Spatial awareness
Ergonomics are good, which is fair considering the amount of space on offer. The keyboard, for example, is nicely spread out across the width of the base and you’ll have no trouble getting up to speed. It’s also a solid, if slightly hollow-feeling, affair. Spreadsheet users will also note the number pad on the right hand side.
The numeric keypad will please some, the offset trackpad will annoy others
The whole thing could do with being a bit more spread out: the number pad is right next to the main keyboard, which is fine, but the arrow keys below get lost in the cluster. The trackpad is offset relative to the main body of the machine and is a reasonable example, although the click of the buttons could use a little refinement.
As is fitting for a machine designed to replace your desktop, the RF711 has a decent cluster of ports. Those with external peripherals aren’t ignored - two USB 2.0 ports on the left hand side are complemented by a USB 3 port on the right edge, and another USB 3 port on the back.
Those who have made the transition to digital displays get an HDMI port and – helpfully for those lumbered with legacy monitors and projectors – there’s a VGA port on the same side. Photographers are catered for by an SD card slot along the front edge.
Good value, good performance, but way too heavy to lug around on a regular basis
Verdict
As machinery goes, the RF711 is only slightly more portable than the Large Hadron Collider, which is to say you shouldn’t buy it if you want to use it on your commute or take it on a plane. What it does have is absolutely stacks of computing power, making it a great choice for those who need something with the power of a decent desktop in a low-profile, fit-in-a-drawer case.
The screen is massive and comfortable to work on, and Samsung has used the width of the RF711 to great effect, with an ample, solid keyboard. It gets even better when you consider the price - compare this to the slightly slower Sony Vaio VPCF21Z1E, which costs nearly two grand and has a smaller screen, albeit a 3D-capable one with more pixels. With a street price currently under a thousand pounds, the RF711 is a great, portable (sort of), all-round computer. Just don’t call it a laptop. ®
More Notebooks Reviews... |
||||
 Lenovo
Thinkpad Edge E420s |
 Acer
Aspire 5940G |
 Apple
MacBook Pro 17in |
 Asus
N73SV |
 Sony
Vaio VPCF21Z1E |
Samsung RF711 17.3in Core i7 laptop
COMMENTS
I don't get the point of this configuration
Who wants the size and heft of a 17 inch notebook without high-end graphics capabilities? You can get similar visual specs and performance in a lighter-weight 15 inch form factor, so why choose this?
The Asus N73V, previously reviewed, has a 1080p screen. Dell offers such a screen on their XPS models, and I'm sure others do as well. The graphics card and graphics memory are also quite middle of the road.
I understand sacrificing portability for performance, but this box sacrifices portability for ???
How is "wakeup when opening" a problem?
What is the point of opening the screen if not to wake up the machine? Count the keyboard keys, retouch your makeup in the screen's reflection, I dunno?
I'm quite serious, is there something obvious I miss?
Table? On a train in the UK?
You don't know what luxury you enjoy. The only table you get on the lines I use is your lap. That's on a good day. Otherwise it's standing room only. On a bad day, cross out "room" and insert "sardines". On a really bad day add "next to a flatulent garlic-eater, at a stand-still for three hours and counting, at 110F and rising"
odd though...
that this PC for the money has poor gfx and cant even do HD resolution. we have some crappy old laptops here from 4 years ago that have higher resolution and are only 15" screens!
Resolution
@Big Nose In China, I absolutely agree. I looked earlier this year for a 17" laptop which supported full HD, they're really few and far between. Add to that retailers determination to hide screen resolution figures and it's a really touch job.
I ended up plumping for a Sony F series and so far haven't been disappointed.
