Hands-On Review: Samsung Series 7 Notebooks

Samsung’s Series 7 Windows notebooks pack plenty of processing power into a compact, sleek chassis. Featuring a dual- or quad-core Intel processor and loaded with 8GB of RAM, the 15.6" models are less than an inch thick and weigh just over 5 lb. They’re loaded with Windows 7 Home Premium, featuring a 64-bit architecture that can handle most demanding professional software applications. There’s also a more compact 14" model with 1TB built-in storage; the three larger models offer 500GB to 1TB.

But specs aren’t the only thing to recommend these performance-oriented notebooks: Each of the Series 7 models features island-style keys and a large, bright 1600 x 900 display with a matte finish that cuts out glare from sunlight or indoor lighting. Each notebook has a slot-loading DVD burner/optical drive, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and WiDi technology, and at least one super-speed USB 3.0 port. What’s more, the powerful battery will keep the Series 7 notebook running for a full workday. Whether you’re interested in gaming, general computing or photo or video editing, be sure to get the full story from our hands-on video review.

Click here for more images

	Series 7 NP700Z3A-S06US 14” Notebook	Series 7 NP700Z5A-S06US 15.6" Notebook	Series 7 NP700Z5A-S09US 15.6" Notebook	Series 7 NP700Z5A-S0AUS 15.6" Notebook
Operating System	Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)	Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)	Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)	Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
CPU/ Processor	Intel Core i5-2450M Dual-Core Processor	Intel Core i7-2675QM Quad-Core Processor	Intel Core i5-2450M Dual-Core Processor	Intel Core i7-2675QM Quad-Core Processor
CPU Clock Speed (Max.)	2.45 GHz	2.20 GHz	2.45 GHz	2.20 GHz
CPU Cache	3MB L3	6MB L3	3MB L3	6MB L3
Screen Size	14"	15.6"	15.6"	15.6"
Resolution	1600 x 900	1600 x 900	1600 x 900	1600 x 900
Brightness	300 nit	300 nit	300 nit	300 nit
Graphics Chip	AMD Radeon HD6490M (PowerXpress)	AMD Radeon HD6490M (PowerXpress)	AMD Radeon HD6490M (PowerXpress)	AMD Radeon HD6750M (PowerXpress)
Graphic Memory	1GB (GDDR5)	Not specified by manufacturer	1GB (GDDR5)	1GB (GDDR5)
Standard System Memory	8GB	8GB	8GB	8GB
Memory Type	DDR3	DDR3	DDR3	DDR3
Max. System Memory	8GB	8GB	8GB	8GB
Hard Drive Capacity	1TB	750GB	500GB	1TB
Optical Disc Drive	DVD +/-RW Super Multi Dual Layer (S-ATA)	DVD +/-RW Super Multi Dual Layer (S-ATA)	DVD +/-RW Super Multi Dual Layer (S-ATA)	DVD +/-RW Super Multi Dual Layer (S-ATA)
Speakers	3W Stereo Speaker (1.5W x 2)	3W Stereo Speaker (1.5W x 2)	3W Stereo Speaker (1.5W x 2)	3W Stereo Speaker (1.5W x 2)
Web Camera	1.3MP HD	1.3MP HD	1.3MP HD	1.3MP HD
Wireless LAN	Intel 802.11 a/b/g/n	Intel 802.11 a/b/g/n	Intel 802.11 a/b/g/n	Intel 802.11 a/b/g/n
WiDi	Yes	Not specified by manufacturer	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth	Bluetooth v3.0 High Speed	Bluetooth v3.0 High Speed	Bluetooth v3.0 High Speed	Bluetooth v3.0 High Speed
Wired Ethernet LAN	Gigabit LAN	Not specified by manufacturer	Gigabit LAN	Gigabit LAN
HDMI	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
USB Ports	2 (1x USB 3.0; 1x USB 2.0)	3 (2x USB 3.0; 1x USB 2.0)	3 (2x USB 3.0; 1x USB 2.0)	3 (2x USB 3.0; 1x USB 2.0)
Headphone Out	1x 3.5mm mini jack	1x 3.5mm mini jack	1x 3.5mm mini jack	1x 3.5mm mini jack
Microphone	Integrated mic; also shares 3.5mm jack with headphones	Integrated mic; also shares 3.5mm jack with headphones	Integrated mic; also shares 3.5mm jack with headphones	Integrated mic; also shares 3.5mm jack with headphones
VGA	VGA connection available through dongle (optional)	VGA connection available through dongle (optional)	VGA connection available through dongle (optional)	VGA connection available through dongle (optional)
RJ45 (LAN)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multi Card Slot	4-in-1 (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)	4-in-1 (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)	4-in-1 (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)	4-in-1 (SD, SDHC, SDXC, MMC)
Keyboard	86 Key Backlit	102 Key Backlit	102 Key Backlit	102 Key Backlit
Touch Pad	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Kensington Lock Slot	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
AC Adapter	60W	Not specified by manufacturer	90W	90W
Number of Cells / Cell Type	8 / Li-Po	8 / Li-Po	8 / Li-Po; 5420 mAh	8 / Li-Po; 5420 mAh
Battery Life	Not Specified By Manufacturer	7.8 hours	7.8 hours	7.8 hours
Compliancy	Energy Star Certified (5.2)	Not specified by manufacturer	EPEAT Gold; Energy Star  Certified (5.2); TCO  Certified (3.1)	EPEAT Gold; Energy Star  Certified (5.2); TCO  Certified (3.1)
Dimensions (W x D x H)	12.7 x 0.93 x 8.8" / 32.26 x 2.36 x 22.35 cm	14.26 x 0.94 x 9.39" / 36.22 x 2.39 x 23.85 cm	14.2 x 0.94 x 9.3" / 36.07 x 2.39 x 23.62 cm	14.2 x 0.94 x 9.3" / 36.07 x 2.39 x 23.62 cm
Weight	4.56 lb (2.07 kg )	5.05 lb / 2.29 kg	5.04 lb / 2.29 kg	5.04 lb / 2.29 kg