Series 7 - "Best Buy version"

Hi,

I'm hearing talk on these forums of a "Best Buy version" of the 7-Series laptops that is supposedly not as good, somehow, as the "real" 7-Series. This seems a little hard to believe, since you'd think Samsung wouldn't want to hurt the reputation of the "real" ones. So I ask here: Is there any evidence for the claim that the Samsung 7-Series laptops on display at Best Buy are different from 7-Series laptops sold elsewhere?

 

yes. its true, everything best buy touches will be tainted with fail.
(no probably the same) but i do not like best buy.

 

Bestbuy will be given a product with one or two "downgrades" to lower the cost of the item in stores. (older cpu, no bluetooth/widi/ etc..) Thus making it look like you're getting a good deal on, essentially, the same product. It IS however, still the same material and parts used to build the "real" ones.

Most of the general public wont know, or care, about missing out on certain technology.

Just make sure to read all labels before purchasing from ANY website. Usually if a deal is too good to be true, it is.

 

Thanks, guys.

I assume that the Best Buy versions are probably identifiable by different model numbers. Does anybody have a complete list of the different models available? Elsewhere, I've seen references to three (a 15.6" with numpad, a 15" without numpad, and a 14"), and with Best Buy variants it sounds like there might be as many as six models?

 

Should be able to pull the spec list off the TigerDirect website were they have the pre-order going on for the "real one".

 

Just read the owner reviews on the BB site. Poor display, less ram, 5400rpm hard drive and no backlit keyboard. As usual BB = fail.

 

I saw it today at bbuy....


...very sad.

 

The only thing that is holding me back from getting this laptop is the screen quality, and I really does hope that BB model's screen is not the same as the real one. However my gut tells me that it is only wishful thinking.

 

Are you sure about the restocking fee? All 3 of my local BBs always state there is 15% if you open the box.

And it isn't the "real" Series 7 if it's missing some features people are looking for and expect based upon what Samsung advertises.

 

BB has no restocking fee. I just returned a laptop there approx 1 month ago after it had been opened.

 

Best Buy has no restocking fee for the Rewards Premier Members.

I have the BBUY Machine - I updated the Ram and HD and find it to be more than an acceptable machine for day to day use. The screen (at least on the one I have) is bright, clear and usable.

 

They must not have it for anyone anymore because I am not a premier member. The back of the receipts at Best Buy say restocking fee on them and I called them right after I had bought the laptop since I was told there was none and the lady at customer service said the receipts were older and they no longer have one.

 

Oooooo... don't tell me that.

I'm going to go to BB and buy the newest models just to try them out now.

Unboxing videos galore!

 

No restocking, I tried it out. I'm not a "rewards" member or anything.

 

I've tried out three of these...one didn't boot into windows and two appear to have a trackpad problem. The first one out of the box and when configuring Windows, the mouse was radical and all over the place. I could not finish setting up Windows with the built-in trackpad. I installed a USB mouse and it worked fine. Once into Windows it would still experience the problems. As long as I touched the pad it was jumpy. Odd thing is when I unplugged the power cord and used the battery, the problem goes away. I took it back and still same problems with second one. Of course it doesn't do it at BB. I'm still trying to figure this one out.

As for the machine, it seems well built and doesn't get as hot as a MAC. The screen it clear, but not vivid. It's washed out a little and contrast could be better. But to be fair it looked like other screens I was looking at. The trackpad is a little big and takes some time getting your thumb to click the corners. It's quite a bit sensitive too--it seem to highlight (select) on its own. One good thing I like is the sound. The speakers are in between the screen hinge and keyboard. They produce sound that's above average in clarity and volume. There's a hint of base.

 

I'm thinking about picking up one of these today. It's $170 less than the standard spec model. For that I'm getting a slightly slower drive (which I'll probably upgrade to an SSD in a year or so), no bluetooth and no back lit keyboard.

I think that's a fair trade off and everything but the bluetooth is trivial. I can sacrifice one USB port and $25 to get a dongle.

 

You're forgetting the ExpressCache, or the hybrid SSD/HD. But I guess if you are going to upgrade entirely to SSD then it doesn't matter.

To be honest I'm considering the BestBuy version as well... but I've been waiting for this long already..what's another few weeks? Plus, the BestBuy version actually went up in price. It's not $879 anymore.

 

so what is the verdict? do we think the 'real' series 7 has a better screen than the BESTBUY version or not?.. because on Samsung website, the screen quality is one of the main points they have been advertising for the series..
I checked the screen in the Best Buy version, it is OK but the colors are washed out.. and it is nothing that samsung can brag about..
Any thoughts? the screen is kinda of a deal breaker for me.. if the coming series 7 ones have the same screen as the Best Buy version, then i'll start looking for something else

 

hello , corteen

i have serval question about the bb edition since i buy one
1. is sata 3 supported? i want to install a m4 ssd into it
2. is it easy to change the hdd

thanks

 

I got the best buy version for a few reasons.

1: I don't care about the video card upgrade in the "real" model, I game on my desktop
2: I don't care about backlit keyboards other than vanity
3: I use my own SSD, and actually I think having the express cache on another model + my ssd may cause issues. I've already read a few people that have the "real" model that say youtube videos were jittery and they were seeing some odd behavior.

I've got 8gb of ram in mine too, super cheap upgrade, so for sub $1000 you can have a pretty screamin machine.

I'd be shocked if they put different screens in them, mine says "300 nit" as advertised.

 

i also bought it during a trip to the USA, and i can say that i am quite happy with it...the only actual problem being a throttling in wireless speeds while at home, that i'm still trying to find out what the cause is...