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

Well according to the Tigerdirect TV the video blog review with Samsung rep. They say it has backlit keyboard and expresscache and she say it's available to pre-order on the site. If they say that I don't see why there would be problem now. But I think the new S04US just gives user option of having expresscache or not but I don't see the point of saying not having it since it's what everyone has been waiting for.

 

But what if you were planning on putting in a SSD anyways? Would it still benefit the SSD?

 

Maybe Express cache can be disabled in the bios? Would make sense if you've got a proper SSD.

 

Well if i remember from the best buy model photo. From a review of expresscache it says “ExpressCache has an advantage [when compared to Intel SRT] that it can be used with any types of SSDs and HDDs with any capacities and does not require any specific hardware configurations."

 

What memory does the Express Cache use? 8GB of what?

 

If i'm correct it is 8gb.

 

Its 8 gigabytes of SSD Storage, located on the motherboard. Its acts as a mini Solid State Drive essentially.

 

I purchased the Samsung 7 from Best Buy a few days ago. I started setting it up yesterday. I removed some bloatware but the system still takes about 1 minute from a cold boot. I wanted to ask if this is normal, what I could disable (Samsung add ons, say --- I already removed wild tangent games) and had some general new customer questions. I called support. A "trained" Admin type listened to me (nice, but little knowledge and no authority); she said I did everything she would suggest (such as running speedtest.com) and suggested I return the item to the store. (I doubt Samsung Corporate would like to know she did.) (She did not know the Series 7 at all.)

I had to ask for a case number. I had to ask for escalation (Tier 2). She was nice and escalated to Tier 2 (really Tier 1). They could not get on the phone.

Normal procedure is filling out a form, telling the customer to back-up the computer, and then a Tier 2 person might call back at any time in 1-3 days.

A few weeks ago I called Sony tech support for the same reasons (I had purchased a slow to boot F22). A real tech person came on, took control of my system (Samsung does not have this "Citrix" capability according to her), disabled programs that were not necessary and such.

I even tried calling corporate and they could not help. I can cause a fuss and write a letter to the president but it's not worth my while. (This almost always works --- if it doesn't, I don't want to deal with the Company.)

For what it's worth, Sony was much better for me than Samsung and thankfully I can still return this if necessary.

I just thought you should be warned.





It's not just hardware that makes Apple successful --- it's decent customer support.

 

@ Akula, why don't you do a clean install? That's the best way to get a fast boot.

It's 8GB according to Features and Specifications - Series 7 14" Notebook | Samsung Office

In that case there's no point for it when the main drive is an SSD.

 

does anyone know in which stores it will be available in Canada? Best Buy? Future Shop?

samsung rep from Canada says it will be available mid OCT: Samsung Canada Holiday showcase event - Series 7 notebook - YouTube

 

also can you swap the HDD with an SSD in the series 7 model?

 

Yes you can.

 

You can assume BestBuy/FutureShop will have it. Since they have it in US. As for online sites like Tigerdirect.ca will have it. It's listed on their site but hidden.

 

so the link of the laptop in the video is comming to canada then?

Samsung Canada Holiday showcase event - Series 7 notebook - YouTube

Series 7 Business 15" Notebook | Samsung NP700Z5AH

with the 6750m?

IF so then very tempted for this to come to BB, i wonder what the markup will be since i work there >=D.

Anyways if the above model is coming then it might be a worth upgrade over my 4820th, nothing really out that has caught my attention other than the series 7.

 

Yeah it's coming to Canada. And 15inch comes with 6750M. I am living in Canada I pre-order mine from states and I'm hoping it comes in next week so imma head down to pick it up.

 

still dont know which one to get...series 7 vs vaio se 15.5" vs vaio f 16.4"

if the series 7 is going to discolor in the palm rest area then I might not get it.

 

I always make a leather palmrest for my notebooks so idc about that... i just hope the thing doesn't get to hot.

 

samsung.com now lists Best Buy model NP700Z5B-W01UB:
Features and Specifications - Series 7 15.6" Notebook | Samsung Office

The specs show 7200rpm/Express Cache... I sent an email to support to get some explanations regarding this.

 

It's possible. Personally I'd rather have an 750GB 7200rpm HDD + 8GB express cache. It will come close to the SSD experience without having to pay the premium for it.

 

They properly going to have those later but before they had specs of Best Buy model without expresscache. They just didn't say anything about no backlit keyboard.

 

more importantly, the specs show also this:

so they advertise the best buy model with the same superbright talk. this probably means they all use the same screen.

i'm still going to wait, but its not looking good.

 

The latest models of the Series 3 all uses 300 nit, same as series 7. You guys can go have a look. It's disappointing.

 

If you haven't realized, the Best Buy model is different from the one listed on the site...
The Best Buy model in stores now does not have expresscache and backlit and is cheaper model. And it was not priced at 1k+ it was under 1k.

 

The 750gb is correct but thats about it lol, My was an Hitachi 5400 RPM, color is washed but it's bright.

 

Here's a updated tiger direct page.
Tigerdirect Samsung Series 7

Someone posted before they got a email saying the model should have expresscache. Unfortunately Tigerdirect does not actually have them yet so they don't know the specs for sure that why there could be missing specs. Then again Tigerdirect did all copy and paste.

 

The Best Buy model is bright, 1600 x 900, but certainly no Sony F22 screen. I have it and the box says 300 nits. For me, the screen was a big selling point but the washed out look gets on one's nerves a bit --- especially the longer one uses it. I keep seeing this really faded blue that drives me a bit crazy. (Low contrast presumably, probably under 200.) It's not just that the Sony was 1920 x 780, perhaps more importantly, the contrast is much better --- to the eye and when tested --- notebookcheck F22 review.

I believe this model number was listed in some internet August 31st press release notifications --- such as anandtech's. ("MBP at half the price as per the specs" --- i.e., similar CPU, GPU, size)

Honestly, with this screen, and without really good speed (the i7 doesn't give it on mine, maybe due to the 5400 HDD), I don't see a compelling reason to buy this. Especially at a premium price. I seriously suspect the same screen is on the better models.

If you're buying for the screen, think twice. Make sure it's returnable in case you don't like it. (Typed on a desktop at 1920 x 1080 ---- 21.5 inch --- even better than the Sony, of course)

 

Well, I guess we'll wait until Amazon or TD starts shipping and make our own decisions. Although I do think that the computer as it stands with the i7, EC, 6750m and smaller frame is worth the $1,100.

I placed an order off TD about a week ago, and got an email earlier this week saying that the large amounts of buyers has caused a backorder and that the shipment of my order would be delayed. Has anyone who ordered off of TD gotten an email confirming that their order would be sent soon or in the first batch?

 

Well Series 3 does not list as HD Superbright they both have different resolution. 300 nit is the amount of luminance, does not mean whether the screen is hd or not.

Once again the 300 nit means Luminance is a photometric measure of the luminous intensity per unit area of light travelling in a given direction according to wiki , which is the angle of view.
Sony usually use nice HD screens and your screen for F22 is a 1080p screen and comparing F22 to Series 7 which has not even state being 1080p and properly not even 1080p. I don't think that's a fair comparison. The best buy model did not say it was HDSuperbright. Unless Bestbuy states it as HDSuperbright then u can assume. Your assumption is like saying 15.6" LED high-definition widescreen display according to Best Buy is same as all notebooks that state the same thing. The screen can be completely different because no screen created is always the same. Plus the one listed on Best Buy is not the same as the one listed on the Samsung website. Then it weird Best Buy didn't really care about what model as long as they sell them. If you don't like it, why not return it and buy something else.
Well if you really want to know for sure whether the screen is bad or not. Then wait until users actually has it and given a review.

 

Consider the Asus G74 at Best Buy (not so bad; no restocking and I complained due to one bad manager who threatened us for no reason once --- big mistake --- 't to the president responded and sent gift certificate, etc...). I can't say anything bad about BB now --- she was great. So far better customer service than Samsung as I have the 7 and have been underwhelmed (Sony has better customer service.)

The Asus G74 --- 2 gigs of 560M GPU (better), 8 gigs of memory (better), fast (faster than the BB Series 7), more solidly built (better), able to be a desktop replacement (battery is useless as this has real power and no optimus), superb heat/sound characteristics (a real desktop replacement), 7200 (500 x 2), so-so screen at 1600 x 900 on a 17.3 and glossy --- but the HDMI works really well. Back-lit keyboard. Asus used primarily good parts on this one.

Full price at BB --- $1,199. When on sale, about $1,099.

Hard to say for sure but I think the screens are about equal --- based on experience.

The Samsung is impaired by a screen that doesn't live up to expectations, bad customer support, being unproven at this point, and being sort of an in- betweener. That is, portable but certainly no 13 inch MBP, having a good video card but bad screen, using AMD's inferior switching system (compared to optimus), not being a real desktop replacement (I've used it, it's not; and even with the low watt 6490 benchmarking produced a decently loud fan noise as well as much heat on the bottom; what will the fan/heat be like when gaming with the 6750 when gaming?).

You want a great matte screen? Get an F22 before it's replaced by the F23 --- which will probably cost more.

Unless you need a very powerful (hot running), somewhat mobile laptop to bring everywhere with a purportedly good battery, think twice. Especially if screen quality is impt (hard to fix when in Panera or Starbucks --- easy to fix when home and using HDMI). No, it is not as well built as the Asus G74. No, you will not show off to friends (the screen).

Good luck.

 

I've used at home (may return). It's turned me off to even the "better" models and customer service has been non-existent.

Don't make an easy to make mistake --- falling in love with specs and wanting it despite multiplying possible issues/reports of issues. The Sony F22 has a really good display. Some Sony's do not (the new S series despite the 1600 x 900 screens on the small SA). Neither does the Series 7.

Take your chances if you like.

 

sorry if i wasn't being clear. samsung does list the best buy model on its website now, according to the guy i quoted.

Features and Specifications - Series 7 15.6" Notebook | Samsung Office

click on overview, scroll down a bit. they advertise the screen for the best buy version with the exact same words ("SUPERBRIGHT") as they advertise the expresscache version with. this pretty much settles it as far as i'm concerned. they all have the same, washed out screen.

i will wait for the final reviews as well, but i expect to be disappointed.

 

Now I fully expect to get blasted for this but I always thought matte screens seemed kind of washed out..... i wonder how it would compare to a MBP matte...
i used to have a MBP with matte and when i switched to a glossy screen i remember being surprised at the difference and they read that glossy screen are better to showing the contrast in colors etc...

any merit to this or am i completely off the mark?

 

No, you're absolutely right... Comparison ideally might be done "in the dark", because ambient light diffused by the matte covering will raise the black level, there's nothing to do... But this is a problem only in highly illuminated areas, ie. shops, and the "eye-catching" brilliant colors of the glossy display is the key of their commercial relevance. But, when you try to use such screens outdoors or with a window/light source at your back, meh... probably you can't see anything

Glossy is better IMHO only for videos, films and photos indoor; for a product "portable" ie. that might be used everywhere, matte is the right way... Look at the business series of any laptop brand, hardly none carries glossy screens...

 

Can I ask a silly question. Why is this Samsung much better than the Dell XPS 15z? About the same price for the same features (Based on what Dell sells them for, not retail pricing). It appears that the Dell 1600x900 screen is better. Battery life is about the same. Dell has the Centered Keyboard (which I like). Dell is available now. Is it the express cache? Or do people just hate dell?

 

Better graphics card as well. Also the Dell is hideous

 

I would say both.

 

Yeah I know but I thinking that since it does not have express cache it could be a chance that its different. I thought that fcc needs to approve before sale.

Well we soon find out if it really as bad as you say since it say to be in stock today or tomorrow

 

Yeah, a bit off the mark based on my experience. I have a 13 inch MBP (glossy, but nice as it has a good contrast ratio), but more importantly the Sony F22 screen is incredible (had for 2 weeks) and is completely matte. It's the contrast, not the resolution that makes this a great screen.

Sorry to disappoint.

 

First, the Express Cache, which makes a huge difference; Secondly, the graphic cards are not same level. Thirdly, Samsung has the same screen size in a smaller laptop. Fourthly, 7 series' CPU is quad-core 2.2Hz compares to 15z's duel core 2.7Hz. That's much better. Not same level CPUs either.

 

Additionally, overall, the $1299 series 7 is much better than the $1499 15z. Less price for not a little better performance. The only thing 15z better than the Series 7 is the screen. 15z has a 1900X1080 Full HD, Series 7 has a screen of 1600x900. Considered other benefits, this shortage is really not a big deal.

 

The Dell XPS 15z offers i7 but not the quad core version. It's i7-2620M. Notice there's no "q" in front of the "m" in the model number.

The series 7 is a i7 quadcore... it's the i7-2675QM. Notice the "q" in front of the "m." This shows that it's a quadcore.

A fully decked out 15z doesn't come with a quadcore cpu.

 

I just bought the best buy model and have some good news about the screen.

I have a dell XPS M1530 with the led backlit 1600x900 display screen. On initial browsing, playing videos, etc, the samsung screen seemed to have washed out colors, specifically, the white backgrounds on webpages weren't as white but were slightly dull compared with the colors on my dell screen. I was a bit disappointed.

After fiddling with the settings, i found that the laptop has different settings for display and sound, different from the windows settings. The color profile applied by default is 'Standard' and causes colors to be slightly dull but is quite good for movie viewing. When I selected 'No Effects', all the whites are now actual whites and the screen is as bright and clear as my dell screen and all the colors are back

Anyone who has bought the best buy model should test with the 'no effects' option and the different color profiles before passing judgement on the screen.

To open the settings, press Fn+F1 and go to the display options. The sounds options are also in the same place and different settings really make a significant impact on how the music comes out.

Also, there seems to be a process called fastBrowsing2.exe that runs on startup and eats a ton of processor power and hence causes the fans to run continuously. Killing that seems to have made the laptop much quieter. Its some sort of bloatware definitely that I plan on uninstalling soon.

 

Just talked to Samsung support regarding the discrepancy and he apologized and referred me to the fine print: Features and specifications are subject to change without prior notification

He also said that if I have trouble returning it to Best Buy they should be able to refund the money. Tomorrow is my last to return it and it is very likely going back.

 

That what I thought, I don't think it's necessaily the screen all the time. Since Samsung has all that bloatware in there, the screen might had been poorly adjusted.

 

Thanks for the tip! I'm fine with XPS m1530 led screen so if the Samsung S7 can compare after adjustments, then it's good enough for me.

 

Found a little mini user review.

http://forums.techarena.in/reviews/1433878.htm

 

something is fishy!!

There is no longer a backlit keyboard option anymore. Samsung has removed any reference to a backlit keyboard from its features/specs and so has amazon from its pre-order page

I chatted up a Samsung support rep and he confirmed that only series 9 has the backlit keyboard and not the series 7.

is going on?

 

Engrish is horrible...

 

TigerDirect is still advertising backlit keyboard...

 

I did see that. It would be a bummer if samsung removed the option at the last minute and tiger direct did not update their page.