New Samsung Q210 / P210 notebook (12.1")

Hi there
Planning to buy q210 with the intention to use it as a HD video player (not only of course), so my question to the lucky owners of that beauty is: how's HDMI ?
Have anybody tested it with the decent FullHD TV ? 1080p ? Does it run hot and noisy trying to decode h.264 1080 ?

Thanks in advance

 

dr_zet, i have mine plugged into my 22" monitor via HDMI most of the time, it's not 1080 but the other one (720 or 760, can never remember). it's great though.

i dont have any h.264 encoded files, but i very much doubt it's a problem for this machine. and as for hot and noisy, this notebook doesnt know the definition of noisy.

would be happy to test if you can link to any free sample h.264 files.

 

I've pulled the trigger on one of these beauts
These posts are making me even more excited about it.
I did order it from LaptopsDirect as they were a smigin cheaper, hope it all fold out ok.

 

I just got mine.

However, I have a dead pixel and the area around the cd drive sounds creaky.

Do you think I should return it?

I'm thinking I may aswell see if I can get a better one?

Any advice would be helpful.

 

You would need to check the dead pixel policy. Is it dead (black) or shining a colour such bright red all the time. So your best grounds for return would be the creakiness. Can you explain further what it is like?

John

 

From what I was aware I can return under the Distance Selling Regulations for any reason?

However, I have just got off the phone with Saveonsamsung and they said they couldn't accept a return. They seem to operate all their returns through Samsung directly, utilising their 28 DOA policy. I did phone Samsung directly and a very nice guy said that I was well within my right to demand a replacement direct with the seller, this is exactly what I thought. But Saveon aren't having any of it (so far very disappointed with Saveonsamsung's customer service).

The creakiness is just apparent when I put pressure on the right wrist rest above the cd drive. If for example I apply light pressure by squeezing about an inch in underneath the drive it squeaks/creakes. I was just expecting it to feel more solid there? It just seems like the underneath of the cd drive isn't solidly constructed.

So do you think I should phone them back and try arguing it based on the creaky drive?

p.s. the pixel isn't dead it is either a hot pixel or a lit green pixel, hard to tell.

p.p.s the creakiness goes away when I open the disc drive and apply the light pressure as mentioned

revision: looks like 2 dead pixels in a line

 

Yes, the Distance Selling Regulations do apply.

However, if you've actually got two problem pixels together then that could justify a return under the dead pixel policy. Two together are much more noticeable than one. If you can get Samsung to agree that there is something defective then there is an RMA process which means that SaveonSamsung can pass the computer back to Samsung for repair instead of getting landed with an open box computer to be sold at a discount.

John

 

OMG, I love this thing
Ordered it last night (7pm) and already delivered (12pm the next day)
It feels so much more robust than my now old HP Pavillion 17"
Only downside soo far is the mini keyboard which will take me a couple days to get used to, almost there.

I personally think the touch of red is perfect, its a little toned down than the photoshopped images on the net, much more subtle...

HAPPY!!!

 

Lucky for some...I'm not.

Going to return tomorrow I hope. But when I spoke to Saveonsamsung the woman seemed to think Distance Selling Regulations didn't apply to laptops, she was saying that once it is opened I can't, from what I am aware she is completely wrong, correct? I argued with her, and said I would call back once I got clarification of my rights. So I have just emailed with FAO the manager, hopefully that should clear this up.

They should just accept a return based on the poor build quality around the drive I hope, as it isn't acceptable

So far I would definitely not recommend Save on Samsung.

 

Sorry to hear that, I havn't had to call the CS at LaptopsDirect so I cant say they're good/bad, but delivery was oddly fast.

Not the greatest benchmark but I've ran Dark Crusade and it would play full 60fps apart from large battle scenes, updating the video drivers tomorrow, hope theres a nice increase.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, I'm trying CoD4 demo, my hopes arn't high but who knows

 

I am just getting run around in circles by Saveonsamsung. They seem to think that I need to obtain a return number from Samsung directly before they can provide me a return. I have phoned Samsung twice and spoken to two nice guys in their laptop faults department and they tell me to contact my retailer. Surely responsibility lies with the retailer within the first 7 days?

Any suggestions as to what I should say to Saveonsamsung?

I'm not sure if it is worth contacting Consumer Direct now?

 

If you are sending it back because it is defective then you should get an RMA from Samsung. Does two adjacent bad pixels (if that is what you have got) qualify for an RMA under the dead pixel policy? Saveonsamsung would prefer to have an RMA since it means they pass the computer back to Samsung. They would then provide a replacement. Samsung's FAQ on dead pixels is here. Google turns up this. So maybe that creakiness is the better route for an RMA. It shouldn't creak.

Otherwise, the Distance Selling Regulations would apply if you say that it is not to your liking (without mentioning the problems) so you would like to return it and get a refund.

John

 

I understand that, and I have requested a refund based on the creakiness.

However, after reading briefly I came across the following :

and further to this:

Hence, from what I understand of this contacting Samsung and obtaining and RMA is not my problem. Saveonsamsung are the ones responsible.

 

OK. Keep pushing. Ultimately it is the retailer's problem.

One report of problems such as this is worth at least 10 reports of successful trouble-free purchases.

John

 

I have just phoned them again. They insisted I call Samsung and get a case reference number, which I have done and provided to them. They said that they would now follow this up. But that I will have to send them the laptop, after which they will check the fault/s with Samsung, after which they will issue a replacement/refund.

This is a huge problem for me, because I am going to be in Mexico from Monday until the 25th September.

I really don't know what to do now. I have never had to deal with such a horribly poor company. And I went with them based on the recommendation of people from this site, I should have gone with a much bigger company who would have got this sorted out in no time.

Any further advice on what to do would be extremely helpful, including details of where to post the problems regarding Saveonsamsung, as to discourage others from using this company.

 

I think the quickest way to resolve this is to just send them the item back. From what I am aware I am in my legal right to do this, and expect a refund within 30 days without prior authorisation for a return.

So would you recommend this? It seems like the quickest way to resolve it, because having to have the item sent to them whilst i'm away, and trying to receive it is just going to be impossible.

I am going to contact Consumer Direct tomorrow and clarify that I can do this.

 

I haven't had the same situation. There was a problem with the Q70 I bought and reviewed last year but Samsung support agreed there was a problem and issued an RMA. It all went very smoothly. In fact, they had to recall the whole batch because of the same problem.

John

 

Is the creaking noise coming from the disk drive when its in use?
You never know the screw holding it ODD in could be a little loose.

And I heard that gently massaging the the dead pixel(s) with a finger has a slim chance of removing them.

I dont want to fill you with` false hopes though and I expect neither of these to work but its always worth a try.

Anyways, good luck with it and hope you can get it sorted, it will be well worth it

 

The creaking noise is just permanent. The laptop just feels "soft" around the disk drive. The build quality just seems poor. I have now reboxed it so I don't know if it is worth reopening it and checking the screws and attempting to correct the defective pixels.

I really hope I can get this sorted soon. Do you think that I can just leave it until I return from Mexico? I mean the warranty will still apply. It is just difficult because I don't really have anyone here that will be able to deal with it on my behalf. Hence, why trying to get a refund and just buying a new one when I return might be the easiest solution.

 

Any1 here that have tested both Q310 and Q210?? dose the Q210 feels much smaller or?

And if i read the mini review of the Q310 it say that it's very quiet and runs very cool is the Q210 allso very quiet and cool??

 

Well, Ive undervolted my Q210 and it is very quiet. It has a fan option so you could set it to silent mode (thresholds for the fan to activate are increased) and normal and performance mode (for when you need all that the fans got.
Current temps are:
CPU 33C
GPU 45C
HDD 39C
Thats just while surfing.

Ive ran Orthos for 15mins and the max temps were 48C, so its very cool I think.

I went from a 17" HP Pavillion to the 12.1" Q210 and I dont find it that difficult to use at all, its acutally very nice.

 

I just received my q210 yesterday, great little machine but it has an awful lot of dodgy samsung software preinstalled... Gonna try get CoD4 going on it later today - who knows, it could even work!
One thing worries me a little bit. Occasionally the touchpad seems to be unresponsive for a few seconds - I can't tell if its windows or the hardware...

Otherwise it seems like a great machine - def recommended!

 

Ye it looks realy nice.
But i have some problems becouse i live in sweden
Like i did write here.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=46492&page=6

 

I sent a laptop back to Saveonsamsung once i got the number that they wanted me to get of Samsung. In fact Samsung would not give me that number to me direct as they told me to get the retailer to call them for it. Well i got Saveonsamsung to give them a call and they sent a courier to come and pick up my laptop.

They offered me a refund but they took £50 of and i don't blame them for that either. I had the laptop
just outside the set return date and there was nothing actually wrong the laptop.

If your laptop does actually have a fault then they will not charge you the restocking fee.

If i had tried to sell it i would have lost quite a bit more than £50.

I would use them again.

If i would have returned my laptop within the set date i wouldn't have to pay any restocking fees. You should be able to deal with them if you don't have a fault and just want to return your laptop to them for a refund within the set return date.

If your laptop has a fault then they need to send it back to Samsung to get their money back as they cannot i think sell that on like that.

p.s the laptop that i owned a few months backs made creaking noises as well but that was not really a fault that was the way the power cord the bit that goes inside your computer was designed.

 

so did your laptop have a fault or did you jujst not like it or the design?

 

Hi frdted40x like i said above the laptop was not faulty the creaking sounds i was not happy with and disliked but the laptop was not faulty and i couldn't get it passed for such.

This was an older model the Samsung Q45 12.1 in. I was trying but couldn't get used to the keyboard and touchpad they were a bit different from what i was used to.

 

I live on a boat and have limited power..at the moment I have a Rock xtreme CT which eats electricity like there's no tomorrow!....
I love the specs and size of the Q210 but can find no mention of power consumption anywhere....can anyone with one give me some idea?

Cheers..:~)

 

The powerpack is 19v 3.75a = a max of 71,25w.

But i bet it dosen't use more than 10-20w on normal and a on gaming about 40-45w.

 

So.. Any more user experiences? I would love to hear more reports on batterylife.

And also, forum member pillowshot has mentioned the following in Q310 - Impressions, Review and Pictures!

Is it possible to do the same thing on the Q210? (I would think so, both systems use the same videocard. Just want to make sure!)

 

Hi Joplin, yes it is possible to do this with the Q210. i'm not a big PC gamer (prefer my 360!) and don't have any games to test the increase in framerate, but the control panel option is definitely there.

 

Guys now i need some help

I did do a post in the "were to buy" thread but 0 replice :/
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=46492&page=6

Is it that hard to find a shop in UK that ships to sweden...
I realy don't whant to buy from germany and pay about 180€ more and get a German version of windows vista.
I have looked for about 2 weeks and i can't find any UK shops that ship to sweden

 

Hey,

I'm new here but have been reading the forums for a few days in anticipation of picking up a Q210. Thanks for all the reviews and stuff, it really has helped me decide to buy this laptop once i move into my new home!

Merlinen - SaveonSamsung.com has the following...
"(2-3 Day) Non UK Mainland Delivery £24.95

Only available Monday - Friday (Delivery between 8.00 - 5.30pm)"
so i presume that they can ship to Europe, albeit at a cost of 30euros or so.

Laptopsdirect also ships to Sweden so you have a couple of options.

However, from what i've read in these forums, there are mixed messages about SaveonSamsung, particularly when it comes to returning a product.

 

I am looking to buy a q210 and only have one question really,
the AS02UK model (P8400 CPU) on the samsung website, states that the RAM should be DDR3 800Mhz, however, everywhere i have looked, stockists are selling it with DDR2 667Mhz.

Did Samsung make an impromptu downgrade before production and decide on a DDR2 baseline, or does it mean that within the next few weeks they will be rolling out newer models?

anyone with any info would be helpful.
thanks all

 

The ram is (1 x 2GB + 1 x 1GB) DDR2 800MHz , were you looking at the graphics memory as that is 256MB DDR3 Dedicated?

 

Has anyone done a clean installation of XP on the Q210 and did he/she come accross any problems?

also, is any of the samsung software necessary in order for the laptop to function properly? I understand that some samsung programs are required for giving functionality to the fn keys but apart from that is there any other samsung program that is necessary for the laptop to function?

thanks

 

on the samsung website it says its DDR2 800mhz, but on all the websites of the retailers it says its DDR2 667mhz, or have they all written it up wrong?

because if they have and it DOES have 800Mhz in it, ill buy on tonight!

 

I wouldn't lose sleep over the memory speed. Read part 2 of my Dell E6400 review and you can see comparisons between 667MHz and 800MHz. The big difference is that the new Intel chipset has more memory bandwidth than the old one.

John

 

Hi.

How easy is it to clean the cooling system on the Q210 , Is there CPU access under the large cover or is it just the HDD?

thanks

John.

 

You only have access to the HDD on the underside, without taking the whole case off. I am really tempted to open it up to see what it looks like under the hood, I just cant understand how all this tech is in a 12.1" lappy.

 

dont forget to take lots of pictures if you do!!

+REP for YOU!!! {I cannot give you REP , I gave you REP the other day, but how come it shows as 0}

 

Any1 have any pictures inside the Q210??
Whant to know if it have a spare pci-e slot and a simcard reader ??
And if there is also some spare antenas??

 

The manual shows a slot for Turbo Memory on the bottom but there is no mention of communication options other than the normal wireless.

John

 

Mean ol' admin decided to take my reps away

 

Hi.

Does anybody know what is the make and model number of the 320GB HDD in the Q210?

Thanks

John.

 

I would like to add if anyone knows what type of wifi-card is used in the Q210? I figure the Intel 5300 would be the best to have, is it in there?

 

I think the HDD is a Fujitsu 5400 MHZ2320BH 320gb

I think i have seen the Q210 with a Centrino badge , if so it will be an INTEL WiFi.

But the drivers list for Vista32, are for INTEL and ATHEROS

 

Yup, although I have 2 partitions and the total only adds up to 287GB so I dont know where the other 33GB is hiding

Tinderbox, Have you got it yet? What do you think of it?

My HDD runs quite warm, its at 47C right now how is yours?

 

Hi.

It`s due to be delivered by Thursday!

does yours have an INTEL or ATHEROS Wifi adaptor?

 

Its got the Intel WiFi adapter, its easy to check by going into control panel and if its got Intel PROset/wireless tool.

BTW which version did you get? Because the AS model has a/b/g/n while the other lacks n wireless

 

Hi.

what is an AS model, I thought there were 2 models , P8400 with a/b/g/n and the T5750 with a/b/g