Samsung Q320 : 13.4" 16:9 notebook

I see that the Samsung Q320 has surfaced in the UK. The specs from here are:

The Q320 has put on about 0.2kg in weight relative to the Q310.

So, anyone who prefers 16:10 display and a lighter machine had best grab a Q310 before they disappear.

John

 

It has been reviewed by Notebookjournal:
http://www.notebookjournal.de/tests/samsung-q320-aura-p8700-balin-892/1/top5

They measured 2.194,00 kg.
3dmark06: 2.591,00 points.
Batterylife: 176,00 min with 40% CPU load.

 

An English translation via Babelfish

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.notebookjournal.de%2Ftests%2Fsamsung-q320-aura-p8700-balin-892%2F1%2Ftop5&lp=de_en&btnTrUrl=Translate

 

Trusted Review have now published their findings on the Q320.

Overall quite positive (9/10).

John

 

I think that Samsung was wrong to stick T series processors into this laptop in the UK. This is a downgrade compared to what was available with the Q310. Some people won't even consider the Q320 now because of the processor. I know the lower end Q310 models like in the low end £500 bracket didn't have P series processors but in the £650+ price point they did.

At least in Germany you can get better P series processors.
http://www.notebook.de/samsung-q320-aura-p8700-balin-mit-intel-core-2-duo-cpu-253-ghz-p-20997/

 

what about here in the states?

 

Wow, very nice looking machine! I'd never even heard of this laptop before?

I can't find any info on if or when it will be released in Australia. Anyone know any better?

 

Yeah this laptop was announced quite a while ago i remember seeing this notebook since the beginning of april.

It looks really solid though.


Also, I want to add on an interesting note it looks like the only cons of this notebook is that the screen is less then stellar and the sound sucks .....that looks like all though.

 

It's a nice looking laptop tbh, but they have the incredibly mirror like screen again. And what I dont understand is why they chose the T6400 2x2GHz in the main model? A P8400 would have been a much wiser choice.

 

i want to know is when they are selling this in the states because when i go to the US site they still show the Q310 up there.....

 

I've been told that the Q320 will be a Best Buy exclusive, so keep watching there.

John

 

Oh yeah ? Cool if if find anything as well ill let you know here too thanks though.

 

John Ratsey,

you seem to be the man to ask about this notebook so I was wondering if you have heard anything about Samsung offering it in the UK with the P7xx or P8xx CPUs.

 

I've heard nothing, but don't have any good sources in UK.

You can get better CPUs on the Q320 in Germany. We have to assume that Samsung UK are aiming at a particular price point / profit margin. Perhaps the options for the Q320 will increase when stocks of the Q310 disappear. The one remaining Q310 has the P8600.

I note that the Q320 is quite heavy for its size (2.2 to 2.25kg depending on source of info). My metal 14.1" Dell E6400 is 2.32kg.

John

 

As soon as i was certain i was going to get an NC20, this comes along and changes my mind again. It looks awesome. I won't mind the slower than average processor, I would have been happy with the Via Nano so this will be plenty enough for me.

 

any word on fan noise for this laptop...looks great, but I'm worried that I'm always going to hear the fan when I'm just websurfing because of the vid card...

 

hullo guys,
i was all set on buying the samsung q320 in the uk but ive recently just gone and bought a ticket to hong kong.
as you can see here: http://www.samsung.com/hk_en/consum...pe=qseries&model_cd=NP-Q320-AS02HK&fullspec=F

the samsung q320 in hong kong has the supposedly better "Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40 GHz, 1066 MHz, 3 MB)"...now, i know next to nothing about computers, im not totally computer illiterate but i wouldnt know something like whether this processor is worth buying in hong kong or just sticking to the one in the uk model? the price is exactly the same ~£650 area so thats not the problem. the processor is better so thats a plus, but the thing that holds me back is the trouble of actually buying it in a country abroad; with the possibly in/valid warranty, keyboard layout, compatible software/hardware, etc.?

whats your advice?

thanks!

 

The P8600 is 20% faster than the T6400 and is also more power efficient which should mean less fan activity during normal use and more run time on battery.

I suggest you check out the Samsung HK and UK websites regarding warranty coverage when away from the country of purchase. The Samsung netbooks come with an international warranty sticker which is valid in any countries where Samsung sells those models. I don't know if this facility also covers the normal notebooks.

Note also that you are technically liable to pay VAT if you import a notebook into the UK.

John

 

great, thanks for the quick reply! so, by "technically" do you mean that i would be able to avoid the VAT costs if i just carried it in my carry-on luggage? also, out of curiosity, how many years would a laptop normally last?

 

It would be unwise to put a computer in the hold baggage. It might not reach the other end, and it is unwise to have a computer box as part of the baggage unless you stuff it with low value items.

Notebook life expectancy primarily depends on a combination of build quality and usage. I think most of the manufacturers have now figured out how to make decent plastic that doesn't crack after a couple of years. Notebooks that get daily travel have a more stressful life than those which sit on a desk all the time.

As an example, I've just been putting some more RAM in a 5 year old Fujitsu S6120. It's got a replacement keyboard and the hinges are loose, but it's otherwise fine.

John

 

oh ok then, ill take your advice on board thanks for the quick replies!

 

Bumping this topic, anyone on here own one of these machines? Seriously considering purchasing one, the only decent 13.4'' for under £600 that I can see at the moment.

 

If you could get one for under £600, I'd definitely go for it.

 

Bought one, and typing on it right now. Went for the black version at £605, more expensive than the white but it has a better processor so I wasn't too bothered. Screen is great, I don't really notice the lack of vertical pixels (some see this as a major downside), and scrolling on websites feels the same as my old asus which had a bigger screen. Slot loading dvd drive is a plus as well, never usually see them on machines in this price range but perhaps it will become the norm. Battery lasts a good 4 hours which is pretty good considering the specs, and its still very light at 2.2kg. Might try windows 7 on it later, although I think I'm eligable for the free upgrade in dec this year so I might just wait. Highly recommend it to anyone thinking of buying it, hopefully I'll be still saying that a year down the line ...

 

using one right now with the P8700 inside...i am totally amazed at the sheer power this machine can deliever in such a small and attractive package. sure, it's not as light or slim as a sony z, but considering it costs a fraction of the price, it's a total win for any value caring customer. i use to crave for the sony z, but after getting this machine, i have yet to come across a better laptop. samsung really got it right with this machine!

in case u wonder where to get the P8700 version, here is the link.
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10126029&catid=

 

Pretty sad lol.

You can get it in Canada and you can't get in America very weird.(Though i am a Canuck living in the States )

Congrats though its a sweet notebook

 

I too had brought this just a few days ago.. not too long when it came out to futureshop.ca.

Question to other owners. - do yours get super warm on the left palm rest?

 

You should read some reviews on it, they may discuss it. Usually they do talk about things like that.

 

I have tried searching for it, but there seems to be not as much information on it as I would have liked.

 

Oh ok, good luck then

 

I was looking at one the other week. Not sure how warm it was but it (the heat) certainly didn't "jump out" at me. The main chassis is pretty solid, lid has alittle flex, but overall it's another decent notebook from Samsung.

 

It certainly is. Johnny what was your impression of the screen?

 

Average I'd say, but I'll probably need another look at it to decide.

 

That could be heat from the HDD (you should be able to check by listening or turning the computer over). Which model is it and what temperature does it reach? HWmonitor will provide the necessary info.

John

 

hi

can anyone comment onthe realistic battery-life for a Q320 (with Wi-fi on and screen dimmed to reasonable level). I'm thinking of getting the P7350 version which has just appeared in the UK and I'm guessing this is worth +30min compared to the T6400 versions...
It's wierd that there's so little review info on the Q320 in general...

 

Just saw this today, on the US bestbuy website.

4.9 lbs.
Intel® Core™2 Duo 2.53ghz
HD LED backlit LCD (1366 x 768)
4GB DDR2 RAM
320GB HDD
128mb NVIDIA g 105m
Wireless-A+B+G+N
NO Bluetooth
6-cell lithium-ion, Up to 4 hours (review site says 2.5-3hrs)
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit

Price: $929.99

Read the Review Here:
http://www.notebookjournal.de/tests/samsung-q320-aura-p8700-balin-892/1

Is it a good buy?
Ive been laptop hunting for awhile now.
And still havent found the right laptop.
(also im wondering if i should wait to see what the apple laptop is)

Ill be using photoshop the most.
So a tablet or a fast laptop is necessary.

 

Trusted Reviews managed 3 to 4 hours on the battery with a T6400. It depends on usage, display brightness, etc.

The P series CPU should save 1 to 2 watts on idle and a bit more when under load. +30 mins is a fair estimate. However, there are better and worse CPUs with minimal difference between the most efficient T series and the most power-hungry P series.

John

 

Hi,

where to buy the Q320-FS01US in San Francisco ?
I found it only on the Bestbuy website but store pick-up is not avaiable.
I will be in California for september only.
Also considering the Dell Studio 14z S1440-022B.
Is there others competitors of the Samsung Q320-FS01US ?

Regards.

 

Why dont you buy it when you go there? It's a new model so it will probably be in store really soon.

You can also buy from Amazon or buy.com and have them ship to wherever you are staying.

 

Red Dragon,

i agree, it is my aim, i prefer buy it when i go there.
That's why i take all news and data to make a store pick up.
Do you have a list of resellers who have shops in SFO ?

 

Hm im not sure about place that are IN san fran.

Online i can see if i can find some places. This is a new notebook so it might take a while till all the stores have, dont worry you will get it though.

 

I will be in LA and Las Vegas too in september.
I you have shops recommandations in this cities it will be great too.
Thanks for help Red Dragon.

 

the battery life is fairly decent for it's range; realistic scenarios give around 3:30 to 4 hours. that is, listening to music, watching youtube and typing on word simultanously. i'd say, not bad!

heat on the other hand...does mount to quite a bit on the bracket covering the HDD, nothing alarming, but certainly noticable. usually happens after an intense gaming session or something of that nature that stresses the computer.

 

Get an SSD that should help out a bit

 

since someone requested a quick user review on this machine, i'll do a quick rundown of the goodies and not-so-goodies on this machine now that I've been using it for 2 weeks or so.

goodies:

- LED screen with bezelless design really makes the machine asthetically much more pleasing than most other laptops out there. the colours are sharp; if anything, i'd say other than Sony screens, samsung really does set the standard for most laptop screens out there with this machine
- keyboard: this has got to be the best keyboard i've typed on in a long long time. i've tried macs, sony, toshiba, hp, acer, dell, lenovo; samsung really does deliever a very sturdy keyboard which has a somewhat deeper touch than what i am use to on a toshiba U300, but after getting use to it, it's really a wonder
- GPU: i can not begin to say how impressed i was with the nvidia card inside. coming from a desktop rig which i can't take with me into college, the G105M surprisely was able to play all my games (company of heroes, world in conflict) comfortably and very good framerates. given it was not at the highest settings, but the fact that it is able to handle the games at all and be able to deliever such a smooth experience does deserve some recognition.
- sturdy build: build quality is SUPERB on this machine, challenges that of sony and macs, no flex anywhere except extreme pressures on the LED screen. under normal situations, this machine should do fine in backpacks or briefcases.
not-so goodies:

- i'm surprised even setting the battery to extended-life on the samsung utility, after 2 weeks, i checked, and the battery registered as 3% wear already...really not pleased about this considering this is my college machine and i am planning to be very mobile with it...3% after 2 weeks is hardly acceptable
- heat: if there is any significant achilles heel this machine has, it's heat management. after 5 minute from boot up, it idles around 45C for cpu, 50 or so for HDD, after gaming, 73 for cpu and gpu. that is not to say a heat increase for a laptop this size for gaming, but it does cause me to worry as to how much effort did samsung pay to heat management. not a huge problem though nonetheless.

 

Thanks! +Rep

That heat issue is no big deal. There are alot of 13" Notebooks that have way worse heat then this. 73 is actually really good for the small notebook while gaming. I ahve seena lot of 13" Hit 80+ so thats good to hear.

 

I had another go with the Q320 the other day, I gotta agree the keyboard is really quite nice. Though I still prefer Thinkpad keyboards.

Perhaps you can undervolt the CPU alittle, that will take the load off the cooling system too. (guide in hardware section, plus better battery life. )

 

Does anyone know if the CPU is user-replacable. Thinking of buying a Q320 and exchanging the T3400 that's in that one with a P8700.
Also, heat is one thing, and noise another. Could anyone make a judgement regarding noise level? I read samsung has a "silent mode" you could use if you like.
I really like the slot-in drive as well as the rest. My hope is that it's possible to remove the optical drive for some less weight, or replace it with an SSD. The slot-in design makes the outside of the laptop look the same.

 

T3400 specs and P8700 specs. Both have Micro-FCPGA packaging (the PGA means it is a socket). You can buy the Q320 with a P8700 CPU here, which proves it will work.

The P8700 is, nominally, the lower power CPU, but you could be lucky and have a T3400 which is a low power CPU but didn't have 2MB of good cache memory in order to get into a P series bin.

Unless you can get a P8700 with a very good price and do a lot of CPU-intensive work, I don't think you would get sufficient improvement in performance to justify the cost. Changing the HDD for an SSD is going to give a more noticeable boost to overall performance.

John

 

Yes, but thinkpads are the standard