Perfect… On Paper. - Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra

Summary

The Samsung Galaxy Book Ultra is praised for its exceptional build, featuring a 140W USB-C charger, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and HDMI 2.1. The laptop boasts an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD, coupled with an RTX 4050 for solid content creation capabilities. The OLED display with dynamic refresh rate and HDR support is a standout, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. However, the touchpad has issues with acceleration, and the keyboard, while solid, has an unusual actuation profile. Despite impressive specs and performance, the high price tag puts it at a disadvantage compared to competitors with similar or better offerings.

Takeaways

• 📱 The Samsung Galaxy Book is described as well-built with an all-metal chassis and a rainbow Samsung logo.
• 🔌 It comes with a 140W charger delivered over USB Type-C, and a 6ft charging cable.
• 🛠️ The device might be difficult to repair due to the absence of visible screws and a potentially challenging opening process.
• 🖥️ The laptop features a micro SD card reader, USB Type-A, headphone/microphone combo jack, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and HDMI 2.1.
• 🎨 The display is exceptional with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155h processor, 16GB of soldered RAM, a 512GB Samsung NVMe SSD, and an RTX 4050 GPU.
• 🖱️ The touchpad has issues with mouse acceleration and a low pull rate, which may affect user experience.
• 📐 The screen has rounded corners and a dynamic refresh rate that adjusts from 48 to 120 Hz for power savings.
• 🌈 The OLED display offers a resolution of 2880 by 1800p with full-screen brightness of 400 nits in SDR and 600 nits in HDR.
• 🔊 The laptop has decent speakers tuned by AKG, but they are not as impressive as a MacBook Pro 14 when compared side by side.
• 👤 The webcam is 1080p and performs well, even under challenging lighting conditions.
• 💰 The price of the Samsung Galaxy Book is considered high compared to other laptops with similar or better specifications.

Q & A

What is the Samsung Galaxy Book's first impression in terms of build quality?

The Samsung Galaxy Book has a well-built impression with an all-metal chassis that feels sturdy and high-quality.

What are the connectivity options on the Samsung Galaxy Book?

The connectivity options include a micro SD card reader, USB Type-A, a headphone/microphone combo jack, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and an HDMI 2.1 port.

How is the Samsung Galaxy Book's screen quality and what are its specifications?

The screen quality is exceptional with an OLED display, dynamic refresh rate from 48 to 120 Hz, a resolution of 2880 by 1800p, and full screen brightness of 400 nits in SDR and 600 nits in HDR.

What is the issue with the touchpad on the Samsung Galaxy Book?

The touchpad has a problem with mouse acceleration and a low pull rate, which makes it feel unresponsive and difficult to use.

What are the specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Book in terms of processor, RAM, and storage?

It features an Intel Core Ultra 7 155h processor with 16 cores and 22 threads, 16 GB of soldered RAM running at 7467 megabytes per second, and a 512 GB Samsung NVMe SSD.

Does the Samsung Galaxy Book have dedicated graphics and what is its GPU?

Yes, it has an RTX 4050 GPU, which allows for good performance in gaming and content creation tasks.

What are the audio capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy Book?

It has two tweeters reaching 2 watts and two woofers reaching 5 watts, tuned by AKG, providing clear and decent sound quality.

How is the webcam quality on the Samsung Galaxy Book?

The webcam is 1080p with 2 megapixels and offers clear and crisp video quality, similar to Samsung's high-quality phone cameras.

What are the battery life and efficiency like on the Samsung Galaxy Book?

The battery life is impressive, with over 11 and 1/2 hours on battery in endurance tests, especially considering the OLED display. The new Intel processors are proving to be quite efficient.

What are the upgradeability options for the Samsung Galaxy Book?

There is an upgrade slot for a second SSD, but the Wi-Fi card is soldered down and cannot be upgraded. The RAM is also soldered down and not upgradeable.

What is the price point and value proposition of the Samsung Galaxy Book compared to other laptops?

The Samsung Galaxy Book is priced at $2400 for the configuration with 16 GB of RAM, 1 TB SSD, and RTX 4050. However, it faces competition from other laptops like the Zephyrus G16 and the Spectre X360, which offer similar specs at lower prices.