Series 7 Ultra NP730U3E / NP740U3E with AMD HD 8570M and optional 4G LTE

Hi All
Just bought an NP740U3E-S02UK and pretty impressed with it so far. However, only having a smallish SSD (128Gb) can anyone tell me what bloatware I can safely remove to free up some space.
Thanks
Rob

 

There's not a lot of bloatware on it.

The Recovery Partition takes a significant chunk of space which you could reclaim after making a recovery flash drive (preferably two as belt and braces) and checking that they work. This can be done using Samsung Recovery Solution.

However, the best solution is to put in a higher capacity SSD. Their prices are dropping almost daily and the higher capacity also brings improved performance (I recommend the Samsung EVO mSATA). If you aren't sure how to get inside your notebook then read this review.

John

 

Hi Rob,

Getting a bigger SSD and cloning it as John suggested is definitely the preferred route.

In any case did member Kas2 recently make this post where he gathered links to relevant posts about bloatware cleanout and getting more space. It includes steps you can take that allow you to safely remove the larger of the two Recovery partitions.

 

Almost everything works out of the box with ubuntu 14.04. The only real exception is that the keyboard backlight doesn't work quite right (this can be fixed with https://github.com/sthrasher/samsung-laptop-dkms). Can't speak to UEFI compatibility as I run with it disabled.

 

The 740U3E is not available anymore in Denmark, does anyone know the number for the next model?

 

Nothing has been announced. Either Samsung are keeping their new products very secret or they don't exist at all for reasons discussed in this thread.

John

 

That is good to hear! Thanks for sharing. May I ask if you have had any issues with the following?

* Connecting Bluetooth devices (keyboard, mice etc.)
* Extending or mirror screen to another screen
* Reading/writing to sd-card
* Microphone / webcam
* Hibernating (and waking up from it)

Just curious as I have had issues with these things on other laptops running linux

Lastly, are you able to use the discrete gpu at all in linux?

Regards
roybot

 

The model I have has only the Intel GPU. I haven't had any issues with the things on your list. I regularly use bluetooth without issue (mostly for network access via smartphone). I haven't had any issue getting output from the webcam/microphone, but don't use those often (it's possible they're flaky and I've never noticed).

The laptop suspends on lid close, but doesn't wake on lid open (have to hit the power button, I gather this is an issue on windows for some as well); after re-enabling hibernate, that works fine too.

 

Hi does anyone know which brand of ssd is inside model 730U3E-K01

 

When was it manufacturered and what size SSD?

If 128GB made in 2012 going into 2013 it might be the infamous Sandisk U100. If more recent or 256GB then either Liteon or Samsung is more likely although a few 256GB U100s have been ancountered.

If the SSD is 128GB then, whatever the make, you will probably need more capacity (by the time Windows and the recovery partition have grabbed half the space there's not much left for the user) so replacement at the first opportunity is recommended.

John

 

its 128gb not sure for manufactured info,hm that sandisk u100 is bad right?

 

It's OK if it doesn't have much work to do but chokes if it has to read and write at the same time. this is most likely to happen when you have only 4GB RAM and windows uses the virtual memory. If you have more RAM with consequent less usage of virtual memory then the U100's main limitation won't be so obvious.

Nonetheless 128GB isn't much space to play with and it is recommended by some people that SSDs are left with 30% empty space so they can do their garbage management more efficiently. I don't recommend that much but nonetheless a 90% full SSD is likely suffer a noticeable performance slowdown.

John

 

Yes its 4bg ram I will probably insert at least 2gb for start,yes its just for movies,internet,torrents etc nothing demanding,and also I dont store anything from media to the ssd,so I have always have at least 50% of ssd empty and its always stay like that,so beside upgrading 2gb ram you think ill be fine??? Because cpu is not really powerfull so if the ssd its not good then I need to change something

Sent from my Q10

 

I suggest you see how it goes. Other than the possible "choking" problem the U100 will work OK with Windows booting in a few seconds.

However, you might want to watch out for a good deal on a higher capacity mSATA SSD. Prices in this format may have bottomed out as manufacturers cut back on production of mSATA in favour of the M.2.

John

 

I have a few questions now that I've owned my np730u3e for 6 months. It's a really great laptop except for a few things that I don't understand.

First of all, the latency on this laptop is basically to high to make any serious live audio work. I've removed all the tools and drivers that came with the laptop, which finally solved the latency problems, but this brings a lot of new problems (hopefully you guys might have some tips on how to fix them?). ATM I simply can't recommend this laptop if you do any kind of live audio performance.

1. no FN key functions works without the buggy, high latency samsung software - any workarounds for this?

2. the fan speed is out of control. It depends on whether or not the power cord is connected. If it is connected then the fan speeds up to max, even without any resource intensive processes running. When it is running on battery, the fan slows down to normal speed. This might be related to not having the samsung software installed.

3. I simply can't boot into linux with UFEI. I've read the ubuntu guides (i use kubuntu) on how to do install on UEFI. After the installation is complete, I can't boot into kubuntu. I've set Secure Boot to off, and tried both CSM boot, UEFI boot and the combo boot. Nothing but this shows up:



I can't find the boot installation device when the bios is set to CSM, and as the above ubuntu states, I should be able to install kubuntu with UEFI.

Any tips n' tricks to solve the above is highly appreciated

 

Hi decon,

1. You are absolutely right that Samsung's drivers and software make low-latency operation almost impossible.

If you use Win7 (as opposed to Win8.x) you'll have Easy Settings to control your Fn-keys (as opposed to Settings for Win8). Easy Settings is worse than Settings when it comes to latencies (and in other ways), BUT if you go back to an early version 1.x of Easy Settings, you can take it apart and load just the Fn-keys module. That is one of the main suggestions in our old latencies thread, linked below. It also contains some other suggestions for reducing latencies.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/688064-how-reduce-latencies-samsung-laptops.html

2. You are right that not having Samsung Settings (Win8.x) or Easy Settings (Win7) installed might affect the fan function. In particular, you won't have Silent Mode, which may otherwise be a way for you to keep the fans down. Some members have combined Silent Mode (which locks the CPU to a slow speed to reduce power consumption, AND invokes a different set of fan rules) with Throttlestop (to unlock the CPU speed). Check the post linked below for some discussion of this:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/746741-silent-mode.html

3. I have no experience installing Linux on my Samsung laptop, but you will not be able to boot ANY OS in CSM mode (legacy BIOS mode) unless your HDD/SSD is converted from GPT to MBR style. Conversely, your HDD/SSD must be GPT style (default on all Win8.x models) in order to boot an OS in UEFI mode. Converting the disk will wipe it and require re-installing Windows (or any OS) on it. I recommend making a Recovery backup first, as discussed in the thread linked below:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/758403-deleted-recovery-partition-but-have-hdd-backup.html

Since Samsung laptops released in late 2012/early 2013 (such as yours) were prone to bricking when installing Linux in UEFI mode, many internet guides are focused on installing Linux in CSM mode. See the thread linked below for more on that:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/samsung/706510-samsung-laptops-bricked-using-uefi.html

That's all I got

 

Thank you so much for your lengthy reply. I'll try your tips and see how things go

 

Anybody knows why i cant install the latest intel GPU drivers without losing the ability to change the brightness?

 

Hello dear notebookreview-forum-people!
I am currently (and have been for about 3 years) using a maxed out HP EliteBook 2760p - which has accompanied me well very far and survived rough handling during all that time.

I have two main issues with it - its weight and its little resolution. I have been on the search for a replacement for a while, which doesn't give me reduction in performance (I'm currently running a i7 2620m with 16GB RAM and a 2.5" 256GB Samsung EVO) and has more batterylife while being lighter.

The only laptop applicable I found was the EliteBook 840 G1 / ZBook 14 are quite heavy and slightly too big as well. And now I stumbled across this particular Samsung - would you recommend still buying one in late 2014?

I have been made an offer for a 2nd hand model at so far 699€ (negotiable) - thats about 890$.With an i5, 128GB SSD and 6GB of RAM, which I would upgrade to 10 via one 8GB-RAM Module from my current laptop.

Is it worth it? And if no, do you have anything in mind that you would recommend instead? I'd like a dedicated GPU, a light weight and as much power as possible while having realistic 6:30h of WiFi battery life - more would be better...

Thank you!

 

The price seems a bit high for something that is probably around 18 months old - you'll need to put in a bigger SSD. Can you check your local ebay or equivalent for second hand pricing?

That aside, this thread is very quiet which suggests that there are a lot of contented users out there. These threads tend to be busy if either there are lots of enthusiasts pushing the limits or the notebook in question has a lot of problems.

John

 

Hi All,

I have done one of the biggest mistake and now I do not know how to solve it.
Do you remember the blurry problem after upgrading to 8.1? The one that with DPI disabiling and on the screen setting could be fixed?
I got it back but this time all this features are set up ok.
I was on device manager and starting programs trying to disable few things and I should have done something incorrect, but I do not know what.

Anyone has an idea whatelse could cause the blurry issue and how to solve it? Thanks a lot
It is mainly the contrast that seems to be unbalanced now, the colours are very deep now, so much, it really seems as the situation just after upgrading to 8.1.

 

I would try reinstalling Settings which does background configuration as well as installing the Settings program.

The Settings program also includes some display profile options which you can try changing.

John

 

John, when you talk about Setting Programs which specifically do you refers?
Is there a kind of Program I can run?

 

One of the programs you can get through SW Update is called "Settings" (the Windows 7 version was called "Easy Settings").

In addition to providing the interface for some options (when the program is installed then you can start it using Fn + F1), the installation of this program does other background configuration of Samsung-specific features such as the Samsung Optimized Power Plan.

John

 

Ok Thanks, do you think it would be a good idea reinstalling the drivers, if so there is an option to make it doing or I open SW update, remove the one listed and download, is there a function to do so in this laptop?
Thanks

 

I would not re-install drivers at this point. Those issues are more likely to be caused by something in Samsung Settings (as John mentioned) or in your Windows 8.1 scaling settings ( Display control panel). Some programs also have individual High DPI settings that can make text look blurry.

Unfortunately SW Update doesn't allow you to uninstall drivers and other software (as its predecessor Easy Software Manager did). You use Windows Programs and Features control panel to uninstall Settings, reboot, then use SW Update to re-install.

The post here (that was a link) has some advice regarding re-installing Settings.

Edit: I notice you cross posted the same question in our Win8.1 Update thread (I deleted it). Either thread is fine for this question, but please only post it in one place to avoid multiple discussions of the same problem.

 

Thanks ,

Yes I was not sure it was a metter about windows 8.1 or specific to the laptop.
I am glad to say it seems better after setting programs and catalyst. Red and orange are still to colorfull and black too black but I would not say it is blurry.
About catalyst I had the last version and it was not working well (image as screensaver before loggin in could not appear). Now it does, Are the driver just released really good for this laptop? Or instead there are other more stables?
Anyone has feedback about amd drivers after the big issue when 8.1 was released?
Is there a "best option" to make the machine run better?

I would say is a color problem, not a burry matter, so I am still convinced between intel and amd could be the issue

 

What's the best touchpad driver? I've found that thhe samsung original driver gives problems with remote desktop, problems that does not occur with generic elantech drivers or other manufacturers' drivers. However those drivers usually lack functions or have weird bugs like not storing settings across reboots, etcétera.

 

You can find a big selection of Samsung Elan pad drives if you browse the different models using SW Update > Find Model.

Our biggest collection of discussion about the Elan drivers is in this thread.

John

 

I generally prefer Touchpad driver version 11.7.10.4 to the newer versions. Both because it makes my touchpad behave more consistent, but also because it has a few extra features in its standard control panel which, for some strange reason, were left out in newer versions. Those settings (and dozens others) can be accessed through the alternative ETDAniConf panel, regardless of drivers version, so you should choose the driver that makes your touchpad behave best. It's all in the thread linked by John.

 

Talking about drivers, Would it make sense using program as Easydriver?
I am asking since I got the problem about colours to check the drivers installed and it gave me 17 drivers to be updated, which it seems to me too much having the SW update, the Intel and AMD program.

Apart these kinds of programs (on which I never trust so much, is there a list of drivers somewhere in order to check if you have or not the lates version or if you could update it?

 

SW Update is the official route but relies on someone in Samsung updating the database for each notebook. As noted about, newer drivers may exist but you run the risk that they are better in some respects but worse in others.

Unless you have specific problems that merit looking for a a newer driver I would leave things as they are. There's the old saying "if it ain't broke then don't fix it".

John

 

Thanks

In particular another english expression I wasn't aware of...
Indeed it makes sense with the old catalyst amd driver it seems to work well now compared to what it was doing before with the upgrade, so I will avoid changing anything in terms of drivers if not necessary as suggested.

It is a real shame this laptop got out of sale in Europe, within the 13" options It is is definetely one of the best choice whether the use you are going to do of it.

 

John,
Since you seem to know very well this machine, for sure better than samsung support, do we have a list of there right drivers for radeon with the Windows 8.1 version? .
I assume everybody got problem with the latest version released in sep. The 14.9 version, so which is the one which is officially working for people experiencing this laptop?
I might be sure the version I am having now gives me good quality in pictures but not in browsing, I am still struggling to find the trick.

 

I have no direct experience of this hardware and find that Intel graphics gives me the performance i need without the hassle of dGPU / switchable graphics.

Your best source of information about AMD graphics on Samsung notebooks is this thread. The first post and then the last few pages should give you some useful guidance.

John

 

By the way, has anyone noticed dust under the screen? I mean between the glass and the digitizer. Just found a speck and i cannot stop looking at it D:

 

So I just updated to Windows 8.1 - didn't really want to but all of a sudden it just went ahead and updated anyway. So now I'm in the middle of getting the right drivers. Downloadeds SW update, everything seems to work, expect for the two-finger tap right-click on the touchpad, which for some reason doesn't work anymore. If I have one finger on the touchpad, whilst pressing down on the left touchpad button, it will function as a right click. Still a bit annoying though. Anyone got the same experience?

 

Hi Decon,

You should be able to configure this using the Touchpad control panel. If the Touchpad doesn't seem to respond to settings you make in the control panel, a reboot will often fix it (or even just sleep/wake). But if that happens consistently, you want to uninstall the Touchpad driver, then reinstall from SW Update.

You can try different versions of the Touchpad driver, downloaded with SW Update under Find Model. I prefer version 11.7.10.4.

Edit: The post linked below mentions where to find that version:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...-owner-s-lounge-np940x3g-159.html#post9771160

 

Thanks Dannemand, helpful as always.

However I've run into another issue; webbrowsing has become extremely slow, to the point where it's impossible to do any serious work. Every letter I type into Google Docs has a huge delay time. I know that Google apps are heavy, but before the update I was able to work with them without any issues. I have no idea what's going on here, but I'm getting extremely frustrated as this is my work station on the move. I collaborate with partners on writing shared docs, and this is starting to become a huge issue. This laptop isn't even a year old, but it has got problems using standard web applications It's not a connection problem, it's not a browser problem pr. say (I've tried both IE, Firefox and Chrome, all are slow to load pages, open tabs, laggy when typing etc..)

Anyone got similar issues?

 

Did Silent Mode accidentally get activated, maybe by pressing Fn-F11? Make sure it is set to OFF in Settings (Fn-F1). Don't set it to AUTO.

Edit: If Silent Mode isn't the culprit, maybe check the Wireless Adapter Settings in your power profile, since Settings was probably re-installed after you updated to Win8.1.

 

I would add that HWiNFO has a very useful dynamic CPU speed display. It's worthwhile running this to check if the CPU is stuck at 800MHz or is varying between 800MHz and the CPU's maximum speed.

If this aspect is OK then Task Manager might reveal if some other program is hogging resources.

John

 

Again - thanks for your great advise guys!

Yes I did check up on the Eco mode, which wasn't enabled. I then tried to disable the I've tried to disable the 'Silent Mode' from 'Auto' to 'Off. Lag and slow down seems to have stopped now.

 

What would be a fair price to try to sell this laptop for, 1 yrd old, it's got a noisy fan that needs to be replaced.
I'm in a pickle, being in Canada replacement fan shipped here is $80, where as US it's $25.
BA31-00139A - FAN-CPU

Really annoyed with this laptop that it developed noisy fan, and don't want to deal with replacing this myself.
Bought this for my wife, but I think I was more excited with the specs than she was
-Samsung 740U
-i5-3337U
-4GB Ram
-128GB SSD
-Win8

 

If you put "BA31-00139A" into your favorite search engine you will find plenty of other places selling that part. I'm sure that one or more of them will offer a reasonable price for shipping a small part to Canada.

I haven't any idea what the second-hand value would be but if you declare the noisy fan then the price is likely to be reduced.

John

 

Hi,
today my np730u3e -s03it has bsod-ed and the screen has gone dark after a few second.
Although I could still hear the fan still I've decided to force a shutdown but now, if i try to switch it on, the fan start for a few seconds, the led turn on but the screen remains black.
I don't think the system starts at all because pressing the power button switch off the pc.
I've tried to disconnect the battery with the pinhole but it doesn't help.

The BSOD happened while the pc was idle for some minutes (with only firefox and a single gmail tab open), shortly after i've switch it on.
Maybe the scheduled updater process was installing an update but other than windows defender related it doesn't seem to be any recent new update for windows 8.1 (at least from what i can see on my desktop pc).

Does anyone have any suggestion?
Thanks,

Al

EDIT: I forgot to mention that when plugged into the socket, the recharge led is on even if the battery was at 80% and the bios setting for recharging the battery at max 80% should be on.

 

We have had a few unexpected bricking problems with Samsung notebooks during the past few months. This thread which discusses the resurrection of an NP700Z5C provides you with a good starting place.

John

 

As always thanks John, the pc is still under warranty, so I think I'll let them resolve the issue.
I'll have to wait, sadly.

 

I have a Samsung NP740U3E-K01UB and for the last few months I have noticed that my hinge is getting worse. today when closing it it looked as if it were going to pop apart completely. I bout this laptop in May of 2013 so about a year and a half ago. Has this been an issue for others? Is Samsung offering to fix it even if it is out of warranty? Kind of sad when a $1500 laptop doesn't last more than a year and a half.

 

Dear All

I'm having troubles with my 730u3e. Today I've finallly upgraded to win 8.1. I didnt wanted to but cannot stop automating baging to upgrade from system. I've upgraded bios and other drivers then update. After all updates I've notcied that 2gb of my ram is missing (my model is with 2gb installed to motherboard and extra 2gb in slot). Bios says that 2nd slot is empty :/ I've tried everything beside cmos reset and opening service cover (i tried all my srewdrivers and even PH000 failed with one screw:/) Dear All - please what can be do with this problem?

Regards, Adrian

 

It sounds like you have become victim of a bug that plagues some new Samsung BIOS versions (across different models) where RAM that previously worked is no longer recognized. Some brands and models of RAM DOES work, others don't. You should contact Samsung and complain rather loudly about it. It is a failure on their part.

Unfortunately I don't believe there is a solution -- other than to try different types of RAM in the slot. You can definitely try a CMOS reset, or even the more elaborate NVRAM reset discussed in this thread. I will be very interested to hear if that should work for you.

Win8.1 requires the latest BIOS, so rolling back to an earlier BIOS is not an option.

Since you had 2+2 GB, I wonder if this was the factory configuration. If so, that means Samsung's updated BIOS doesn't even work with the RAM they themselves installed. In that case I would definitely give them an earful and demand that they provide working replacement RAM for you.