Samsung Series 7 Laptops - 14" Model (NP700Z3)

Do i need to switch it myself or can i send it to samsung for them to do it for free?

I also noticed that the signal quality is diffrent depeding on network. On some network it works OK and on some other it does not work at all. I tested with speedtouch.

 

Hello,
I'm going to buy this laptop (700z3a, RAM 6GB, HD 750GB 7200rpm). I have only some questions:

- noise and temperatures?
- screen quality (I don't need a perfect screen, I just want a screen wich has not "washed-out" colors)?
- applications and gaming performance?
- (and finally) is it worth 1000€?

Thanks a lot

 

-Very quiet when you only use the integrated graphics (most noise from the hdd) , a bit noisier if you use the ati graphics, but still quiet.
-Screen quality is good. It's not the best screen I have ever looked at, but good enough for a movie from time to time.
-performance is what you can expect from the components used. just google some reviews for the cpu und gpu.
-if you want good build quality and a highres-screen in a small notebook definitely yes.

 

Thanks a lot! Do you know any 15.6 inch laptop with similar specs, but very light? (max 1000€)

 

Sony Vaio VPC-SE1

 

Thank you, but It's a little bit too expensive! (1300€)
I don't want to pay more than 1000€

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VPCSE13FX-15-5-Inch-Laptop-Black/dp/tech-data/B005JY9LLQ/ref=de_a_smtd ?

http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/b005nh8ze8/geizhalspre03-21/ref=nosim?m=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF ?

 

oh, thank you, but that's amazon.DE and i'm italian!!! I looked for it in Amazon.IT, but I can't find it!!!

but, dou you have the 700z3a? becasue if you have it and you say it is a very good laptop, I believe you and i'll buy it!!!!!

 

and one more question abuot the 700z3a: if you have to say a "con" or a disadvantage or a problem of this laptop, what would you say?

 

Just ordered this model from tiger direct. I looked through the forum but couldn't find any clear cut instructions for doing a clean install. I understand there is the 8GB cache and that the installation of drivers can be somewhat complicated. Anyone have instructions on what order to install drivers and what to leave alone when formatting, etc.

If anyone can post or point me to the right direction it would be much appreciated. Laptop will be here on Friday.

 

why is there no formal review on this laptop? Its been out for a month and everyone acts like it does not exist.

 

Review Samsung Series 7 700Z3A-S03DE Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

 

There is a post about this here somehwhere but I couldn't find it so:

-Install Lan-Drivers
-Install Easy Software Manager
-Start Easy Software Manager, go to "Essential Software" install:
*everything from driver category
*everything from utility category
*the three windows patches under miscellaneous

You can also install leshcats updated graphics driver: leshcat blog IT Tips & Tricks

 

any cons about this laptop?

 

The test notebookhelp posted describes all the main disadvantages.

What I personally dont like is that you have to open the chase to change the hdd. Oh, and easy settings sucks

 

Thanks for the input, 1 last thing that I couldn't find a direct answer to. Installing a clean copy of windows 7 pro (a different disk). This is what I plan to do and just want to make sure i don't mess up the cache partition.

1. Delete all partitions, EXCEPT 8GB Cache
2. Format the 1 TB HDD (LEAVE THE 8GB Cache Untouched)
3. Select the 1 TB partition and create 2 partitions
4. Install windows on first 1 TB HDD partition

That is what I plan on doing and just want to make sure there won't be any issues doing it this way. Again, from what I have read I plan on not touching or formatting the 8GB cache partition. Any input would be helpful.

 

so there are no particular cons, as I understand!

and, comapred to the same priced dell xps 14z, wich is better?

 

The biggest, shared with the 15" model, is the AMD switchable graphics and problems with programs that use OpenGL. Some people encounter poor WiFi reception while others have no problems. Notebookcheck identified excessive CPU throttling and relatively high idle power consumption on battery, and only 2 USB ports is one too few.

John

 

but compared to the dell xps 14z?

 

So i am guessing there are no procedures for formatting? I know some of you here have and I just ask that you post your procedure, in detail, for those of us who are about to do a clean install from a different purchased windows pro disk. Thanks in advance, I just don't want to screw something up.

Will post impressions on computer when received tomorrow.

 

well, I finally bought it!!!!!

Now i have a question: how can I see if the dedicated radeon graphics card is active, or my pc is using the integrated intel card?

 

I received my 14" series 7 on friday and have no issues. I really likes the looks and it feels solid. Screen isn't super great, but can't beat the resolution within the price range. No issues with youtube either.

To see if a program uses the radeon card you can open up the switchable graphics option....right click from desktop. It will show you all the recent programs and if they run on "low" or "high"...."High" being the radeon card. This is the only way i know how to do it.

 

they need to hurry and release ivy bridge for series 7, i will buy one.

 

What outsiderwv said is right. However, I also advocate running "AMD System Monitor" (this: http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/amd-system-monitor/pages/overview.aspx).

When you run it, there's an "AMD Radeon HD 6400M Series" section on the panel. Holy cats, it will show activity, when your AMD graphics are under load. Yay!

 

Great to know, I will give this an install later. Just want to reiterate though, i think this is a pretty nice laptop. Only issues I have had so far is that my left hand palm sometimes hits the touch pad causing it to jump or I highlight stuff not intending to. I am just assuming this is me getting used to the touch pad. Overall though, excellent build quality and I am pretty satisfied with my purchase.

 

I was in the Microsoft Store ready to buy the 7, but a rep told me they pulled it off the shelves because a newer model will be released around Valentine's Day.

 

All of the series 7 that are faulty will aloow you to do this, but this does not mean that the AMD GPU is being used.

Download GPUZ GPU-Z - Download.com Set all of the programs to "high performance" and then check via GPUZ if the AMD GPU is being used.

Additionally download Performance test 30 day trial. PassMark Performance Test download page

During the GPU 3D test, look in the top left hand corner and it will show you what GPU is being used. Prior to using the software also make sure that via AMD Control centre that pt.exe (performance test program) is set to "High performance"

I am pretty sure you will both find that it does not work. Do not trust what the fact that AMD Control centre allows you toset apps to high performance. You have to look deeper.

 

I wonder if they are referring to the Series 5 14" model.

It slightly overlaps with the Series 7 14" except it uses a lower-rez display and there are other spec differences. I saw it at a Best Buy and it's actually a rather nice machine except for the screen resolution.

 

You could always download the Crysis demo and play it

 

Just bought mine, waiting for it to ship from the states!

A bit of a scathing review though: Samsung Tackles the Tween-book | Product Reviews | Wired.com | Wired.comProduct Reviews | Wired.com| Wired.com

 

Rough review, but I disagree with them. I haven't experienced any lag with the laptop and I have just about everything set on low performance; however I will try out the GPU test tonight as suggested on a previous response to check the GPU functionality. Just hard to find a 14" laptop with a 1600 x 900 res and this one has decent specs to back it up. From my understanding the Radeon issue isn't an issue with Samsung per say, but more an issue with ATI card switching compatibility with intel and something that effects most laptops with this configuration.

 

I have been using this laptop for around 10 hours a day, for over a month now, and I haven't really noticed any unusual app-startup lag, and I haven't seen the crashing that the reviewer was describing at all.

At the moment, my single biggest complaint is that I have no way to disable trackpad sensitivity over the "button" areas of the trackpad, so I keep accidentally pinch-zooming my web browser (and I don't want to fully disable pinch-zooming, because I actually use it in a couple of apps).

Seriously, after a month of using the computer, that is my biggest complaint. That's pretty minor, in the grand scheme of things.

 

I just got my NP700Z3A-S03 the other day and even though quite pleased overall, I'm getting a little bit of a headache over some VLC related issues.

I use CPUID Hardware Monitor to see whether the graphics is computed on the Intel chip.

The problem is this: when using VLC, the Intel chip is doing all the work no matter the settings in Catalyst Control Center (I use stock drivers). After about 1m15s the temp reaches 69C and a very loud and aggresive fan cools the chip down to 65C in 1m50s, this procedure then repeats indefinitely. Does anyone else experience the same problem and know how to solve it? It's a bit annoying that my three year old low end laptop does a better job at playing media..

 

just a quick note for people thinking about buying an ssd:

one would assume that the samsung 7 series would support sata III because it uses the HM65 Chipset, which supports sata III.

This is NOT the case, Samsung only supports Sata II in ALL off their notebooks, according to the support

 

According to this post Series 3 np300u1a supports SATA3:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/610768-series-3-11-6-i3-np300u1a-anyone-else-have-one-6.html#post8289441

 

I would trust the user reports more than suppport. Often their information is prepared at the time of model release and compatibility is usually based on what has been tested by Samsung prior to production (when SATA 3 SSDs were harder to find). Support for 8GB RAM modules is another area where specs and reality often differ. It's there in the Intel series 7 chipset until deliberately disabled in the BIOS.

John

 

I dont know about the 3 series, but my ssd in the NP700Z3 is definately running @ sata II.

btw, only 7mm ssds fit in this notebook.

the hdd samsung used is 9.5mm but its a little slimmer at the end which is not the case with most ssds, so the back of the notebook can not be closed properly.




this one didn't fit, but you cant see that on the picture.

 

This is now fow sale at Walmart, i5 2.5 with 8GB ram, complete with backlit keyboard for $998. Only 2 months after it became available, way to devalue your brand Samsung!

 

I can't find this laptop in any of the walmarts around my area!!!

Could you give me a link if it's being sold online

 

Newer model is now available at the Microsoft Store. Don't know the specs, but a sales rep told me on the phone that some problems maybe fixed.

 

Does anyone what new version this is? Currently I only see the NP700Z3A-S01US version on the Microsoft Store.

 

I think I've mentioned this before, but does anyone think Samsung replaced the Series 7 14" with the Series 5 14"?

Basically redesigned case with lower rez screen and integrated graphics?

 

I don't know what it was, but they only had one and the display had no info on it.

It was i5 2.5
8GB ram
I believe 320gb HDD
14" 1600x900
Backlit keyboard
slot load dvd
USB 3

basically a series 7, and not the best buy watered down version.

Costco also sells the 15"

 

My mistake guys. I just went to the microsoft store today and a more reliable rep told me that they pulled it off the shelf because of the tsunami problem overseas. No spec changes.

 

NP700Z3A-S05US and NP700Z3A-S06US are available on J&R and Amazon.

I am now a proud owner of the NP700Z3A-S05US.

For those that are interested, impressions after three weeks of heavy use:

Performance: Has handled my work requirements without any problems. I do find that the fans are on full whack, but I am running a Virtual Machine within my Win 7 install - which means that pretty much 70% of RAM is in use all the time.

Start up times and resume times are very quick - disk access seems pretty good (although I'm planning on sticking in an SSD anyway... )

Screen: Viewing angles aren't great, but the matte screen is fantastic - and the resolution is a beautiful thing to look at after my previous screens.

Keyboard: Solid, very solid - a few Apple users have had a bash and mentioned the quality of it.

Audio: Surprised by how loud the speakers are - although the get quite painful at least you can hear them!

Trackpad: Sorry to say the experience has been pretty poor. I'm not using an external mouse as I've had enough of it. I disabled tapping to help, but just the overall interaction experience is not pleasant.

Battery: My only real complaint. Finding this to be really really poor, even with Samsung Eco mode on (pulling 22w) and Battery life saver disabled (caps battery at 80% - disabling it allows a full 100% change). I am coming from a N510 with a 6 hour battery, but this is just a joke - maximum of 3....

Software: Full of crap - just not as bad as they used to, so I guess well done?!

Overall very happy. Just disappointed with Samsung that I had to get it from the US as they aren't bringing it out in the UK.

If you are on the fence, buy. Just make sure you get the latest revisions of this baby.

 

I see this model as a possible alternative to my Lenovo T420s but your reported the battery life has me worried. I would much prefer an Intel-only graphics version without any separate GPU lurking in the background and trying to leak power. Perhaps the Ivy Bridge Series 7 will show noticeably better battery life.

John

 

I think this comparison is a little unfair. The N510 is an atom netbook and this a full sized i5 notebook on which you are running a W7 VM.

I usually get about 5 hours of continuous mixed use on "balanced" mode without Eco mode, which is just a plain old power profile, btw. If the notebook is idling with the screen of from time to time I have gone through a whole workday without plugging it in.

This notebook isn't without problems, but at least for me battery life isn't one of them.

Btw, if you are planning to get an SSD:

This notebook can only be fitted with 7mm SSD, trust me, I tried

@John Ratsey: Just dont disable the ati popup notifying about new programs and set everything to power save.

But if you have a t420s I would also wait for ivy bridge

 

Yes. No point in me buying at the moment. The T420s has its strengths (main + bay battery claims to give 10 hours of run time and will comfortably deliver 8 hours) but lack of features such as the backlit keyboard make using it in poor lighting difficult (the Thinklight is a joke).

John

 

May I ask you what kind of SSD did you finally install into your machine?
As far as I understand if need 7mm SSD usually people recomend Intel...
Thank you

 

I got a Samsung 830 128gb