Samsung Series 5, the AMD version Video
Samsung Series 5, the AMD version Video Transcript
-Hi. I'm Dan Ackerman and we are here taking a look at the Samsung Series 5 but a different Samsung Series 5 than the one we reviewed earlier the year that was an Intel laptop. This is essentially the same laptop but it's an AMD version with the AMD 8010 processor. Now besides that big difference, the earlier Intel version was labeled as an ultra-bug that Intel's name for a super thin, super light laptop that's a little bit like a MacBook Air. And say what you will about this particularize Samsung into a recently thin and light for 14 inch laptop with an optical drive but ultra book is not really the first name that comes to mind. When you think of it, it's still little thick, a little heavy especially compared to the other ultra books hat we've seen this year which all very, very thin and very light and usually don't have an optical drive. Now, taking the same laptop and calling it just the Samsung Series 5 because it has the AMD processor, it actually makes it feel a little bit more appropriate label. You're not using that ultra book term with it and you can just say, oh this is a mainstream, midsized laptop. In fact a little bit thinner than I would expect a mainstream, midsize 14 inch laptop to be. Now, performance wise, it was not the stances our Intel version. Battery did not last quite as long although it wasn't hugely discounted in either category. The big issue I have with this corporately usable Samsung Series 5 with the AMD processor is that Samsung's asking price for it is a little bit high when you usually expect the AMD version of a laptop to be less expensive than the Intel version. The Intel version of this $799, $850 depending on exactly how you configure it. The AMD 8010 version that Samsung has on their website is listed at 849. I wonder if anyone at Samsung understands what kind of laptop you can get for $850 these days. It's a pretty good one, a pretty premium one and this is the very nice product, I don't know if I call it a premium product. Now that being said, there [unk] if you go online and look for this particular AMD model, you can find it for about $670 that we saw on Amazon this week. And to that price, you can say, I'm getting a reasonable discount and I'm creating up a little bit of [unk] in battery life but it still perfectly usable for everyday stuff like surfing the web, HDMI video and Facebook and things like that at 850 price, you'd have to really get the Intel version instead. But if you can find a decent discount then this is a perfectly good [unk] thin, 14 in ch laptop with an optical drive. I'm Dan Ackerman and that is the AMD Samsung Series 5
Related Videos
If you ignore the ultrabook branding, and instead think of this as a somewhat slim midsize, mainstream laptop, the 14-inch Samsung Series 5 is a fine example of the form.
Samsung takes on the 11-inch MacBook Air with this new, smaller version of the slick Series 9 laptop.
HP Pavilion Sleekbook TouchSmart 15z
The AMD-powered HP Pavilion Sleekbook TouchSmart 15z is a slim, midsize laptop at a very reasonable price, and includes a touch screen.
Ep. 128: Searching for Samsung's 11-inch Series 9 laptop, PSN is back, and ThinkPad history
This week, we search for the elusive 11-inch version of Samsung's Series 9 laptop, check in on the still-ailing PlayStation Network, and stump the gang with some ThinkPad trivia.
There have been plenty of 11-inch AMD-powered ultraportables this year, but HP's Pavilion dm1z was the first, and this updated version puts it back in the lead for this crowded category.
There have been plenty of 11-inch AMD-powered ultraportables this year, but HP's Pavilion dm1z was the first, and this updated version puts it back in the lead in this crowded category.
Samsung Series 5 UltraTouch hands-on
With a slim, sturdy design, and a powerful mainstream CPU, the touch-enabled Samsung Series 5 UltraTouch is a great sub-$900 13-inch Windows 8 machine.
Dell's latest take on the Mini is a dual-core AMD-powered 11-inch system that leaves Netbooks in the dust both in power and price.
The 11-inch, AMD-powered Gateway LT3103u does well on price and performance, but drops the ball on battery life when compared with the competition.
Samsung Series 7 Chronos 700Z5A
Samsung's sleek Series 7 Chronos is a 15-inch Windows laptop that's a close match to the 15-inch MacBook Pro--and it costs less, too.
Samsung Series 5 535 Review
The good: This AMD version of the Samsung Series 5 is a sharp-looking, full-featured 14-inch laptop, with an optical drive and decent graphics.
The bad: Samsung's price is the same or more than comparable Intel versions, although it's available from some retailers for a more reasonable price.
The bottom line: The 4-pound Samsung Series 5 isn't as light and portable as some slim 14-inch laptops, but this AMD-powered version can be found at a significant discount if you shop around.
Samsung Series 5 535 Specs
Manufacturer: Samsung
Part number: NP535U4C-A01US
- Product Specifications