Samsung QX411 - CAN vs US models

As an university student, this laptop is literally perfect for what I want. However, I can't decide whether to get the Canadian or American configurations (I'm from Toronto, Canada; I'd be willing to go to Buffalo to pick one up).

Only major differences I noted were:

Canadian model
$999 CAD - 640GB HDD, 4GB RAM, NVIDIA Optimus GeForce GT525, USB 3.0 port

USA model
$799 USD - 750GB HDD, 6GB RAM, NVIDIA N12P-GV (?), no USB 3.0

So after the tax and current currency conversions (but not considering the driving factor), the USA model will be about $270 CAD less.

Which one would you buy?

 

I would get the Canadian model purely due to the fact that it has a superior video card and USB 3.0. Unlike the HDD and RAM, these components cannot be readily upgraded! the Canadian model also comes with 1x4GB DDR3 so upgrading is a piece of cake!

 

how you gonna buy this laptop from canada im also interested but i cant buy it from any us stores =(

 

I am using the US version and its working beautifully however there are 2 USB 3.0 ports on the left side along with HDMI out . The battery is awesome for college use and opening , closing of screen is awesome you can have the windows back under 4 seconds + it has wimax 6 gigs of ram would definately help you in your university work.I mean I run games , photoshop , maya , 3dsmax, after effects all work pretty well under load.

 

Ahh, glad to hear! I'm not worried about a lower end graphics card - I do lots of Photoshop but no heavy gaming. US and Can models both beat the QX410's NVIDIA GeForce 310M, which I was going to buy last year anyways.

Can you provide a link or store name from where you bought yours? The only US store I found was Bestbuy...

Bestbuy and Futureshop have it! Links on first post.

 

Notebookcheck has a useful table for comparing GPU performance.

John

 

How is Samsung service? I'm interested in the QX411 but I'm just a little worried about tech support. What if something breaks? Can you put a blu-ray drive in it? Where can you buy Samsung Accessories like an extra ac adapter?

 

Samsung's support and service aren't the best. One challenge for the support staff is getting the people in Korea to address issues that need BIOS upgrades or software fixes (or the wireless problem of the 900X3A).

Optical drives are standard units and swappable. However, if the QX411 has a 9.5mm high drive then the 9.5mm Blu-ray drives are more expensive than the 12.5mm units.

Look on ebay for spare PSUs. Samsung, like all manufacturers, use a limited number of different PSUs for their whole product range.

John

 

I'm looking into the qx411 and on the US best buy website it says it only has usb 2.0. Is that a mistake on their part or a typo you made? Because right now the Canadian one seems superior for what I need, but I don't live in Canada and can't get it. If best buy had just goofed on their website and the US one is like the Canadian one, it would be amazing.

 

This should clarify a little bit

I have these 2 ports on the left with HDMI


and another one on right top



I am pretty sure they are 3.0 but I could be wrong too as I do not own anything which is 3.0 yet

 

Let me know if you wanna see some gameplay of crysis 2 ! yes it can run it on 25-30 fps and duke nukem - 45 fps

 

The blue ones are 3.0

 

Yeah that was my first guess too, but since it wasn't mentioned anywhere I was a little skeptical but thanks

 

I'm leaning towards the US version now (2 x USB 3.0, bigger HDD & RAM), thanks for everyone's help!

The NVIDIA N12P-GV/GeForce GT 525M is slower, but the only game I really play is L4D anyways...And right now I have a Radeon HD 3200 which is a POS so I'd take anything better.

Can I easily replace the card in the future?

 

I wouldn't count on it to be honest!

 

Correct. Apart some Alienwares and Sager/Clevo laptops. Forget upgrades...

 

I'm looking into buying this laptop (I'm from the US) but the graphics card seems to be much weaker than the one in the Canadian model. Do you have any other games that would test how well the GPU handles, like BFBC2? The video would also help a lot in my decision, so if you could post those results up that would be great. Thanks!

 

I'm in the same boat as you.

Which model did you end up purchasing? Are you satisfied with your purchase?

 

The US version has been bought and I'm having a relative actually bring it to me in August. Unless it's for very intense operations, I doubt I'll find a big performance difference and I could always use the extra money. Thanks for everyone's input!

I can post a review later...

 

Hey guys. I am going to college soon and I thought I was completely set on the Lenovo Thinkpad X220 because of all the good reviews, but I stumbled upon the QX411 at Best Buy the other day. How would you guys rate it? And what's the diff between QX411 and QX412? Thanks!

 

The Samsung Qx412 has a narrow bezel and smaller frame more in line with a 13 inch laptop but with a 14inch screen. Also 1/2 lb lighter and also bluetooth whereas the qx411 doesn't. Its not available in north america though and the qx411 was pretty recent.

 

Can anyone confirm or deny if the canadian qx411 has bluetooth and/or wimax? At one time the samsung.ca site said yes for both, now does not say anything. I'm stuck between the qx411 and the 412. GAAAH!

 

Do you know if the canadian qx412 has wimax too? Is the bluetooth 3.0?

Cheers!

J

 

Hi, does anyone know this laptop works with Geforce 525M or 520M? The Samsung Website lists the 525M graphic card, but 520M at BestBuy

 

The Canadian QX411 is 525M. Does not have bluetooth...probably...never installed any drivers for it. Although there are drivers available on the Samsung support page =/

 

Hi
Bestbuy has the qx411 on for $899cdn and the hp DV6-6178CA also for $899...any thoughts on the better buy?

I like the screen quality of the qx411 and the build quality...i've heard of heat issues on the dv6. Anyone?

Cheers!

J