Series 7 Chronos All Models: Push for SAMSUNG to implement "FIXED MODE" in BIOS

HP practically loves to rip off non-American customers. Here in Singapore my ENVY14 costs S$2499 (About US$2000) when a similar spec could be had for US$1000. The return policy here is non-existent and there is no lemon law.

 

I have none of the problems you are talking about, and the ones I used to have were all fixable with settings or drivers etc...

 

Varyv88 is actually right on some of the issues.

Support of apps is dismal due to the auto switching. <---This is a huge problem by itself!

The Elan touchpad: cursor jumps unlike the Synaptics on my ENVY 14.

The adaptive brightness changes too drastically; imagine a light show on your screen if your light source changes every now and then.

 

The drivers for the GPU needs to be updated for sure, and preferably have some manual switching included. But this doesn't mean that all software is broken.

But I have no issues with the touchpad, and I don't have any issues with the adaptive brightness since I have, like almost all others, just turned it off.

The only thing with the touchpad is that I would like to be able to configure it more, which might very well be possible to do via the registry, but I haven't bothered yet since I don't really have any problems.

 

The touch pad is a little annoying, but I can live with that when I use the laptop. (its my GF'nds)

The adaptive brightness is not a problem either for me. The main and worrying issue is the GPU switching which is a complete fail and does not work at all as earlier described.

None the less, it is a very attractive Laptop (I have the 14" model)

The build quality is very sturdy and nice, especially the screen bezel. Other then the keyboard the keys which seem a little wonky. Screen quality is sharp, but viewing angles are poor with a bias to wards too much white as the screen gets brighter.

For those that want this laptop, I am sure the GPU issue (if we make enough fuss) will eventually get sorted. Unless you want to play games the laptop is more than usuable, the the HD3000 onboard GPU is more then capable of playing slightly older games, and some new games at lower res/detail settings.

Its a very nice laptop, boots up in 15 seconds from stone cold. my GF and I are still happy with this machine and reccommend it.

 

Gah! I don't know where to look anymore. The HP Envy 15 has issues of its own from what I've read so far and the radeon 7690/7670 underwhelms in reviewer's benchmarks. Called HP tech support to verify what gpu it has, and no one knows. They directed me to another tech center overseas, who turned out to be complete unhelpful, arrogant morons who can't answer me either. When the phone accidentally disconnected from their end, they didn't even bother to call me back. From my experience, HP support has to be one of the worst I've experienced.

Try watching a film on battery power. Even with sensors turned off in control panel, intel adaptive contrast unchecked and adaptive brightness turned off in power settings, the brightness switch is noticeable.

The touchpad has a habit of registering a tap when all I do is touch it to move the cursor or use two fingers for a scroll. And that is with the sensitivity turned low.

I also forgot to mention the spacebar, which does not register taps if you press even near the ends.

The graphics problem is addressable, but no statement has been made in that regard from samsung even though they know it is not just an isolate incident. The touchpad is also fixable, but even with the new update, elan shows no improvement.

All this leads me to believe that samsung drew the blueprints for the best laptop that they could make, but didn't field test it properly. On paper, this laptop beats any other laptop hands down in terms of performance in its segment (even the macbook pro if we take price in consideration). Practically, there are several problems present.

For now, I've dropped the idea of the Envy (it is thicker, heavier, much uglier and more expensive, even with a 30% off coupon). Maybe I'll sell this one when the Ivy Bridge macbook drops. Until then, I'm going to wait for samsung to provide solutions to problems that could be solved by means of updates.

 

I've got to say that I'm really disappointed in hearing about the various issues with this laptop. Especially the OpenGL issues. My plan was to use this laptop with the Adobe CS6 suite due out in May, but it looks like I'll have to go with my alternate choice. It is a shame too as this laptop is $1000.00 cheaper...

 

This also exists on my ENVY 14.

 

Tried calling Samsung tech support to see if any progress was made. They still do not seem to be taking this much seriously. They need to hear from more customers about this issue. Using hacked drivers for productivity is not a permanent solution. An update is imperative.

 

Strelzy seems to be MIA. Perhaps time for another round of feedback/complains?

 

It would be comforting to know whether Samsung have accepted that the GPU switching needs improving and that they are working on it. However, it's my guess that it could take an month to get any decision reflected in an updated BIOS. Perhaps more if the graphics drivers also have to be modified.

John

 

What about an online petition? Maybe some HP Users could sign it, too. As they know how annoying this problem is.

 

There's no way that I can get photoshop cs5 to use the amd card for opengl. AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!

 

Apparently sometimes, it may seem like the computer is using intel but actually is using the amd graphics card.

 

hmm. I´m a bit worried of all this about the OpenGL Issues. I just bought this computer as an cheap alternative to the much more expensive Macbook Pro, that I really wanted. I´m a designer an I use the CS-package and 3D-modeling programs as Rhinoceros and Solidworks. And it all need OpenGL for best performance. I bought this powerfull machine for these purposes. For fast rendering and smooth 3D-modeling.

I really hope that Samsung fix this issue. I would say that it is design/production failure of the product that justifies a return if it is not solved very soon. Won´t you say?

So I hope they will come up with a solution.

Thumbs up for the effort you are doing in here and for bringing it up.

 

Everyone needs to contact Samsung and demand a higher tier support to report the problem. Suggest the solution Hp implemented to their line of laptop so as not to confuse them

 

This. Everybody go ahead with this, thank you.

 

danmarell & ChristianL,

Do the issues with this laptop and Photoshop cause Photoshop not to run or run slowly?

I have bits and pieces of what the issues are, but I don't think I have the big picture.

My plan was to use this laptop primarily for digital art by utilizing a Wacom tablet and Photoshop, with occasional web design work.

ChristianL, like you, I was going to buy a Macbook Pro, but then I found this Samsung priced $1000.00 cheaper it seemed exactly what I was looking for... but sadly, these issues are preventing me from moving forward with purchasing this laptop.

 

Problem is the GPU does not seem to kick in properly when using Adobe apps.

555

 

Adobe CS5.5 does not recognise the gpu and disables the OpenGL by default. but they do run smoothly on the series 7.
i managed to make Cinema 4D recognise at least the intel card. HOWEVER there is a major issue: the gpu starts eating the RAM everytime you render something or create morepoligons, to the point that all the ram gets "comitted" by C4D.exe
disabling OpenGL and running in software mode fixes this issue, so i know is the Intel card's fault.
apparently the version 11.11a from leshcat's driver makesthe ATI card FIXED as a side effect, wich fixes cinema 4d, but then crashes After Effects or any adobe program with the error 126...(wich is an openGL library error)

 

I have been lurking on this thread for a few weeks since I got my Series 7 (uk). It seems people have been struggling to get anywhere support wise regarding the graphics issues.

I dont want to get rid of the laptop because nothing matches what it offers and i am holding out hope that the BIOS fixed mode will be implemented.

I posted on Samsung Notebook Facebook page where I received detailed responses, i'll post them below.

me

samsung

me

samsung

me

samsung

me

I would implore everyone to visit the link and express their views. the Facebook page does seem to be read often and treated seriously Samsung Notebook - Wall | Facebook

 

EddyBR,

So does that mean that Photoshop is just not using the laptops resources to the fullest potential or are there certain features in Photopshop that require OpenGL that simply won't work on this laptop? I guess anything that requires OpenGL wouldn't work?

One of the requirements from the Adobe website is as follows:
1024x768 display (1280x800 recommended) with qualified hardware-accelerated OpenGL graphics card, 16-bit color, and 256MB of VRAM

 

I know that wasn't to me, but my experience with Photoshop is that it works very well with simple tasks. The processing power and RAM means it opens fast and doesnt impact on multitasking. However, it does not handle complex image processing as well as it would if the graphics were being used i.e. transforming large images.

For instance, I began an A0 poster today, lack of graphics impact on every transformation and there is lag waiting for zoom in etc.

 

Samsung also should try to watch their Samsung TVs at CES 2012 video at their Facebook page using Chronos on battery power and Chrome browser. Unfortunately it breaks down and is not possible using this laptop, no matter if using full screen mode or not. This problem really should be fixed.

 

SOme of you are lucky as the card works in some programs, for me no chance, refuses to switch. Let me dig out that facebook page.

Edit, samsung facebook page. I posted a long message, hopefully they will reply. http://www.facebook.com/Samsungnotebook?ref=ts

 

Sent several emails highlighting the problems to some tech sites like Engadget, CNET, Tech Radar and The Guardian. If this was a problem with an Apple device there would be an outcry. Hopefully get some sort of publicity, might be good for others to do the same if you had time.

 

WD Childzy, will do something similar tmrw.

 

Thanks for the feedback Childzy.

So, if I have this straight... The laptop comes with the AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics chip as well as a much less powerful integrated graphics chip... The laptop is supposed to automatically switch between the integrated graphics chip and the AMD graphics chip depending on what features/programs are being used. The problem is that the laptop is not using the AMD chip for programs that need the higher graphics capabilities, such as Photoshop? Is this correct?

 

Effectively yes, it will switch with most games and applications however, most graphics software like photoshop cant use it. Also I personally have issues with VLC being skippy (if i choose dedicated graphics) and iPlayer not working in chrome.

For most people its not an issue. Its not a huge issue for me. Just principle because its such a great laptop

 

This thread is now posted on Samsung's Facebook page.

Concurrently, I have just put up a poll for those interested to indicate their desire for Samsung to implement a solution. Please vote, thanks.

 

How to vote:

You may select one or both options.

Select option 1 if you want Samsung to fix.

Select option 2 if you feel you may wish to return the laptop if no solution is implemented.

Select both if you want Samsung to fix AND feel that you may consider returning the laptop if no solution is implemented.

 

This is one of the post I found
As per... | Facebook

 

Hello,

Just bought one of these myself and I'm very impressed in general. But the graphics switching issue is already annoying me and I would like to see a manual switching option implemented asap (seems a very basic feature to me).

Do any of you know how to tell if the ATI card is active or not in games etc.? There's no way at all to tell in Skyrim.

 

Btw guys, let's give samsung some time. Hp didn't get the fix out overnight.

 

I think different people are seing different issues. For me personally it does not work at all. Once I apply changes (setting via Catalyst Control Panel applications to high or low performance) once applied any application reverts back to as not being assigned. This was a new issue once using the latest drivers and Catalyst Control Panel but on previous versions I could assign applications and apply them and they would show as being applied under the paramaters I set but once launching an application and checking if the application was using the AMD GPU it wasn't.

Even disabling the intel GPU via device manager does not spark the AMD GPU into life.

In the meantime guys keep posting up on the samsung notebook facebook page. Samsung Notebook - Wall | Facebook


I posted this up last night on the wall of the faceboook site, a few likes but no response.

Hello Samsung. I... | Facebook, please add your comments.




1. Happy to wait for Samsunbg to sort the problem out, and of course they need time to do so, but a ittle more communication would be great to let us know that they are aware and are working on a solution. I think we are all reasonable people, but I hope that becuase it is unlikey that most consumers who bought this laptop will actually realise it is faulty, meaning that Samsung becuase of only a small minority making a fuss will just ignore the problem.

 

Same problem for me... I use Cinema 4D and in seems that the program is working with Intel HD (although it says that it covers the needs of OpenGL). I have also a huge problem with Allplan (architectural software) because it gives an error message in the hidden-line operation, saying that the graphic card doesn't meet the requirements (it obviously uses the Intel).

I tried to PM the samsung representative that follows the forum, but i don't have a 'Send private message' option...

Anyway, we need to send this feedback to Samsung, as many as possible.

 

Feedback Channels:
Samsung Notebook | Facebook
Samsung Singapore | Facebook
Samsung Answers on Facebook | Facebook
Samsung Mobile - Wall | Facebook

You may wish to post the message below:



Understanding the OpenGL issue with all Samsung Series 7 Models (NP700Z3, NP700Z4, NP700Z5 series).

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...s-push-samsung-implement-fixed-mode-bios.html

This post summarises the issue, at one of Samsung's company rep request. However, he has since been MIA.

The owners involved come from many different countries- Singapore, France, Denmark, the US, etc. Hence the problem would lie with the entire Series 7 lineup.

We would like Samsung to be aware of this issue and escalate this to the engineers for a fix/solution to be implemented. Please let us know. Thank you.

Hi Strelzy, welcome to the forum. The Samsung Series 7 Chronos (NP700Z5A) uses AMD Dynamic Graphics automatic switching method.

However, due to this specific graphics switching method, OpenGL games and benchmarks cannot work. One example would be RAGE by ID who has always used openGL to make their games. OpenGL however is much more common in productivity software such as photoshop, solidworks, etc. So the lack of OpenGL support due to AMD Dynamic graphics switching pretty much cripples the Samsung Series 7 Chronos.

I am still a current owner of the HP ENVY 14 laptop. When it first launched, it also utilised the AMD Dynamic automatic switching method, which resulted in users complaining the lack of OpenGL support. The issue was resolved by HP releasing a new BIOS that added a new option for manual switching. The manual switching is the old type of switchable graphics where the screen would go blank for a few seconds while switching.

Since the manual switchable graphics is a fix for OpenGL support, we would like Samsung to work on and implement the manual switching option in the BIOS like HP did.

Some links from HP that would educate you further on the fix:
Official HP statement on Switchable Graphics and Open GL Fun... - HP Support Forum
HP Communities - On OpenGL and Switchable Graphics - HP Communities
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2055821
Acknowledgement: Ianworld- some parts quoted from his post

 

Download the AMD System monitor that has a gaphic interface that tells you %utilization of the AMD graphics card.

AMD System Monitor

 

Just to let everyone know...

Threw this issue out on Twitter with a link to this forum and a link to the Samsung Facebook comment.

The tweet got picked up by The Laptop Wedge Daily.
The Laptop Wedge Daily

Hopefully this will help in spreading the word on this issue.

 

I do not know how or why but all of a sudden GTA san andreas will not play properly on the graphics card. I have literally not changed a thing on the laptop. The fan also seems to start to pick up speed before suddenly stopping and trying again. Anyone know what issue this may be?

 

On the 14", Photoshop claims that I am running on "Mobile Intel(R) HD Graphics" (regardless of whether I have High Performance turned on for it). However, it does not automatically disable OpenGL drawing. I had assumed this was possibly using the Radeon, but misidentifying it.

I wish there were some way for the computer to explicitly identify when it's using the high performance GPU, and when it's not.

Either way, Photoshop seems to be working just fine for me.

 

why is it that macbooks don't have this same problem when switching graphics? They use the same processor and graphics card, yet I've not read anything about this being a problem.

 

Malkyne,

What type of Photoshop work are you doing? Are you working with large files sizes (at least 2500px x 2500px at 300 dpi)? Is Photoshop responsive? Do you use a tablet such as Wacom? Do any 3D work with Photoshop?

Would be very interested to hear what type of behavior/performance you're experiencing.

 

Implementation. Different.

 

Samsung Singapore issued a response

Understanding the... | Facebook

 

I hope they do push the switchable update. This would encourage more users.

 

I believe they will. Just watch and see the reaction if they don't.

 

So if Samsung does push a switchable update, then that would allow the user to go in and tell the machine to always use the high end graphics card for everything it does?

Again, just trying to get a good idea of the problem and solution as I would still really like to purchase this laptop...

 

No one knows if they would even push an update. Even if a solution is implemented, it depends on what Samsung wishes to implement. It may be totally different from what is expected.

 

Also, it might be possible that they release some "expert drivers" which are optional to download, just to avoid potential problems, even if they should make general drivers which should be pushed out via their installed tools.

But I know some companies have chosen solutions like this to avoid a potential mess...