016-06-24
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Samsung Aims to Grab PC Market Spotlight With Notebook 7 Spin Hybrid
Samsung is looking to make inroads in the PC space with the Notebook 7 Spin, jockeying for position against the likes of HP Inc., Dell and Lenovo.
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It Delivers a Hybrid Notebook Experience
The Samsung Notebook 7 Spin has a 360-degree rotating touch-screen, which makes it a full hybrid device. The computer can be used as a standard notebook as well as in "tent" style, which makes it convenient for users to watch content. The Notebook 7 Spin also supports a tablet mode, so users can tap around the screen without worrying about the keyboard.
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The Screen Delivers Full-HD Resolution
Although Samsung is pitching the Notebook 7 Spin as a computer that provides a high-end entertainment experience, the screen displays Full-HD resolution, which is a disappointment in a world where 4K content is becoming more popular. That said, the screen supports high dynamic range (HDR), which should help it deliver more color. So, while the resolution could be better, color accuracy should be top-notch—as long as the content itself supports HDR.
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Windows 10 Comes Standard
Given the success of Microsoft's latest operating system, it's perhaps no surprise that the Notebook 7 Spin comes bundled with Windows 10. The move makes sense, since hybrids require a touch-friendly operating system and Windows 10 delivers that.
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Pick Your Screen Size
Samsung is offering two screen sizes in the Notebook 7 Spin: a 13.3-inch model for those who want a smaller computer and a 15.6-inch version. Both screens have the same resolution, however, those who buy the 13.3-inch version will find it's about a pound lighter than the larger option, as well as thinner and more compact.
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Processing Power Is Impressive
Samsung didn't skimp on processing power in its latest hybrids. The company's 13.3-inch model comes with the sixth-generation Intel Core i5 with a 2.3GHz clock speed. Those who opt for the bigger model will find the Intel Core i7 6500U, which has a 2.5GHz clock speed. Both of both 15.6-inch versions will handle most tasks without a problem.
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Graphics Performance Is Surprisingly Strong
As mentioned, the Notebook 7 Spin is designed to be entertainment-friendly, so Samsung has bundled nice graphics chips with its computer. The 13.3-inch model runs on the Intel HD Graphics 520, however, the 15.6-inch versions have a dedicated Nvidia GeForce 940MX graphics processor built in. The 15.6-inch models, especially, should be able to handle graphically intensive tasks with ease.
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There Is Plenty of Internal Data Storage
Samsung's Notebook 7 Spin launches with 1TB of internal storage out of the box, though the highest-end 15.6-inch version also comes with a 128GB solid-state drive. Furthermore, the 15.6-inch versions have a three-in-one multimedia card reader capable of supporting SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. The 13.3-inch option supports microSD.
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Fast-Charging Is a Must-Have
In a world where people are more mobile than ever, fast-charging is a handy feature. The Notebook 7 Spin comes with fast-charging, allowing users to get up to two hours of additional battery life after just 20 minutes of charging. In 90 minutes, the 15.6-inch notebook is fully charged, while the 13.3-inch model takes 100 minutes to reach full battery capacity, according to Samsung.
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It Has All the Ports You Could Need
For a small device, the Notebook 7 Spin comes with a wide array of ports. Users will find a combo headphone-microphone port, as well as HDMI, Ethernet, USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports. Although the 13.3-inch model doesn't have an Ethernet port (it's too small), it does come with the same USB-C port the larger versions offer.
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Pricing and Availability
In a statement, Samsung said the Notebook 7 Spin will be available for a starting price of $800 on the base 13.3-inch model. The lower-end 15.6-inch version will cost $1,000, while the highest-end model, which has more built-in memory, will go for $1,200. It'll be available starting June 26 and sold exclusively at Best Buy stores, Best Buy.com and Samsung.com.
HP Inc., Dell and Lenovo are familiar names in the PC market. However, during the past several years, Samsung, which is much better-known for its mobile devices, has been working hard to take a more prominent position in the PC space. That was again made clear on June 23 when Samsung announced the Notebook 7 Spin, a Windows 10-based hybrid designed for those who want a higher-end computing experience and don't mind paying a few extra bucks to get it. Samsung is offering three models with screen sizes ranging from 13.3 inches to 15.6 inches. These hybrids are equipped with sixth-generation Intel Core processors, high-end graphics chips from Nvidia and enough memory to handle resource-intensive tasks. To its credit, Samsung has gone a long way toward providing strong value for the money with the Notebook 7 Spin by equipping it with high-end components for a competitive price. akes a closer look at the Notebook 7 Spin and discusses why Samsung's latest computer will be worth trying out when it goes on sale at Best Buy stores on June 26.
- eWeek