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

To put in one word, the touchpad is Awesome

 

Honestly, I wouldn't take the Samsung support's word for it. They don't really know anything and are mostly covering their butts. "Effect [sic] the functionality of the system" can mean absolutely anything. I can almost guarantee that if you open up the PC and disconnect the expresscache drive the system will work fine, but they won't tell you to do that because it would void the warranty.

In any case, I've never had any problem with flash memory or SSDs. The SSD is just about the only thing in this Vaio that hasn't failed spectacularly yet and shows no signs of doing so. It's a more than mature technology at this point, especially considering the failure rates of regular hard drives.

 

I canceled my order from the Microsoft Store yesterday, and I reordered from Amazon via the Price Pros (15.6 inch, S03). Amazingly, it was even shipped yesterday and arrived to my door while I was at class. The shipper left it there, so I ran home during class.

I can't really go through all the tests everyone is asking for (in medical school, so time is better spent studying!), but I can give you my superficial impressions.

1. The screen is not end of the world quality. It is fine for my taste, and we'll see how my eyes fair with hours of looking at PPTs and PDFs. I haven't tried anything outside of that.

2. The touchpad is taking some getting use to. I have a very large, self built home system, so I'm not use to touchpads. I feel like I'm having to hold my left hand awkwardly, but I assume that'll fade with time.

3. There is some give at the base of my right hand, but nothing noticeable.

Hopefully I'll have some time this weekend to install a game or two and check out the graphics/look into screen issues.

 

I'm not sure if I missed it, but the people getting these via online... are these the ones with Express Cache and backlit keyboards?

 

Has anyone with the full spec version played any bf3 on it? Smooth? On what settings?

 

This is what I am waiting for too. If it can run BF3 relativly well I will pull the trigger before christmas for sure.

 

The Vaio SE is the best alternative currently out there, though its battery life without a slice battery is unimpressive. The XPS 15z offers better battery life, but an inferior keyboard and, according to some, build quality issues (trim coming loose).

There are rumors of a Vaio ultrabook, but nothing substantial right now.

Any chance you'd consider a MacBook Air 13 with a 1440x900 screen for $1299? The SSD makes up for the low-voltage i5, leading to speedy use through everyday tasks. And the screen and overall build quality are excellent; I've poked around with one in person.

 

NotebookCheck.net does not come back with particularly reassuring numbers for the GPU. But BF3 is a fairly demanding game; other games such as Deus Ex 3, Crysis 2, F1 2011 all run acceptably well on high settings. Metro 2033 runs acceptably on medium settings.

Computer Games on Laptop Graphic Cards - Notebookcheck.net Tech

 

Of the three, the Samsung is the only one that offers a quad-core and a hybrid drive...

 

Yeah I know, but they didn't test it on the top of the line version of the S7.

Saw a clip on youtube where someone got 35 fps(medium) and 45(low) on a mbp with an i7 and the 6750, so I'm hoping the results will be similar (or better ) on the highest specced S7

Always feels more reassuring to hear from a couple guys with hands on experience before I pay this much money for a laptop. It's prized between 1329 and 1549 euros here in Norway, depending on if I buy it online or in a store. Same specs, supposedly.

 

I agree that it may not run well but IF it can run 100 percent acceptably on Low that is even fine for me. I really need a computer to play this so I can not have to borrow my dads. My current desktop can barely run it, definatly not acceptably. I'm talking native res now real hiccups.

 

those at Amazon sold out so fast, there were four and a couple from PR in stock, and they were all sold in 40 min.

 

I bet all of them to someone from here

 

True, but it makes sacrifices in other areas. The poster to whom I responded did not say that quad-core was mandatory; he/she instead asked for "good display & resolution (1366x768 just doesn't cut it), light weight (under 2,4 kg), good battery life and an overall good spec."

For most people, quad core is not necessary to be "overall good spec." If you're set on a quad-core machine, obviously the Vaio SE and the XPS 15z are off the table and the Series 7 remains one of the best options out there, despite the issues notebookcheck.net raised. But the poster to whom I was responding seemed more concerned with lightness, thinness, good screen, battery life, etc, so I assumed a dual-core CPU would be adequate for them.

 

I just called TigerDirect. Supposedly, they have another batch of the S7 coming in later today. If you're still looking for the S7, order from TG.

 

These guys have some but watch out for their return policy - its not very forgiving:

Samsung - - RAM 6 GB (NP700Z5A-S04US) - Laptops / Notebooks

 

I'm pissed. I ordered it from JR/Amazon yesterday and paid for Expedited shipping and they are shipping it out on the 10th now with the delivery estimate as Nov. 16th! Unacceptable.

 

The S7 I ordered from JR.com via Amazon.com is arriving tomorrow!! I ordered it yesterday afternoon. WOOOHOOO!! Can't wait!

 

I am so jealous of all of you guys who have bit the bullet but I can't make myself do it yet. Keep us posted on your impressions, and lets get some videos of the higher spec ones playing games doing other menial things unboxing etc. I want confirmation that this is worth my money and I'm relying on you guys to give it to me haha.

 

I ordered from amazon today it will be here tomorrow.
Lets hope it goes all well.

 

I order S7 from JR.com living in Canada two days back. Initially they gave my 11 Nov. shipment date, but they shipped it today on 9th November.

 

What exactly are your concerns?

 

Mainly that the screen isn't going to bore a hole through my head, that it is well built, and that it can run BF3 or so on Low Settings Native Res with no hiccups. This will be my only computer for a few years and I want something I know will last and be able to run at least most of the games I want to play. On that note Skyrim testing as well as MW3 and BF3 would help me to buy. I guess I'm just waiting for more reviews are more word to get out there. I can only sit at the local Best Buy staring at one for so long before the employees come over and start bugging me. Hopefully soon I'll have heard enough to bite the bullet and buy one myself.

 

Will getting the i5 version help to get better battery life?

 

I don't think so.

 

Just got the tracking info from amazon.
Its coming from PA.
Cant wait till tomorrow

 

Okay, after 6 hours of studying on it, I'm still in love. Yes, the screen is nothing compared to a MBP or a nice matte Thinkpad. However, my eyes are not bleeding, and my eyes are bad enough that I don't really notice.

Main problem: I suck with the trackpad.

 

Can anyone with the high end non bestbuy US model give input on build quality?
By this I mean whether the bottom of the notebook is metal or plastic like the bestbuy version and if you can open the lid without holding down the base.

Ordered mine off J&R and will get it this Saturday!

 

If you guys didn't know the 6750M 1gb card in the Series 7 is a underclocked version of 6770M. You can overclock it to 6770M without having to actually increase volt. And I heard you can actually decrease it if it's stock voltage is 1V.

 

well then you'd have the equivalent to the 6770m in the new mbp refreshes
=D

dunno if i'd want to do it tho because it'd get hotter?

 

It shouldn't get hotter if you undervolt. I heard from mac forums it can actually run cooler than what's stock.
I would try when I get it next week. if you guys wish to wait and have me risk it +

~800/900 @ 0.955V is the best all-round overclock. According to some searching.
600/600 is stock for 6750M
725/725 is stock for 6770M
They all the same chip just different clock. Btw doing this is not exactly for beginner ocers.
What happen is your choice, whether you do take the risk or not.

 

hi, can u help post some cpu-z info on your system?

 

Which brightness setting are you using?

 

I wasn't asked, but to give you an idea...
I'm using 2 Bars (of the Samsung indicator) under max setting with brightness sensor on, means max brightness in direct light and ~70% with no light.

 

Ehh, what do you mean by max settings?

If you've got the sensor on, then it will set brightness to whatever it thinks makes sense... Even if you set brightness to 2 Bars

That's been my issue so far - if you put brightness to 1 or 2 bars in order to prevent bleeding, there is not much that can be seen on the screen.

If you bump the brightness up, you can see stuff, but then bleeding comes into play...

 

At least for me it works, in easy settings I have the sensor on, if I then edit the Brightness with the Fn keys, then the sensor regulates between my settings and the maximum brightness.

I tried it several times and tested it with my phones light
Finger on sensor= my settings ~70%
Light on directly on the sensor = max brightness + keyboard light off

I'm using this because lower brightness is too dark for me and full brightness is to bright unless I'm in direct sun light.

Edit: To make it clear I mean 2 Bars under full brightness, not 2 bars on , I'm not at home now, it may be 7 bars or so on.

 

Has any one in the UK bought this?

PC World have the NP700Z5A-S01UK (available on order only).

Is this the top model available in the UK? Has anyone in the UK got it or can comment on it, particularly the screen?

Way back in this thread there were discussions about the UK not getting the top version, but it could have been a delay, not an omission.

Primarily this will be used for development/coding, running VMs and graphics software, some games, but most of the time it will be linked up to an external monitor so I can probably put up with a below average screen for times while I'm out and about (web browsing/coding).

I have considered the Sony SE but the price and poor battery life is putting me off, plus it's only dual core i7.

Also, is there any way of getting any more than 8GB of memory into the S7?

 

According to HWInfo it has Memory Capacity: 16777216 KBytes, so 16GB.
But 4GB are soldered to the mainboard, so you can try to put a 8GB DIMM to get 12GB, but not sure if the BIOS will recognize it.

 

That's overkill... Seriously.

 

The Vaio SE is also said to have a noisy fan and some issues with the colors, so I'm hesitating. The slice battery is gimmicky and expensive. A Macbook is not an option, as I (forgot to mention!) need at least a 14" display. Anything smaller won't do no matter how awesome it is. The other Macs with bigger screens are simply too expensive.

And no, I'm really not too fussed about whether it's a dual-core or quad-core. Just looking for a good overall performer really.

 

Is it fair to say that Sony SE is also $200-300 more expensive?

It seems that that's almost MB Pro price, therefore making comparison between Samsung Series 7 and Sony SE a bit unfair.

Anyone else who recently got their hands on Samsung Series 7? How is the screen? Would you have noticed the deficiency if you have not read review?

 

I'd say the Vaio SE is more than $200-$300 more expensive than the Series 7. Maybe $300-$400 for the i7 version. The Vaio is significantly more expensive with a worse processor and graphics card although it does have a better screen.

I'll be getting my Series 7 today... wooohoo! Can't wait.

 

The Samsung Series 7 Chronos screen on the 15.6" model at best buy is GARBAGE. Those of you saying it's not so bad or telling normal people to stop reporting this fact, TELL THE TRUTH!:

 

Not when you are trying to run 4+ VMs on 1 laptop as part of a development environment.

 

WOW! Dejacky-- Did you actually get it or is this from another website?

I am about to pull the trigger on this one but now I am re-considering...

I just checked out Sony Vaio SE but it has problems of its own (underwhelming CPU, < 4hr battery life, touchpad issues).

I have search low and high for anything else on the market that comes close. There is nothing that's as portable, as sleek looking and has same form factor (15inches). Nothing. Nada. It's down to Samsung Series 7, Sony Vaio SE and MacBook Pro.

The only other model that may be close is Lenovo ThinkPad Ideapad u400s but its screen is not anti-glare.

 

Woohoo, I just got mine! I have a quick question though, as silly as it may sound.

All of my previous laptops had a two-prong plug on the charging cord. The Samsung however has a three-prong plug. I carry an extension cord with me that only has two prongs. Can it damage the laptop if I use one of those three prong to two prong adapters? I need to plug it in about 12 feet away and don't have a three prong extension cord.

 

Amandaville--- We want to know the obvious, how is the screen?

Is it:
a. GARBAGE
b. If I knew it was this bad, I would not have bought it
c. I am sure I will be reminded about how bad the screen is every time I use it
d. It's just ok
e. It's actually better than my last laptop

 

I'm in exactly the same boat BUT actually just pulled the trigger on the Samsung S7 over the Sony SE. I think there's more future proofing in the S7 and I don't think I will need the screen ALL the time so can put up with it for those periods I do use it.

The screen and possibly the look and weight of the SE were the only really stand out features. The performance specs of the S7 has out-weighed the SE whichever way I look at it.

As others have said, I would have probably paid an extra 100 or 200 for a Sony SE standard screen on the S7 (but one that can handle red better! ) but I don't think it's coming in the next month or so, and I need a laptop ASAP.


Having said all of that, I'm going to get it, unpack it and have a play around with it. If the screen is sooooo bad, then I can return it.


Finally:
- Anyone looking to buy the SE or the S7 in the UK, Quidco are doing cashback on both (Sony 7% and BT Shop 3%)

- If you are going for the SE, the dual core i5 performance doesn't appear to be much worse than the dual core i7 (according to notebookcheck). Go for some SSD or the battery slice with the money you save on the processor. I suspect that's why Sony are trying to offload the i7's in their offers (the free 4gb RAM that was on their a few days ago was a much better offer IMO)

 

For me thats an e My old laptop was pretty crap however.

I've had this one for a week now, and i'm quite satisfied

Also, you can use the 3-2 prong adaptor no problem if you want

 

Sorry laptopsolutions but I am not getting into the middle of the ridiculously heated debate over the screen. I've watched people get attacked on this forum over their personal opinions of the display, and I'm not going to put myself in that position. All I will say is that I am glad that I returned the Best Buy edition and purchased the full version on TigerDirect.

Oh, and while I'm on the subject of TigerDirect... They hit my credit card twice and then sent me an email stating that my credit card was declined. Meanwhile their double dip caused my bank account to be overdrawn and bank fees assessed. Needless to say, I am not happy with them at all.