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

The machine is not being discontinued, they just have a delivery problem due to component shortage because of the floods.

 

Samsung is going to launch all models here in Singapore with availability from late Jan 2012. No way they are discontinuing these; demand is great.

 

my keyboard keys seem to be a bit wobbly ... and look as though it might have been better if they were 2-3 mm inside .while i dont mind this right now, do you think it could cause problems in the future ??

 

Chiclet keys are built this way.

 

Does anyone have any experience with Linux on this laptop, whether in a virtual machine or properly installed?

I have seen the threads here:
SuperUser, Schibum Blog , and AskUbuntu.

So many of the nice features in the laptop (SSD, quiet fan setting, 3d acceleration etc) seem to be windows-dependent.

 

There's a little discussion on Linux on the Series 7 in this thread.

John

 

Thanks, I will keep an eye on it

 

I asked in store on NYE. They showed me the computer system which showed it as "Pending Discontinuation" and basically said they wouldn't be getting any more in.

I'm not saying Samsung are discontinuing, but John Lewis appear to be.

 

Added Linux thread to OP

 

@yknyong - thanks for the reply.

anyone used the webcam ? cuz yday was the first time i tried to use it and it was extremely dark. and the cyberlink youcam wouldn allow me to change exposure. what should i do to improve the image ?

 

yeah I also find the camera extremely dark! anyone have a remedy?

 

I have small issue with my 700Z5, which I'm sure you technical guys will quickly solve for me...

When the system goes into standby (due to no usage over the power plan timeout length), it will not resume windows properly.

This only happens when I have a USB 2.0 hub connected. The USB hub has a couple of external drives attached (switched off), a couple of USB cables (not connected to anything) and the radio transceiver for my external mouse.

When I resume the system, the screen stays black. Rebooting the system does not help - it goes through check disk etc, but then goes black again.

However, if I disconnect the hub and then reboot it, all is well.

As said, I'm sure this is a generic problem which can easily be fixed. Thanks.

 

can someone comment on the maximum volume on this machine? also are the speakers located on the bottom?

I wish they would have included a glossy screen option. I know matte is good for the glare but i went to the microsoft store just to check this thing out and the screen is so dark even on the highest brightness.

 

The speakers are down below the screen (near the hinge). The max volume is pretty good for a laptop!!

 

The machine you looked at must have been badly set up. I'm running mine at about 75% brightness on the 'standard' display effect. 100% brightness is too bright!

 

hmm interesting. I was at the microsoft store when i saw it, not the cheap best buy version.

Maybe i was wrong about the screen. The screen and the fact that i didnt see any speakers(made me think they were on the bottom) were why i didnt buy it. Mayeb i'll rethink it.

thanks!

 

I'll second the commentary on the speakers. Don't expect some sort of Bose-like sound, but they're quite powerful. Was able to play a DVD audibly for the kids while driving on the freeway.

 

Also, any idea why my vlc videos would lag sometimes ? Initially i thought it had something to do with the power saving / high performance thing, but it doesnt make sense. Even on the hd3000 it should work fine enough.

Any idea why this happens ?

 

I second this. I run at 80% and I am thinking about lowering it. 100% is way too bright anyhow...

 

I am in the US, but where did you hear this from?

 

Defragment your Hard Drive if you have not.

 

oh okay .. btw, any idea why the camera is so dark ?

 

Because webcams are racist
HP looking into claim webcams can't see black people - CNN

Seriously, the webcam sucks.

 

Actually i was meddling around with the cyberlink you cam thing and in its settings, in advanced settings, there is an "adjust for low light" checkbox and with it its slightly better.

but it still sucks i guess !

also, i had mentioned that the part under my windows sticker gets heated up - not very majorly, but significantly whereas the other parts dont. is buying a cooling pad or something necessary ?

 

I got my S01UK [with Broadcom adaptor] from John Lewis on Monday - so far it's maintaining a much better wifi signal than the Series 9 [with Intel adaptor] I bought in November. I ended up returning the Series 9 because it couldn't hold a solid signal in my [not very big] apartment, nor could it even FIND the wireless at my parents' house over Christmas, whereas my four-year-old Vaio never had any problems.

I'm happy enough with the Chronos so far, only issues I've encountered is the dodgy space bar from time to time while typing. Battery life is also far better than the Series 9 so it's ticking most of the boxes for me, just wish the screen had better viewing angles [I don't find the contrast or colour reproduction that bothersome on the SHARP setting].

Definitely troubling how many people are reporting poor wifi performance

 

Notebook checks review says:

Review Samsung Serie 7 700Z5A Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

"The biggest flaw is likely the high black value of 1.7 cd/m2. Dark picture elements look extremely gray, which is especially noticed in games and movies. The rate would have to be below 0.4 cd/m2 for a saturated black. The contrast is also below-average with 158:1.

The colors can't be called intense. The sRGB spectrum isn't even close to being covered (see screenshot). The picture looks extremely pale and thus it's recommendable to use an external monitor for multimedia consumption. In return, the high luminosity is praiseworthy. We determined an average of 247 cd/m2 - a good result. Note: The measurements were made with i1Display 2. An update made with the more exact Gossen Mavo will follow."

So while the screen is bright, can anyone comment on the color spectrum and the contrast? notebookcheck doesnt seem to like it.

 

That part of the chassis should not heat up at all - there is only the battery and ODD, perhaps you want to send it back for Samsung to check. Note that even the notebookcheck review confirms my experience of ice-cold palmrest.

 

Most reports are false alarms, because they were reading supposedly accurate OS connection status, and hence determined the wifi were inferior. This means there is totally no issue with the Broadcom wifi card itself.

 

No reviewer will like a run of the mill screen that almost every manufacturer put out nowadays. I'd say the screen contrast is mediocre at best. The advantage is that it is matte and has high brightness, and thus usable under the bright sun.

 

This laptop (Serie 7) DOES HAVE a problem with the WiFi. I think yknyong1 won't accept it.

 

Up to you to believe. There is no concrete evidence of anybody other than my own posts comparing the Intel and Broadcom card and proving that the Intel card is superior.

Rest assured, I have compared my current ENVY14 and the Series 7 through tests, which I have on hand. If there is a great difference, it will be immediately noticeable and please be sure that I will be one of the first to complain (Refer to my sig for more details).

There is no appreciable difference between the Intel 6230N and the Broadcom BCM943225HMB, in terms of speed and coverage. The ENVY 14 used the Broadcom card in some models.

I noticed both dhowlett and you have purchased from the same store the same model S01UK. Perhaps a bad run?

 

That's what I meant more than anything re: wifi -- I got the same model from the same store and I'm slightly concerned that while it's ok now, connectivity might worsen? I can't say I've taken the laptop a great distance from my router to check if it drops off worse than my old Vaio, but compared to the Series 9, it's better in my experience so far.

I'm hoping as long as it stays consistent that I won't have any wifi issues down the line.

 

Yes. that palmrest part is perfectly cool. i am talking about the backside .. where the microsoft license sticker is stuck. i.e in essence above the fn keys on the backside.

 

Would anybody choose the new HP ENVY 15 over this? On the SS7, the screen dont bother me but the gfx switching does. Do anybody here that don't have a huge issue with the gfx switching? I mainly use my notebook for movies but I use madVR renderer and it needs the gfx card to do most of the processing.

 

No no, my Serie 7 is a French one ^^ French store
And look at one of my post in the "WiFi Intel card" topic. I did compare my 2 laptops, and the older has a better reception! (even if both have Broadcom cards)

 

The series 7 is out of stock everywhere, is there anywhere else i could purchase this laptop even abroad with ease and without warranty complications

 

Then I have to see if my new unit exhibit this fault. I hope not.

 

It's normal, that's where the heatsink and cooling fans are. Are you trying to use the Series 7 on your lap?

 

Yes. at times. Sometimes on my bed. Is it better if I get some sort of a lapdesk or something ? (would cooling be necessary ?)
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Perhaps another factor is the position of the router relative to the computer. for example, if the router is a floor or two below the computer then the computer's base may impede the signal.

I don't recommend using any notebook on a bed. There's too much risk of the bed clothes obstructing the air intake vents and any loose fluff being sucked in to eventually clog the internal cooling system. I also only use a notebook on my lap when it's running on battery (eg sitting in an airport).

A lap tray is an alternative to a lap desk. Also, be aware that having the power cable hanging down from the computer during lap use can stress the plug and socket.

John

 

Did anybody try to use an external headset with the combined headphone/microphone jack? I ordered an adaptor for that reason. Hama Klinken-Adapter: Amazon.de: Elektronik
But only the headphones work, not the microphone. So, has anybody successfully used an external headset?

 

I'm currently using a headset with combined headphone / microphone that came with my Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

These earbuds work fine when used with Skype for placing phone calls. But clearly this is not the external headset / microphone solution you tried from Amazon.

 

Ok I made it. Opened the cable and it seems it was soldered badly. So I "fixed" it and now it works.

 

OK. so we blame the headset manufacturer, not Samsung.

John

 

Rather, the adapter manufacturer.

 

Yep that's right. If anybody is interested, the pinout from the spike downwards is: Left, Right, GND, Mic

 

i was wondering, since the dimension of this laptop is like 14.6 x 9.4 x 1; would this be a good fit - Amazon.com: Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N550: Electronics. This one is about 17 x 9.9. The dented box thing comes to 20$, which is a good price(?)

I am considering this since otherwise I need a lapdesk and the bigger version (n700) is just tooo big and heavy (6 pounds !)

do you have any other suggestions ? i suppose this doesnt need cooling as such (?)

 

It looks fine.

 

my fn+del (eject odd) doesnt seem to work. I see the popup. but it doesnt eject. I could always use right click + eject. But is there any idea why this would happen ?

Also brightness adjustment from fn keys / adjust power settings seem to have vanished ..... why ???

EDIT : My brightness etc has been fixed (had to updated bios). The eject issu persists

 

Sorry for the quick off-topic but this has been bugging me lately.

You don't have to sign every post of yours, there's your name right next to your post along with all your info! Signing posts on modern Internet forums is redundant.