Samsung Series 7 Laptops - 14" Model (NP700Z3)

Decent price, yes. Decent screen - that's debatable. I have the T420s, which has the same screen and it looks OK provided it is not near another, better, screen. I get the impression that this Samsung screen is in the same class.

John

 

Interesting.

So anyone know what the current state of inventory is here in the U.S.? MS was the one place selling the 14" and its now OoS, right? When will start seeing more availability of this 14" model again, I'm ready to order.

 

No, that's not right. To the best of my knowledge, MS never successfully shipped a single one of these. I think they were just incredibly confused about the whole thing.

J&R's website says that it is "Coming Soon," and is currently listing it as a "Pre-Order" item:
JR.com: Samsung NP700Z3A-S01 Series 7 14" Notebook PC - Silver in PC Notebook Computers

B&H Photo lists it as "No Longer Available" and has a "Notify When in Stock" button shown:
Samsung Series 7 NP700Z3A-S01US 14" NP700Z3A-S01US B&H

Amazon lists it as "Out of Stock":
Amazon.com: Samsung NP700Z3A-S01US 14-Inch Laptop: Computers & Accessories

CompUSA lsits it as "Currently Unavailable":
CompUSA.com | NP700Z3A-S01US | Samsung Series 7 14 Notebook PC

Buy.com lists it as "Sold Out" and "Currently Unavailable":
Buy.com - Samsung NP700Z3A-S01 Series 7 14" Notebook PC

Circuit City (I thought they went out of business!) lists it as "Currently Unavailable":
Samsung Series 7 14 Notebook PC at CircuitCity.com

In recap, this laptop is basically not available yet, and nobody seems to know when it will be available in the US. The last official word on US market availability was "mid November." We have since heard news of a delay in the Scandinavian market, but we don't know if this is a global delay, or a localized one. Right now, we're eagerly awaiting more information.

It turns out that the LG P330 doesn't have the resolution I want, so I'm seriously running out of options, here. I'd gladly pay more, but I can't seem to buy what I want at any price.

 

They might as well delay it. So far the reviews have indicated the trackpad is unusable and the screen is so so.

 

According to Notebookcheck the touch pad is alright, the display is mediocre.

 

There must be some sort of quality issue with the pad then. The notebookcheck review is the first I've read where the reviewer didn't complain about it. It seemed like deja vu with the Series 9 pad.

What's up with the crappy screen? Seems really odd Samsung would ship sub par displays.

 

+1 Informative. Appreciate that post.

Well, if this thing is delayed and/or has trackpad issues, what is a comparable model/brand in the same price category. The hang up for me is I'm limited to models with a dvdrw so I can play deposition videos for court/presentations. A lot of these new "thinner" models have no optical drive.

 

Maybe the Series 7 14" is with the Galaxy Tab 7.7 in a Witness Protection Program hiding from Apple.

 

FWIW: get a refurb or lightly used Sony Z1 series and you get the best of all worlds - $1.000-$1.500 and the best 13" screen made (even the 900p version) and every feature promised on the Sammy 7 but not delivered. Sure, used/refurb has some risk, but if you buy from Sony or a very reputable reseller, with time left on the wtty, hard to see how you can go wrong. Best to make sure you get 15-30 days refund w/o restocking fee. Check out this thread and you'll see that the vast majority of Z1 owners have no interest in upgrading to Z2 or any other product, though the technology is nearing 2 yrs. old and most of these owners have the $4,000 to spend on a new machine. This machine delivers what the Sammy 7 and other ultrabooks promise, but don't deliver. I have a Z11 (see sig) that I couldn't live without and, if it was stolen tomorrow, I would quickly look for the best deal on eBay, NBR or the Sony Outlet and replace it.

 

The sony specs go not stack up to the sammy except screen

 

I agree. What are some other comparable/superior options out there? (dont say macbook). The sony Z1 is growing long in tooth. Im not all that concerned with having the absolute best monitor.

 

There is no comparable alternative to the beefed up version of the Samsung Series 7 as far as MBP aesthetics with a great screen goes.

Edit: Oops, I thought I was in the 15" thread.

 

Thanks, but refurb or used is not an option for me. Mainly because of company reasons.

 

where can i find the 14' model with an i7 ?

 

Since it isn't released yet, you won't be able to find it with any CPU right now. But I am not sure if they are supposed to be releasing a i7 version of the 14" anyway.

 

The 14" version was just pulled from the major Swedish retailers.

So looking dark again...

 

Microsoft Store appears to have pulled the product, but that's probably for the best, since they don't seem to have any way to indicate that something isn't available.

I'd love to have an updated release-date from the company. I've got someone waiting for my old computer already, and it would be nice to have SOME clue when I'm going to have a new machine.

 

Seriously, what's going on with this thing?

 

I'm hoping Samsung realized they can't release this laptop with a mediocre screen and they are putting in high quality screens now. Probably wishful thinking though.

 

I'd love for that to be true, Phil.

 

I think we all would, specially since they make some nice screens for their phones, tvs, and even cameras.

 

Sadly we better all face it, the 14" will not be available now. We will have to wait for the 2nd gen of that one. So sadly I'll prob get something else...

 

So literally, the 14" will not be coming out? When would 3nd gen be coming out? I need a new laptop now! Any suggestions? I need slim, but I also need an optical drive! :/

 

I might be getting the 15.6" version of the Series 7. Sure, it's a little bigger than the 14", but compared to my current Asus UL30VT it's almost the same, just a little wider, and the Asus only has a 13.3" screen!

I've looked at ultrabooks, but they seem to have issues all of them, otherwise that might have been an interesting alternative. No built in optical on those thou.

 

You may want to look at the Lenovo T420s, which is what I'm using at the moment. However, while the display is matte 1600 x 900, the quality isn't impressive. the T420s does have the advantage of the bay battery option which gives a big boost to the battery run time. The other possibility that comes to mind is the Toshiba R840. However, that may only come with 1366 x 768.

John

 

Don't jump to conclusions.

Has Samsung said anything? Do we have any official word from any reliable, authoritative US distributor? If we have any concrete, up-to-date information about the US release, I totally missed it.

Yes, the release is definitely behind schedule. This is evident in the fact that the machine is not currently available, when Samsung last reported it would be available in mid-November in the US. We don't know why it's late, or what the implications are, however.

(If I missed some new critical information about the US release, please correct me.)

 

I got a note from one of the major retailers here in Sweden (Dustin) when I asked what was up with the 700Z5A and why it was gone, and they replied that Samsung couldn't deliver them due to the harddrive shortage. Same with 700Z3A.

So it looks like the 700Z3A isn't cancelled, they are just unable to deliver them at this moment...

 

Does anyone know a U.S. online retailer that is still offering pre-orders for the 14" model? I REALLY need to get an order placed before the end of the year. It will be expensed through the office and for purposes of balancing the books, we make purchases like these at the end of the year.

I know Microsoft was but has since stopped accepting orders. I dont guess there are any new developments on a new ETA after the obvious supply delays are there?

J&R is the only other place listing "Pre-order" that I see.

 

I second the T420s. I had been holding out hope for the 14" Samsung Series 7, but eventually I couldn't wait any longer. Very happy with my T420s. There are a number of folks who have voiced concerns regarding the screen, but personally, I've found it just fine for my purposes (academic). I realize, however, that screen quality is a big issue for a number of people on these forums, so you might want to get a look at it before you pull the trigger. Otherwise, it's light, slim, and powerful.

 

Just FYI, the 700z3a is now available in germany:
Studentenrabatt Notebooks Rabatt Studenten Samsung Studentbook

 

It was to be 7200 RPM 750 GB HDD, not 5400 RPM 1TB

 

Germany seems to have two versions, one with 1TB/5400rpm one with 750GB/7200rpm.

700z3a | Geizhals.at EU

 

took some pictures today at a shop in berlin. Sadly I wasn't allowed to turn it on.

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9545/img20111207142228.jpg
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/4193/img20111207141925.jpg
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/7264/img20111207141622.jpg

I really liked the build-quality and the keyboard, the only think that is still giving me a headache is how to replace the hdd. As you can see on the pictures there is no access panel for it.

If anybody has some information on this, please let me know.

 

How was the screen??

 

Glad to hear it's out in Germany - it's getting closer! I'm checking the UK site and stores daily...

This will be my next laptop!! Thanks to everyone for posting info - I'd really like some more information about the performance (if only it had the i7) and sound quality!

Fingers crossed it's ready before xmas!

 

They are using a 14" 1600x900 screen.
I´ve NEVER seen a good review of such a screen...so I guess it will be the same like in the Lenovo t420s.

 

It looks nice from the outside. Unfortunately, without turning it on you can't comment on the display.

Most likely there are some screws under the rubber feet.

John

 

Yeah I've seen a review of a Samsung 14" 1600x900 before. Bad screen too.

 

You can't see this in the picture, but there are some (black) screws on the bottom.

 

I am getting slightly concerned about the screen - so many people seem unimpressed.

Part of me is tempted to cut my loses and get the latest Vaio Z instead...but without that portable dedicated graphics card it makes for a poor development machine!

 

The Z is surely impressive by it´s paper specs. But you should REALLY check two points yourself before you´re spending 2k...
I found 2 points where a reason to NOT spend that much money: the keyboard wasn´t really something for me. They traveled too short so the typing was very strange and uncomfortable. But check out yourself...
The FHD screen: VERY nice colours and sharp. but: VERY bad vertical viewing angels. Take a look on those two spots...

Just my personal opinion!

 

Actually I haven't seen any tests of the 14" Samsung chronos, only for 15". Someone told that he saw such a review, could anyone give a link to such test/review? You are writing about the screen quality based on 15" tests? It might be wrong.

 

If you didn't like the screen on the 15" unit you will not like the one on the 14". If have never seen a 14" screen perform better than the bigger models of the same series.

For me the screen on the 15" was fine when I tested it. Definitely not perfect, but above average. If you really need a profesional grade screen for work, get a x200 with IPS-Display. If not, stop whining

 

That's why I wrote "it might be wrong" instead of "it's wrong" I think we should wait for a test/review of the 14" models. Why? Because 14" model are lunched like 2-3 months later? Something could be changed. Anyway, who of us will be able to see the difference if i.e. a display has a full palette of RGB or just a part of it? 10%?

 

with a side by side I guess only the colorblind wouldn´t see.

 

sorry about my rant, it's just that I followed the 15" thread for quite some time and this topic has been discussed quite extensively to say the least

I just ordered it, should be delivered next week.

Btw, according to the retailer they only got one batch and do not except another shipments until next year.

 

Waiting for your review Despite the display quality (view angles) I wonder how the Radeon works with games. It's slower than 15" model has.

 

It's been listed at Tiger Direct for a couple of days.

Samsung NP700Z3A-S01US Series 7 Notebook PC - Intel Core i5-2430M 2.4GHz, 6GB DDR3, 750GB HDD, DVDRW, Backlit Keyboard, AMD Radeon HD 6490M, 14 Display, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit at TigerDirect.com

 

You are right, went in to the Sony shop again and had a bash on the keyboard. Not impressed by them or the viewing angles, and those speakers were...horrible.

I finally went in to play with the 15" - the screen was actually fine. So yep, will stop whining!! haha

 

The Sony Z is no good. The only good thing it has is resolution.

It is so flimsy, flat tiny keys with no travel, dumb connecter hogging the USB 3.0 port for the hub, waste of money.