Samsung Series 7 Laptops - 15.0" and 15.6" Models (NP700Z4 & NP700Z5)

Those are the hardware geeks and fanboys that compare solely by the innards and don't take into account the aesthetics, functionality, feel, material, and OS that coats the inner hardware – they probably don't care so much about those factors so they perceive the MBP as grossly expensive when looking at it hardware by hardware.

How many more "hardware's" can I fit into a sentence?

 

has anyone found out if the cpus are missing half the instructions like AES etc?

 

Dropped by my local Best Buy where they had a Series 7 on display ... Here are some really brief first impressions. I am an HP Envy 14 (Radiance Display) owner so that should give you a frame of reference for my observations.

1. Design looks really great in person. Picking up the laptop with the lid closed, the chassis feels really solid. The bottom feels really plasticky and not terribly sturdy. Not too much flex to be seen from the exterior.

2. Opening up the laptop, its flex-mania. The keyboard has some pretty noticeable flex towards the middle of the laptop ... The palm rest has some noticeable flex too, and can especially be seen when even clicking down on the touchpad.

3. The touchpad has really great glide characteristics (its glass after all). Couldn't really test the multitouch gestures since Best Buy loads up their own software/drivers on it, but the surface felt great on the touchpad (as good as the Macbook Pro).

4. The screen .... the viewing angles are pretty abysmal, specifically the vertical viewing angles. Then again, this is coming from someone who owns an HP Envy 14 with a Radiance display, so maybe I'm a little bit spoiled. The display on the Samsung doesn't compare at all to the Macbook Pro.

 

Amen! My current laptop has it but I don't really see the need for it.

 

On what planet?

The Vaio F with a quad-core i7, a 540M, and an amazing-quality 16.4" 1080p matte display, rings in at just over $1000, less than half the base price of a MacBook Pro 17. You can throw in 3D and blu-ray and you're still not remotely close to the base price of the MBP 17.

The 15.5" Vaio SE which is about to hit the market is comparable in many ways to the base-model Macbook Pro 15 yet starts at $999, just over half of the price.

The Vaio SA offers a lot more performance than a MBP 13 at a similar price.

The ONLY time I can think of where a Sony is more expensive than a similar-sized Mac is when you compare the MacBook Air to the Vaio Z2...and the Z2 is a lot more computer than the MBA 13 (1080p screen, docking station with optical drive and dedicated GPU, etc).

Thanks for the review! The Series 7 offers such great components-for-the-dollar I figured there was a catch. Crappy screen and flex-happy case seem to be the price you pay.

 

Indeed, the F, SA, SE, and Z are all very great notebooks in terms of specs and aesthetic appeal. I'm a former owner of the FZ and SZ series myself.
however for me personally, the problem is not so much the specs or cost rice ratio (and for sure, the SA and SE are very nice in features), but the long term reliability, particularly after the warranty period is over. Every vaio model I've owned or encountered with, experienced significant problems or outright died after the second year.. an exception to this is the N model (ironically a low end one).

not that the Samsung will be better as for me its still an unknown and rather recent in the N.American market.

 

I really wanted to get this laptop but I just did ssd and second hard drive in my dell xps 16, why can't anybody beside apple just stick with that design.

I hate the numberpad and the trackpad not centered and the matte display as it will get dirty Glossy has glare but it keeps the screen clean. It doesn't even have to be metal but just be sturdy. Apple can't be the only company to make a sexy laptop. Looks like I'm waiting till ivy bridge or dell decides to bring back xps 16

 

im confused, glossy screens gets dirty way easier than matte lol...

 

Lol exactly my thoughts.

 

Arrrrrrrgggghhhhh!!!

Hey Samsung, aren't you a leader in display technology? Why, O, why would you Fudge this laptop up by putting a sub-par display in it??? Do you think tech reviewers will not notice??? You could have had a hit on your hands like the European SGSII!

I'm still hoping that the non-Best Buy Versions have a better display, but I seriously doubt it.

Samsung, if you're listening, please give us at least an OPTION on the Chronos line for a truly top-notch, industry-leading, hi-res, anti-reflective display! And also an ExpressCard34 slot as well! I would gladly pay for it, as I'm sure many others would that end up getting a MBP or something else instead. When you're talking laptops, the INTEGRATED display is at least 50% of the buying equation. You can't swap it out for a better Eizo display like a desktop!

I'm not an Apple fanboy, mainly because of the inflated prices for the technology/specs that you get for your money, but I currently own a MBP because ATM it's the only one (for me, and my photography business) that actually "get's it 95% right" as far as the included tech features and quality. It's solid, has the tech I need, and it just works. Bummed I have to pay almost double for it but I thought, if anybody could do it (Match the MBP), it would be Samsung. Maybe...next year?

/end of rant, lol

 

Flex-mania and cruddy displays. Hmmmm.


Could someone here who's gotten one of the more expensive versions confirm whether the screen's that bad? I too am an Envy 14/Radiance Display owner and I have to wonder why Samsung hasn't used its screen display technology to churn out a good display at least on the BB version. Here's to hoping Bestbuy just got a gimped down version!

 

im still hoping the Best Buy models are lower quality screen/chassis etc etc but thats probably asking to much.

btw the screens havnt looked that bad in the videos.... I mean i know you can tell only so much from em but ya

 

I actually have noticed in some of the videos that the horizontal viewing angle looked quite good, but the vertical V-A not so much.

IIRC, I think it was the "Samsung Canadian Holiday Showcase Event" video where I noticed it most.

 

Wow, some of you guys are masters of speculating.

Delays in shipping? These things are already at Best Buy, ahead of official release date. What makes you think the other models will be delayed?

It's also pretty obvious that the BestBuy model is a lower-end version. It would make sense that they wouldn't include the back-lit keyboard, and possibly use a lower quality screen.

Eagerly waiting on more info from the early adopters.

 

I've watched the youtube videos for this laptop.

Am I the only one that's a bit concerned at the lack of vents? Quite often, there is at least 1 side port for fan exhaust. Are all the vents at the bottom?

Sounds like ThrottleStop might have a new customer...

 

I think the vents are hidden in the display hinge and open when you open the machine, just like the MacBook Pro.

 

The only part we're worried about is screen for now. I find the backlit keyboard to be somewhat of a wash as the LEDs only light the area around the keys, and not the letters themselves.

Judging from the amount of keyboard flex present, Samsung hasn't gotten around to adopting a true unibody design. Which is fine, as long as they've gotten the screen right.

 

What? If you're referring to the Series 7 the backlight lights the letters as well.

 

Really? Hmmmm, must've heard some spurious info! Thanks for the correction.

 

Here are some numbers from my Sypder Elite color profiling on the LCD.

Best Buy 15.6" (SEC314B)
Black Luminance 1.9
Contrast Ratio: 68:1

And for reference to a 92% gamut screen (AUO B156HW01 V.4)
Black Luminance 0.47
Contrast Ratio: 478:1

Also check out Notebookcheck.net for more references.

 

That seems really bad--it seems to be worse than the Series 4 1600x900 display that Notebookcheck reviewed here:
Review Samsung Serie 4 400B5B Laptop - Notebookcheck.net Reviews
(At least we know for sure it's a different model.) It's kind of strange, actually. I don't doubt that Samsung could put the same display into both the Series 4 and the Series 7, but to put in a worse display seems uncharacteristic, considering how good the Series 9 screen was.

 

Let's hope that they've put a lower quality screen in the Best Buy models

 

Is the regular hp dv6t full hd matte screen (not radiance) better? I had that before returning and I was ok with the quality.

 

It could also be that due to supply issues Best Buy laptops might be shipping with different models of screens. It's happened before, I think. It would explain why different people have such radically different evaluations of the screen.

I suspect the viewing angles will be pretty bad either way, though.

 

If someone who thought the BB screen was good is still reading this thread, could you post the model number?

 

dreamwonder,

Thanks for taking the time to profile and post your results of this display! Greatly appreciated. And thanks for the other links as well.

Now excuse me while I go in the corner and cry, lol. jk, but I still am holding on to my hopes that the non-BB models will have a better display. Slim chance, I know, but here's hoping.

 

When I saw the laptop, the screen looked fine to me.

I have to go back to Best Buy and return the cable I bought. I'll take more pictures of viewing angles. That said, it'll be Monday - Wednesday before I go back there.

 

You probably made a typo here, since the numbers do not make much sense. It must've been:
Best Buy 15.6" (SEC314B)
Black Luminance 1.9
Contrast Ratio: 168:1

This is still not stellar, but very usable.

I actually have the laptop (BestBuy version) and love it. The display is not MacBook Pro grade, but not bad at all when compared to the majority of other laptops. I would say (completely unscientifically) that it's well above average.
Overall, design and workmanship is very good. Performance is great: passmark rating of ~1460. And $870 price tag is really hard to beat.

 

As of yesterday, September 28, the only model and SKU number that BB have in their store inventory/internal computer sytems (and also on the web site) is:

Model:NP700Z5B-W01UB|SKU:3495331

This is the only model with a built-in/internal Sprint/Clearwire/'Best Buy' Wi-Max cellular modem.

 

Also, if you right-click on the pictures I posted, copy the image URL, then paste and go in a new tab, and it will bring up a bigger version of that picture.

They're on page 57.

 

Er, sorry, I meant the model number of the screen. I can get mine through HWiNFO64:
HWiNFO64 Download
but I don't remember where to find it on a vanilla Windows 7 install.

I'm assuming SEC314B is the monitor model--from some Googling, it looks like the Asus N55 uses the exact same display.

 

I went the other day and even though it showed in stock it wasn't. Today went to another store and they had it. I got there at closing so didn't have long.

The bottom is very clearly plastic, the palmrest is brushed but some type of fake aluminum. The color is nice, not as dark as the older Samsung they sell next to it, which I believe is a Series 3.

The display opens without holding down the computer or lifting it off the table, which is nice.

You can definately see flex if you push on the keyboard or palmrest. The bezel is nice. The touchpad is ok, feels very smooth and better than a plastic one, but I would prefer buttons. Two finger scrolling did not work.

The touchpad kept interfering with the keyboard typing, I don't know if it was because I was standing up and it was hard to type at the angle or not, but defiantly annoying.

All this talk of 15.6" models, it seems they forgot about the 14", hopefully that gets released with the backlit keyboard and I would probably get it but doesn't look like we will be able to see it in person.

Build quality is definitely not as solid as a Macbook Pro, many seams along the bottom piece and palmrest piece.

I would say it's a good value but not built as well as a MBP, Thinkpad or Sony.

 

Samsung LTN184KT01F01 -----------------------------------------------------

[General information]
Monitor Name: Samsung LTN184KT01F01
Monitor Name (Manuf): SAMSUNG LTN156KT068
Serial Number: Unknown
Date Of Manufacture: Week: 0, Year: 2011
Monitor Hardware ID: Monitor\SEC314B
Max. Vertical Size: 19 cm
Max. Horizontal Size: 34 cm
[Advanced parameters]
Input Signal: Digital
Display Type: RGB color
Gamma Factor: 2.20
[DPMS Modes]
Standby: Not Supported
Suspend: Not Supported
Active Off: Not Supported
Standard Colour Space: Not Supported
Preferred Timing Mode: Supported
Default GTF Supported: Not Supported
DFP 1.x Compatible: No
[Supported Video Modes]
1600 x 900 344 x 194 mm, Pixel Clock 100.40 MHz


According to google this is 18.4" screen. Weird...

 

Thanks! I guess I was wrong.

 

Computer
Computer Brand Name: Samsung 700Z3A/700Z4A/700Z5A/700Z5B

Motherboard
Motherboard Model: Samsung 700Z3A/700Z4A/700Z5A/700Z5B
Motherboard Chipset: Intel HM65 (Cougar Point) [B3]
Motherboard Slots: 5xPCI Express x1, 1xPCI Express x16
PCI Express Version Supported: v2.0
USB Version Supported: v3.0

PCH Features
USB Port Count: 12 ports
RAID Capability: Not Supported
SATA Ports 2 and 3: Supported
SATA Port 1 6 Gb/s: Supported
SATA Port 0 6 Gb/s: Supported
PCI Interface: Not Supported
USB Redirect (USBr): Not Supported
Intel Anti-Theft Technology: Not Supported
PCI Express Ports 7 and 8: Supported
PCH Integrated Graphics Support: Supported
Data Center Manageability Interface (DCMI): Supported
Node Manager: Supported

BIOS
BIOS Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies
BIOS Date: 09/03/2011
BIOS Version: 02FD
EFI BIOS: Capable



General Module Information
Module Number: 2
Module Size: 2048 MBytes
Memory Type: DDR3 SDRAM
Module Type: SO-DIMM
Memory Speed: 666.7 MHz (PC3-10600)
Module Manufacturer: Samsung
Module Part Number: M471B5773CHS-CH9
Module Revision: 0
Module Serial Number: 3893832657
Module Manufacturing Date: Year: 2011, Week: 35
Module Manufacturing Location: 2
SDRAM Manufacturer: Samsung
Error Check/Correction: None



Audio Adapter: Intel Cougar Point PCH - High Definition Audio Controller [B2]
Audio Controller Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C20&SUBSYS_C0B3144D&REV_04
High Definition Audio Codec: RealTek ALC269
Audio Codec Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0269&SUBSYS_00000000

Network Card: Intel Centrino Wireless-N 6150 BGN 1x2 HMC


Chemistry: Lithium Ion
Designed Capacity: 80216 mWh
Full Charged Capacity: 81400 mWh
Wear Level: 0.0 %

Current Power Status
Power Status: Discharging
Current Capacity: 64306 mWh (79.0 %)
Current Voltage: 15.910 V
Discharge Rate: -11470 mW

 

Hmm.... all these comments is making me rethink about getting this laptop...

 

There is no arguing that it's a really great price for what you get! Unfortunately, the screen quality is very important to me as a location photographer that typically needs to do some on-site color-correction and image editing in Photoshop, Lightroom, or CaptureOne Pro.

I was just trying to avoid having to upgrade to a new MBP as I'm not particularly keen about the way Apple & Co have been conducting business lately and I'm a cheap , lol. And that's not to say that Samsung is angelic in any way, but...that's another topic.

From the few videos I've seen, it looks as if the screen changes drastically when just tilting it slightly forward or back, e.g. changing the vertical viewing angle. I'm probably overly critical and realize that I'm in a very small minority of users that would be this critical, but it's what I want damnit.

For my everyday email, word doc, and web use I'm sure I'd be more than happy with it, so I'm still going to keep my preorder at Amazon for now.

For my everyday email & web use

 

What would everyone get instead of this with a 15" screen, quad i7, and similar form factor, under $1400?

 

How would you compare this with the HP DV6? BB discounted the price of DV6 already so both of these are almost the same price.

 

Double post Android fail haha.

 

Don't buy a DV6 from Best Buy (or anywhere) unless it has the 1920x1080 display. The 1366x768 display in the DV6 would be worse than the display in this Samsung (which at least has an acceptable resolution of 1600x900)

 

Oh, there's nothing wrong with having those kinds of expectations of a screen, especially as many of us would gladly pay a little extra for it. Even as someone who just games and watches high-res movies on his notebook, I see the benefits. I love watching my movies when I easily perceive the extra colors and the improved brightness. Scenes of peaceful forests and quiet beaches really come out at ya, hence the commonly used tech review phrase "colors really pop out." And that they do!


Plus you've gotta admit there's a benefit to being able to look at stuff without having to keep your head at a specific spot and angle. My old Dell's crappy screen annoyed me so much as I found myself constantly closing/opening the screen slightly to somehow adjust for crappy vertical viewing angles and moving my head left to right to find the best "spot" where I wouldn't lose viewability.


In the end, I want wide viewing angles and high-gamut display. I know most notebook screens are going to use TN panels, but we all know that not all TN panels are created equal.


That being said, I'm genuinely afraid there won't be alternatives to the Macbook Pro come 2013 when it comes time to replace my Envy 14 with the Radiance Display.

 

Sony Vaio F2 (16.4" 1080p); Sony Vaio SE (15.5" 1080p). Both have matte finishes; both have great contrast and good viewing angles. The F2 is better than the SE, but both should be a significant step up from the Samsung for people who love great screens.

On the other hand, neither can compare with the CPU/GPU combination that the Series 7 offers.

 

damn...i really want the

15" (14inch chassis) model...

with 6750m gpu

if it even exists

samsung needs to get their act together...it seems like theres not alot of teamwork going on within their company

 

I do not recommend getting a Sony. Everyone I know who's owned one, including myself, has hated it due to the random breakage that starts setting in after the first year. Even Dells are hardier.

 

Well, who cares of vertical viewing angles since you'd open the lid so that you are in the optimal angle from the start, it's not like you're standing up and down all day long in front of your computer lol.
Horizontal angles on the other hand are a big issue...

 

That's the thing. I want a thin/light solution with power and a great touchpad. Hard to find that combination. Even the Envy 14 required some 3rd party tweaks to bring the touchpad to an acceptable level.

 

Yea but if the vertical viewing angle is really narrow then everytime you lean forward or back the colours will change. I can imagine that would be annoying

 

Readers' Choice Awards 2011: Desktops and Laptops - Laptops | PCMag.com

Laptop reliability survey: ASUS and Toshiba win, HP fails -- Engadget

 

So a 2-year-old survey puts them in 3rd place, and a more recent survey marks them as "average"? That's encouraging. Actually, that PC Mag piece confirms what I was saying about problems setting in after the first year. I loved my Vaio Z12 until it suddenly started breaking in all sorts of minor, yet incredibly obnoxious ways.