Seriously, what makes the R580 worth it?

Here in Hong Kong, we get two R80 series laptops, the R480 and R580.

The are only five differences between the models; The R480:
1. has a 14-inch screen compared to the R580.
2. has 512MB less video RAM compared to the R580.
3. does not have a number pad.
4. has a weaker processor, the Core i3 330m, compared to the R580's Core i5 520m.
5. has 3GB RAM compared to the R580's 4GB.

Both models have the GeForce 330m. Now, while number pad obviously sets apart the two, the extra video RAM is more the less redundant because of the GPU's limited 128-bit memory bus. 4GB RAM? Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the 32-bit OS only support 3GB? The speedier processor is great, but seriously.... a US$190 difference? The R480 seems to be the better deal here.

 

Saw the R480 and the R580 at BestBuy today and both looked decent and solidly built units and are lightweight. To me the screen isn't as bright or crisp as the Gateway models. The volume is also weak even when turned all the way up. The color scheme is nice. The keyboard is okay and doesn't flex. For the price it's a little bit expensive for my taste. You can get the Gateway with bluray for less. I know Acer took over Gateway but Acer laptops aren't as loud as the Gateways.

 

The R580 has a better Processor but a Weaker Graphics Card than The R522. Why to buy it and not the cheaper R522

 

In Canada, the version of the R480 and the R580 is almost the same except the CPU and the R580 offer you the keyboard lighting but I own the R480 which is the i5-430m, GT 330m (1gb of GDDR3)and 4gb of 1066mhz. I compared with my friends R580, its just a bit better at vent of heat cause of the size but the screen resolution is quite disappointing for the 15.6 model. In terms of gaming, its okay and pretty decent. Most games can run at minimum of 30fps and max to 45 to 60 fps depending on the game. I ran l4d1 at everything max and got 30 to 45fps when heavy horded in modded servers. Starcraft 2 I'm getting around 30 to 60fps everything on ultra using fraps to check my FPS....hope this helps. =/

 

I purchased the R580 from Best Buy a couple of weeks ago. There is much to like about it: Blu-Ray, speedy Windows 7 and internet videos and screens, quiet hard drive, connectors galore including e-SATA and SSD and mini-PCMCIA slot, high rez screen (watch something in Blu-Ray and you'll see the colors and resolution - just pop!), dedicated graphics card (the Windows index rating gave it a 5.9 and the low score from the hard drive brought it down to a 5.0 - but still not bad for a 5400rpm drive), hard drive replaceable, light as a feather, stays cool to the touch, wide screen, wifi card Atheros!, Samsung utilities - just awesome!, Samsung threw in the Blu-Ray Power package from Cyberlink - fully registered! There are probably some other pluses and the they outweight the negatives; fingerprint magnet, touchpad location to the keyboard, 2 hr battery time, and accessories unavailable. I am happy with my purchase and would purchase it again.

 

I dont think it is, but the keyboard in the bestbuy model does is it backlit?

 

No it doesn't. Wish it did though. With the off-center buttons to the touchpad it really would have been a big plus. They did provide 'landing lights' around the touchpad though. It's better than nothing.

 

R580 shows as having a G 310M on Best Buy's website... does it actually have a GT 330M?

Edit: The R480 has only integrated graphics... ? Is America getting shafted here and only the Canadian models have GT 330M?

 

Just bought my R580 two days ago. I have to admit its a lot of value for the price, I needed a laptop that wasn't a gaming model (already have a g60vx) and would be able to do some light gaming. The R580 with i5 and blu ray is an absolute steal at 830 us.


Cheers

 

After 3-4 weeks, I agree! Very happy with Samsung's implementation using Windows 7 Home Premium x64 Really digging the wifi signal to the router as its stronger (1 to 2 bars stronger) than other devices I've tried from remote locations outside my house.

 

Not a shaft at all. the Windows Index reports a 5.9 for graphics. It is not the weakest link anyways. Its the hard drive at 5.0.

 

5.9 is too high for even the new Intel GPU.

John

 

A 5.9 for graphics would make sense if the GPU was GT 330M. The Radeon 5650 in my Gateway gets a WEI score of 6.7 and it performs somewhat better than the 330M.

However, every US variant of the R480 I've seen has only Intel HD Graphics and no discrete option.

 

I bought my R580 as a cheap laptop to take with me to work and school. I have a G60vx to game with at home.

To be honest thought the 310m isn't too shabby, I play Bad Company 2 with no aa online with no problems at all. I expected the graphics to be weak but so far it runs just about everything i've tossed at it.

The only thing i'm wondering if i can do multi channel surround from the hdmi.

Cheers

Npc1978

 

There isn't anything specific on their site or in the manual HOWEVER the HDMI spec for all versions support 8-channels.

 

It's 5.9 for R580 with the discrete NVIDIA 310 card with 512Mb of its own RAM memory.

The R480 has just the Intel GPU (Intel GMA 4500MHD).

The above, for the R580, is for US specs only. I've seen sites that show non-US using different CPU's e.g. i7 and GPU's e.g. NVIDIA 330? for their R580.

 

Yeah, Im having issues with my R580, I keep getting issues with Bad Company 2. Some SERIOUS graphical issues, is anyone else getting this problem. Also has anyone found a way of keeping it clean for more than 30 seconds with out it being in an intel clean room?!? lol. I certainly picks up a lot of marks

 

Yeah i get the same graphical glitches in Bad company 2. I'm thinking its a driver issue. If you use the drivers from nvidia it will update, but you may lose some functions with the system.

Running a test on nvidia's website they specifically say that you need to go to the oem for drivers. I'm sure it will work with our 310 but at the same time you may lose some brightness adjustment ability and etc, if you don't use the samsung drivers.

Other then BC2 I have had no problems at all with the laptop.

 

I tried to install the Nvidia driver but it wouldn't install. It said the driver was incompatible! Go figure! So back I went to the Samsung site and downloaded their latest 310M driver.

 

I broke down and bought the R580. It surpasses my expectations. I bought it before I went on vacation and it performed flawlessly. The real downside is the battery but problem solved 'cause I bought a second battery.

 

Congrats on the purchase! Yeah, I am digging mine too! It is an awesome laptop!

 

Best Buys new R580 sucks. It has a core i3 and integrated graphics.

 

The R580 is a much better computer than the R480, for reasons already stated.

Myself, I first bought the R480, after a week, took it back for the R580 and haven't looked back yet.

Of note though... I noticed the other day in Best Buy, Samsung did a flip-flop on their processors. Now the 14" has the i5 cpu, and the 15" has the i3 cpu

Don't ask me why they switched? At least mine has the i5 cpu.

 

Here in Australia, there have been several versions of the R580 with different CPUs in them. There seem to be three available at any time so they probably cover the range of low, medium and high power. Those are relative descriptions as I don't remember if there has been an i7 version.

 

I've got the i5 with the 15.6" screen and Blu-Ray. But the spec holding down its potential is the hard drive. Really brings it down! The memory and graphics and CPU are much speedier than the drive. When SSD's come down in price I might just pop that in and the R580 will be a rocket ship!

 

I have the R580 with the i5 processor. I cloned the drive to a 250gb Corsair SSD and it rocks. Now I made the original HDD as a backup in case the SSD fizzles and also as a backup external drive.