The Samsung Q35 Reviewed

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/review/2007/01/02/Samsung-Q35-Red-Core-2-Duo/p1' target='_blank'>http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/review/2007/01/02/Samsung-Q35-Red-Core-2-Duo/p1</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The other big change is internal, with the inclusion of a Core 2 Duo CPU rather than the Core Duo seen in the original Q35. Samsung has equipped this bright red beast with a Core 2 Duo T5600 which runs at 1.83GHz. If you want a bit more power, you could always go for the slightly less striking silver Q35 which comes equipped with a 2GHz T7200 chip. To be fair though, the 1.83GHz chip seen here will be able to handle pretty much anything you're likely to throw at a thin and light machine like this. The CPU is backed up by 1.24GB of memory - the strange memory complement is because the Q35 has 256MB of memory hard wired to the board, then a 1GB SODIM in the expansion slot. A small amount of system memory is also eaten up by the Intel integrated graphics chipset."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/trusted-reviews-3853-1.jpg" /><br /><br />I remain flabbergasted that Samsung has these amazing notebooks that never make their way into North American markets! I'm a big fan of Samsung as a company, and the Q35 looks like a great notebook - but I could never purchase one locally, or get local warranty support. I'll be looking for a replacement for my small Fujitsu P7010D notebook in the next few months (once the Vista laptops ship) and I'm not averse to looking at other brands. There's honestly nothing like having a small and light laptop with you on vacation so you can do your photo editing right then and there. Of course, I find myself strangely drawn to the <a href="http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/review/2006/07/25/Sony-VAIO-VGN-TX3XP-Ultra-Portable-Notebook/p1">Sony VAIO VGN-TX3XP</a>, mostly because of the size and amazing nine hour battery life. I'd rather not purchase a Sony product on principal, but if they have the ultimate laptop for my needs...(though I'm thinking I'd like a dual-core laptop, which makes the decision harder).

[Ploobers]

I've got a unit that like the Samsung, has been marketed very little in the US, though Panasonic is beginning to repent.

http://www.dynamism.com/w5/main.shtml

I own the W2 (three year old model) and it has been amazing. It's incredibly light at under 3 lbs, has a built in DVD-R/+R/RAM drive, a 12-hour battery life (I got 3 DVD movies on one charge) and everything else you could possibly want. You can buy US versions now, unlike the Japanese import I purchased before, but Panasonic has given me exactly the same support I'd expect from a US warranty. I get the immediate overnight mail-in service, with free service on anything Panasonic.

If you want the Core 2 Duo processor or the 120 GB hard drive, you have to buy from Japan because Panasonic has decided to sell their weak sauce to America, but even the units here are powerful. I wholeheartedly recommend this to anybody who wants an ultra-portable.

Derek
http://derekperkins.com

[Jason Dunn]

Thanks for the feedback Derek - I've heard a lot of good things about the Panasonic W series laptops, but I have to be honest, I don't like they way they look all that much. They might grow on me though if they have all the features I want - the battery life is sure impressive!

[ctmagnus]

Just an fyi: If the quoted dimensions (http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/review/2007/01/02/Samsung-Q35-Red-Core-2-Duo/p3) (299 x 214 x 35mm) are correct, Dell's XPS M1210 is slightly smaller overall at 297 x 221 x 30mm, albeit with the six cell battery. The nine cell battery bumps the Dell up to 297 x 234 x 38mm.

[Nudle]

This "gadgetheat" dilemma's been bothering me :). I'm on the fence between the Samsung Q35 and the Asus W5F. Anyone care to voice their 2c on which one I should pull the "trigger" on?

Q35: Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 1.6ghz, 100gb HD, 1gb Ram, 1.9kg, only 2 USB ports, 5hr+ battery life, 1yr warranty -> US$1200 (no tax)

vs.

Asus W5F: Core Duo T2300E 1.6ghz, 80gb, 1gb ram, 1.6kg, 3 USB ports but integrated cam, 3hr battery, 2 yr warranty -> US$1050 (no tax)

I'm itching to retire my Dell 700m. It's been serving me faithfully but getting old and I want a change!

[Jason Dunn]

My two cents: get the Samsung Q35. Better specs, and I have a client who bought an ASUS laptop and has had nothing but problems with it. I don't really trust their brand when it comes to laptops...

[Nudle]

Thanks for the feedback. As you already know, Q35 is not available in NA so i'm able to price it out to see if that $1200 is a good deal. Do you think that's a good deal for an ultraportable at that caliber spec?

[Jason Dunn]

Do you think that's a good deal for an ultraportable at that caliber spec?

That's hugely subjective because the question is "compared to what?" Myself, I've paid more then $2000 for my Fujitsu 10.6" screen notebooks, so $1200 USD seems like a great deal to me. ;-)