Series 7 Chronos NP780Z5E V Series 5 550P5C

Hi guys

I currently have a HP Pavilion G Series. I've never been totally happy with this laptop - the screen is washed out, the casing feels flimsy and is peeling badly despite being less than 2 years old, sticking keys and now I'm having problems with Windows updates constantly failing. I guess that's what happens when you buy a 'budget' laptop

So - I'm looking to upgrade and I'm looking for something more durable this time.

I will mainly be using the laptop for business (I am self employed and spend 6 or 7 hours a day using it), so browsing the internet, sending emails, uploading files using FTP, managing websites and online accounts, word processing, spreadsheets etc.

I'll also be using it for music production, as well as general casual things like watching DVDs, YouTube etc. I'm not really a gamer.

Build quality, touchpad, keyboard, screen and sound are the most important things to me.

I want something this time that is going to last me 3 to 4 years and not fall apart.

The two models I'm considering are:

Samsung Series 7 Chronos NP780Z5E (£899)

Samsung Series 5 550P5C (£569)

I understand that the Chronos has only just been released and is obviously the higher-end higher-spec laptop, but I'm just debating whether the extra £330 is worth it.

I'm totally sold on the looks of the Chronos and the fact that it looks to be very high build quality - but I'm not totally convinced that I need the touchscreen.

Any input welcome because I really can't decide

Thanks

Dan

 

Coming from the HP Pavilion G Series and buying either of those two laptops would be kind of going forward in time. I own a Samsung Series 5 550P5C and it's better than good, I only mainly use it as a desktop so as far as an opinion about keyboard and other movable parts I can't really comment. But I can say buying a laptop with a AMD Radeon™ HD 8870M Graphics with 2GB GDDR5 (NP780Z5E) and not using it to play games would be sinful and a waste of money.

 

Is the display resolution an issue for you? If you want more than 1366 x 768 then you have to move up from the Series 5.

Is the 15" Series 9 (NP900X4C / NP900X4D) also worth considering if you can find it at a good price?

John

 

Thanks to both of you for the replies.

I've gone for the Series 7 Chronos and it's going to be delivered Tuesday morning

I decided that I really wanted something premium this time and it seems to fit the bill, especially regarding build quality and screen. The extra battery life is useful too.

I'm sure I would have been happy with the Series 5 as it looks a great laptop but as I work in Marketing the extra screen quality etc will be nice.

I did look at the Series 9 but it's more than I wanted to pay really, coming out at £1,100 - £1,300 for the 15" model.

Thanks again

Dan

 

it has AMD RADEON 8850M not 8870M

 

Well I copied and pasted the text which was on the NP780Z5E page I checked the spec from. If I'm wrong blame Samsung because I did copy and paste what's in the OP post heading into the Samsung search, sorry.