New Samsung Series 7 NP700Z7C-S01US Laptop i7 3615QM 650m Review!

It's a wonderful Laptop I would agree that the stock HD must go. Whats the point of all this power and the HD slows it all down. With SSD coming down in price I would go with the Sandisk 240GB. I stuck that in my new Envy and it rocks picked it up for $175 at Fry's.

 

Thank you both for your answers.

Now I have to make a quick decision. Lenovo's Y580 (8gig, 500gb 7200rpm, 1080p) would cost me ~€1100 with a 3y onsite warranty included... The Samsung would be €1430, add warranty (probably at least €100) so the price difference is pretty big. I'm having a hard time to determine whether it's worth it or not technology evolves so fast I'm afraid in the end I might regret spending that much on a laptop even if it's pretty nice...

 

one is a 15" whereas the other is a 17 so i dont think we can compare them

 

I don't see why not. While they may be a different size, they are quite comparable in the fact that they are middle class gaming/multimedia laptops.

 

They're not that far apart in terms of size & weight either, so the comparison between the two makes sense imho.

 

The premium price is for the design so going with something else would be fine unless you are hell bent on buying this system for its looks.

 

I feel like this a misleading statement. Yes, this laptop is at a premium price point and yes part of that is because of the design. While I do not own one myself a lot of people in this thread have mentioned how beautiful the screen is and how awesome the speakers are for a laptop. Some people have even stated that this laptop has the nicest screen of any laptop they have ever owned. So, there is more to this laptop than just the design. What's killing me is that this laptop comes with a few flaws that could be fatal to how useful it is depending on what you do.

1) The wifi issue is by far the biggest issue with this laptop so far.
2) Heat being pushed on the screen could impact the life of the screen.

Besides that the issues with this laptop are very minor. If you look around you will find similar problems with other laptops.

MSI - the chasis is one big fingerprint magnet, no backlight keyboard, some say a lackluster screen.

Lenovo - the hard drive heats up to 55C-58C during use and some people are worried about how long the hard drive can last because of that. Also, a lot of people have issues with Lenovo's customer service.

Me personally I am just trying to decide how much the wifi issue will effect me. The Samsung has the nicest design of any laptop out there. It is thinner, lighter, has an awesome screen, and speakers to boot. I was looking at the MSI and I have decided that I personally cannot have a laptop with fingerprints all over it and the ugly red line going all around. The lenovo Y580 is looking very enticing but I like the 17.3" of the Samsung. Still scrounging the net to see which one of these two laptops would suite my needs the best.

 

I think if you really like the samsung, you should try it out since not everyone has the wifi issue. The only problem I have with the wifi is that the range is just moderate, meaning I can pick up more wifi networks with my other laptop, which isn't much of an issue for me but I just wanted to point it out. Connection wise, works perfectly fine for me.

 

Good advice. The WiFi is likely to be OK most of the time. My backup for my X4C is to keep one of these in the bag to use if away from home and the signal is poor.

John

 

gonna order it this afternoon from amazon.fr, ive lurked this thread for months, read the full 146 pages, bit scared about the wifi issue and heat to the screen also but cant find one laptop that doesnt have flaws

i'll give u guys an update when i receive it

 

Just an update on my laptop.
No wireless N issue at all. Using Asus RT-N56U Diamond Black Router and the ping command prompt, I get the following results:
4ms
1ms
3ms
1ms

Never have any slow down of internet speed, and play all games on it fine.
So, results may vary. Of course, I dont know of anyone else using the same router.

 

Results depend on distance and material of walls in between you and the router.

I have the RT-N56U.

Please try more than 1 wall away from the router, and doing:

Code:

ping 192.168.1.1 -l 65500

 

Count me as a proud owner! I got it today in the mail via Best Buy.

The trackpad drives me nuts, so I anticipate I'll be using a mouse most of the time. I also experienced poor wireless speeds, but after tweaking the power settings to force wifi to always run at full power it seems to be pretty reasonable now. I tested it side by side with my powerhouse desktop that's also wireless, and the Samsung had better download and upload speeds.

The screen is not IPS, so viewing angles are weak. Also 1080p is really too small for me, and the machine's Windows OS settings were 125% out of the box. I also had to set Chrome's default text size to "large." I really wish Windows had better scaling.

Anyway it should do what I need it to do!

 

I tried this from a command prompt and it's saying invalid parameter.
My walls are just sheetrock and insulation between me and the router, 2 walls, approx ~40 feet.
Let me know what to try and I will to see if I get the same results.

 

Does anybody know how to make it so that I can have the keyboard backlight on all the time? Right now it doesn't allow me to turn it on during the day.

 

Go to easy settings (FN+F1 if not mistaken), theres an option there for that.

 

It's an L.

Code:

C:\Users\Admin>ping 192.168.1.1 -l 65500

Pinging 192.168.1.1 with 65500 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=65500 time=25ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=65500 time=25ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=65500 time=25ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=65500 time=25ms TTL=64

 

What kind of sd card slot does this notebook have. Meaning does the sd card fit inside all the way, or does it stick out?

 

it goes in all the way

 

approx 30 feet from router, through 2 walls made of sheet rock/insulation/wood, I get:

Pinging 192.168.1.1 with 65500 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=65500 time=117ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=65500 time=33ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=65500 time=38ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=65500 time=39ms TTL=64

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 33ms, Maximum = 117ms, Average = 56ms

 

That actually looks decent (aside from the spike I bolded, which may hurt gaming), but are you on 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, and are you using 20 MHz or 40 MHz width?

 

crap. That's actually from 2.4ghz. When I setup my router I made one network the standard name, and the other "Wifi - 5"
After running the tests on the 5ghz band just now, I get:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\xxxx>ping 192.168.1.1 -l 65500

Pinging 192.168.1.1 with 65500 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=65500 time=14ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=65500 time=8ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=65500 time=9ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=65500 time=11ms TTL=64

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 8ms, Maximum = 14ms, Average = 10ms

No problems with gaming whatsover. Of course, I don't play many newer games online. Just Need for speed world, Quakelive, and... don't judge me--- Battlezone 2.

 

C:\Users\01001001>ping 10.0.0.1 -l 65500 -t

Pinging 10.0.0.1 with 65500 bytes of data:
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=131ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=98ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=102ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=91ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=104ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=100ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=101ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=115ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=128ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=89ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=102ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=95ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=94ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=91ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=96ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=98ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=136ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=91ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=95ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=100ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=86ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=102ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=94ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=108ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=97ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=101ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=103ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=100ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=96ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=107ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=100ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=87ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=104ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=96ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=93ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=106ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=108ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=104ms TTL=64
Reply from 10.0.0.1: bytes=65500 time=94ms TTL=64

Ping statistics for 10.0.0.1:
Packets: Sent = 39, Received = 39, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 86ms, Maximum = 136ms, Average = 101ms
Control-C
^C

In the lobby of the hotel I was staying at yesterday.

 

What do these numbers mean? Please explain for the layman. I'm very interested in this laptop, but am concerned about the WiFi. It seems to be nearly perfect in every other way.

 

ive just received my laptop and ive got a problem, everytime i want to put the laptop in silente mode it wont stay and autoreset to "off"

edit: ok updated easysettings and it says in silence mode now

the HDD is so freaking noisy though, i thought it was the fan at first but it looks like the HDD... what a piece of garbage, i cant wait to have a SSD

 

Anyone try ordering a replacement rear/under cover? I broke the part above the VGA cable after installing/removing the case 6-7 times. Hoping it isn't too expensive. Also want to remove all the stickers on the top and underneath, I prefer a clean look.

 

I had a crapppy router before. These are the numbers with my new modern router.

 

Well, I have had this laptop for about 3 months or so.

Its great!

My Wifi Issue has been solved with a tweaks of centrino chip settings in the device manager.

Now I can run BF3 no crazy lag spikes through 4 plastered walls.

here are the Settings.

802.11n Channel Width for band 2.4 = Auto
802.11n Channel Width for band 2.4 = Auto
802.11n Mode = Enabled
Ad Hoc Channel 802.11b/g = 7
Ad Hoc QoS Mode = WMM Enabled
Bluetooth(R) AMP = Disabled
Fat Channel Intolerant = Disabled
Mixed Mode Protection = CTS-to-self Enabled
Preferred Band = 1. No Preference
Roaming Aggressiveness = 3. Medium
Transmit Power = 5. Highest
Wireless Mode = 6. 802.11a/b/g

Give The Credit to a previous poster. I cant Find him.

 

any of u still using the hdd samsung used? i hear a constant noise all the time...

 

At idle it certainly is noisier than the fans yeps.

Replaced mine with an SSD. But my samsung is still at samsung repair centre to see if they could do anything about the wifi issue.

 

With all these pages i just read.. im leaning towards the ASUS N76VZ, i think it's more bang for the buck, what do you guys think? check this out.... ASUS N76VZ-DS71 - XOTIC PC - ASUS 17.3" Laptop
I have no clue as what to do.

Regards,

Rob

 

With all these pages i just read.. im leaning towards the ASUS N76VZ, i think it's more bang for the buck, what do you guys think? check this out.... ASUS N76VZ-DS71 - XOTIC PC - ASUS 17.3" Laptop
I have no clue as what to do.

Regards,

Rob

 

Did you have to switch out the SSD before you sent it off for repairs? How does that work? Do I need to keep the ODD to the side somewhere and switch it out if I send it back for a repair? This what on my mind for a while now, what was your solution?

 

has anyone found a notebook sleeve for the 700z7c thats fits? i tried a belkin 17inch sleeve, which is way to big for this laptop...

 

Depends, they both have ups and downs.

Samsung has way better battery life.
Samsung is smaller and lighter.
Asus runs cooler.
Both runs silent.
Samsung has slightly better GPU (DDR3 vs GDDR5)
Samsung has a lot better trackpad
Samsung has better keyboard
Asus has two HDD bays.
Asus is easier to replace HDD/memory on.
Asus is cheaper.
Samsung has slightly better speakers (IMO).
Samsung looks way better.
Samsung has wifi issues (poor antenna placement), asus har poor wifi card (atheros usually, sometimes broadcom) but for asus this can be fixed by replaing the card.

 

My impressions after having the Z7C for a couple weeks...

• The SSD install has been great. Boot up is incredible fast and it's totally silent. The fan rarely turns on and even when it does, it's virtually silent to my ear.
• I LOVE the trackpad and the multi-gestures. It's a quantum leap over anything I've owned in the past.
• Wireless has been great - My cable and home network are not the fastest, but it works wonderfully even at it's furthest points (about 45 and 3 walls from the N router) and better than my Dell E6500.

The only thing that is taking time to adjust to is the keyboard. Given the choice, I'd prefer a non-numberpad keyboard. But that will get better with time.

All in all, I'm very pleased with the Z7C.

 

Hi guys,

I also replaced the 5400 HDD with a Samsung 830 256GB SSD. I can confirm that the boot-up is blazing fast. 10-15 secs!

I put the old HDD into a LIAN LI USB 3.0 Case so that I have a really fast 1TB external drive! It really runs pretty fast!

To extend the disk space, I've put a SanDisk Extreme 128GB SDXC Card into the Multicard Reader. Now I have about 380 GB of pure flash memory

 

I like your idea alot! now you got me leaning more towards the sammy with all that you've done, well done!!!

 

I bought this one. I ended up cutting 1/2 inch off the inner filler foam and place it in the case for the laptop to sit on, and it works really well.

Newegg.com - Case Logic Black 17-17.3" Laptop Sleeve Model LAPS-117

 

Hi all
One quick question: do all 700Z7C's have an 8GB iSSD-Cache?
There are different models (S01US, S02DE...) and in some there is an iSSD in the configuration-list but some don't (although it was the same model..?)
So has someone definitely found a 700Z7C-Model WITHOUT iSSD?
I will order this notebook but they couldn't tell me if it has or not.
Sorry for bad english
Thanks =)

 

I have not seen any without the iSSD.

 

thanks for your reply. i will give it a try.
i bought this Amazon.com: Belkin 17 Inch Notebook Sleeve - Neoprene - Jet/Cabernet: Computers & Accessories

on german amazon and and is defenitly tooooo big for this beatiful laptop

 

hey

ive just received my SSD and ive been trying to do a fresh install but i cant get the wifi working, which driver shall i install ? its not related to the wifi issue but im having trouble installing the driver, i tried several files but it doesnt do anything

is there a wifi button on the computer ? maybe ive disabled it by mistake

 

The wifi button is F12, if the blue light is on, the wifi is on. The wifi driver should be the "Wireless LAN,INTEL (Driver) (ver.15.0.0.75)" the 64 bit version.

Link for driver:
Support - Notebooks NP700Z7CH | Samsung Laptops

 

thanks alot bensmith, it works fine now! ive got one last issue with the silent mode, everytime i restart the laptop it turns off the silent mode and ive got to launch easy settings again to turn it on

is there a work around ? am i the only one who silent mode turning off after a reboot?

edit: did you install express cache driver after putting your SSD? i remember i had an option to turn off express cache in easy settings but now that i have my SSD i didnt install the drivers

 

I don't use silent mode, but a faster way to turn it on/off is fn+F11. I am still using the stock HDD, but since you have a SSD, there is no need for the express cache, so I wouldn't even install the driver.

 

See if the Wi-Fi issues are reduced with the new Intel drivers:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...5-3xxx-envy-17-3xxx-intel-13.html#post8739331

 

I REALLY wanted this laptop until I found out about the wi-fi issue. Why can't it be perfect. I get my school check in a month and I've been drooling over replacing my L521x XPS with this. Blah

 

Mission accomplished!

 

Just noticed that Amazon has S03US version now shipping but it's thru J&R rather than Amazon. Should I wait for Amazon to get theirs in ?