2023-07-18 17:44:02
Last year we discussed Samsung’s welcome return to the laptop market, this time under the Galaxy Book label, to further standardize its diverse ecosystem and product line. It was a good comeback but rather timid, and that is why the South Korean giant has deployed all its muscle to bring out a third generation of laptops, designed for all types of audiences, very functional and with some surprising terminals due to their powerful components.
Samsung returns to the arena in a very competitive market -although the industry showed a significant drop in sales during the last quarter-, in which, unlike what happens in the world of smartphones and wearables, it is far from positioned in the lead, an honor Lenovo still holds, followed by HP.
But despite that, last February, at the brand’s last Unpacked event held in San Francisco, California, this new flagship phone—the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which we already reviewed—was released, along with the company’s latest flagship phone. Samsung’s generation of laptops, which also includes its 14 and 16-inch Pro versions, as well as the 360 variant, with a touch screen. But it is this new model, the Galaxy Book3 Ultra, the one that really caught our attention. Let’s review why.
Dimensions: 355.4 x 250.4 x 16.5 mm Weight: 1.79 kg Display: 16″ Dynamic AMOLED 3K (2,880 x 1,800) / 120 Hz / HDR 500 Processor: 13th Generation Intel Core i7 (H-series) (2.4 Ghz) Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 (6 GB) Memory: 16 / 32 GB LPDDR5 Storage: 512 GB / 1 TB NVMe SSD Ports: 1 HDMI 2.0 / 2 Thunderbolt 4 / 1 USB-C 3.2 / MicroSD reader / 1 headphone jack /Mic-inConnectivity: Wi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth 5.1Camera: FullHD 1080pSpeakers: Four AKG speakers (Max. Woofer 5 W x 2, Tweeter 2 W x 2) Dolby AtmosOperating system: Windows 11
The Ultra, at 16 inches, is somewhat larger than its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Book2, and therefore a bit heavier. Despite that, it manages to be an absolutely portable computer, thin and very, very light (less than 1.8 kg) if we consider all its capabilities and components inside.
Wherever you look at it, and in all its areas, the Galaxy Book3 Ultra is a very functional and practical computer, with some noticeable improvements over its previous version. Starting with the trackpad, which this time makes better use of the space and is enlarged by 39%. The spread and spacing of the backlit keyboard, which also includes the number keys, is very comfortable for the hands, with a pleasant and subtle typing.
Once again, digital biometric recognition is included in your boot key, located at the top right. On that same side, but on the side, there is a USB-A 3.2 port, another for SD cards and a 3.5″ audio input. On the left side, meanwhile, is the HDMI port and two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Its design, which is only available in graphite color, is clean, functional and without surprises, something useful for those who like the sober and minimalist, but at the same time lacking a special attraction that differentiates it from other brands with Windows, especially the asian.
Surely this is because Samsung seeks, with the Galaxy Book3, to fight the MacBook Pro. At least in terms of design, where they become quite similar, although Apple’s computer is much more robust, in all kinds of things. , and has a charm almost impossible to imitate.
The audio system, for its part, includes four equally distributed speakers, with AKG technology and Dolby Atmos system. The full HD front camera (with 1080p that is appreciated) also offers news thanks to artificial intelligence, which we will see later. A small detail: when opening and accommodating the screen, it can vibrate a little more than I would have liked.
We celebrate, yes, that the charger and the plug are compact, and that those old power bricks are already being mostly left behind.
Opening it up and turning it on, the screen immediately dazzles. Samsung knows something about this —they are the world’s leading display manufacturer—, so the display of this Dynamic AMOLED 2X, whose refresh rate reaches 120 Hz and has 500 nits of brightness —in addition to having HDR 500 certification— it’s extremely pleasing, with great resolution—2880×1800—and rich depth and warmth of colors.
But the central pivots of the Galaxy Book3 Ultra are its processor and graphics card. In the first section, we have a 13th generation Intel Core i7 H series chip, a very, very powerful engine, which is also absolutely up to date.
In the second case, Samsung includes a dedicated graphics card for the first time in its computers, and not just any: it is the 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, which ensures that any graphic or audiovisual work will be optimal, and not to mention its performance. with video games. Without being a gamer notebook, it is still capable of passing the test.
Along the same line of performance, Samsung presents its “Studio Mode”, a software specially dedicated for video calls, where artificial intelligence automatically adjusts audio cancellation, framing, background effects and dual microphone regulation. which translates into a very effective and effortless communication.
In terms of performance, the Galaxy Book3 obviously did not disappoint: all the tasks we asked of it were done with gusto, joy, and silence. All this, of course, thanks to the quality of its components but also to the harmony of its design.
The computer, as expected, is specially enabled to connect with other devices when it comes to multitasking, which is even easier if they are from Samsung itself. Linking a smart watch, a wireless headset, a smartphone or a tablet as a second screen is very simple and intuitive, an ecosystem concept not unlike what Apple achieves, really fluid and practical.
In fact, the integration with the phone is particularly good: for example, using that magical application called Multi Control, which allows you to copy, cut and paste from the phone to the computer, as well as transfer files or continue reviewing content. A productive continuity without frights.
The battery is very good for a laptop with these characteristics: we are talking about 76 Wh, something like 11 hours of average duration, depending on use. Anyway, the reference here is Apple and, in that sense, Californians give the court, shot and side in terms of autonomy: their latest MacBook Pro exceeds 16 hours.
Personally, from the above, perhaps the only general detail that the Ultra lacks is a bit of personality. Because in net terms of functionality, performance and autonomy, it does not present any problem. But a laptop, unless it is directly oriented to the corporate world, does not have to lack style or design, details that not only identify and express personality for the device and the brand, but also for the user.
Logos, design lines, colors and even covers with micro LED screens (so that the logo is “seen” by people) are just a few details that make the rest of the brands stand out from each other. And it’s about time that Samsung, which knows something about this, also puts its characteristic and individual stamp on its next generation of laptops. Unless the idea is to look as much like a MacBook as possible.
It seems that Samsung has made a checklist of all the fundamental needs to have an all-powerful laptop. From the specifications of the screen to the latest generation processors and graphics cards: the truth is that it is difficult to find fault or fault with this model, in any of its departments, except perhaps in terms of design and the personality of the product.
Highly functional, guaranteed to provide an excellent graphics and performance experience for any type of user, Samsung again doesn’t hold back on making a revolutionary product: instead, it plays it safe with a product that satisfies in every way.
Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐★ (4/5)
*The prices of the products in this article are updated as of July 18, 2023. The values and their availability may change.
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