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

    Discussion in 'Samsung' started by PeterDLai, Aug 30, 2011.

  1. Arès1511

    Arès1511 Notebook Consultant

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    It seems that the bestbuy model is an exception, because a lot of the models (15,6") which you can pre-order in Europe have express cache, a backlit keyboard, the 6750M, at least 6 Gb of RAM and, for the screen, it appears that nobody is ok, because some of you tell us that it's very very bad, and others tell us that it's ok (someone who have a MBP tell this, or the MBP's screen is really good, so if he hasn't been shocked, i'm not worried about)

    EDIT: The new MBP won't come's out until april, not february, because Ivy bridge won't be available in february (end of march or april) so we are talking about 6 months... and we need to stop the comparison, The Chronos is a PC, the MBP is a Mac. Yes, the future MBP might be stronger than it. But, the serie 7 CHRONOS is the greatest Pc's notebook for the moment, which have the better GPU for a relatively light notebook We aren't talking about a mac, but about PC. It's the same thing that the comparison btw iphone and androphone. You choose an OS, it's the same thing for the CHRRONOS and MBP.
     
  2. Goren

    Goren Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    what about the Dell XPS15z or the Sony Vaio SE? they are both as thin as the MBP.. the Vaio SE is lighter with a higher res screen.
     
  3. Arès1511

    Arès1511 Notebook Consultant

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    But why do you say that samsung downgrade the machine (except for the audio)???
    The bestbuy model is an exeption, as i said, in Europe, every model (15,6 and 14", no information of the 15" for the moment) have expresscache, backlit keybord etc... so there is no reason that it won't be the same thing all arround the world...
     
  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    I was checking if that 15" screen would fit into my 14" Lenovo T420s. It would, but the sides of the bezel would only be about 3mm ( 1/8") wide which will need some good structural engineering to avoid excessive flexibility. However, I expect there are some wider 14" models out there upon which Samsung based their claim.

    I looked a bit more closely at the 14" model to see if it could be an alternative to my T420s and saw a couple of drawbacks. (i) Intel graphics meet all my needs; (ii) I don't like slot load optical drives - they lack the simplicity of the tray loaders; and (iii) the T420s has the option to put in an extra battery instead of the optical drive. But I do like Samsung's decision to offer more matte screens.

    John
     
  5. nicob

    nicob Notebook Consultant

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    Simply because both laptops have awful gpus (and are insanely high priced!). I want to be able to play a bit, especially for race sims or games like COD, and well, since i also plan to keep it for a least a couple years I need a decent gpu in my laptop!
    In that sense the XPS M1530 was perfect, nearly 4 years after it initially came out I can still play some of the latest games (Shift 2, COD, ...).
     
  6. mariofz31z

    mariofz31z Notebook Consultant

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    Well, as you've just said, except the audio, a big step backwards in my opinion, as audio is very important, I mean not to be forced to apply to externals.

    And the display, maybe. What's the purpose for such a low contrast in a premium machine? My Vaio, with all its drawbacks and the Sony-specific ripping the client's balls off when servicing, has around 650:1, more than 330 cd/m2 average luminance and reasonable viewing angles, so it's far superior. Dell XPS and Sony S 15.5, some other premium machines, have something similar, if not better. So, to change this for a 150:1 contrast, even matte (which is quite nice), this is not an option for me. I'm very disappointed.

    This is no longer an all round machine, but only a sleek design, while indeed, keeping some other good specs like processor, hard-drive, connectivity, long-lasting battery, etc. At least, let's hope so.

    And it's not very cheap either. The price for the top configuration will be 1400 euros, if I remember correctly. So what's the catch? It's only a Samsung after all.
     
  7. Goren

    Goren Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    they have the same GPU as the MBP that you are considering, the SE starts at $999
     
  8. nicob

    nicob Notebook Consultant

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    Actually no, as the MBP I was talking about is the high-end model, with the 6570. And I never considered purchasing this one but the next one, in Feb.
     
  9. yromenapri

    yromenapri Notebook Consultant

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    Not sure why everyone is complaining about the BB model. When the Series 7 was announced and everyone got excited, nobody was excited because of the BB model, you guys were excited about the $1150 + models.

    There's no verdict yet on the higher end models, so chill out.

    Also buying the highest-specced one is a total waste of money, as all you get is really 2 more GB of RAM for more than $150. Just buy the $1150 one and add Ram yourself (we know that 1 DIMM is changeable, 4GB soldered)

    The Series 7 has the 6750M.

    The 6750M GPU is a great GPU (only slightly below the dv6's 6770M). If you want something better, get a Sager/Clevo.

    And if you want to play the waiting game, go ahead. You can never win, as by the time the new macbook rolls around, the next, better iteration will be in development with Haswell processors, and so one.
     
  10. Arès1511

    Arès1511 Notebook Consultant

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    @nicob: You talk about a mac? So you'll install windows on Mac to play (because there is a lot of game which aren't available on mac OSX)? If you want to play, mac isn't the better choice (not regarding the hardware, but regarding the compatibility).

    @yromenapri: I'm totally agreed. Since the begening, i'm interested by the high end model (with 6 Gb), expresscache, backlit keyboard and the 6750M. So i'm waiting for some reviews of THESE models.

    @mariofz31z: "It's only a Samsung after all" LOL and soooo? The serie 9 was a very great (relatively powerfull, very good screen, exellent finitons) machine exept for the price...
     
  11. dp3000

    dp3000 Notebook Evangelist

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    Where did you find the pre-order pages for europe?
     
  12. mariofz31z

    mariofz31z Notebook Consultant

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    Well, I just expect from Samsung to offer a better deal, that's it, I'm not such a high hat. But when they downgrade the screen & audio, it's almost the same thing as buying Sony, same price for the package. Sony has better screens and lower hardware, while Samsung does the viceversa. What's the catch?

    BTW, you seem to know more than others about the notebook. So, please tell us, where did you find that the European versions have better screens?

    I believe that the best thing to do is to wait for a comprehensive review, but the wow factor has definitely gone. Too bad!
     
  13. rarely

    rarely Newbie

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    I was so pumped about this Laptop, but if the screen sucks, I wont buy it. Would love to see that European Preorder Page as well.
     
  14. nicob

    nicob Notebook Consultant

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    @yromenapri: I know the high-end MBP and the samgung have the same gpu, hence people comparing them both. They have pretty much all the same components, with a slight advantage for the Samsung with USB3, screen, and of course price.

    @Arès: do i have much solutions? I would like to have a machine like my xps was when it came out: decent components in everything. Although the MBP isn't optimal with window, it still is the best option for me.
     
  15. nicob

    nicob Notebook Consultant

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    I believe that what Arès considers as the pre-order pages are the german links and the UK page of the chronos, as they both have the specs written for their specific markets.
     
  16. lvckldfsakoakoa

    lvckldfsakoakoa Notebook Enthusiast

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    Wait, how does the Samsung have a slight advantage with its screen?
     
  17. Arès1511

    Arès1511 Notebook Consultant

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    I never said that European version have better screen, I said that there is no downgrade for expresscache backlit keyboard etc... for the screen, I said that we need to wait not because we can hope that the high end models will have better displays, but because "tHE j0KER" said that the display is fine, and he have a MBP, which have a very good screen, so if he found that it looks fine, i'm a bit reassured. Moreover, i ask samsung on youtube (i already ask them about the price of the 15,6 6750M and the availability, it will be available in France at the end of october at the price of 1199€ ;) about the version of bestbuy, i'm waiting for a response, even if it won't be objective, i supposed...
     
  18. mariofz31z

    mariofz31z Notebook Consultant

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    I'm afraid this is the screen, it's very hard to believe they'd have launched it with washed out displays, only to bring out better ones later. It's like they'd have never heard about the internet, nobody is that stupid to make the first step with an obsolete product, this move would generate negative comments and compromise their launch entirely.

    It's been the same from the very beginning, from IFA Berlin, or they downgraded it in the meantime to save money.
     
  19. Arès1511

    Arès1511 Notebook Consultant

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    Yes, it will be really surprising if the screen will be better but it's strange too that only bestbuy have started to sell it, no? I don't know anything about bestbuy (In France, we don't know anything about this shop^^), but it appears that they have already sell laptops "downgraded"
     
  20. mariofz31z

    mariofz31z Notebook Consultant

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    Yeap, quite weird, the woofer is still there on theirs Facebook page as well:

    Samsung Notebook - CHRONOS | Facebook

    And about Best Buy: we're pleased to inform that the SERIES 7 CHRONOS will be released in the USA early October from Best Buy retailer. Please note that the release date for other retailers is expected early November. We hope this helps!

    http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.209487382444523.51867.129550143771581&type=1

    So it's official, but still too early for a full launch. Who knows? Maybe they haven't decided yet what is right. We have to wait a little bit more...
     
  21. Atom Ant

    Atom Ant Hello, here I go again

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    This is a very useful picture to us! Dual fun is great, but I cannot see mSata port for SSD drive, and only one DIMM another is soldered. That is not good... I wonder if possible to swap out the DVD Drive to change 2nd Hard Disk?
     
  22. nicob

    nicob Notebook Consultant

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    Matte screen and resolution, not quality. I'm sorry, I should have been more specific.
     
  23. prepseb

    prepseb Notebook Evangelist

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    TigerDirect: Samsung NP700Z5A-S02US Series 7 Notebook PC - Intel Core i7-2675QM 2.2GHz, 6GB DDR3, 750GB HDD, DVDRW, Backlit Keyboard, AMD Radeon HD 6750M, 15.6 LED Display Pre-Order Now (Ships Early October) at TigerDirect.com

    Model is : NP700Z5A-S02US


    If you go on Samsung website:
    Series 7 15.6" Notebook }| Samsung NP700Z5AH

    Look for Storage on the right: 750GB HD with ExpressCache
     
  24. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    I did not read the whole thread but when can we expect the 14" with 1600x900?
     
  25. supertwister

    supertwister Notebook Enthusiast

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    I asked Tiger Direct Canada about when the laptop would be available but they don't know...

    Dear Valued Customer,

    Thank you for your emaill.

    We apologize, but we do not have any information when that item will be available in Canada. Thus it does depend on the manufacturer.

    Thank you for visiting our website. We appreciate your business. If you have further inquiries and reply to this email, please make sure to include your entire message, so we can address it appropriately.

    Sincerely,
    Anthony
    TigerDirect.ca Web Response
     
  26. RefinedPower

    RefinedPower Notebook Deity

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    early to mid October is the official word... non of the online merchants have the 14" available for pre-order though.
     
  27. supertwister

    supertwister Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well if you are talking about this model:

    Samsung NP700Z5A-S02US Series 7 Notebook PC - Intel Core i7-2675QM 2.2GHz, 6GB DDR3, 750GB HDD, DVDRW, Backlit Keyboard, AMD Radeon HD 6750M, 15.6" LED Display Pre-Order Now (Ships Early October)

    Samsung NP700Z5A-S02US Series 7 Notebook PC - Intel Core i7-2675QM 2.2GHz, 6GB DDR3, 750GB HDD, DVDRW, Backlit Keyboard, AMD Radeon HD 6750M, 15.6 LED Display Pre-Order Now (Ships Early October) at TigerDirect.com

    On Samsung's website it has express cache (model number NP700Z5A-S02US) so it should have it for Tiger Direct since it is the same model number.
     
  28. supertwister

    supertwister Notebook Enthusiast

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    Very true. We have to realize that for the moment, nobody has seen model NP700Z5A-S02US, which is the one we are interested in (along with a hypothetical 14inch with 6750 but since it is not even on Samsung's US site it seems unlikely).
     
  29. supertwister

    supertwister Notebook Enthusiast

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    Last post this morning: For everyone worried about the screen quality because of the best buy model compare this:

    From tiger direct:

    Samsung Notebook Series 7 at TigerDirect.com
    As the world's largest manufacturer of LCD panels, we know how to deliver the sharpest, clearest image. Our SuperBright™ technology is the latest example, giving you a brilliant 300-nit screen (50% brighter than many traditional PCs) and stunning range of color (up to 16 million colors). Combined with the Series 7 notebooks' matte screens, they're bright enough and glare-free enough to use anywhere, even outdoors.

    Here they seem to really push the screen as of superior quality.

    Compared to bestbuy:

    Samsung - Series 7 Laptop / Intel® Core™ i7 Processor / 15.6" Display - Silver - NP700Z5B-W01UB

    15.6" LED high-definition widescreen display
    Showcases movies and games in stunning clarity.

    There is a small difference in marketing talk :p indicating that screen might not be the same for the two models (NP700Z5B-W01UB vs NP700Z5A-S02US).
     
  30. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    We need another photo of what is under the keyboard (ie on the other side of the mainboard).

    I'm sure it would be feasible to modify (hack off the bezel) one of the HDD caddies sold for other notebooks to fit instead of the optical drive. The SATA connector is in a standard position.

    John
     
  31. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    This was probably already noticed but OMG this laptop looks good on paper.

    A 14" 1600x900 that's smaller, thinner, lighter and cheaper than the 13' Macbook Pro.

    Apple is in for some serious competition.
     
  32. RefinedPower

    RefinedPower Notebook Deity

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    tbh i dont think people getting a 13" mbp are really doing it for the specs as much as the hip factor/OSX/simple (some think classy) mbp design etc etc
     
  33. dp3000

    dp3000 Notebook Evangelist

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    msata for what when there's a normal sata connection available?
     
  34. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    I'm a MBP owner ;) The Samsung Series 7 is a serious alternative to me.
     
  35. dp3000

    dp3000 Notebook Evangelist

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    Why is it hard for people to believe that Best buy is selling a lower quality series 7. It happens all the time in the UK with Dixons, Currys, comet and pc world. For example the u46sv that i saw i comet has a crap screen when compared to the one in micro anvika on Tottenham court road.

    People need to see the model that they want with their own eyes before making judgement.
     
  36. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    not saying that it isn't true but just the screen isn't a good way to judge it. Because Asus will use whatever screen they happen to have. Buy two of the same Asus models at Dixons and one can come with a AUO screen, the other can have LG for example. Same goes for Macbook Air.

    Even if you buy two Samsung TVs of the same type they can come with different panels.
     
  37. psygn

    psygn Notebook Evangelist

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    I think it's because of the less than common screen resolution that makes people think that Samsung wouldn't bother creating two classes of it.

    I'll hold my judgement until I see proper reviews from the models advertised with SuperBright. They are really pushing the screen as a great part of this notebook. It'd be sad if it were as crappy as some BestBuy model purchasers are saying.
     
  38. taz5176

    taz5176 Notebook Enthusiast

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    any chance for a vid review?
     
  39. Arès1511

    Arès1511 Notebook Consultant

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  40. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    My German is not perfect but I don't see them saying they have'm in stock.

    As far as I know "Wird für Sie bestellt" means "Will be ordered for you".
     
  41. Rubenstein

    Rubenstein Notebook Consultant

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  42. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    It's funny that Google translation says it means "in stock". Pretty big error.
     
  43. comptonsurviver

    comptonsurviver Notebook Enthusiast

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    If anyone can do a full review of even the bestbuy one it would be greatly appreciated.

    Or if anyone knows of any website or video that reviews any model of the samsung 7 Series, Please post.

    Thanks!
     
  44. mmmangoes

    mmmangoes Notebook Deity

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    Tiger direct now has a page for the 700z3A-S01US, though you can not pre-order it yet (amazon had this one available for pre-order a while back, though not anymore)

    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

    macmall has it available for pre-order- though it lists the resolution as 1366x768 for some reason ($1249)
    700Z3A-S01US
    (i apologize if this has already been posted, i did not see it)
     
  45. Arès1511

    Arès1511 Notebook Consultant

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    Ok, because i don't speak a little word in german, but that's google traduction which is traduce it in "in stock"... sorry for the wrong information...

    Edit: Sorry, it's true that "deutschmann" is inappropriate...^^
     
  46. NEOFOLLOWER2

    NEOFOLLOWER2 Notebook Consultant

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    i went to best buy and i saw the series 7 in person...

    and im sold

    it's wayy smaller than i imagined it to be. i was worried about the 15.6 being too big for me.

    the bezel is tiny compared to everything else at bestbuy

    im gonna get getting the 15.6" with the backlit keyboard and 6750 when it is available...im probably going to be preordering it from amazon
     
  47. braveulysses

    braveulysses Notebook Enthusiast

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    sorry if this was already mentioned but why is best buy only going to carry the non backlit keyboard? I called samsung and asked who would carry it in USA and they said they do not know yet. looks like amazon it is....

    is it just me or would this laptop be pretty good for light gaming (Diablo 3, SC2)? i'm liking the specs and design alot.
     
  48. Arès1511

    Arès1511 Notebook Consultant

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    SC 2 works fine with the 6750M at high details. It will be the same thing for D3 i think, but you won't be abble to play at ultra, of course... but is it really important?
    High is pretty enough i think who needs more need to regard at gamers laptops.
     
  49. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Series 7 14" in Germany
    Core i5-2430M 2x 2.40GHz • 8192MB • 750GB • DVD+/-RW DL • AMD Radeon HD 6490M 1024MB • 3x USB (1x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0)/Gb LAN/WLAN 802.11bgn/Bluetooth 3.0 • HDMI • Webcam (1.3 Megapixel) • 4in1 Card Reader • 14.0" WXGA++ non-glare LED TFT (1600x900) • Windows 7 Professional (64-bit) • Li-Ionen-Akku (8 Zellen) • 1.95kg • 24 Monate Herstellergarantie

    Starting at 1179 eur
    Samsung 700Z3A, Core i5-2430M, 8192MB, 750GB (NP-700Z3A-S01DE) | Geizhals.at EU
     
  50. prepseb

    prepseb Notebook Evangelist

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    :( 10char........
     
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