Samsung R710 notebook

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Samsung R710 is a 17 inch notebook for home entertainment. Test and curiosity about this handset features an excellent price / performance. The Samsung R710 laptop PC was announced in July 2008, shortly after the launch of ultraportable Q210 and Q310, which inaugurated the new Eclipse design. Effective marketing has taken place from September 2008 to the target price of 999 euros including VAT.

At the time of writing, the officially it has three configurations: R710 FS01, R710 AS03 and AS04 latest. The model being tested is a Samsung R710 AS03, which is different from the entry level version because FS01 features an Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 instead of T5800, however, compensated by the presence of an integrated Bluetooth module. If in our R710 AS03 the Intel C2D P8600 is sufficient for multimedia applications where the notebook is intended, as the FS01 CPU Intel C2D T5800 is slightly understaffed, especially since entered into a technical availability of the higher level.

The Samsung R710 AS04, has a list of technical specifications identical to that of the AS03 model, leading us to believe that this is a refresh that has made some small improvements in structure or BIOS and driver.

Specifications

• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 CPU (codenamed "Penryn", 2.4GHz, clock 2:40 GHz, 3 MB cache L2, 1066 MHz bus, multiplier 9x)
• Chipset: Intel Cantiga PM45 (ICH9M)
• Socket: Type P / 478-pin (Micro-FCPGA)
• Mainboard: Samsung R710
• Operating system: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32 bit OEM
• RAM: 4 GB DDR3-1066 (2 x 2 GB)
• Video card: nVidia GeForce 9600M GT 512 MB GDDR3
• Hard Disk: Fujitsu MHZ2320BH G2 (320 GB, 5400 RPM, SATA-II)
• Display: Chi Mei N170C2-L02 (WXGA +, 1440 x 900 pixels, 17 "16:10, Super Bright Gloss)
• Audio: Realtek ALC262, 2 built-in speakers
• Optical Drive: TSST TS-L633A (read / write CDs, DVD ±)
• Network Adapters: Marvell Yukon 88E8055 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet, Intel WiFi Link 5100, Agere Systems HDA Modem
• I / O Ports: 4 USB 2.0, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 1 Modem (RJ11), 1 Ethernet (RJ45), 1 Express Card Slot (54 mm), 1 audio output (headphones), 1 incoming audio (microphone) 1 card reader 7-in-1 (MS, MS Pro, SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC plus, xD), 1 Kensington Lock, 1 serial port.
• Webcam: Vimicro USB2.0 UVC Web Camera 1.3 Megapixel
• TouchPad: Synaptics Pointing Device
• Battery: Rechargeable Li-Ion 6-cell (90 W)
• Dimensions: 39.5 x 27.9 x 3.7 cm
• Weight: 3.08 kg with battery

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Unboxing and Recovery
The package of notebooks and accessories, is precise and overall there is a good attention to detail. In the box is present (if only one more rare), even the Windows Vista DVD and a CD containing all the different drivers.

It is worthwhile to point out that the Windows Vista DVD does not contain a simple image of the operating system but it is a real complete installation DVD. Also the drivers and utilities are included on the second CD, avoiding the usual problems that follow the formatting and reinstallation of the OS.

If they prefer, they can still create an image restore using the software Samsung Recovery Solution III. This is a complete system does not simply restore the PC to zero but allows you to perform backups of the current configuration of the user.

As you first turn the notebook, the software prompts you to restart your PC to run the rescue of the initial state (Samsung Recovery Solution III is saved on a second partition, and is independent of Windows). We suggest to do this because the failure to save the original makes it impossible to repair the system, forcing to make the operation of the traditional Windows installer using the DVD.

We list briefly the contents of the package :

• Rechargeable battery 6-cell
• Feeder
• Cloth to clean the screen
• Quick Guide
• CD Cyberlink DVD Suite
• DVD Windows Vista Home Premium
• DVD Drivers & software
• Samsung Recovery Solution Manual
• Security Information
• About the technical support and warranty

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Design and construction quality

Samsung proves stylistic edge research in the field of mobile computing. Among the first companies to offer laptops with glossy black finish (design Aura), the Korean multinational wanted to donate to his portable PC a touch of originality with the new two-color look.

The cover of the screen is sufficiently resistant but is not suitable to support excessive weight. The central part, in fact, tends to flex when pressed with Leman.

The plastic panel and the palmrest have a glossy treatment, as on all the most popular consumer notebook, but they get dirty too easily: just a day of use to glimpse impressions throughout the case.

The opening system of the screen is a hook but it is always accurate and effective. Do not forcefully press serves the screen, the mechanism is triggered almost instantaneously.

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Interfaces

The budget is full of links, even if, as often happens in recent times, have been sacrificed to the Firewire port and S-Video. However, it is important to note the lack of eSATA port and a port for the docking station if it is true that hardly home users buying basics of expansion options, but a notebook dedicated to multimedia requires very high storage capacity, which would have benefited from presence of an eSATA port.

Front: There are no interfaces, to the left we see a group of spies and activity center to have the hook for the opening of the screen.

Left side: On the front there is the HDMI output, the grid for heat dissipation, USB 2.0, the incoming audio jack (microphone), the audio output jack (headphones) and arranged one above the ' other things, the card slot Express Card 54 mm slot and the card reader 7 in 1. The solution to have the grid of the ventilation system on the side of the laptop is very common, but may involve some minor discomfort if you use USB devices.

Right side: On this side we find the optical drive, the serial interface and a USB 2.0 port. The serial port is accessible by opening the plastic cover, which allows the pins to protect against possible shocks.

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Audio
The sound system consists of a Realtek ALC262 codec architecture compatible with Intel High Definition Audio, combined with two built-in speakers, located just above the keyboard. They have a power of 2 watts each, but by raising the volume to maximum level of distortion you notice the sound.

To contain the cost there is no mini-integrated subwoofer, and the overall sound quality is unfortunately only average.

The audio output S / PDIF is combined with that of the headphones and turn it must act through the Realtek control panel.

On the palmrest is also a microphone that supports the effects Mic Noise Suppression and EDS (Enhanced Digital Sound), but it is positioned only on the left side and is single, is not replicated on the opposite side.

Screen and video card

The screen used on the Samsung R710 is an LCD Chi Mei N170C2-L02 with 17-inch diagonal, WXGA + native resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels widescreen form factor and 16:10. The surface of the screen is shiny (Super Bright Gloss), but the reflections are very small, even if the viewing angles of 20/45/45/45 not seem to benefit from it.

The list of specifications describes a screen-type very common brightness of 200 nits, contrast 400:1 and response time of 10ms. Are specific enough to use multimedia, but not exciting.

The color range is good and in our case we found no bad pixels. In some configurations of R710 is a display Samsung LTN170X2-L02 instead of the CMO panel, but the quality is practically the same, except a slightly higher contrast of 500:1 offset by a response time slower than 16ms.

The video card has taken a nVidia GeForce 9600M GT with 512 MB of GDDR3 dedicated video memory and up to 1277 MB shared Turbo Cache (with 4 GB of RAM). The BIOS video would seem at first glance shared with the system BIOS, probably the video card is integrated into the motherboard, but unfortunately we have not had the opportunity to open the notebook to make a review. Although it is possible to overclock the card with the Nvidia nTune software without incurring any major problems.

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Conclusions

Samsung R710 is a multimedia notebook with innovative and elegant quality of the materials above the average of the portable consumer price range.

The objective of proposing a good quality product at an extremely affordable price was certainly focused, but has forced the multinational Korean to accept more than a compromise in the hardware configuration: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 and the absence of a network card, Bluetooth integrated may be limiting, especially if the Samsung R710 is chosen as the first and only notebook for the whole family.

Overall, however, the choice of components shows wisely determined, with the result that the desktop-replacement Samsung is able to ensure performance in line with the competition, or even higher in some areas, such as 3D gaming.

In light of these considerations, Samsung R710 may be the right choice for users looking for lightness, strength, power and an original design in a multimedia notebook.

[elpollodiablo0]

Great review!

One thing I'm still wondering though.. How's the cooling? Do you know the max temperature while gaming or other CPU-intensive tasks by any chance?