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

Right, that comes from Samsung. But it's listed as a "factory option" (e.g. on the Amazon page). That means they potentially have the ability to leave it out, as far as I can tell. And judging from the fact that all the features are listed on the TigerDirect page EXCEPT for ExpressCache (and HD capacity is listed as 750, unlike Amazon which lists it as 750+EC), it seems likely that it's not there.

 

TD/CompUSA is oos.

 

ok, i just called again to them, this model has an i7 cpu + 6750M GPU, about the express cache he just tell me it`s 750GB 7200RPM (he did not know about the express cache) and again i asked about the available, it will be available in the end of this week, does this express cache has so big difference on the laptop performance?

 

Yeah the express cache is a huge selling point for this computer. It's what allows them to claim a sub 20s startup time and rapid sleep-wake speed. It'll definitely be a huge disappointment if the computer didn't come with it. I wonder if tigerdirect has the computers in hand already, I would assume that if the model included express cache that it would list it on the box?

Edit: the tigerdirect site now shows that the 15.6 model is "currently unavailable." Hopefully that signifies too many pre-orders and not a delay in delivery on samsung's part.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1159307

 

The sale rep people might not have seen the box yet. They could just be told on computer or w/e that it's going to be instock by end of this week.

 

Now Amazon has changed their model numbers:

In the title NP700Z5A- S03US (Item model number: NP700Z5A- S01US):
Amazon.com: Samsung NP700Z5A-S03US 15.6-Inch Laptop (Silver): Computers & Accessories

In the title NP700Z5A- S04US (Item model number: NP700Z5A- S02US):
Amazon.com: Samsung NP700Z5A-S04US 15.6-Inch Notebook - Silver: Computers & Accessories

 

I wouldn't trust CompUSA just yet guys. You could be saving that $70 for the lack of Express Cache/8GB SSD. This scares me. For Samsung to advertise Express Cache as one of the key sales features, they must make it standard for all online and brick-and-mortar retailers to include it in specs.

I really hope CompUSA has express cache though and that it releases by this week. If this all goes well, my cash is going to CompUSA.

I initially wanted the NP700Z5A-S01US with 8GB RAM. But now that I see it, why is the price difference $150 for just 2 extra gigs of RAM? I can easily get an extra 2GB DDR3 for like 12 bucks. There must be something more the S01US is packing that the S02 is missing. Any theories on this?

If no one else releases this S01US, I'm just going for the S02 either through Amazon or CompUSA.

 

I would be heavily disappointed if Samsung decided to play hide and seek with their customers. It might've been justified to sell a toned down version at a mainstream retailer like best buy, but for them to offer different model numbers of the same product and cut out certain features between each one would be plain ridiculous.

 

Well at IFA samsung was pretty clear that only low end versions would not have express cache (6490M 15.6") and the EC was always stated with *factory option even on spec sheets of higher models so that further down the page they could advertise the expressless ones too.

 

Think I read somewhere that it comes with Win7 Pro instead of Win 7 HP

 

on amazon the 8GB version has win 7 HP Amazon.com: Samsung NP700Z5A-S03US 15.6-Inch Laptop (Silver): Computers & Accessories maybe another version of samsung

 

If your considering The Samsung Series 7 laptop please look at this and compare...
Sony VAIO VPCSE16FX/S Laptop Computer - Intel Core i5-2430M(Upgradeable to I-7) 2.40GHz, 6GB DDR3 (Upgradeable to 8GB), 640GB HDD (Upgradeable to SSD), Blu-Ray Player, AMD Radeon HD 6630M 1GB, Backlit Keyboard, 1920X1080p Sony Vaio Plus HD 15.5" Display, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, Silver $1079 at tiger direct. Frys electronics has the model below this with no bluray and only 512k AMD HD 6470M Graphics card. For $999. This model only weighs 4.4 lbs and is all magnesium alloy. Solid frame slight flex in the screen. Viewing angles are above average in comparison to dell XPS and closer to Sony Vaio Z. Bright screen for a Matte or anti-glare screen. Looks like a viable option to Samsung? Anyone have any thoughts?

 

Looks like a nice machine. One significant difference is that it has the dual core version of the i7 as opposed to the quad core that the series 7 sports.

 

Well the problem is i5 is only dual core and i7 is quad core. From Tiger direct the upgrade model is more expensive and no one really needs a blu-ray drive. The sony models are always going to be far more expensive and more about the looks. I've owned a Sony laptop it's alright but I seriously don't think that the Sony notebook is worth getting. It's best to wait until what the hell is Samsung doing to the Series 7 before deciding. Plus it cost like 200+ more for i7 and it includes a blu-ray which is pointless.

 

the 1080p display is probably much better then what samsung is sending... and saying blu-ray is pointless isnt exactly correct especially when you got a 1080p to view it on. Besides that they are roughly the same price... main difference is the lower end 6630 gpu. CPU isnt an issue for 99% of the people around here... frankly a mid end I5 is more then the vast majority of users will ever need.

 

the thing is...samsung has to have already started mass producing these...

so i dont understand why they cant get their representatives the correct info

i mean they have to know what they're producing...its not like one day they can just decide that they dont want to make a version with certain features and screen sizes and do that...it has to be planned so they can prep the factories for production

 

Not to mention the mysterious S03US and S04US, where the hell did those come from? They certainly weren't mentioned in any of the promotional material.

 

Then again I should had say that it's pointless to some people. I don't use dvd or blu-ray discs or any other discs. All I need is a large hard drive. But I'm speaking in point of view that I need something higher end since I need a powerful mobile computer.

 

I talked to a rep from TigerDirect and he told me that they have ordered ~230 units and that they expect the computers to arrive later in the week. So we should know for certain by Thursday or Friday exactly what specs included in the TigerDirect model.

 

Thanks for this information. This also explains why their pre-order is sold-out already.

 

You can config this computer without the blu ray for a hundred less. Yes I see the point of getting the Quad core over the Dual core i7 but the trade off is 1920x1080 vs 1600X900. I have seen both the Bestbuy model of the Samsung series 7 and the Sony Vaio SE at Frys electronics. Its a tough decision. Very impressed with the new Sony Screen and lighter weight.

 

Not to be rude but can someone please that has this do a user review?

 

I am also considered about this. 2 extra GB for $150?! I really have no idea what's going on here. There's only such a small difference between NP700Z5A-S01US and NP700Z5A-S01US. It makes no sence for Samsung to have both of these two models. It's not an economical marketing strategy... Does anyone have idea about this?

 

You have to wait until end of the week. According to Tigerdirect, there in stock at end of this week.

 

I have read that S01 come with Win7 Pro, but acctually in the samsung's website and Amazon, it's still WIN7 HP for S01.

 

Yeah, it's so ambiguos and weird.

 

Don't know if anyone realized. That the pages for S03US and S04US.
For Example
Amazon.com: Samsung NP700Z5A-S04US 15.6-Inch Notebook - Silver: Computers & Accessories
It links to Samsung NP700Z5A-S04US but the URL says S02US. Unless amazon just failed by changing the name by accident or what?

 

i believe the higher end model has windows professional...but even then
it's not worth it

im starting to see why samsung was unable to update their android samsung galaxy s on time...the company sucks at marketing and their internal designers and engineers arent communicating with marketing team it seems like

 

I believe the spec sheet for the most expensive model listed a TPM module, whereas the other models didn't have one. However, it seems clear that all of Samsung's early marketing material in regards to these laptops must be viewed with at least mild skepticism, so there may be some other explanation for the price differential.

 

How is the battery life on the quad core models when browsing the web? Is there switchable gpu?

 

No switchable gpu, but suppose to go up to 9 hours of battery life. But no one really has this notebook yet except those with Best Buy models which are not the ones most people are looking for. Still waiting for the higher end models.

 

sb quad has switchable graphics. AnandTech - Intel Releases New Sandy Bridge Processors no switchables for the series 7?

 

According to the Samsung rep on their Facebook page (in reply to someone who asked if it was aluminum body or plastic):

That's a link to the youtube video we've already seen, and we already know how unreliable those reps can be. But it's a good sign, I suppose.

 

I thought it was plastic on the bottom and palm rests?

 

PC Superstore/cost central links (listed as "out of stock")

Samsung-NP700Z5AS01US

Samsung-NP700Z5AS02US

 

I was looking for the SE too, but the full hd screen is an advantage and disadvantage.
I want to play a bit with my notebook (SC 2, Diablo 3 etc...) the vaio SA has the same GPU and a 1600x900 display and it's hard to play at SC 2 in good condition at medium graphics with the native resolution... so on the Full HD SE, i don't really think it's a pretty machine for who want's to play.
Moreover I see many peoples who are highlight Sony for their screens, but exept the vaio premium screen, a vaio plus display isn't so good. Why? Because of the Vaio SA. The vaio SA have a vaio plus display and the contrast is: 158:1 approximatly... and the black : 1,9...
So i don't really trust the quality of the vaio plus sreen (I precise that I've a Sony TV and a Playstation 3. Moreover, I've had a vaio VPC Z1 serie which is the better laptop i've ever owned, but the GPU wasn't strong enough, but the display (vaio premium) was WAOUH (823:1 contrast and 0,4 black value! So I don't hate Sony, I precise).
I'm not saying that the screeen of the SE is bad, I'm saying that needs to be carreful with the vaio plus display... unlike the premium display which are the better in the market, better than MBP screens.
About the interest of the blu ray... I understand that it would be useful if you don't have a PS3 or a blu ray drive yet, but watching a blu ray on a 15,6" isn't the best choice IMHO

 

As far as I know the S series uses quite a low contrast screen. Same goes for 13" Sony S 1600x900 screen (measured on Notebookcheck).

I'm hoping Samsung is using better screens. Haven't seen any measurements yet though.

 

This laptop looks super sexy...if only I hadn't bought the Y570 a few months back.

 

Bad news if you wanted the 15"/14" and you live in the US:

 

when????????????????????????????

 

This page mentions the ventilation system:
Samsung Serie 7 Chronos: prime impressioni in video - Notebook Italia

It is in Italian, anyone cares to translate the paragraph?

 

I asked a question concerning the display on Samsung Facebook. Told me to check with best buy and get the specs. They wouldnt answer the direct question with a direct answer. What I asked was if the 15.6 displays were the same. Glad I returned it, crappy CS and PR! As far as updates, like most, slow to get them out.

 

It says the vent system takes the air through the gaps between the island style keyboard's keys and pushes it through two vent outs behind the hinge.

 

Quote from Notebook Italia:

Also notable is the display, one of the greatest strengths of these laptops, thanks to its diagonal which is favored by the bezel, but mainly due to its characteristics. Colors and contrast are very good indeed, and the luminance is a record for a laptop of this type. In other words, it's a display with opaque treatment, a very pleasing twist, making its content much more readable on the screen, in case you are in a brightly lit environment.

Let's see this in real life. Are we not saturated enough with advertising?

 

funny how the article is in italian but the video is in english lol

 

Oh dang it! I really wanted the 15 inch inside the 14 inch chassis. I guess I'm going to have to import it. Where did this quote come from? Might have to ask which countries are getting it. I really dislike the numpad on the 15.6

It was either this laptop or an alienware 14x that was going to be my next laptop. I want a strong GPU in a 14 inch footprint. Or maybe even the higher end 15 inch MacBook pro and get on the osx train :/

 

I am in the same boat. I am taking a look at those models as well and doing the pros and cons of each since each will be around $2000 except for the Samsung.

I waited this long I guess I could wait a bit longer when the reviews start coming in.

 

This is a really good board and you guys are a bit anal like me ;-). I've been looking for a new laptop from BB for a month now. The Asus G74 had a gimped screen (1600 x 900 vs 1920 x 1080 --- and seemingly low quality at that). The Sony F22 had the best laptop screen I've seen (very important to me) but was glitchy --- the sound did odd things such as turn off, the blue ray player had trouble with some new blue rays, and there were other software issues (culminating in windows failure that resulted in having to restore the computer to day 1 --- I would have lost all my data if I purchased). Also, as some Sony's do, the machine was running a bit loud even though new and also became warm more quickly than the Asus 74. So, they were no go's (they were desktop replacements due to the very limited battery life). Of the two, I'd take the Asus as it ran cooler and quieter and would presumably last longer. And was a better value due to the 560 card and faster HDD (faster at BB anyway).

I heard about the Series 7 and read the specs and was excited. I quickly saw one in the store (w/my patient girlfriend who has had enough of best Buy so didn't linger). (Back to this later.)

The screen, the battery, the presumed speed, the comparisons to 15 inch MBP, the 6750, and such. At first. the price seemed OK. But $950 for a 6490 (a joke as hardly better than integrated graphics) is not so great if the screen is not so great. Why buy this if not for the better than average laptop screen? (I'll reserve judgement but it seems like the screen in the new Sony SA --- expecting it to be good at 1600 x 900 matte in a smallish screen but very low quality and near useless.) $950 for a faster than I probably need processor held back by limited RAM and a HDD spinning at 5400. Probably not.

At the store. A quick look. I'll probably buy just to try out, although the Samsung name worries me a bit. If it's not up to Samsung's marketing YouTube videos and its specs, back it goes. (I'd prefer a backlit keyboard and the 6750 card anyway.) As I said, I took a quick look. No, it is not MBP (I have a 13 inch) build quality. And the plastic on the bottom shocked me. Aluminum clad chassis my . Since I'm probably going to try it I didn't pay much attention to the screen or start-up times. Initial impressions of the screen were that is appeared a bit darker than expected and not that sharp but this is based on a 5 second look.

I've tried calling Samsung, Tiger Direct, Best Buy, and Amazon. No one knows anything --- not that surprising, except for, perhaps, Samsung. There is no review on the internet (not that I've found anyway.)

I noticed Best Buy is now selling the 14 inch screen model for a "low" price. It has not hit stores yet. It does have the SSD cache unlike the 15.6 inch screen BB version. Gimped? I don't know. I do know it says a 1366 x 768 screen when anandtech said it would have a 1600 x 900. It's sold out on line right now but the 1366 x 768 screen would turn me off anyway. I read the non-BB models have just been given to the FCC for approval.

If this doesn't work out I'm giving up on laptops for now and will buy a nice camera . Maybe the Canon S95 or Nikon P500.

I'm surprised no one who purchased has posted even a brief review of the BB 15.6. Probably not a good sign.

 

Hey,

CHRONOS in 15" (chassis 14") does not have numberpad right?

 

Not sure how much this has to do with contrasts, but from the pictures shown the SE has better viewing angles(from all sides) vs the SA and Best Buy model of the Series 7.