Samsung Series 7 Laptops - 14" Model (NP700Z3)

Bad news. Just got off the phone with a CSR at the Microsoft store. Apparently they are out of stock. They did sell some but Samsung apparently did a recall (not sure why). When they (the Microsoft store) contacted Samsung about the new ETA they were getting the run-around so now they changed the status on the website to out of stock for the Series 7. So I cancelled my order for now. Not sure what's going on.

 

How do you know this? Since I have yet to see only 1 test (the Norwegian one) and they didn't complain on the screen. All other tests out there are for the 15.6" version, which has a different screen. Obviously...

 

Also, the "mediocre" screen on the 700Z5A (15.6") is mainly because of poor black levels, which mainly affects some movie watching and some gaming, neither which affects me very much, but we still don't know if the 14" version is the same. Atleast I don't know this anyway, so it might turn out to be a different and better screen.

 

You are absolutely right, but i was judging by the 15.6 screen, because you would think they should be the same quality since it is the same series.. I hope I am wrong!
I said in a previous post, that I am waiting for some of the guys who ordered their series 7 14" to comment on the screen once its delivered .. if it is a decent screen I am going for it.. if not, I am going for the ASUS

 

If you look at Gilad1 post.. he said he wanted a machine that is fast and light, but not for games or video editing.. so for all practical purposes the SSD and i5/i7 should be plenty.. and if you look at the benchmarks of the UX31, they are amazing.. the SSD they are using is ADATA and it is blazing fast..
my view is that.. if no games, it is BETTER not to get dedicated card (even with optimus!) I tried two of these and all i got by adding the graphic card was heat, noise and less battery..
Again youtube and online reviews of the ASUS have completely changed my view on it!

 

You're right we don't know for sure.

But judging by the other model, the price and Samsungs previous 14" models with 1600x900 (exactly the same lame quality as in the 15.6") I'm pretty much certain it will be another mediocre screen.

 

One review for the 15.6" version:
Samsung Series 7 Chronos Review - Tans Computer News

"The screen is sharp and vibrant - a great way to enjoy the latest HD movies."

Doesn't sound mediocre to me.

My point is, that we should wait until enough people have actually reviewed the 14" version before people decide that it has a bad screen...

 

The 15.6" screen has been discussed at length in the other thread. It's a mediocre screen, there's no doubt about it. I've seen it myself and it has been confirmed by professional reviews: Test Samsung Serie 7 700Z5A Notebook - Notebookcheck.com Tests

The last 14" laptop Samsung brought with a 1600x900 screen scored exactly the same. Unfortunately I can't find that review.

 

The problem is finding another notebook with most of the specs, relatively thin, and with an optical drive. I believe the ASUS model does not have an optical drive with rules that one out right away for me. Otherwise that and the LG seem like possible options.

 

If you don't mind 1366x768 (ugh)... you may want to look at the Dell XPS 14z. Saw one at the Microsoft Store and it's decent. It also has the Shuriken display, 14" screen in a 13" chassis.

 

I got interested when I heard about the chasis but the reviews were not flattering and the screen resolution is another negative. I wish Samsung would work their issues out because aside from not the greatest viewing angles the chronos is a top contender.

 

Here in Norway, this model has been pulled from several online stores before it was even launched. Some still show a late November release date, but I've been in touch with two major online stores that say it has been delayed due to a shortage of hard drives because of the flood in Thailand. One says that hopefully it'll be released after Christmas, the other says "a new edition" (no further explanation given) is expected in January. The Norwegian site that reviewed this laptop, quoted earlier in this thread, says more or less the same thing.

 

Do you know of any resonably priced 13.3"-14" notebooks with 1600x900? Other than the UX31 which seems to have a slight keyboard issue and not the very expensive Sony Vaio either.

 

Hmm, that sounds bad. I really hope its a "local" problem and that it will be fixed soon. I really need to buy a new notebook this year (due to company reasons), and not sure what to get if this one is a no-show.

The CD/DVD is a non-issue for me, and to be honest, I rather not have it, unlike someone else who posted here and said that it was a must for them.

 

The new Sony SAs run 1600x900 and start at $999 I think.

 

I don't play but want the option for some video edit I do.
but its nothing eavy, just a few home videos with adobe premier, so can look for a laptop without the card?
And good battery life, as I'm at the university 12/13 hours evry day, and don't want to charge it every couple of hours..
I think that the delay with the Samsung 7 helped my make a better choice about the
laptop I need.

 

BIG NO!! I had the SONY SA few weeks back and had to sell (bought for 1660$ and sold for 1000$!!), i could not return it because of the engraved screen..
i could not stand the crappy screen (washed out colors and poor contrast.. really lame..) and also very very noisy.. seriously the fan is very loud.. i should have checked the reviews before i bought it..
I am more and more convinced with the UX31.. all the reviews look great esp after the trackpad drive is updated.. it is really fast

 

where can you buy this laptop?

 

You can't unless you're lucky. They're being recalled.

 

Posted this in the other thread:

 

Good news, hope there really isn't any issue with this one. I still have high hopes that it will be a good notebook for me.

 

well.. after all you said, what do you think of UX31? i feel like i am advertising for this ultrabook.. but i am trying to elicit some feedback for myself

 

I talked the rep to give me overnight shipping due to the previous nonsense and he obliged. I will give impressions if/when it arrives Wednesday.

 

I talked to the store over the weekend, to ask them why I hadn't heard anything. They said that my order had gone into "review status," so that their "Risk Management Team" could review the order, due to the size of the order. (How the heck do they plan to move a lot of laptops, if they send all of their high-ticket orders to the Risk Management Team? Good grief.)

She told me that because the order was sent for review, it didn't ship out on Thursday, and would have shipped out on Friday, and that I would receive it on Monday (as in, TODAY, Monday). Of course, it isn't here, and the website still indicates that my order is "In process." I still have received NO shipping information.

It seems like their customer service people live in some kind of alternate universe, where their store actually ships people what they ordered.

 

Keep us posted with impressions and screen quality, if it is good I am dumping my Dell M6500, THAT is heavy.
Will it take an i7 or i5 only? max RAM?

 

LOL. The reps and managers seem dumbfounded as to why laptop hasn't shipped. I wouldn't be surprised if tomorrow it still doesn't ship and they're still scratching their heads. What a mess.

 

Heh, yeah. I called a couple of hours ago, and the guy on the phone was really nice and apologetic, and told me that my order had JUST come out of review ( seriously?), and that they're probably going to be shipping it tomorrow, and I'll really, really get an email with my shipping information when they send it. So, maybe I'll see it Wednesday. Ha.

Man... usually when I order something overnight, I don't expect it to take an entire week to show up.

 

So the 14 inch screen model is supposed to be in a 13in chassis; doesn't seem like based on the specs.

 

Last time I checked the measurements were smaller than the 13" MBP.

 

according to Samsung's twitter (@SamsungNotebook) the 14-version is coming in January to switzerland. I hope they have a good reason for that as I'm waiting since their IFA-announcement...

 

Wow... that's pretty good!

 

This asus seem like a good laptop.
above my 3rd finel budget
if ill can afford it it will be for the I5 with 256 ssd.

I will know this weekend.
do you how were can I find good deal for this laptup?

 

Asus UX31 @ Bestbuy

If you have more questions or remarks about the UX31 please use this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/582672-asus-ux31-ultrabook.html

 

There you have it. MS store is Out Of Stock.

Anybody have any other leads?

 

Just got off the phone with them just before reading this. Yep, their customer service is a mess. They claim they have sold some but now are out of stock and have been for several days. They have no idea when their supplies will be replenished but said they get new shipments every 2 weeks.

 

I have made several calls to the MS Store regarding the status of my order placed on 11/2. Each time I get a different answer. At first they were telling me they had to send out all the pre-orders. I also got the order is in review excuse. I finally got someone yesterday who told me that she did not see any of these ever ship out to customers. Furthermore she could not tell me when they will get any in stock.

My guess is they are still waiting for delivery from Samsung just like everyone else. I wouldn't hold my breathe on this one.

 

MBP 13"
0.95" height
12.78" width
8.94" length

Samsung 7 14"
12.8" width
0.93" height
8.9" length

HP DM4 14"
13.4" width
9" length
1.3" height

I guess I was just expecting more.

 

I agree with this assessment, unfortunately.

The MS Store's website's product catalog does not seem to have any means by which to indicate that a given SKU is currently out-of-stock. (Otherwise, it should indicate that right now, and it does not.) So, I suspect that the product was simply never in-stock, in the first place. I might have forgiven that, if their customer service reps weren't so shockingly inconsistent and underinformed about their inventory situation, but... wow.

It's like a little kid who didn't do her homework. "The... um... dog ate my laptop!"

 

i cancelled my ms store purchase, from talking to them it sounded like they aren't going to see a single laptop any time soon

 

Smaller, lighter and cheaper than a Macbook Pro 13", but still packing a 14" 1600x900 screen and a dedicated video card.

I don't know what you were expecting but it sounds very good to me.

If only they had used a screen of similar quality as the Macbook Pro this laptop would have been a total winner.

 

How are you guys still considering this laptop after hearing the word recall ?

 

It was an error on the part of Microsoft Store. There is no recall.

 

What maximum360 said.

Unless it has been corroborated by another source, you should assume that there is no recall.

When it comes to product availability information, you would be better off consulting a Magic 8 Ball than an MS Store customer service rep.

 

Fingerprint reader!!!

Actually, nevermind. This laptop actually is small as I expected. I compared my DM4 with a 13" MBP and the difference is what I initially expected. Screen quality and dedicated video card isn't a priority for me, but they are a plus.

Can't wait to see this in stores.

 

Here in Switzerland the NP700Z3A has been pulled from most online store listings as of this week. Previously they were indicating delivery around late-November. Digitec's product manager told me that they expect to add this laptop to their store in January.

 

So has anyone got their 14" S7 yet?

An unboxing video would be nice.

 

You can get a 1600x900 screen on a Lenovo T420. They are not sleek and beautiful, but have the option of a decent screen and at a decent price in the US if you buy from Lenovo with their coupons.

 

Sony SA isn't that expensive and has 1600x900 screen.

 

Viewing angles suffer though, real bad... I was looking over my friends shoulder and was having a hard time reading the text on the screen because it got quite blurry as you moved away from center.

 

Yes it's a mediocre screen. Probably very similar quality to the one Samsung is using.