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How would you change Samsung's Series 7 Gamer?
Can mainstream companies produce hardware that'll compete with specialist game rigs? That was certainly the idea behind Samsung's Series 7 Gamer, a laptop designed to muscle in on Alienware's patch. When we reviewed it, we found that performance more than lived up to the hype. Even its average speakers and tiny trackpad couldn't detract from that, or its "gorgeous" display. Still, did you own one? If so, share your experiences on it, you never know -- Samsung might even be reading.
Daniel Cooper10.27.2013
Samsung unveils the Series 7 Ultra, refreshes the Series 7 Chronos with a slimmer design
We've gotta hand it to Samsung: announcing new products before CES is a clever way of grabbing our undivided attention. With days to go before the show officially kicks off, the outfit's already unveiled some new monitors, and put out teasers for at least three other items. Now the company's PC division is getting a headstart as well: Samsung just added two notebooks to its high-performance Series 7 family of products. These include the Series 7 Ultra, a 13-inch Ultrabook, as well as a refreshed Series 7 Chronos with AMD graphics. Starting with the Ultra (pictured above), this is the first Ultrabook in the Series 7 family, which emphasizes hearty performance more than other PCs in Samsung's lineup. It'll be available in two versions, one with a touchscreen and one without, but even then, you'll find variants with different processors (Core i5 or i7) and different storage capacities (128GB or 256GB). Whichever configuration you choose, though, you'll get a 350-nit, 1080p display, up to 16GB of RAM (!), a backlit keyboard, JBL speakers and a 1GB AMD HD8570M GPU. Other specs include three USB ports (two 2.0, one 3.0), HDMI, Ethernet, mini-VGA, a memory card reader and a battery rated for up to eight hours (we're assuming that's the non-touch model). As for the new Series 7 Chronos, Samsung actually just teased it in a video earlier today. Based on that, we already knew the 15-inch version would be refreshed with AMD's new AMD Radeon HD 8870M GPU, whose RAMaccelerator technology claims to increase browsing and general application speeds by up to 150 percent. At the same time, Samsung's also given the chassis a makeover so that it's now thinner than the last-gen model (0.82 inches thick versus 0.94). Other than that, it packs a 2.4GHz Intel Core i7 3635QM CPU, a 300-nit, 1080p display, up to 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, an optional touchscreen, a backlit keyboard, JBL speakers and 11 hours of battery life (in theory, anyway). In any case, Samsung hasn't announced pricing or availability for either of these models, but you can bet your Nexus 10 we'll be getting hands-on at CES next week. Until then, we've slipped a photo of the Chronos after the break. You know, because we can play the teaser game too. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Dana Wollman01.02.2013
Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro tablet with LTE clears the FCC
It's been increasingly tough to keep all of Samsung's Windows 8 tablets straight recently, with changing names adding to the confusion, and it looks like you can add one more variation to keep track of. A new Series 7 model, the ATIV Smart PC Pro 700T, has turned up at the FCC today boasting some hereto unannounced LTE connectivity -- although that doesn't come as a huge surprise considering Samsung's already delivered a non-Pro ATIV to AT&T. Of course, that "Pro" designation means you'll be getting an x86 processor and the full-fledged version of Windows 8 instead of RT, but it's not clear what other changes this version might have in store compared to non-LTE model. Correction: As some have pointed out below in the comments below, the non-Pro model does also come with the full-fledged version of Windows 8, not RT.
Donald Melanson11.14.2012
Samsung announces Series 5 and Series 7 Windows 8 tablets with S Pen apps, optional keyboards
Samsung already showed off its Series 5 Hybrid back at Computex, but what we didn't know was that Sammy had yet another tablet / laptop mash-up in the works. The company just formally announced the Series 5 and it turns out it's going to be joined by the next-gen Series 7 Slate as well. (Also known as the ATIV tabs in regions outside the US.) The two 11-inch tablets more or less look alike, except the Series 5 is powered by an Atom-based Clover Trail processor, while the Series 7 packs Core i5 guts. Both support pen input, and will come with the same S Pen apps found on the Galaxy Note 10.1. As for that optional keyboard dock, Samsung previously touted its magnetic hinge, but the dock has since been retooled with a sturdier latch-based mechanism. (Check out the video below to see it in action -- the tablet really does seem incapable of falling out.) As you can imagine, that difference in processor entails more than just different clock speeds. The two-watt Atom chip inside the Series 5 is rated for about nine hours of battery life, whereas the Core i5-powered Series 7 is expected to last between four and five hours on a charge. (The Series 5 is lighter, too, at 1.65 pounds, compared with 1.89 for the Series 7.) And, being a lower-powered device, the Series 5 has no vents. Last major difference: the Series 7 has a 1080p screen, while the Series 5's resolution tops out at 1,366 x 768. On the software side, Samsung is loading all of its Win 8 systems with its various Media Hubs -- yes, just like the ones you'll find on the company's Android devices. You'll also find AllShare, a DLNA media-sharing app; S-Launcher, a widget that replicates the missing Start Menu in Windows 8; and eSettings, a centralized options menu for folks who maybe haven't learned where all the settings are in Win 8. As for those S Pen applications, you've got S Note, among other carry-overs from the Android side. As with the Note 10.1, the pen itself can recognize 1,024 degrees of pressure sensitivity. Both tablets will arrive October 26th, the day Windows 8 starts shipping. The Series 7 will be available in one $1,119 configuration with 4GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD and the keyboard. The Series 5, meanwhile, will cost $649, and will include 2GB of RAM and a 64GB solid-state drive. If you like, you can purchase the keyboard for $100, or you can buy the two as a bundle for $749. We'll be back with reviews in October but until then, check out our walk-through below. (Note: we didn't get a chance to play with AllShare, the S Pen apps or the Hubs, but hopefully we can give you a more detailed demo of the software soon.)%Gallery-163062%%Gallery-163331%
Dana Wollman08.29.2012
Samsung refreshing Series 7 Gamer with 3D display, AMD Radeon HD 7870M
If Samsung's first dedicated gaming laptop wasn't built to your liking, you're about to get another option -- the Series 7 Gamer is due for a refresh. The company's Samsung Tomorrow blog pegs the new build as the Series 7 Gamer Yellow 3D, which outshines the subtle design we praised in our review of the last model with -- you guessed it -- a bright yellow finish. Style aside, the new oversized notebook will swap out its current GPU for an AMD Radeon HD 7870M and, as the name implies, a 14.3-inch SuperBright (400 nit) 3D LED display. The new configuration will also split its twin drive bays between a 1TB HDD and a fast-booting 128GB SSD. There's no word yet on international availability, but folks in Sammy's homeland can pick up the rig on August 14th for 2.99 million Won, which rings up to about $2,643 here in the states. Check out the official announcement at the (translated) source link below.
Sean Buckley08.13.2012
Samsung Series 7 Gamer review: the company's first gaming laptop makes its way to the US
Sure, thin, light and power-efficient may be the latest trend in notebook design, but one category of portable computing isn't afraid of going against the grain: the oversized gaming laptop. These big machines often flirt with double-digit weights, with screens in excess of 17 inches and the most powerful chipsets under the hood. Samsung's Series 7 Gamer is no exception, of course, weighing in at 8.39 pounds and packing plenty of power. The machine's recent US debut isn't its first foray into the market, however -- this machine first appeared in Europe late last year, albeit with an older processor and GPU. Now, Sammy has brought the rig stateside, adorning it with new parts for the New World, namely a 2.3GHz Core i7-3610QM CPU and NVIDIA's GTX 675M graphics processor. How does Samsung's first oversized gaming machine measure up? Let's find out.%Gallery-159891%
Sean Buckley07.14.2012
BMW's 3 and 7 Series to be the first with Nuance's Dragon Drive! Messaging aboard
It somehow feels like it was only yesterday that Nuance unveiled its Dragon Drive! creation to the world, hoping to in the process make drivers' lives easier by delivering a fresh eyes / hands-free messaging system inside connected cars. Unfortunately, back then the savvy company didn't announce any partnerships with auto manufacturers -- still, we had a feeling it wouldn't be too long before one of them would want to come along for the voice dictation ride. The good news is, that's about to change pretty soon. Per the outfit itself, BMW's decided to bring the Dragon Drive! tech to its 2012 7 Series later this month, with the 3 Series Touring and the eco-friendly 3 Series ActiveHybrid expected to get it "later this year." Notably, Dragon Drive! will offer multi-language support, including English, Spanish, Italian, French and German. There's no word yet on just how much the fee for the service will be, but we do know those who land themselves one of these new Beemers will get a two-month trial to take Dragon Drive! for a quick spin.
Edgar Alvarez07.09.2012
Samsung shows off Series 7 all-in-one PC with slim design and metal stand, stays mum on specs (update: hands-on photos)
In addition to that Series 5 laptop / tablet hybrid, Samsung has one other goodie up its sleeve. The company is also teasing a Series 7 all-in-one PC, a desktop that we can only imagine was built to run Windows 8 (notice that those cheeky blokes in Sammy's marketing department aren't even showing a Win8 screen in that lone photo you see up there). As with the Series 5 hybrid, Samsung is revealing maddeningly little about specs. We do know it responds to both voice input and hand gestures -- both uncommon features for a desktop, especially in that combination. We don't even know the screen size or resolution, but we're told this panel is capable of recognizing up to 10 fingers at once. Lastly, Samsung says the stand is made of metal and the display is slim, but you probably already gathered that. And that, folks, is all she wrote, but we'll be sure to report back with more details between now and when this goes on sale, presumably sometime after Win8 ships this fall.%Gallery-156975% Zach Honig contributed to this report.
Dana Wollman06.04.2012
Samsung Series 7 Gamer laptop goes on sale in the US for $1,900
Who could forget that marigold yellow gaming laptop sitting around Samsung's booth at CES? Though the Series 7 Gamer has been available in Europe since last fall, the company decided to wait until Intel made its big Ivy Bridge reveal before introducing its first gaming laptop here in the states. Now that those chips are starting to ship, the Series 7 Gamer is at last on sale here in the US, available in a single configuration that'll set you back $1,900. (Sorry, folks, it will only be sold in black.) Though that price is slightly higher than the estimate we heard four months ago, the specs are also beefier than we were expecting. For the money, you'll get a 2.3GHz i7-3610QM Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GTX675M GPU, a 1.5TB 7,200RPM hard drive and a 400-nit, 17.3-inch, 1080p display. Like that other Series 7 laptop we reviewed recently, that HDD is paired with 8GB of flash memory to help cut start-up and application launch times. At its best, the battery is rated to last 3.7 hours -- not bad for a 13.34 8.39-pound system -- and you can exert some control over the runtime by selecting from one of four power modes using an analog dial. All the major e-tailers like Amazon and NewEgg will carry it, and feel free to revisit our hands-on from CES if you need a few close-up shots to jog your memory. Update: Though the press material Samsung sent to reporters listed the weight as 13.34 pounds, the product page below says it weighs 8.39 pounds, which sounds far more likely, if you ask us.
Dana Wollman05.01.2012
15-inch Samsung Series 7 laptops follow big brother across Intel's Ivy Bridge
Intel's bridge is a popular one and, while we don't know just what the toll to cross is, today the gatekeeper has a little extra change jingling in his pocket. Samsung is announcing that its 15-inch Series 7 Chronos laptops now offer Ivy Bridge processors, joining the 17-inch models that have already have made their way across. Thanks to a Samsung Canada leak last week, we knew the slightly more portable flavor wouldn't be far behind. NVIDIA graphics are onboard, joining the Core i7 processors and 1TB hard drives plus other pleasantries like backlit keyboards. No word on when these machines and their "uncompromised performance" will arrive at retail, but we hear getting over that bridge is the tricky part, so it shouldn't be long now.
Tim Stevens04.30.2012
15-inch Series 7 Chronos with Ivy Bridge surfaces on Samsung's Canadian site
When it rains it pours. Hot on the heels of announcing that 17-inch Series 7 Chronos laptop it teased back at CES, Samsung is doing the predictable sensible thing and refreshing the 15-inch version with an Ivy Bridge processor as well. So far, we see it listed on Samsung's Canadian site with a 1GB NVIDIA GT640M GPU and a quad-core Core i7-3615QM CPU (remember that Intel hasn't announced its dual-core variants yet). Curiously, though, we don't actually see it for sale online anywhere, it's unclear how much it costs and that Ivy Bridge configuration isn't even listed as an option on the company's US site. We've emailed Samsung for clarification, but in the meantime you may as well consider this a placeholder -- and will yourself to hold off a little longer before pulling the trigger on a mid-sized laptop. [Thanks, Hugo]
Dana Wollman04.25.2012
Samsung's NP700 gaming laptop goes up for pre-order with Ivy Bridge pride
Jonesing for some more of Samsung's 17-inchers? Jones no more, because the Korean manufacturer has just put its NP700G7C gaming laptop up for pre-order. Packing 16GB of memory, this new Series 7 lappy made a brief appearance on Best Buy's website last month, but was quickly pulled. This time, though, it looks like it's for real, with Samsung touting its new "Gaming PC" on its very own website, alongside a $1,700 price tag. For that money, you'll get a 17.3-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and, most compelling, a taste of Ivy Bridge, courtesy of the laptop's third-generation Intel Core i7-3610QM quad-core processor, which clocks in at 2.3GHz. It's available now, at the source link below.
Amar Toor02.10.2012
Samsung Series 7 HDTV monitor hands-on
Of the two monitors Samsung announced last week, the Series 7 was decidedly the middle-of-the road number. But that's not saying much, seeing as how its big brother, the Series 9, is Sammy's first consumer display with a plane line switching panel, and has a 2560 x 1440 pixel count. The Series 7, available in 24- and 27-inch sizes (both 1080p), uses the same matte, 400-nit, SuperBright Plus panel you'll find on the newly announced Series 9 laptop, and as ever it looks bright and clear, even in the face of some oblique viewing angles. For the money ($600 and up), it also has built-in WiDi and MHL, along with an integrated TV tuner. So far as we can tell, after having seen it in person, the biggest thing you'll lose once you step down from the Series 9 (aside from the PLS bit) is design flair. Whereas the Series 9 has a slim aluminum build with glowing touch controls, the Series 7's glossy surfaces pick up fingerprints quite quickly. (Then again, this more or less rocks the same design as last year's Series 9 flagship, so how bad could it be?) Have a peek at our shots below, and stay tuned for a separate look at the Series 9 -- for whatever reason, the one on display at tonight's press event was powered off for the night, so we'll be back sometime soon when we can show you that high-quality PLS display in the buff.Sean Buckley contributed to this post.
Dana Wollman01.10.2012
Samsung Series 7 / Series 9 displays spotted early at CES
Remember those devilishly sexy Samsung LCDs we heard about a few days back? Looks like they're all wrapped up and ready for showcasing here in the Las Vegas Convention Center. A whole host of HDTV / monitors are scattered about, but it's the above pictured Series 7 and Series 9 panels that have us all hot and bothered. Have a peek back at the announcement post for all the specs, and hang tight for a closer look later today from the CES show floor.
Darren Murph01.09.2012
Samsung's bringing three new displays to CES: commence throwing your money at the screen
The biggest show of the year is just a few days short from arriving in the Nevada desert and it's time for the big boys to show off the attention-grabbing objects of desire. Samsung's setting mouths watering at the sight of three new displays: two monitors and a HDTV/monitor that's gonna hate to sit in your office. The Series 7 HDTV is a 24-or-27-inch display with a built-in HDTV tuner so you can flip between that spreadsheet / football game. There's WiDi and MHL gear inside too, so you can stream content from your computer, cellphone or tablet and will set you back $600 when it arrives in March. The Series 7 Smart Station will appear on shelves the same day, costing $50 less but missing the HDTV tuner and WiDi unit. For the serious screen lover, the Series 9 is a 27-inch premium monitor that's packing a plane line switching panel with a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 and MHL, so those spreadsheets can go from smartphone to display in seconds. Of course, that teeth-whitening resolution comes at a price: it'll cost you $1200 when it also arrives in March.
Daniel Cooper01.05.2012Samsung Series 7 Chronos review
Thin and light may be the name of the game for many when it comes to mobile computing, but there's still plenty of folks who need a full-featured portable machine. Samsung's Series 7 Chronos is just such a PC, packing an optical drive, numpad and discrete graphics beneath a brushed aluminum façade. While it may look like just another MacBook Pro clone running Windows 7, this Sammy's got some surprises up its sleeve that set it apart from Apple's offering (aside from a $1,000 price difference) and other laptops running Redmond's OS, for that matter. To find out what the Series 7 brings to the table and how it stacks up against its competition, you'll have to read on past the break. Let's get to it, shall we?
Michael Gorman01.04.2012
Samsung Series 7 Slate PC review
All quiet on the Windows 7 tablet front? Well, no, but we haven't exactly seen many shots fired lately. Sure, HP recently refreshed the Slate 500 with the Slate 2, but for the most part, products like this have been eclipsed by excitement around Windows 8. Of course, Redmond's tablet-friendly OS won't ship for another year, so for now tablet makers are releasing Windows slates with little fanfare. Not Samsung, though. While its mobile team has dug its heels into the consumer tablet market with devices like the Galaxy Tabs 10.1, 8.9 and 7.0 Plus, its PC division is taking a different tack. The Series 7 Slate PC was built by the same team behind the striking Series 9 laptop, making it one of the slickest business tablets we've ever beheld. It rocks an 11.6-inch display that handily dwarfs pretty much everything else out there. It runs a Core i5, not Atom, processor, and is offered with a custom dock and Bluetooth keyboard. The Series 7 Slate isn't just a rare Windows 7 tablet; it's also one of the most memorable. But are all of those things worth the $1,099 starting price? Could be, but we can think of a few caveats. Allow us to explain.
Dana Wollman12.16.2011
Synaptics shows conceptual trackpad interface with Windows 8, better make it a reality (video)
It's pretty obvious from Microsoft's outing of Windows 8 that touch is going to be a real focal point, but on machines that lack a touchscreen, it'll be the trackpad pulling weight. Synaptics, a famed touchpad maker, has just outed a new concept video demonstrating how its products will eventually -- in theory, anyway -- interact with Microsoft's forthcoming desktop OS. We've made no bones about the fact that most Windows-based laptops could use a serious lesson in trackpad awesomeness, and while there's no way to know for sure that the latest Series 7 ClearPad and ClickPad solutions will feel like they need to, the video hosted up after the break sure gives us reason to be optimistic.
Darren Murph11.08.2011
Samsung Series 7 Slate now up for pre-orders, shipping date still MIA (update: coming November 1st)
If you like making purchases without any sense of when your products will arrive, allow us to brighten your day. The Microsoft Store just started taking pre-orders for the Samsung Series 7 Slate -- you remember, the Windows 7 machine sporting Intel's 1.6GHz Core i5 2467M CPU with integrated graphics and 4GB of RAM, all beneath a 11.6-inch capacitive panel? Sure, you remember. MS is selling it for $1,299 with a 128GB SSD. And the mystery of wondering when it'll actually ship? That they'll throw in for free. [Thanks, pradeep] Update: Pre-orders now show a ship date of November 1st. Mystery dispelled. Thanks, Fahd.
Jesse Hicks10.07.2011
Samsung Series 7 laptop now available for pre-order at Best Buy
About a month ago, we got handsy with a certain 15.6-inch Samsung Series 7 laptop. Now, it appears that svelte, quad-core notebook's ready to flood the mass marketplace. Up for pre-order on Best Buy, Sammy's 4G WiMAX-enabled entry for the "design conscious" will cost you about $880 -- already chopped down from its near $1,000 price tag. For that handful of Benjamins, you can look forward to a 2.2GHz Core i7-2675QM, a 1600 x 900 HD matte display, 750GB of storage, 6GB of DDR3 RAM, a couple of USB 3.0 ports, an optical disk drive and Windows 7 Home pre-installed. If you were hoping to get your game on, then we'd advise you to hold out for the company's other Series 7 family member slated to hit this fall. You can get a head start on the anorexic goods by hitting up the source link below.
Joseph Volpe09.26.2011