Should I buy Intel-powered Samsung Series 5 NP530 Ultrabook or AMD-powered Samsung Series 5 NP535?
Now that Samsung has released its latest Samsung Series 5 NP535, an Intel counterpart of the Series 5 NP530 Ultrabook, you might probably be confused on which notebook should you choose. In this article, let us compare the Series 5 NP535 (AMD model) and Series 5 NP530 (Intel model), for both 13 inch and 14 inch display model. I am aware that Samsung also released an earlier version of the NP530, but the model that I used here to compare with the NP535 are the latest NP530 models.
Now the Samsung Series 5 NP535 (AMD) and Series 5 NP530 (Intel) are very similar. They also look the same. They are like twins. But the difference lies beneath its hood. For you to have a better picture, I have outlined the specifications of Series 5 NP530U3C-A01US 13.3-Inch Ultrabook, Series 5 NP535U3C-A01US 13.3-Inch Laptop, Series 5 NP530U4C-A01US 14-Inch Ultrabook, and Series 5 NP535U4C-A01US 14-Inch Laptop. And for you to understand it better, we do not call the new Series 5 NP535 (AMD powered Laptop) an Ultrabook. Since the term “Ultrabook” is exclusively used by Intel, and Ultrabooks generally refers to Intel-powered Ultrabooks.
Specifications Comparison Table
| Samsung Series 5 NP530U3C-A01US 13.3-Inch Ultrabook Specifications | Samsung Series 5 NP535U3C-A01US 13.3-Inch Specifications | Samsung Series 5 NP530U4C-A01US 14-Inch Ultrabook Specifications | Samsung Series 5 NP535U4C-A01US 14-Inch Specifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension: | 12.4 x 8.6 x 0.58-0.69 inches | 12.4 x 8.6 x .58-.69 inches | 13.1 x 9.0 x 0.82 inches | 13.1 x 9.0 x .82 inches |
| Weight: | 3.35 lbs | 3.35 pounds | 3.99 lbs | 3.99 pounds |
| Operating System: | System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) | Windows 7 Homes Premium (64-bit) | Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) | Windows 7 Homes Premium (64-bit) |
| Processor: | 1.7GHz Intel Core i5-3317U dual core processor 3MB Cache | AMD 2.1GHz Dual Core A6-4455M Processor with 2.6GHz Turbo Core | 1.7GHz Intel Core i5-3317U dual core, 3MB Cache | AMD 2.0GHz Quad Core A10-4655M Processor with 2.8GHz Turbo Core |
| Memory: | 4GB DDR3 1600MHz (8GB Max) | 4GB DDR3 RAM (1333MHz, 8GB Max) | 4GB DDR3 1600MHz, 8GB | 4GB DDR3 RAM (1333MHz, 8GB Max) |
| Graphics: | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | AMD Radeon HD 7500G | Intel HD Graphics 4000 | AMD Radeon HD 7620G |
| Hard Drive: | 500GB (128GB Solid State Drive for model NP530U3C-A02US ) | 500GB, 5400RPM | 750GB, 7200RPM | 750GB, 5400RPM |
| Display: | 13.3 inches LED HD at 1366×768 with 300nits SuperBright Technology | 13.3-inch LED-backlit, 300 nits brightness, at 1366×768 (720p native resolution) | 14-inch LED HD at 1366×768, with 300 nits SuperBright Technology | 14-inch LED-backlit, 300 nits brightness, at 1366×768 (720p native resolution) |
| Webcam: | 1.3MP HD Web Camera | 1.3 megapixel HD webcam | 1.3 megapixel HD Webcam | 1.3 megapixel HD webcam |
| Speaker: | 4W stereo speaker (2W x 2) | 4W (2W x 2) stereo speaker with SounAdlive Sound Technology | 4W (2W x 2) stereo speaker with SounAdlive Sound Technology | 4W (2W x 2) stereo speaker with SounAdlive Sound Technology |
| Connectivity: | WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, WiDi, Gigabit Wired Ethernet LAN | WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit Wired Ethernet LAN | WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, WiDi, Gigabit Wired Ethernet LAN | WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit Wired Ethernet LAN |
| Optical Disc Drive | None | None | DVD +/-RW Super Multi Dual Layer (S-ATA) | DVD +/-RW Super Multi Dual Layer (S-ATA) |
| Input Output Ports: | HDMI, 1x USB3.0, 2x USB2.0, headphone out, mic in, 4-in-1 Multi card slot, RJ45 | HDMI, 1x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, headphone out, mic in, 4-in-1 multi card slot, RJ45 | HDMI, 1x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, headphone out, mic in, 4-in-1 multi card slot, RJ45 | HDMI, 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0, VGA, headphone out, mic in, 4-in-1 multi card slot, RJ45 |
| Input Devices: | 80 keys keyboard, Touch Pad | 80 keys Keyboard, TouchPad | 86 keys keyboard, Touch Pad | 86 keys Keyboard, TouchPad |
| Battery: | 4 Cell Li-Po, 6100mAh, 45W, up to 7 hours | 4 cell Li-Po 6100 mAh 45Wh battery | 8 cell Li-Po 6120 mAh 45.3 Wh, up tp 7hrs | 8 cell Li-Po 6100 mAh 45Wh battery |
| Price: |
Basically, the main different between the four model are their processor and built in graphics accelerator. For the Series 5 NP350, both the 13 inch and 14 inch model are powered by the same Intel Core i5 3317U 1.7GHz dual core processor. I’m not sure how will this par with AMD A6-4455M 2.1GHz processor though. But the AMD A10-4655M 2.0GHz Quad core processor found in the 14-inch model of Samsung Series 5 NP535 could be the faster processor amongst the four models.
Next is the graphics, while the Series 5 NP530 13-inch model and 14-inch model are powered by the same Intel HD Graphics 4000, its not the same case with the Samsung Series 5 NP535. These two new models are powered by the latest AMD “Trinity” graphics that supports DirectX 11. Since I do not have first hand experience with the AMD “Trinity” graphics, I did some research, read some reviews and all. It’s hard to find reviews for the HD 7500G and 7620G since they are relatively new.
But based on my “research” the AMD Radeon HD 7500G and Radeon HD 7620G are generally faster or on par with the Intel HD Graphics 4000. I saw some AMD Trinity-powered notebooks that were able to play Diablo III in a 720p resolution with all the settings maxed out. But that was with the 7660G model. Nevertheless, AMD was able to catch up with Intel through there latest processors/GPUs.
Other difference that they have doesn’t have a huge impact on the overall performance of the Ultrabook/notebook. So I’ll move on to the price. As you can see in the table above, the Samsung Series 5 NP535 13-inch model is cheaper compared to the two NP350 Ultrabooks. However, the Series 5 NP535 14-inch model, that is powered by an AMD quad core processor and Radeon HD 7620G graphics, is the most expensive among the NP350 and NP535 models. Since it offers more or better specs (indicated by green text color) compared to the other three models.
Consumers now a days are becoming smart buyers. They look for reviews and check the specifications first, whether it would fit them. But in the end, it all comes down to the price. Usually the product with the better pricing offer wins. For this, I think the new Samsung Series 5 NP535 is the winner here.
If you are going to ask me, would I buy the Series 5 NP535 models? And which one?
Samsung Series 5 Notebooks/Ultrabooks are really not my first choice, honestly. I would still prefer the new Asus Zenbook, ASUS Zenbook Prime Ultrabook to be exact, or Apple MacBook Pro (despite the price) since I am more into publishing than gaming. Yes I know they are expensive, but its really worth it!
Anyway, when it comes to processors, I prefer Intel processors. But in this case, if I were to choose from the four models then I would definitely go for the Samsung Series 5 NP535 14-inch model. It’s a little bit expensive compared to the NP530 Ultrabook, but it has better specs.
Photo Comparison
Click on the image for larger view.
| Series 5 NP535 / NP530 13-inch model | Series 5 NP535 / NP535 14-inch model | |
| Front View |  |
 |
| Top View |  |
 |
| Back View |  |
 |
| Right Side |  |
 |
| Left Side |  |
 |
Leave a Reply