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

Hi, this is my first message from my new S04. I have read most of the discussions on this forum before buying it. Most of the questions were related to Screen and performance but I'm pretty happy with the screen so far.

My problem is with the touchpad. I haven't seen anybody complaining about it, but I have serious problems with the sensitivity of the touchpad. If I use low sensitivity, it doesn't recognize my finger tips, unless I put my whole finger. If I increase sensitivity enough to be able to use it with my finger tips, cursor starts doing weird jumps according to the area of my finger touching the touchpad.

It is mostly annoying when I try to do some precise work such as selecting a line of text. If I'm doing it slow, it always jumps to the upper or lower line.

I tried to update drivers, it says no update available, and the version of the driver is the same as the one at Samsung website. I wonder if someone can confirm this problem for me? If so, I'll return it back, because touchpad is one of the key components for me. If not, could you please tell the settings that you use?

 

Typing on my np700 with intel 320 SSD drive... to answer your fears it is possible... make sure you buy correct precision screw driver set, the screw on back are really small and easy to over turn the head.

 

Is the 6750M manually switchable or dynamic type? Can you overclock?

 

Can't be overclocked...

 

For those of you who want a 15.6" matte screen, backlit keyboard, numeric keypad, and hybrid hard drive, the Toshiba Satellite P750 line is customizable to get all these features: Satellite P750-BT4G22 Laptop

It looks like there is a special deal that may end today on them (unless that put that up for every day you customize one).

The P750 is going to be heavier than the Chronos 7, and not as slim. There is only 1 USB 3.0 port. I thought the P750's ability to use the speakers with an auxilary input device when it is turned off is pretty cool. It has buttons on the touch pad, unlike the Chronos, which could be a plus.

Funny thing is, on trustedreviews.com, the ones who weren't so critical of the Chronos 7 screen, definitely criticize the P750 series' screen and gave the laptop an overall 6/10, versus giving the Series 7 Chronos a 9/10. They said the P750's screen doesn't match up with the Samsung Series 9 screen (yes, Series 9). Also, in their Series 7 Chronos review, they thought the Series 7 screen wasn't so bad (they said it was "one of the better laptop displays we’ve come across"), meaning the P750's screen must be horrible. Mind you, it is only at 1366x768 resolution.

After finding the Toshiba P750 to be one of the only other alternatives out there other than the Sony Vaio F2-series (which is larger and slightly more expensive), I think I'm going to go for the Chronos. The Sony Vaio C and S series also have options for lower specs, but nothing looks to be the total package compared to the Chronos, unless you just have to have one of those 1080p Vaio screens.

 

Can someone identify the difference between s03 and s04 american version? I goto the impression that the so4 is the better version, but looking at the specs on Amazon it seems thar s03 has better specs...

Ty!

 

Do you notice a significant difference in performance with the Intel 320 SSD installed? I believe this is the 3 Gb/s version, Intel and Samsung now have 6 Gb/s SSD drives. Your real world differences are what matters, not just the technical specifications. Thanks!

 

S04 and S03 are almost the same. The more expensive one has 2 more gigs of RAM and windows 7 professional. Most of the people are getting S04's here because 2 gigs of RAM isn't worth 150 dollars, and most of us don't need professional.

Also Mark....how do you know it can't be overclocked. Give some fact/reason please instead of just saying that.

 

Ty muerte
I was under a wrong impression that S04 is the more exepensive version (and was thus puzzled by lower specs), but as it seems it's S03...
I agree, 2Gb of RAM (which can easily be upgraded even with basic skills) + Win 7 Pro upgrade are not worth extra 150$.

Anyone knows does Samsung offers something like HP's extended warranty?

 

I want to buy a power adapter for it but couldn't find the same model (A10-090P1A), is this one compatible or anyone knows a replacement?
AC ADAPTER FOR SAMSUNG AD-6019R AD-9019 AA-PA0N90W BATTERY CHARGER POWER SUPPLY

 

Can an owner of the Series 7 submit a request to Samsung that they enable manual switchable graphics like many other manufacturers like HP?

 

How is the Screen on the 15.6" model? I hear pretty conflicted things about it.

Sure, it's not a high end IPS screen, but most notebooks with TN panels are so-so, and is this really worse than a normal notebook like an Asus UL30VT or simillar?

 

you wont get a definitive answer in terms of screen quality. Probably 100 pages of the 260 in this thread have been related to debate and argument over screen quality. Best thing to do is try to see one for yourself to decide if you are happy with it.
It may also be worth a read through all of this full forum if you can take the time.

 

the space bar thing is really bothering me. but i don't see anyone else bringing it up? is mine just...extra faulty?

 

Seems so...
I have to press right on the edge to make it don't work, every time else it works just fine.

 

Works just fine for me. I actually have to try really hard to make it not work.

 

Hey dude, I am from Bulgaria, too I am currently in UK, so once the notebook is available - I will buy it. But actually there is really cheap delivery option and it is very reliable (for years I have ordered many things through this company):
empresa.forumi-bg.com • ??????

Register there (so that you can read in the forum). They deliver from UK to BG in 1 week or less and the price is about 3 GBP per kg. Give it a try

 

Yes difference is day and night for me... especially when it boots up and when i use Photoshop and flash ... because as u know ssd can access multiple data at same time which hdd cant do.

As for intel drive am happy with it because i NEVER buy any Samsung ssd again even if its faster. I had 3 sammy ssd all had issues in past.

 

Thanks. I actually meant has anyone upgraded the S01 model (with 8GB as standard) to higher than 8GB? Or does anyone know if it can be done?

 

FYI, the S01 model has been completely removed from the dabs website

 

I've posted a video demonstrating the touchpad move for my problem, can you confirm that it's defective or a common problem?

touchpad cursor jump problem - YouTube.

I called samsung, they weren't really interested in. They told me that they are getting complaints about touchpads and told me to use external mouse . I'm returning it back today. I hope the problem is only for my machine, because I really liked the laptop other than this problem.

 

Amazon is having a sale on the S04US model for 1 day - prices go back up tomorrow. I paid $1149.00 two days ago and now the sale price is $1118.98
that's $30 off the regular price. They will not refund the price difference and want me to ship back my unit and purchase a new unit to get the savings.What a ridiculous policy!

 

Hii .. guyzz i got my SO1 today in Finland , i find this laptop quite amazing , screen is good for me atleast i dont knw about other guyz but its good ... nice sound quality ... but one thing that make me really annoyed is the heating of laptop it gets abit hot from bottom even in normal usage and thats wat i was not expecting in this laptop but any how i got it and i have 30 days money back warranty so m gona try it out for few days and if i dont like it m gona give it back ..... but till now its quite good except for this heating issue that was never discussed here .... !!!

 

It's normal for a laptop to get warm underneath, as long as it's not hot on the working area - keyboard and palm rests. If you are working with it on your lap just get a board of some sort, IKEA have one pretty good solution with sandbags for your legs underneath...

 

Really? I seem to remember a few pages back people were talking about how to overclock it to match the 6770(or better).

 

The difference in opinion about the screen is quite remarkable. It's way more than seems reasonable. They range from "one of the best we've seen" to "terrible". IMO, this huge difference can only be explained by initial QA problems at the start-up of production. The fact that there are reports of a call back, a rapid change in model numbers with the same specs, and a slow supply pipeline are all consistent with this.

My judgment is to definitely wait until both the supply and the screen reviews are more stable. This will enable both a better price and greater assurance about the kind of screen you will be getting. While it is normal that early adopters pay a premium to be guinea pigs, it seems to be especially true in this case. Speaking only for myself, I do not want to be a guinea pig, nor do I wish to pay a premium for the honor.

 

Yea its normal but this much i have had Lenovo g570 and it was really cold ... !!!! any how i was not expecting it ... Any one else also have same issue so share it ...!!!

 

Wow .... its really hot now i am not even playing game and its sooo hot.... guyz thats really a thing tht i was not thinking of ...

 

OK, so I just got my 4gb SODIMM DDR3 memory to upgrade from6 gb to 8 gb of RAM. Upgrade went smoothly and the BIOS automatically recognized the additional RAM. Ran the Windows experience index with 6 gb and with 8 gb. The index seemed to go up substantially in the area of memory and graphics. The onboard Intel HD graphics share system memory, so installing additional RAM increased the graphics score significantly from 4.9 to 5.8

It would seem that the $30 investment in upgrading to a full 8 gb of RAM is well worth it.

 

Can you give me the make and model of the RAM? I want to upgrade it too.

 

Has anyone noticed that dynamic contrast is used in videos?
I have it off in Intel+AMD Drivers, but the brightness still gets darker if the video is dark.

Easy test: watch eg.a black youtube/vlc etc. video (music etc.) with high brightness and in fullscreen and don't move the mouse. The brightness gets darker, if you now move the mouse it gets brighter again because the mouse is white and the controls aren't black...

Hope you understand

I actually like this feature I just wanted to know how it can work if its off in both drivers... maybe its because I have Samsungs Film mode on?

 

Samsung MV-3T4G4 4GB DDR3 Laptop SDRAM (1333MHz PC3-10600)
Amazon.com: Samsung MV-3T4G4 4GB DDR3 Laptop SDRAM (1333MHz PC3-10600): Electronics

Also the notebook is expected to ship from J&R on November 23 for new orders on the S03 unit with the full 8 Gb installed.

http://www.jr.com/product/productDetail.jsp?navProduct=SAM_NP700Z5AS03

 

So I see the point on the hardware acceleration, but I wonder why I'd have to turn that off in the first place just to stream high def videos? That still seems like a feature that should work outta the box regardless. In any event, I spoke with the guys at the repair center and they think the motherboard might be shot. I'll find out next week.

Regarding the often discussed screen - my perspective is of a person who often works behind computers and who wears thick glasses. I thought it was plenty bright, I had it on 1/2 intensity and it was just fine for me. As far as the washed colors, I upped the color saturation and it looked about as good as my old lenovo thinkpad R52 and my Samsung B2430 screen for my desktop. Yeah viewing angles ain't great, but eh. I was otherwise happy with the build quality (quite nice actually), the trackpad needed a little find adjusting for its sensitivity, and it didn't get as hot as my lenovo which would literally sear off your legs.

 

So, in the end, people who isnt happy with the screen are the ones who wanted a IPS screen and/or works with a normal monitor? But compared to normal "cheap" notebooks, it's "ok"?

 

That's why you need to read the OBJECTIVE benchmarks from sites such as notebookreview, instead of all these subjective remarks.

 

So is the 15" model really the same size as your average 14" chassis?

 

For those of you interested, I've installed a Intel Centrino Advanced N 6230 card with mixed results. In short, I can get everything except bluetooth working. I posted a separate thread to solicit some suggestions:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/625973-samsung-series-7-chronos-intel-wifi-card.html#post8088034

Please reply if you have any ideas. Thanks.

 

So Amazon is selling the NP700Z5A-S04US directly right now, with a 30$ discount off of MSRP, but it only has 15 in stock.
Does anyone give much credit to the theory that says that Samsung is changing their production and that they'll be releasing an updated, theoretically better version soon (same specs but higher quality screen etc.)? Would Amazon try to sell off its stock of hypothetical "first-batch" devices quickly before the new ones come in?

In other words: should I go for it?

 

I don't believe there will be any update until Ivy Bridge is out.
It just isn't financially a good idea for a company to update a new device directly after launch unless there are major issues with it.
And the screen isn't a major issue.

 

Ok, this is going straight back to JR... sucks I already installed the entire CS5.5 on it.

I was watching YouTube yesterday and the blue screen came on when I tried to watch the video in fullscreen. I think I'm going to opt for Sony SE. There's simply too much uncertainty with the reliability issue.

 

For those of us in the UK - John Lewis do stock the S01UK (i7, 8GB, ExpressCache), but they have their specifications wrong. I had told them of this 2 weeks ago. There are now more than 10 in stock. They have themselves confused with the model number for the S02UK, and they have errors on both pages, including resolution and battery life.

 

What is the closest alternative besides the SE? Does Toshiba have one that's similar? Both my previous laptops were Toshiba and I have never had a problem with either one of them, ever.

 

i also suggest looking at dell 14z, they also have i7 version not as good one as sammy but close enough. I saw one in Microsoft store and was really impressed with it.

 

According to notebookcheck the display is even crappier than Samsungs, so why would one go for it instead of a series 7?

 

I totally understand i just said this an alternative... am very happy with my Samsung and with ssd its blazing fast. I have no issues with (except this stupid vga adapter that seems to be impossible to find).

 

It should work, but the thing is do u really need higher than 8gb of ram? Because who actually uses that full 8gb ever.

 

More of a theoretical question - and also it's nice to know that the PC can be upgraded in some form. I know I've used (all of) 6GB before, so figure it won't be long before 8GB is a limiting factor. Really looking forward to mine. Shouldn't be too long now.

 

Yeah I've used 6gb all the time on my desktop, but I have 16gb of ram on my desktop. It just seems 8gb on a notebook is more than enough. But I guess it comes down to what you use it for.

 

how would you max out 8gb ddr3....

 

I got 6gb by doing this playing a mmorpg (idle lvling), playing skyrim, dling 27gb of new games. Having firefox and chrome with 5 tabs each. And listening to music. Also includes usual messenger, Skype and all the junk windows 7 has.