Thinking of getting the Chronos 7; few questions.

Hello,

Spent the last few days deliberating over which laptop to buy. I was kind of set on the Asus N55SL but looks just as cheap as the N55SF so I think i'll spend the extra money for the quality construction (the N56 looks good... but that might not be released for half a year). The keyboard matters a big deal to me since I write a lot; shoddy keyboard: no deal.

My laptop requirements are as follows:

I'm an architecture student and I do a lot of Photoshop work, both with photographs and graphic designs.

I use 3d Studio Max with VRay renderer; I also use ArcINFO which is a GIS application that can be quite heavy on CPU. Those two are going to be my biggest spec hogs, GPU and CPU-wise, respectively.

I don't game, but I use AutoCAD and Navisworks, both requiring on the fly 3d rendering so a good GPU is a must.

This review and the two dedicated ones were quite helpful in illuminating the product and its (imo) closest rival, the HP Envy:

HP ENVY 15 vs. Samsung Series 7 Chronos Comparison Smackdown - YouTube

The Envy has a slightly better GPU, but more importantly the BIOS option to force the use of the dedicated graphics card using Adobe applications is a big plus. I don't know if the same applies to 3D Studio Max; I don't know much about the way computers work to be honest, but if the Chronos will only use the integrated graphic chipset when I render then it's a huge drawback.

Build quality on the Samsung seems better. The main reason I can't fathom buying the Envy is the red/orange issue; it sounds like any detailed image processing is impossible without an external monitor with a broken red colour.

I haven't really looked at anything else. The equivalent MBP in the UK costs twice what the Samsung costs, and since a lot of my crucial programmes only run in Windows it's even more of a difference if I need to buy a new OS.

Well, I have two questions. First of all, am I missing any other alternatives to the Chronos? Second, what is the likelihood that the GPU switching flaws experienced in Adobe will be fixed through a software update? Sorry I gave up reading the 350 page thread about the Chronos! -.-



Any advice appreciated (I'll also post a modified topic in the What to Buy subforum). In summary, these are relevant factors to me:


1. CPU: i7 2.2 at the very minimum.

2. GPU: Dedicated 1gb - don't know enough about GPUs to specify more.

3. Looks/Build quality: If I'm spending 1000 pounds I want it to look good and feel well-built, even if it'll cost ca. 10% more. The ASUS N55SF is a dealbreaker mostly for its cheap chassis, for example.

4. Speakers: not an issue; I know the Envy has better ones than the Chronos but I usually use my computer in public spaces with headphones anyway.

5. Keyboard: I'll be writing hundreds of thousands of words on this thing. To me a comfortable/efficient keyboard is almost as important as the CPU (slightly less important only because it's easier to replace it with an external one).

6. Cost: 1000ish pounds; no thanks, Apple.

7. Dimensions/weight/battery life: These are luxury concerns after other more pressing issues. Since I travel around a lot with my laptop I'd hate to need a huge AC converter, but I'm used to lugging around a 6 pound laptop so that's not an issue.

Thanks!

 

While I don't use any of the Adobe products users were having issues with, according to pages 50-56 of the thread linked below, the GPU switching issue was resolved through a driver update from AMD/Samsung. Other users report OpenGL applications including various Adobe tools now use the discrete card without problems:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sam...ush-samsung-implement-fixed-mode-bios-51.html

As for alternatives to the Chronos, I haven't seen anything that competes effectively on specs, design/style and price. That's why I got mine. Highly recommended.

 

And Envy costs more unless you got a discount.

 

Build quality wise, having used both the Chronos and the ENVY15, the E15 has much better construction and feels more solid. The Series 7 uses a plastic bottom panel.

The Turbo Boost comes on the ENVY 15 more frequently and at higher clocks than on the Series 7. This indicates HP uses a better cooling solution than Samsung. This will save you time on renders.

 

Not sure if screen quality is important to you but the LCD panel used in the Chronos is pretty bad. The slightest shift in vertical viewing angle causes the colour to shift. Contrast ratio is also very low making colours look very dull. This is especially noticeable when watching movie as the blacks looks gray. In the end i returned the laptop because of the screen. Everything else about the notebook was great. I wish they had put a IPS or higher quality TN screen but realistically that will drive up the price for a notebook that has good build quality and specs.