Samsung addresses several buyer groups at the same time with the 15 incHP Pavilion dm4 Battery h Chronos 700ZSA. While the matt HD+ screen primarily aims at office users, the powerful midrange components are to make entertainment fans curious. Users who are frequently on the move and thus rely on a long battery life will be happy about the medium case dimensions and the strong 8 cell battery.
Currently, there are tHP Pavilion dm4t Batterywo different versions of the versatile notebook available in Germany. The 700Z5A-S01DE, which we reviewed here, is sold for about 1000€ and is equipped with a six GB DDR3 RAM, a 750 GB HDD and a cutting edge dual core CPU from Intel (Core i5-2430M @ 2.4-3.0 GHz).
The approximately 400€ more expensive 700Z5A-S03DE HP G62 Batteryis only worthwhile for users who absolutely want to have a quad core processor. Intel's brand new Core i7-2675QM clocks with 2.2 to 3.1 GHz under load. Moreover, the RAM has a capacity of eight rather than six GB. Both have the graphics card in common: The Radeon HD 6750M is a DirectX 11 capable midrange model from AMD. A conventional DVD burner is used aHP G62x Batterys the optical drive (slot-in) in both devices.
We think a great job has been done with the Chronos 700Z5A's looks. Design and shape make a simple yet elegant impression. The silver-gray surfaces give the 15 inch laptop a fresh appearance. The case hardly smudges due to the matt finish; in contrast to glossy representaHP G72 Batterytives, it isn't permanently covered by dust and fingerprints. The device isn't as scratch-sensitive either.
Since the display lid anHP G72T Batteryd keyboard area are made of aluminum, the material looks good despite the numerous plastic parts (bottom & wrist rest). Looking closer, the case proves to have a few weaknesses after all. For example, the workmanship is overall above-average, but the screen shone through at the outer edge of the display frame.
The biggest point of critique is the mediocre stability. The toHP G62t Batteryp not only evidently yields in the drive and touchpad area, but also towards the center under strong pressure. Furthermore, the lid can be severely warped. It's probably easy to break the screen with enough force. Merely the bottom proved to be fairly rigid.
Another flaw is tHP G62m Batteryhe wobbly hinge that doesn't keep the screen in position properly on vibrating surfaces. However, the compact dimensions can reassure us again: 362 x 238 mm sooner remind of a 14 inch device. A height of 25 millimeters also earns appreciation in view of the installed components. Additionally, there is the moderate weight of 2.4 kilograms.
The notebook is well suitable as a travel or university companion -Pavilion dv3 Battery the slim case will attract many envious glances. Nevertheless, it is not the equal of a MacBook rival. The Apple products play in a different quality league, though certain case parts of the Chronos strongly remind of them.
The scope of interfaces can't exactly be seen as a chart breaker. Unfortunately, there is no FireWire or eSATA port installed. Three USB ports are also a bit scanty, whereby Samsung has at least built-in 2 USB 3.0 ports. A Kensington HP Envy 17 Battery
Lock, a HDMI out and a card reader (four formats) are standard in notebooks anyway.
By the way, the RJ45 Gigabit LAN port has a cover due to the slim build. Also nice: External monitors can be optionally connected via VGA with the included adapter. The microphone and headphone (unfortunately) have to share a jack; the user doesn't have the option of using a surCompaq Presario CQ42 Batteryround system.
On the other handCompaq Presario CQ32 Battery, there's no reason for complaint in terms of interface positioning. Since most ports are in the left rear area, the use of a mouse isn't obstructed.
amsung has done a good job with the input devices. It starts with the keyboard that not only has a variable (white) light, but also free-standing and adequately sized keys (15x15 mm). The pressure point and stop are good and hardly anyone will have anything to compCompaq Presario CQ62 Batterylain about in terms of typing noise. The layout is also well thought out - it's possible to accustom quickly. Merely the small arrow keys would annoy us in the long run (only 8 mm in height). The dedicated numpad can at least compensate a bit for this flaw.
TouchpadCompaq Presario CQ72 Battery
ubmerged touchpad especially scores with a generous size: 107x77 millimeter enables the user to manage even longer screen distances without having to readjusting the finger. Another bonus point is the sleek surface which allows a very smooth gliding. The keys incorporated into the touchpadHP Pavilion dm4 Battery are a bit unusual. While they cause the odd misentry at the beginning, they can be used properly after a while (we would have preferred separate keys anyway).
In order to facilitate daily work, Samsung builds in a multi-touch capable model with gesture control (zoom, scroll, etc.). If desired, a horizontal and vertical scroll bar can be enabled on the touchpad's edge in the driver. However, the VGP-BPS9A/Bdeactivation option comes in handy for the gaming mode with an external mouse. There is at most room for improvement in the accuracy. The touchpad sometimes responded a bit spongy in the test.
The Chronos 700Z5A has automatic graphics swit VGP-BPS9/B ching so that the user can spend a longer time away from the power outlet. It activates the embedded Intel GPU instead of the dedicated Radeon GPU during less computing intensive tasks, such as office or Internet.
Unfortunately, AMD's fairly new VGP-BPS9/S switching technology is still struggling with a multitude of teething troubles. In addition to the few intervention possibilities, the few visual notifications, lack of convenience functions and the modest program database are particularly annoying. Thus, there were various benchmarks and games in the test, which the system would have started with the slow Intel GPU if they hadn't been set manually (see screenshots). To make things worse: Single programs (3 VGP-BPS10 DMark03, Cinebench & Furmark) absolutely refused to run on the Radeon even when the driver was modified.
Nvidia's counterpart, Optimus, is far more reliable and less error-prone in a direct comparison. Or to say it differently: AMD has to make major improvements within the next few months to successfully compete with Nvidia. The graphics switchVGP-BPS13 ing is still too undeveloped for avid gamers at the mome
Technically undemanding tracks like Fifa 12 don't upset the Radeon HD 6750M. A mix of 1920x1080 pixels, high details and four times antialiasing leads to a smooth as silk 50.6 fps. It becomes clear that the soccer simulation favors the Nvidia graphics card in a comparison with tVGP-BPS13/Q Bhe Asus N75SF (Core i7-2630QM & GeForce GT 555M), which achieved twice as high 96.8 fps in the test.
There is not much need to worVGP-BPS13A/Bry about the soundscape. The hard disk is primarily heard in idle mode. It emits a consistent, but not disturbing noise. Except for a sporadic increase, the fan stays in the background (Silent Mode can be enabled via FN + F11). Movies can be enjoyed perfectly since the optical drive's noise is acceptable in terms of loudness.
The situation changes fundamentally in high load. During gVGP-BPS2A ames, the fan rotates on a clearly audible, high-pitched level and, to make things worse, it likes to change its speed. However, the game's soundtrack is only sometimes drowned out depending on the genre. Overall, the noise development isn't perfect, but most users will still find the noise tolerable.
The temperatures are also typ VGP-BPS2C ical. We can particularly record a temperature increase in the fan area during gaming: A maximum of 42°C on the top and a maximum of 43°C on the bottom won't exactly be pleasant in the long run. The WASD area that is important for gamers is also fairly warm with up to 39°C. We quite liked the wrist rest that remained below 30°C even during load.
The laptop isn't quite as hotheaded when idling - about 28°CHP HSTNN-IB0X
are acceptable. We couldn't execute the component stress test because the tool Furmark refused work with the Radeon HD 6750M. In any event, the processor and graphics card behaved normal in daily routine.
n our opinion, Samsung cHP HSTNN-OB0Xan file the Chronos 700Z5A under success. The unusual blend of powerful components and slim build are hard to find among the competition. The 15 inch and 2.4 kilogram light case scores with an elegant design, an illuminated keyboard and a big touchpad.
Small details, such as the compact power adapter, fast booting (tHP HSTNN-YB0Xhanks to "Express Cache") and the convenient "Easy Settings" tool, make for a coherent overall picture. The absolute highlight for us is the great battery life: Six hours aren't a problem during normal tasks (incl. maximum brightness!). Noise and temperature are still reasonable and users who aren't exactly overly sensitive will be able to live with the emissions.
The list of cons is ratheHP 586006-361r short. Beside the modest maintenance options, the quite Spartan connectivity and the wobbly lid, the insufficient case stability would have to be especially pointed out here. In particular, the top yields extremely under strong pressure.
However, the display's inferior quality annoyed us most HP 586006-321of all: Black value, viewing angles, colors and contrast lagged far behind the expectations. Samsung blunders heavily in this respect and it lets the rating drop by several points.
The Chronos 70HP 593554-0010Z5A is thus sooner aimed at the mobile office and Web user than at the games and movie interested entertainment aficionado. Users who don't put high expectations on the screen can unhesitatingly take the Chronos 700Z5A.
