Samsung Aims to Grab PC Market Spotlight With Notebook 7 Spin Hybrid

Samsung is looking to make inroads in the PC space with the Notebook 7 Spin, jockeying for position against the likes of HP Inc., Dell and Lenovo.

The Samsung Notebook 7 Spin has a 360-degree rotating touch-screen, which makes it a full hybrid device. The computer can be used as a standard notebook as well as in “tent” style, which makes it convenient for users to watch content. The Notebook 7 Spin also supports a tablet mode, so users can tap around the screen without worrying about the keyboard.

Although Samsung is pitching the Notebook 7 Spin as a computer that provides a high-end entertainment experience, the screen displays Full-HD resolution, which is a disappointment in a world where 4K content is becoming more popular. That said, the screen supports high dynamic range (HDR), which should help it deliver more color. So, while the resolution could be better, color accuracy should be top-notch—as long as the content itself supports HDR.

Given the success of Microsoft’s latest operating system, it’s perhaps no surprise that the Notebook 7 Spin comes bundled with Windows 10. The move makes sense, since hybrids require a touch-friendly operating system and Windows 10 delivers that.

Samsung is offering two screen sizes in the Notebook 7 Spin: a 13.3-inch model for those who want a smaller computer and a 15.6-inch version. Both screens have the same resolution, but those who buy the 13.3-inch version will find it’s about a pound lighter than the larger option, as well as thinner and more compact.

Samsung didn’t skimp on processing power in its latest hybrids. The company’s 13.3-inch model comes with the sixth-generation Intel Core i5 with a 2.3GHz clock speed. Those who opt for the bigger model will find the Intel Core i7 6500U, which has a 2.5GHz clock speed. Both of the two 15.6-inch versions will handle most tasks without a problem.

As mentioned, the Notebook 7 Spin is designed to be entertainment-friendly, so Samsung has bundled nice graphics chips with its computer. The 13.3-inch model runs on the Intel HD Graphics 520, but the 15.6-inch versions have a dedicated Nvidia GeForce 940MX graphics processor built in. The 15.6-inch models, especially, should be able to handle graphically intensive tasks with ease.

Samsung’s Notebook 7 Spin launches with 1TB of internal storage out of the box, though the highest-end 15.6-inch version also comes with a 128GB solid-state drive. Furthermore, the 15.6-inch versions have a three-in-one multimedia card reader capable of supporting SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. The 13.3-inch option supports microSD.

In a world where people are more mobile than ever, fast-charging is a handy feature. The Notebook 7 Spin comes with fast-charging, allowing users to get up to two hours of additional battery life after just 20 minutes of charging. In 90 minutes, the 15.6-inch notebook is fully charged, while the 13.3-inch model takes 100 minutes to reach full battery capacity, according to Samsung.

For a small device, the Notebook 7 Spin comes with a wide array of ports. Users will find a combo headphone-microphone port, as well as HDMI, Ethernet, USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports. Although the 13.3-inch model doesn’t have an Ethernet port (it’s too small), it does come with the same USB-C port the larger versions offer.

In a statement, Samsung said the Notebook 7 Spin will be available for a starting price of $800 on the base 13.3-inch model. The lower-end 15.6-inch version will cost $1,000, while the highest-end model, which has more built-in memory, will go for $1,200. It’ll be available starting June 26 and sold exclusively at Best Buy stores, Best Buy.com and Samsung.com.