Review Samsung Series 3 355E7C-S05DE Notebook and battery life

The entire casing is black and Samsung completely relies on plastic. The base unit's top and the lid's back feature matte, brushed metal looks. The illusion of a metal surface is implemented very successfully. The display's frame and the keyboard's bezel are made of a glossy plastic and make fingerprints unavoidable. Packard Bell's laptop is also completely made of plastic. Toshiba uses aluminum components besides plastic in its Satellite. Hp TPN-W106 Adapter

The base unit is not the most stable. It dents when pressure is applied to the area underneath the touchpad and on the keyboard's left. Also, the base unit's front right corner lifts from the surface when the frame on the keyboard's left is pushed down. The base unit's stiffness could also be better. The same is true for the lid. Its back can be pressed to such an extent that minor picture distortions are seen. The hinges keep the lid firmly in place but rock a bit. It is not possible to open the lid with one hand. Hp TPN-W107 Adapter

Performance

With the 355E7C, Samsung has a 17-inch all-rounder in its range. Most tasks are no problem for the device. It easily copes with internet communication, office tasks and video playback. Even up-to-date 3D games are no big challenge for the laptop. The laptop is currently sold for 600 Euros to 700 Euros (~$777 to $907) and is available in other configurations. The differences are found in the installed APU, working memory capacity and hard drive size. The currently least expensive model, featuring AMD A4-4300M APU, 4 GB RAM and a 500 GB hard drive, is available for 490 Euros (~$634). Hp TPN-W108 Adapter Samsung also sells innumerable other laptops in various sizes and configurations under the name Series 3.

Processor
Samsung's laptop is powered by AMD's A8-4500M APU, which is part of the Trinity generation. The APU's CPU part is a quad-core processor that clocks with a base speed of 1.9 GHz. The clock rate can be boosted up to 2.8 GHz (AMD Turbo Core).

The CPU processes the CPU single and multi-thread tests of the Cinebench benchmarks stably at 2.3 GHz. The scores are on a par with the Satellite (AMD A8-4500M, Radeon HD 7640G + HD 7610M dual-graphics). However, neither contender can compete with the scores of Packard Bell's laptop (Core i5-3210M, GeForce GT 630M) since it sports the strongest CPU. It is the other way around in the Cinebench R11.5 GL tests. Hp TPN-W109 Adapter Both Samsung's laptop and the Satellite deliver a much better score than the Packard Bell laptop. The dual-graphics solution is stronger than the GeForce GPU at least in this synthetic benchmark.

System Performance
The system runs mostly smoothly and without hitches. The odd delay was noticed when running programs. We assume that this is due to the stuffed Windows installation. Samsung preinstalls many apps and tools. The PCMark 7 score is on a par with the very identically equipped Satellite (AMD A8-4500, Radeon HD 7640G + HD7610M dual-graphics). The score of Packard Bell's laptop (Core i5-3210M, GeForce GT 630M) is higher than that of the contenders owing to the stronger CPU. 671567-831 Adapter

Graphics Card
Samsung installs a dual-graphics solution in the 17.3-inch laptop. That means two graphics cores calculate the displayed pictures. AMD calls this technology Crossfire. The dual-graphics solution could principally be deactivated so that only the integrated GPU is used. The Crossfire array in the 355E7C consists of the integrated Radeon HD 7640G GPU and dedicated Radeon HD 7670M GPU. Both chips support DirectX 11. The HD 7670M is a member of the GPU midrange. More information about the dual-graphics solution can be found on the corresponding data sheet. Hp H2L56AA Adapter

The results of the 3DMark benchmarks are on a good level and are marginally better than the scores of the Satellite (AMD A8-4500M, Radeon HD 7640G + HD 7610M dual-graphics). Packard Bell's laptop (Core i5-3210M, GeForce GT 630M) takes the lead in the 3DMark 2006 benchmark. The CPU has a bigger impact on the score in this test and the laptop with the strongest CPU consequently is at an advantage. The GeForce GT 630M can no longer keep up with either dual-core solutions in the newer 3DMark versions.Hp H2L55AA-ABB Adapter The 3D performance of the dual-graphics solution in Samsung's laptop ranges between the GeForce GT 630M and the latest GeForce GT 730M in the synthetic 3DMark benchmarks (see comparison graph). The gaming benchmarks will reveal whether this is also true in real life.

Gaming Performance
Owing to the dual-graphics solution, the Series 3 laptop can render up-to-date computer games smoothly on the screen in HD resolution (1366x768 pixels) using medium and frequently even high quality settings. The dual-graphics solution only has problems generating adequate frame rates with very performance-hungry games like Hitman: Absolution or Crysis 3. Hp HSTNN-LB3N Adapter Games that don't have such high hardware requirements also run smoothly in the Full HD resolution and maximum quality settings, for example FIFA 13, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare or Diablo 3.

Micro-stutters occur around 30 fps on AMD's dual-graphics solutions. We noticed these again this time. Generally, the dual-graphics solution's frame rates were disappointing. They were lower than Toshiba's laptop in Diablo 3 and Anno 2070. Here it becomes obvious that Samsung's laptop tends to throttle in high temperatures. This is too bad because Samsung's laptop should theoretically supply better frame rates seeing that it has the stronger dual-graphics solution. Hp HSTNN-LB3P adapter

System Noise

Samsung's laptop is not noticed adversely due to excessive noise when idling. We measured rates between 30.8 and 34.4 dB. The fan is often inactive. Packard Bell's laptop (30.6 to 31.5 dB) is quieter and the Satellite (32.4 dB) is on a par with Samsung's laptop. The 355E7C did not get very loud during medium load (3DMark 06) with 36.1 dB. The Satellite (38 dB) is louder and Packard Bell's laptop (34.3 dB) is a bit quieter. Hp HSTNN-YB3N Adapter The laptop from Packard Bell is also the quietest during full load with 36.6 dB (stress test via Prime95 and Furmark). Samsung's laptop (38.7 dB) and the Satellite (40.1 dB) generate more noise.

Samsung's Silent Mode can be activated should the laptop still be too loud. It reduces the fan's noise. This mode can be enabled in Samsung's settings menu. The start icon is located in the task bar. The fan's noise is reduced by slowing the CPU. Activated Silent Mode reduced the clock rate of all four cores to 900 MHz when Cinebench R11.5 benchmark was performed (energy profile: High Performance). Hp HSTNN-YB3P Adapter

The casing's idle temperatures ranged from 25.8 to 41.2 °C. These rates are too high for idle. This also proves that the fan is often inactive and the heat can accumulate in the casing. The very identically equipped Satellite heats up much less. Surprisingly, Samsung's laptop produced less heat during full load in the stress test (Prime95 and Furmark run simultaneously) at both the peak as well as on average. We measured temperatures between 25.6 and 40.7 °C. Both contenders are roughly on a par with Samsung's laptop during full load. Asus A2000T adapter

As already mentioned several times, the 355E7C and Satellite feature very identical equipment. Thus, the CPU and GPU exhibit very similar speeds during load. In AC mode, the CPU started the stress test with strongly fluctuating clock rates (Prime 95 and Furmark run for at least one hour). The processing speed settled to around 1.4 GHz after a short while. There were recurrent fluctuations up to 2.3 GHz and down to 900 MHz. These peaks largely ceased after about 15 minutes. Battery for Asus A2508H The dual-graphics solution ran through the stress test mostly at a speed of 497 MHz in AC mode. It was recurrently accelerated to 655 MHz for a short time. In rare cases, it was slowed to 335 MHz for just as short a time. The CPU clocked stably with 900 MHz and the dual-graphics solution with 335 MHz when the stress test was performed on battery.

We reran the 3DMark 2006 benchmark right after the stress test in AC-mode. The score dropped slightly compared with the laptop's cold state (7688 points vs. 8493 points). The CPU's temperature settled to 75 °C in AC-mode. Asus A2514H Adapter

Speakers
The speakers in Samsung's laptop are located above the keyboard. They produce a low-bass sound that cannot hide a tinny quality. Speech is clear and intelligible. The sound experience can be enhanced by using external speakers or headphones.

Energy Management

Power Consumption

Battery replacement Asus A2534H The idle power consumption of 11.6 to 17.1 watts is a bit high. The identically equipped Satellite (8.2 and 15.4 watts) and Packard Bell's laptop (7.6 to 14.2 watts) show better rates. During full load (simultaneous Prime95 and Furmark), Samsung's laptop is satisfied with a power consumption of 54.5 watts and places itself before the Satellite (61.1 watts) and Packard Bell's laptop (81.1 watts). However, it should be kept in mind that the CPU in the 3557C, like the Satellite's CPU, does not clock at full speed (throttling). Asus A2D Adapter

Battery Runtime
The 355E7C achieved an idle runtime of 4:22 h. The Satellite (4:03 h) and Packard Bell's laptop (3:51 h) lag slightly behind that. The idle runtime is ascertained using Battery Eater's Reader's test. The screen's brightness is set to minimum, the energy-saving mode is enabled and the wireless modules are off. Samsung's laptop finished the load test after 1:11 h and is on a par with the Satellite (1:12 h). Packard Bell's laptop lasts a bit longer with 1:41 h. We use Battery Eater's Classic test to determine the load runtime. The screen is set to maximum brightness and the high-performance profile and the wireless modules are enabled. Asus A2C Adapter

The Wi-Fi test ran for 2:35 h on the 355E7C. Both contenders (Toshiba: 3:31 h; Packard Bell: 3:06 h) last longer. Websites are automatically opened every 40 seconds in this test. The energy-savings profile is enabled and the screen's brightness is set to approximately 150 cd/m². Should the user want to use Samsung's laptop as a DVD player, it is recommendable to have the power supply at hand. Asus A2G Adapter One battery charge is enough for a playback time of 2:13 h. The Satellite (2:07 h) is on a par with the 355E7C and Packard Bell's laptop lasts a bit longer with 2:33 h. The DVD test is performed in enabled energy saving mode (or a higher profile should the DVD not run smoothly), maximum screen brightness and disabled wireless modules.

The batteries of the three laptops have an identical capacity of 48 Wh each.

Samsung sees the 355E7C as a family laptop. We can quite agree with this self-assessment. The laptop convinces with decent application performance and good equipment (high storage capacity, 8 GB of working memory). Even the gaming performance is satisfactory and enables playing most up-to-date computer games. Asus A2H Adapter It also pleases with a matte screen and good keyboard. Thus, the laptop can cover many different application fields. On the con side, we have the screen's moderate contrast and the poor battery runtimes. These points can be tolerated in a 17.3-inch multimedia laptop. Samsung offers potential for saving: Users who are satisfied with a dual-core processor, less working memory and hard drive capacity can attain the 355E7C for less than 500 Euros (~$647).

Asus A2K Adapter Although Toshiba's Satellite L875D-10E features a very similar configuration, there are differences that make it interesting. That would be the three year warranty and the higher contrast screen. Packard Bell's EasyNote LV44HC-137GE would cater to users looking for an as silent-running laptop as possible and/or a laptop with a higher contrast screen.

 

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