain components. The USB issue may well be tied in with SP2, as SP2 has integrated USB 2 support from the outset, so a driver conflict may have caused problems, the most obvious way of seeing if SP2 is handling your USB2 is to simply try a USB2 device.
With regards to your chipset drivers, think of your chipset driver as a bundle of mini-drivers for your machine, most of which will not have been updated, e.g. it's unlikely the processor driver will have needed a revision so it's driver version would remain unchanged, also please note there is no risk in re-installing the chipset driver over whet you have already, windows will identify if the versions are the same and not update if it's not necessary. And for your final point there unfortunately isn't any profile management available for the x10 there are basic settings for turning speedstep (CPU throttling) on and off and settings for keeping display brightness at maximum when plugged in or unplugged or having brightness auto-dim when unplugged, in the bios (F2 on system boot).

Hope that's useful, please keep me posted on your progress.

 

Hi again,
Thanks for this information - very very useful!
I successfully installed the chipset drivers, also the latest memory stick drivers, so everything is up to date.
The USB2 drivers in SP2 are definitely the ones to go for it seems - we were using a USB mouse which failed on installation of the Samsung driver, and worked again when we de-installed it.
So, changed the auto-dim setting in the bios, and, frankly, it is better with it off; the screen still dims to the same degree when you unplug, but the maximum brightness you can achieve using the function key is the same as plugged, instead of being "governed", so you actually get more functionality!

Thanks again for the help - I must say, having been used to Toshiba's update site, where they tell you how to install every driver or application in simple detail (For instance, unpack, or simply run, an update, and suggest where to unpack to for people unused to this), then the Samsung site is rather lacking - very much a "here you are, that's your lot" approach. BUT the Samsung X10 is fabulous, and looks like it will finally lure me away, after many years, from Toshiba to a Samsung, when I get my next computer!
Thanks again for all your help - I owe you a beer next time I'm in Scotland!
Cheers
sandman

 

Thanks very much for the feedback, i'm glad I could help!

 

hello

i have a question about samsung warranty extension. i have bought a samsung m50 in france and i have phoned samsung hotline in order to know where i can buy these extensions. they replied me that i have to buy it where i have buy the machine and nowhere else ! the problem is that my reseller havent good prices for these extensions : 280€ for 2 years ! it's expensive

so can you help me and say me if theses informations are right

thanks a lot

 

Yeah, the samsung warranty is a weird one, Samsung dont sell it directly but you certainly aren't obliged to purchase it from your original retailer. Most stockists of Samsung notebooks will sell you one, effectively you are paying for a certificate no. Which you can then register against your notebooks' serial number. I only know about UK retailers of these certificates but I just checked, and 280 euros is overpriced. UK retailers will sell these certificates for around £120 ( approx €170-€180 ) I would suggest contacting digicare - 0870 112 5440 ( a UK samsung repair centre ) who should be able to source you one. Please note that the warranty is european ( n.b. cover is global ) and one purchased in UK perfectly applicable to a French notebook.

Please keep me posted and tell me how you get on.

 

Brigand21 any info on the P60 Titanium?
I think the Weight is 2.47kg, what about the dimensions?, processor? (duo core), Ram? HD? and eveything else.


Thanks,

MysticGolem

 

Info is tight atm, you're correct about the weight, the p60's dimensions and spec will be roughly identical to the x60, think of the X60 as the home user version and the p60 the buisness class revision with the standard buisness features i.e. fingerprint reader, matte screen, and surprisingly a lack of the card reader that the x60 has...

indeed the P60 will contain the core duo, and include the same options of discrete gfx adapter and just like the x60 has options for hdds ranging from 4.2k to 7.2k both pata and sata.

hope that helps, sorry for vagueness

 

yeh thanks a lot !
i have found this http://www.rlsupplies.co.uk/products/product.asp?id=157360
what do you think about ?

 

Nice find there! Can anyone find a lower price?

 

Brigand21,

please tell us if Q30 will be upgraded soon (when?) with ULV single core 1.3GHz processor and, if so, if there are some other changes in this model should be expected.

Which Samsung models with dual core LV processors can be expected soon?

Other question, why it is so difficult in Europe to find Q30 in dark-blue color.
Only red and silver ones are sold! Are there plans to change it?

Thanks.

 

I'm glad to see Samsung notebook are increasingly appearing in the Australian market...

Is there a Samsung distributor in Australia where I would be able to order the Samsung notebook of my choice directly?
(Melbourne, Australia)?

 

Maybe this is useful for you: http://www.samsung.com/au/support/saleslocations/index.htm

 

Hello Brigand21,

I am living in Poland where is no service or support for samsung notebooks. I bought used Samsung X10 with german keyboard. I wanted to change at least the letter "y" and "z". While doing it I broke one plastic part which holds button to the rest of the keyboard. I don't have warranty anymore that's I would like to repair it on my own, not to send to the service as it might be quite expensive.
Please let me know if you have any idea where i can buy the whole keyboard or at least this small plastic part. Write here in forum or to my mail: [email protected]

Thank you in advance.

Piotrwil

 

A more simplier way to change the letters y and z: changing the region. Would have been more safe ...

 

I don't really understand what you mean Tom. I am get used to qwerty keyboard. Even though tha layout on my keyboard is qwertz I use qwerty settings. I was just bored one day and decided that at least these to buttons will be on the right place. In the past I already changed some buttons on different laptop keyboards and it was never a problem. In Samsung X10 the wat the buttons are attached to keyboard is a bit more complicated, that's why i broke one plastic part.
Now I already know how does it work. I would be happy if I can buy somewhere some parts of keyboard or used or broken one to Samsung X10 (any layout).
I am also considering buying brand new keyboard but as far as I know Samsung is not selling them.
Does anybody knows where I can buy keyboard to Samsung X10?

I would be grateful for some help.

Thanks,

Piotrwil

 

OK, sorry. This was a missunderstandment.

 

Hi Tom. I got a Samsung X20 and I got several questions. First, the AV Now function on my laptop is not fully English, how could update it to fully English? Second, how could I turn the DNel or whatever function on? Third, I could turn on/off the S/P DIF but when I connect it to my reciever it has no sound. Last, it could read SD card but can't read RS MMC with SD adapter, is there an update driver for it? thanks Tom.

 

Did you buy your notebook in Germany?

If yes, you can contact Samsung Deutschland and ask them for a new AVStation CD for free. Probably a newer version support English better.

What's DNel?

Try a new driver for your S/P DIF problem. http://support.samsung.de/modelselect.aspx?modelcode=NP-X20&fileType=UM
But maybe your receiver has a problem ...

Again, for your adapter try also a new driver from the link I posted above.

 

hi guys,

i just bought a Q35 (v. impressed so far!) and was wondering what the little plastic bung on the left hand side next to the network port is covering? thought i'd ask as the manuals don't mention it and i didn't want to go digging it out only to find it's a screw or something...

thanks,

el

 

I was talking about DNIs and DNSe: Digital Natural Image/Sound Engine. how do I turn on the DNIs? the DNSe could be turned on with "3D" function key right? when I plug the cable in S/P DIF port the laptop's speakers still play, I don't think it is because of my receiver since i'm using optical everyday on it, I will try your driver after I get home today. what about RS MMC memory card? I live in USA, is there a update I can download to make my own CD for the AV Now? I did contact www.samsungpc.com and they said they will transfer my question to someone else and as soon as anything comes back they will email me but it was 3 months ago.

 

3D-Sound can be enabled with Fn+F8.
I don't know if you can download AVStation from the Internet (I thought only the Win program).
Try to contact Samsung Germany with your question: http://support.samsung.de/index_kontakt.asp.

 

update, the cover/bung thing is in so tightly that i don't think i could remove it without damaging it... also it has a symbol next to it that looks sort of like dMb

anyone any ideas?

 

further digging suggests that the Q35 comes with a built in DMB reciever and that this may be a connector for a DMB aerial... if so, why is there nothing in the manual regarding this and no software for it?

are DMB services available in the uk?

here's a photo of the Q35 with what is apparently a DMB aerial...

 

The Korean version of the X60 includes a DMB receiver. However, this is not included in the versions sold in other countries (I think the DMB technology is special to Korea). The internal socket for the DMB receiver module is next to the RAM slots and the external socket (for the antenna?) is covered.

I susspect that your Q35 does not include the DMB module. It would be useful if Samsung put in an analogue/ digitial TV module for the computers sold in other countries.

John

 

Brigand!

Having had a very bad experience with a previous notebook and a PCMCIA tv tuner card, this time I would like to insure myself that I won't do the same error twice.

PCMCIA TV Tuner cards made by AverMedia (being one of the better ones) need 1A output from the PCMCIA slot. Some of the notebooks supply this, others don't (the previous notebook did not). Can you please tell me, if Samsung X60 is able to give 1A in the PCMCIA slot? Also what does the "Express card slot ready for later" statment mean in the spec sheet? Does it have an Express card slot or not?

To check the TV card, go here:
AverMedia AVerTV Hybrid+FM Cardbus

Your help is appreciated!

 

Hope you will like it, though it is slightly too heavy for my taste.
What the chassis is made of, magnesium alloy or plastic? Does it get hot?
At which temperature the fan goes on?

 

would also like to know this

 

to me the weight is not an issue, i weigh 19 stone (and i'm not very fat), to me it's light as a feather. as the battery sticks out of the back, it's not particulary well balanced.

as for getting hot, i can honestly say i haven't noticed, but then usually if it's plugged in it's on a desk. on battery i believe only one core runs which probably keeps the heat down but i can't say it's become anywhere near what i would consider hot.

 

the case appears to be 100% plastic, i haven't looked inside yet to see if there's metalwork or not.
construction feels pretty **** sturdy, but there's no catch to secure the lid/screen when closed.

as for the temperature that the fan comes on, i have absolutely no idea. it's so quiet that sometimes i forget it's on! under load the fan picks up a little, but not enough to spoil the watching of a DVD at half volume using the laptop's own speakers.

 

i have a samsung X11 laptop. (i used to have an X10)
i really lke the improvements made in performance AND durability.

I have ONE question to anyone out there...

i have a MAGIC KEYBOARD (hot key) setup. BUT the area in which I am suposed to pick and choose the hotkeys and functions is all grey!!! I cant edit or do anything!!!

has anyone else had this problem with a samsung notebook?

(personally, I DONT USE the AV-Station, so I have no need for the AV-Station button. if I can get the magic keyboard to change the AVstation button for something more usefull for my needs then I am a happy man!!!)


any ideas?

my laptop came with 'magic keyboard' pre-installed,, so how come its all grey and un-editable?

marc