samsung 7 series 17" vs. Sony SE 15.5"

I want to get a new notebook PC and I've narrowed my choice down to Samsung 7 series 17" and Sony SE 15.5". Just to make sure, I'm comparing both Samsung and Sony that have independent numeric keypads on them.


So far my impresion on Samsung 7 Series 17-inch is that I like its body design much better than Sony's. Similar to Apple, I like the way the LCD lid folds down with tight lips. I also like its brightly luminating keyboards. I like narrow LCD bezel and its thin profile. Last but not least, I love the way it uses all titanium like metal panels around the body except the side walls.

On the other hand, the deal breaker is that I'm not impressed with its LCD at all. Although I love its large 17" estate, the resolution is much lower and the screen appears to be washed out compared to Sony. Typed letters and veiwing powerpoint are much easier on eyes on Sony than Samsung.

Not to mention, I hate the sharp edged palm rest. Not only it's sharp edged but a prolong useage might cause dirt (goo) build-up between the crevice.


Speaking of Sony, although the SE has smaller 15.5" LCD, thanks to its high resolution, the screen appears to be much larger than Samsung's 17". Also, Sony has much detailed and easy to read LCD than Samsung 7 series.

However, I don't like its wobbly LCD lid. Also, it leaves much gap when the lid is closed. Also, I don't like its cooling fan design. Like all other models from Sony, it makes too much fan noise and seems to run much hotter than Samsung.

Like many others have noticed, the built-in speakers is as if someone shoved loud earphones in it. However, I'd much rather sacrifice sound speakers and to have thinner profiled notebook than well-built sound system on HP Envy with thicker, heavier body design.


Bottom line is that, my choice would've been much easier if Samsung had a higher resolution LCD like that of Sony SE or HP Envy. My 10-year old Thinkpad has better screen than the 7 series. Also, smoother palm rest would've been nice but I could always get away by placing packaging tape strips on it.
Sony has a great LCD screen that is not too small nor not too big and is well within portable size and weight. That alone is worth an admission although I don't like its overall gap prone design.

I wouldn't worry too much about the CPU speed differences between two since I'm more concern about viewing web pages and doing everyday chores.

However, these were my impressions after few visits to local stores nearby. So I wouldn't know a long term experiences on them.

So please let me know what you think about these two notebooks.

Thanks

 

I own the Series 7 and I find it really good for normal usage and school. This is really up to you. Before I brought this I was debating over Sony SE too, Sony's screen is better, but they have that red and orange color issue. I do not remember if Sony offers a matte screen but Series 7 is a matte screen. Since you only using it mainly for normal usage and surfing the web. I would take which ever has the best and cheapest deal.

 

The resolution on the Samsung 17in is the same as the SE, which is Full HD 1080p. Also, if you need a a laptop right now then you should get the Sony since the Samsung has not been released yet and released date is pretty much unknown, but if you can wait, then I would get the Samsung 17 in. I know I am waiting to buy the 17in Samsung as well. And there is also a price gap between the two laptops, you can get the Sony for around $1000, while the Samsung is going to be around $1500.

 

It is my understanding that both PCs offer matte screens and that both have red and orange issues. It's just that the lower resolution and the washed out like screen quality on Samsung seem to lessen the red and orange effect. Another point is that it's got better CPU and a graphic card so the power is there when I needed. I'm more into an application like PowerPoint than Photoshop so that the color calibration wouldn't be an issue.

I don't know if the Samsung 17" would employ an identical LCD panel on 15 inch version. But being a powerhouse on LCD production and 17" screens ubiquitous on Apple products, I hope they'll come up with an improved LCD.

I suppose I could wait few more months. Thanks.

 

If you can wait a few months. You may as well wait until they refresh everything with ivy bridge.
I didn't think there was much of a red and orange issue, but there was a slight color issue with blue. But there was a profile uploaded
to this forum and fixes it quite well imo.

 

I've been patiently awaiting for ivy bridge for too long and it is way past due. This would be a quantum leap and a ground breaking technology compared to what I have under my notebook. I'll throw in just about any project I could see and it will be much easier to consume than the one I have already.

I wouldn't worry so much about the color issues as I'm more into number crunching with pinpoint accuracy and razor sharp text quality whenever I need them most.

 

I had the SE for nearly a month before I switched to the Chronos.

I was on the fence for the entire month, but in the end, I figured the i7 would beat out the i5. Honestly, I don't really feel that much of a difference in performance. Yeah, the Sony screen felt light and flexy (Sony said it's to save the hinge) but DAMN, that screen is awesome. Not only is it a higher res laptop, the quality of the panel is really good. The colors were far more vivid. Even after color calibrating the Samsung, it still can't approach the vividness and color quality of the Sony. The Sony is also a lighter device. The touchpad is good if a bit old-fashioned, but it clicked better than the Samsung.

Remember, this is between the 15.6" Chronos and the 15.5" SE.

In the end, do I wish I regret getting the Chronos. That's hard to answer because some days I really am in love with the look of the Chronos and some days I really miss the screen fidelity of the Sony.

 

That's what I figured.
I wouldn't mind the edges. I just love the titanium looks on Samsung as well as its CPU. But its these two dedicatd fans that run slient under. Again, I've had noisy pcs in the past. In the end I had to disassemble and replaced with newer fan.
I too prefer the Sony's vivid panel. Nevertheless these two panels suffer from brownish red color problems. Eventually my eyes will get used to it like nose will get numb to certain smell. In the end the decision will be mine and I'll make sure your feedbacks will go unwasted.