Samsung 2012 Series 7 Chronos (NP700Z3, NP700Z4 & NP700Z5 series) Owners Lounge

This thread is dedicated to current owners of the Samsung Series 7 notebooks.
NP700Z3A
NP700Z3C
NP700Z4A
NP700Z4B
NP700Z5A
NP700Z5B
NP700Z5C



All owners, please vote in the poll of the following threads.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...s-push-samsung-implement-fixed-mode-bios.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...s-bad-flash-video-scaling-video-crashing.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/638411-series-7-all-models-understanding-wifi-issue.html

Useful links:

Samsung Original Series 7 Campaign
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...ingapore-high-quality-intro-360-3d-looks.html

Driver Page and Firmware
Samsung
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/631273-series-7-chronos-firmware-10fd.html

Launch thread
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...series-7-nike-laptops-17-3-model-np700z7.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...eries-7-lovers-heres-np700z5c-ivy-bridge.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...laptops-15-0-15-6-models-np700z4-np700z5.html

Disassembly procedure
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...ies-7-chronos-np700z5a-disassembly-guide.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...nos-np700z5a-disassembled-parts-analysis.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-their-samsung-series-7-chronos-notebook.html

Teething issues
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...onos-np700z5a-mine-has-died-lemon-thread.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-9-laptops-we-paying-beta-testers-thread.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/637065-series-7-chronos-day-1-problems.html

Replacing WIFI card
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/625973-samsung-series-7-chronos-intel-wifi-card.html

OpenGL issues and discussion
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...s-push-samsung-implement-fixed-mode-bios.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/629548-samsung-series-7-opengl-fix.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/631707-cliffs-opengl-samsung-series-7-problem.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/633292-samsung-series-7-laptop-games-work-games-dont.html

AMD HD 6750M benchmarks and discussion
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/624864-samsung-series-7-6750m-benchmarks.html

ExpressCache
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...ache-i-want-my-expresscache-back-edition.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/637957-debunking-expresscache-myths.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/637354-wheres-my-expresscache-menu.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/624823-samsung-chronos-7-i-need-help.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/631630-installing-windows-7-pro-keeping-express-cache.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/630828-series-7-boot-problem-express-cache-blame.html

Trackpad discussion
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...hronos-np700z5a-trackpad-discussion-only.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/634236-touchpad-doesnt-work-while-typing.html

Screen
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...es-7-chronos-np700z4-np700z5-icc-profile.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/670287-samsung-np700z5c-screen-upgrade-attempt.html

Other OS (Linux, etc)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/634897-series-7-linux-thread.html

Replacing DVD drive with SSD/HDD
http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/626915-hard-drive-caddy-series-7-a.html

Accessories
http://forum.notebookreview.com/accessories/630605-cooling-pad-samsung-series-7-chronos.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...s-700z5a-15-6-backpacks-bags-sleeves-etc.html

Battery
http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...et-upgrades/91846-notebook-battery-guide.html

 

I have the Toshiba z830, planning to return it in a week or two so I can try out the samsung. Just wondering, how bad is the bloatware on this baby? The z830 came with over 20 toshiba crapware along with the norton trial and best buy app.

 

The NP700Z5AH-S04US that I got from a microsoft store has minimal bloat. I think most of the other retailers are worse though.

 

Mine came from PC world in the UK and was loaded with awful lot of crap, another poster on here recommended using Revo uninstaller which helps remove it.

Took well over an hour to remove it all though, Norton trial, Office trial, Cyberlink rubbish suites and the usual Samsung junk.

 

It might be nice to add a thread which outlines the proper way to reinstall Windows without disrupting the express cache. It seems that a lot of people have been having trouble with that.

 

Thank you for mentioning that Dev00.

I was going to ask about a clean install and how it will effect the express cache.

 

This laptop is awesome! Specially with the SSD that I added in.
I'm trying to see if I can use the optical bay caddy trick to see if I can keep the 7500 7200RPM HDD.
Hey yknyong1 where are you from? Anyways kudos making this thread.

 

Greetings from Singapore!

For the majority of those who clean install, I'd suggest downloading the Easy Settings installer (to activate ExpressCache) and backup the WIFI/LAN drivers (important). You can download the other drivers later.

 

Someone create the thread, and I will link it.

 

Meh all the bloat could be worst. After fixing it up everything is nice
Running Windows 7 Ultimate now after using Upgrade key.

 

Why do people have so much problems with the pre-installed software? Only ones I removed was Norton Internet Security and Microsoft Office (since I was installing a real one).

Other than that, the other stuff is pretty small and doesn't run in the background or anything, so might aswell just leave it alone.

Or do you guys have alot more crap installed on your machines? Atleast these Swedish ones didn't feel like it was filled with useless stuff. All my ASUSes have been a lot worse!

 

Anyone think that if this laptop had a 1080p screen, and optional SSD it would be the best laptop out now?

 

Screen wise, I prefer 900p but a better quality panel please. SSD wise, no comments. I'd rather self upgrade since preinstalled SSDs are often overpriced.

 

A question, which is really the best for the battery? To use the charge to 80% max feature, or let it charge to 100% all the time?

And I rarely disconnect my laptop from its powersupply, which clearly should affect this I guess.

 

Could someone post the model number of the optical drive (under Device Manager) so i can check what caddies that may fit inside the series 7

 

I am also interested in the answer to this question, should one use the 80% feature if connected to mains the majority?

 

The optical drive is a "Matsh*ta DVD-RAM UJ8A7AS" model. Replace the * with i. The forums software blocked it

 

Just FYI, according to my Device Manager I have the same.

 

Just a reminder. For those of you who think the colors a little off on your display, use my ICC profile which can be found here:

Samsung Series 7 Chronos (NP700Z4 & NP700Z5) and ICC profile

I used spydercolor for calibration, so it should be pretty accurate, if not perfect. There's also instructions in there on how to use my profile to automatically calibrate the colors.

 

Use the 80% feature. The shallower the discharge, the better the longevity of your integrated, non-removable and non-replaceable battery.

 

Added more links to OP

 

Check this guide out for battery usage:
Laptop Battery Guide

 

So what exactly should we do with these drivers?

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1LDgrb6Mte34Sg26RJnmJy5m1HuuN5RRa_7KKFfGP7tI&pli=1


(Leshcat / DSE / UniFL)

 

Updated first post

 

Thanks, I think i found a suitable caddy from newmodeus

 

Mind sharing the link of the caddy you purchased? And possibly tell us if it works?

 

Anyone buy a sleeve for their laptop yet? got a neoprene sleeve for a 15" but it doesn't fit snugly. Any recommendations?

 

I'm having the same kind of issues, trying to find a backpack which works well. I really just want an easy way to carry my laptop while on my bicycle, I don't want a big backpack since I dont need alot of extra stuff with me.

 

I was told this should be compatible

Optical Bay HDD Caddy to replace Slot-Loading Optical,9.5,SATA [OBHD9-SATA-SATA-NF] - $42.00 : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks

 

Hi Guys!
Proud owner of the Samsung Chronos NP700ZAH-S02 laptop!!!
Just picked it up hrs ago! Actually i Think i am the first one in the UAE to Purchase one!!!

just started it up and running updates!!
Will post my feedback soon!!!

 

LOL I'm the proud owner of the first series 7 in Singapore. Serial no 00001 haha

 

Proud owner here!

Samsung Series 7 8gb ram Radeon HD 6750m

Just bought a new Intel Centrino 6230 wifi card to replace the broadcom that came with it for $16.00 an free shipping.

Hope that boosts the strength from 130.0 mbps (2 bars)...

My previous notebook (inferior) was getting up to 4 bars in the same location!

Butters -

 

Not sure what the issues people have with the Wifi is, since mine is working alot better than my old laptop (Asus UL30VT). Are there different versions with different Wifi cards?

 

Added Disassembly guide

 

So has it been confirmed that it will support 12 gb or 16 gb or ram?

 

There is no way this will support 16 GB of RAM. 4GB is already soldered on, so it can only take in another stick of 8GB RAM currently on the market.

 

+1 for a clean-install-guide

 

Added to first post

 

How is the track-pad? Is it working satisfactory, good or great?

 

Mine is surely satisfactory. Works much better than any other Windows Trackpad. Its not quite up to the mac in OSX but its damn good. I am quicker with it then my friends MBP15 in windows.

 

And it never register left and right click wrong?

 

I havn't had issues with mine registering any clicks. I always use my middle finger to navigate and my pointer finger to hit the pad and have no issues. Turned off tap to click.

 

Are these overkill for this laptop?
Corsair Vengeance DDR3 Memory Kits ? Vengeance DDR3 Memory Kits and PC memory upgrades are designed using RAM specially selected for their high-performance potential

 

Overkill. Not much performance to be had from memory speed IMO.

 

I agree. Any performance improvement will be small and doesn't justify the cost. Also, your hardware may support 1600MHz, or maybe not. You will need a quad core CPU to be thinking about 1866MHz.

John

 

Once I get my laptop, apart from updating firmware and installing leshcat's drivers, is there something I must be do to avoid most noticed problems ?

And yes, remove automatic brightness setting. use the .icc provided in another thread.

something else to get it to "optimum" condition ?

 

I just bought this laptop today and I'm a littel worried because it makes a noise when moving. I think it's the hard disk because it comes from the left bottom part, near the touchpad. The noise is not very loud, actually if I'm speaking I can't hear it but I'm still worried. Do you think it's normal?

Thanks!

 

You are right, that will be the seeking noise generated from the moving head.

 

The screen is still the same old SEC314B on my new unit, which sadly is DOA again due to a scratch mark on the screen.

 

Wow, that's a serious run of bad luck there - so sorry!