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

I'm starting to consider the Asus N55SF. Quad i7, 6GB ram, Nvidia 555. It beats the Samsung in spec, but its 1cm thicker, .5kg heavier, and completely plastic. It is substantially cheaper at around £700 from PC World after voucher/cashback.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this model?
Is there any definitive information about this new LG also?

 

After 5 years there is still no manufacture that makes a equivalent of a MBP for Windows. I have been looking for over a year and I can't find a Windows computer that has a great screen and long battery life. The Sony SE has a great screen but the battery is only 44WH...just awful. I guess the closest is the Dell XPS 15z with the premium screen. I was hoping the Samsung Series 7 would be a good fit, but I guess not.

 

The LG looks like the kind of stuff that only comes out in korea anyway, like the Galaxy S2 HD LTE or so...

 

notebookcheck.net finally released an English version review of the laptop. Check it out now.

 

I checked out the laptop at my local PC World today. I'll give my thoughts in a moment, but first some background as it will help to add some colour to my opinion.

I'm looking for a new laptop to replace my 5 year old Sony FE21M. I'm a software developer by trade, so I need a powerful laptop, with a high resolution screen that I can look at for several hours at a time without hurting my eyes. I'm also into photography in my spare time, so I do care about image quality and I'm not just looking for an office workhorse.

My initial thoughts were that a full HD screen was a must; after all, a bigger number is better, right? The stats don't lie. So in September I purchased the Dell XPS15z. What a disappointment: The screen was bright and had good contrast. However, there was an unnatural over-saturation and graininess to all images; faint vertical lines were always visible (regardles of screen settings) which, once I'd spotted them, I couldn't live with; anything text-based was too small to read without eye strain on a 15.6 inch screen (changing the font size settings was no good, because some applications layout was completely screwed); most noticeable of all, all light-coloured text was surrounded by a white shadow. In short, the screen quality was worse than my Sony laptop.

Perhaps it would have been great for viewing videos, but I don't know for sure because I returned the laptop to Dell, and they asked no questions. My overall impression was that the Dell had a screen designed for a small television, to be viewed from a distance of several feet, and not a screen for a laptop viewed from several inches. I don't know if the laptop I got was a lemon, but google "xps15z vertical lines" for yourself and you'll see I wasn't the only person having these problems.

So, onto the Chronos. I've been following this laptop since the initial press conference, and picked up this thread shortly after. It seemed to fit all my needs, and so the talk of a substandard screen has been extremely disappointing; my experience with the Dell has really focussed my attention on screen performance.

Anyway, down to PC World today, and I find that my worst fears about the screen are completely unfounded. The viewing angles seem no different to all the other laptops surrounding it, and no different to my existing Sony laptop. Text on the screen was nice and sharp, with none of the problems of the Dell.

Caveat: I couldn't fiddle with the screen settings, so I have no idea where on the scale it was set. Nor can I say how an HD video looks like on the screen (I ignored the quality of the in-store demo video - is it just me or do these always look terrible on *any* screen? Always fuzzy...).

In case my opinion from PC World was informed by an initial joy and relief that things were not as bad as I had feared, or perhaps by some particular combination of in-store lighting that just happened to favour the Chronos, I also checked out the screen in my local Currys a few hours later. Similarly joy.

In conclusion: There's a lot of differing opinions out there. What I can say for sure is that, whilst having been recently bitten by a genuinely poor screen, I saw absolutely *nothing* to put me off buying the Chronos. I looked closely, believe me, and it seems excellent for my needs. I honestly don't think anyone should dismiss this laptop based on its screen without having seen it for themselves.

Some of the posts on here have given the opinion that Samsung are producing a laptop that is not fit for purpose. This is simply not my experience. Now, if only Samsung would get their act together and actually give me an opportunity to buy the top model here in the UK...

 

I agree with the top model comment, BUT only if it comes with a better screen than the one with the PC WORLD model. Sorry but the PC world one has a pretty poor Screen. I still recommend all people to go view for themselves, i for one wont settle for such a screen.

 

Well after reading this review, I've decided to not purchase this laptop. I rarely work with multimedia content, but the fact that I would constantly be playing the adjusting the screen game would annoy me. Also, they mentioned the wobbly lid and flex on the body...definitely don't want to treat it like a baby.

Hopefully Samsung will improve on this if they make a revision. Then again, why would they put out something that has major flaws like this? This laptop had potential to compete in price and quality over the macbook, but they sold it short and built up great hype.

Time to start saving for a mbp and mba. At least I'll be able to use my fiancee's education discount soon lol.

 

The best notebook for the money

HP EliteBook 8560p


http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-HP-EliteBook-8560p-Notebook.55221.0.html

 

It's bigger, heavier, has a worse video card, and the screen is much duller than the Samsung (even if the colors and contrast are better). Plus, no backlit keyboard, smaller hard drive, no quadcore, no expresscache... I don't think so.

 

I mean, there's very little difference between the 6470 and the regular Intel integrated graphics (especially once Ivy Bridge comes out). If your requirements are that low, you should be looking at ultrabooks or MBAs anyway.

 

Hey saintfury,

I have to admit to your argumentation. However, I am not really confident that the PC World version will look different to the website version in terms of display quality, i.e. viewing angel, contrast and so on.

Do you have any proof of that? Just asking, because I would love to believe you!

However, if you look at the series name at PC World it says : NP700Z5A-A01DX

But if you look at the following website:

Notebooks & Tablets/Notebooks Samsung, ab 15", bis 16.9", 1600x900, LCD matt (non-glare) | Geizhals.at EU

It says:

NP-700Z5A-S01UK (UK Version, which is not same to that one above, even though it's also UK - PC World)


But if you click on the UK Version and direct yourself to the PC World website, it comes up with the current version that is offered by PC World in their stores.

So I don't believe that there is any difference between the PC World version and any other version being offered by Samsung.

But I would be really happy if they would change their mind and I guess milions of other customers would appreciate this as well.


Somehow it is strange that almost none of the websites offers the Laptop anymore. I guess they will make some changes. I hope so.

 

i keep getting close to ordering a different laptop...but once i watch a review video and i see the series 7...nothing compares in design(except the mbp)

small bezel and minimalist design...i want this laptop....

 

Well then buy it if its already available in your country and if you don't like it send it back.

 

i can't
not available yet...U.S always gets screwed.
same thing happened with the gsII

 

Sure, you need to see the display in person, but I guess the best proof of bad color and black quality of this display are the pictures of Ganxxta:

https://picasaweb.google.com/112978...-tuLP_xgE&feat=directlink#5667493006679521250

Look at the difference between his old computer and the new Chronos. The Chrono has only a high brightness, but no color and not a natural picture.

Thus, I guess Samsung failed to make a completely perfect computer. Everything seems to be perfect apart from the display, which is the most important part. At least to me.

 

Well its not that bad for the human eye as its for the light sensor of the camera

 

No, this is not the best proof. The best proof is seeing it in person. You really believe that the picture you mention is an accurate representation of the screen?!

You really can't read much into those pictures; taking photos in an uncontrolled situation can result in large variations from shot to shot, especially if you have a intense light source in the picture.

Compare these two from the same set:

https://picasaweb.google.com/112978...-tuLP_xgE&feat=directlink#5667493119552021682

https://picasaweb.google.com/112978...-tuLP_xgE&feat=directlink#5667493164087145522

From what I can see, these are both of the Chronos, and from almost exactly the same angle, yet they are completely different. This is almost certainly because the camera has metered on a different part of the screen and therefore chosen completely different exposure settings.

In my opinion the photo you chose shows only that the screens of the two laptops emit different amounts of light (the Chronos being the brighter of the two), and that the exposure is more suited to the other laptop. With a different exposure, I would expect the Chronos to look fine and the other laptop to look dull and underexposed.

Actually, to save myself typing, I should just have posted this:

overexposed photo - Google Search

 

Exactly, as I have no professional photo equipment there is no other way than to look for yourself.

 

There is a picture of the series 7 and mbp side by side on this forum.

 

Bad news. Just got off the phone with a CSR at the Microsoft store. Apparently they are out of stock. They did sell some (of at least the 14" model) but Samsung apparently did a recall (not sure why). When they (the Microsoft store) contacted Samsung about the new ETA they were getting the run-around so now they changed the status on the website to out of stock for the Series 7. So I cancelled my order for now. Not sure what's going on.

 

maybe there fixing the screen

 

My thoughts says the same thing. However, I think it is unlikely. Maybe they (Samsung) have a different reason?

 

I can't find the 15.6" on the microsoft store anymore, but the 14" still shows as in stock for me

 

They said the site would be updated soon.

 

A recall is never good, but I don't think they are changing the screen. The screen is just for the margin, they won't change that.

If its a recall, than its a bigger issue, maybe security concern of the battery or some cooling issues.

I hope its nothing serious, I don't want to go trough the whole warranty stress

 

Based on Notebookcheck Samsung Series 7 Review I don't think cooling is an issue. But who knows what it may really be. Battery, build construction, etc.

 

On mine cooling isn't an issue either, maybe on the 14?
Can be everything or just delivery problems of the resellers who just blame Samsung...

 

Or maybe Apple demanded Samsung to stop selling the Chronos laptop as it's too similar to their MBP.

 

Wow,

the Samsung Series 7 Chronos screen looks HORRIBLY washed out and borderline blurry / out of focus.

I was excited about this laptop because MATTE screens are MUCH easier on my eyes due to the fact they do not reflect surroundings like "glossy" displays. Glossy displays always give me eye strain. Because I do a lot of text reading and more CAD work, the more razor-sharp display, the better.

The 14" seemed perfect for me, but the screen is the deal breaker. I would gladly pay $250-$300 (USD) more for an IPS screen or even a better quality TN screen on this laptop. If Samsung fixes the display, I'm buying it. If not, they lose a sale .

 

OMG...ATTENTION POTENTIAL BUYERS!!

This forum is trying to make it seem like the screen is Awful. I just saw the one at my local bestbuy.

The screen is NOT nearly as bad as people are making it seem. I for one have a macbook Pro 15 inch HIGH RES and the samsung looked just fine in my eyes. I have also owned a sony FW series with a full 1080p screen (not the fake one, the actual 1080 screen)

People that are saying the screen is terrible are making potential buyers extremely worried.

IMO, the notebook review seemed negative the whole way through...but other sites praise the notebook..

I just don't want people that for some reason hate the screen to get it into their heads that the screen is bad.

Is it the best? No, but is it solid? yes. This forum had me so worried about purchasing this laptop but when I actually saw it I have to wonder what some of you are thinking.

 

I agree. It's just difficult since people been waiting for it to come out forever.

 

Hi

Not difficult to make a descision after you have seen it up close and personal. I was one of these 'potential buyers' and it is bad. Right now im not spending a good part of a £1000 on its a barely OK screen, it would be a foolish investment.

Potential buyers SEE before you BUY. Thats the only advice you should adhere to with regards to this total mess of a marketing campaign called SAMSUNG CHRONOS 7.

 

Anyway, I was sold to this laptop. However, where I stay (Malaysia) is only getting the 14" screen (13" body) model END OF NOVEMBER. I want the bigger screen!!!!!

My neighboring country has the 15.6" model (with 6750). However, it is extremely overpriced at S$1988 (Singapore Dollar) which comes around US $ 1560......

 

Even LG's latest thin bezel laptop has an IPS screen...and a much better GT555M graphics card!
LG's thin and mighty P330 laptop surfaces at Korean retailer -- Engadget

Frankly speaking, the windows experience index of 4.2 is a bit low.

 

This is because netbookreview tested the screen objectively with numbers, unlike other sites.

 

Looks like this will be my next target then....... but what is the screen rez? If its the crappy 1368x768, then I would be put off........

 

I'm actually starting to think that the screen really depends on the batch. I find it hard to believe that people either find it great, or awful. It's really weird that there are so many differences between opinions. And I honestly doubt that Samsung would be stupid enough to send prototypes to reviewers.

The best thing to do, IMO, is to check the screen of the computer you are willing to buy, the computer in itself, not the same model. Basically it all comes down to luck: either your screen is good, or it's awful...

 

Reports are too varied. Different machines have different screens, it's the only explanation. Somebody blew off the idea of the recall being screen-related. Given all the noise, they'd be stupid to not recall them for that very reason. Samsung may not be orderly about announcementd, but neither are they stupid...

 

rshack

I think its a screen recall. The biggest selling point from the Visual persepctive is the SCREEN. If that isnt up to standards then no amount of features inside the machine will make a difference , that my humble opinion..

Samsung if you read this thread, just Sort your SCREEN out! the rest is pretty good , well a Blu ray drive would be the final perfect nail.

 

Ho well a lot of people did taunt samsung about the crappy screens on their facebook page. Some things explain some others.
Someone even said at a survey "What do you like about the chronos and will you buy it ? Like : Everything / Dislike : The crap screen / Won't recommend to buy it"

 

I would say "maybe I looked at it wrong", but the notebookcheck numbers dont lie. Those are really bad numbers.

 

As for now there are no different screen batches, every Laptop tested and the Laptops already delivered have all the same screen according to the internal screen number.

 

It's hard to say they actually all have the same batch on only two samples...

 

Well the BestBuy one, mine and the Notebookcheck one had the LTN156KT068 screen.

That was the watered down version, the dualcore version, and the high spec version.

 

can we all just shut up about the screen already? there have been over two hundred pages already on this thread, with more than half of the posts about a screen which may or may not be on the model everyone actually wants to buy.

speculation is speculation. until you have a model you can buy or have already purchased, please for the love of the internet just shuttheeverlivingf*ckup.

now, having said that, I'd like to talk about my experience with the actual unit in best buy. yes, it's a bit washed out. HOWEVER.. I noticed the black levels improved significantly once I tilted the screen back enough to be straight on to my viewing angle. I also spent some time tweaking the contrast and brightness and actually got it to a level that it looked great next to the lenovos, sonys, and other samsungs.. certainly good enough to warrant a serious consideration if everything else about the laptop is solid.

..but.. my problem with this machine ISN'T the screen.. it's the keyboard and clickpad. I hate clickpads. I want a button that I can hold down while I do other operations like drag, lift and drag some more. In linux and windows both, it's important to be able to right-click and drag.. something that's notoriously hard on clickpads. also, my main contender for the series 7, the hp 8560w, has six physical buttons, a gorilla glass trackpad, and a trackpoint stick.. quite a bit more overall utility in the cursor-control category. granted, it's heavier and thicker, but it also has a great backlit keyboard and faster graphics card.

so, I'd love to hear about people's opinion of the clickpad and keyboard.. especially if they're trying it in linux as well as windows. anyone willing to try a live cd / usb of ubuntu 11.10 ?

I'd also love to hear about alternatives on the horizon.. that link to the LG was interesting, but I definitely need something with more screen real-estate than 1366x768. Any idea when the elitebooks or thinkpads will be getting refreshed?

 

I recently emailed digitec.ch (the Swiss retailer that has the 700Z5) if they're expecting to have the 700Z3 or 700Z4 in stock anytime soon. The reply that I got, was that they didn't expect to get the any of the 700Zs until it's succesors arrived in January or February. So I replied asking if they were expecting a refresh of the entire series by beginning of the next year, which he confirmed. Seems a bit early to me as that is probably before the release of ivy bridge, but who knows? Looks like the waiting game might be back on.

 

Wow... I can't believe they'd screw us over like that. A refresh two months later? This is becoming a total farce.

 

That would be a nice job of Samsung if they would refresh it already, so the people who already have it would be really fooled

I'm starting to getting angry...

@ Tamale:

Whats so hard to press (press, not tap) with one finger on the bottom of the touchpad and drag with another finger like you would do with dedicated buttons?
You also get a click sound, if you like sound feedback.

 

(Honestly, though, I doubt it'll happen. Samsung probably miscommunicated with the guy, they themselves clearly have no idea what's going on.)

 

Yes I myself find it hard to believe. But the digitec guys must believe that themselves, because I couldn't see why they would want to provide me with that kind of false info.