Samsung R580 Laptop Computer – $589, Big Bang-for-Buck
Today’s RedTag deal of the day is the Samsung R580 Laptop Computer.
User base: those who want modern tech specs – a powerful machine that’s still quite portable, has great memory and video capabilities, and incorporates many features for all sorts of multi-faceted consumer use.
Seems that this Samsung R580 was reviewed by CNET – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wgdBDOUzb0 – and they do a good job in showing that it just so happens to incorporate ports and features in such a combination that it makes it a well-rounded machine.
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
Processor Intel Core i5 430
Memory 4 GB (DDR3 / 2 GB x 2)
Display 15.6" HD, LED Backlit
Screen Size 1366 x 768
Video 512 MB gDDR3 (NVIDIA GeForce 310M)
Speakers 3 W Stereo Speaker (1.5 W x 2)
Integrated Camera: 1.3 MP
Hard Drive 500 GB 5,400 RPM
Optical Disk Drive: BluRay (of course has DVD Multi capabilities as well)
Wired Modem No (Don’t think many need this anymore anyway)
Wired Ethernet LAN Gigabit Ethernet
Wireless LAN 802.11 bg / n Compliant
Bluetooth No
VGA: Yes
HDMI: Yes
Headphone: Yes
Internal Mic: Yes
USB 2.0: 4 USB 2.0 ( 1 Chargable USB )
Multi Card Slot: 3 in 1 (SD / SDHC / MMC)
Serial: No
RJ11 (Modem): No
RJ45 (LAN): Yes
DC-In (Power Port): No (this must be a non-standard port anyway because it’s the first I hear about it)
PC CardBus Slot: Express Card (34 mm)
Keyboard type 100 Keys
Touch Pad, Touch Screen: Yes / No
AC Adapter: 90 W
Battery: 6 Cell 4,400 mAh
Dimensions (W x H x D): 16.2" x 1.25" ~ 1.56" x 10.7"
Weight (including Std Battery) 5.7 lbs
Pros:
Very affordable for the spec combination you get
Powerful Core i5 processor and nVidia discrete graphics and HDMI
Plenty USB ports and other useful multimedia jacks/ports/expansion
Cons:
Battery life weak – don’t expect to do much without the adapter
Outside casing is a fingerprint magnet
Has glossy screen (this may be a Pro for you, but I personally don’t like glossy)
Verdict:
If I was in the market for an all-around notebook from a known manufacturer, and I had a tight timeframe to do it I would pick up this Samsung R580. It appears to have the capabilities for accomplishing all sorts of tasks, whether business, casual gaming, casual multimedia editing, or movie-watching (with the Bluray drive). The average user would not complain about performance on this, and if you just need a computer to have the power to last you a good while without having to shell out tons of $$ at the moment, this is for you.
