Samsung Series 5 Ultra Touch
It boasts an impressive number of connectivity options
The release of Windows 8 has resulted in a considerable change in the form factor of computers. The release of the operating system features not just a brand new user interface, but also a strong touch driven approach.
Some modifications have been major such as a detachable keyboard or twisting screens, while others are minor with just touch enabled screens.
The Samsung Series 5 Ultra Touch is of the latter category. This Windows 8 Ultrabook features a 13.3 inch touch screen to deliver the best experience with the new operating system. The Ultrabook touchscreen allows for 10 point multi touch allowing for various touch based actions and gestures. The resolution on the screen is 1366x768 which for many — including myself — is unimpressive. It is by no means bad, but a higher resolution display would be welcome.
The chiclet style keyboard is roomy and very comfortable to type on. Similarly the Series 5 has a spacious trackpad with two distinct buttons.
The rest of the laptop doesn’t give much else to write about; its clamshell design and silver body is similar to what we’ve already seen from Samsung. However the device is fairly slim – 19.9mm at its thickest side and weighs just 1.69kg. On the inside, the laptop features an Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive with a 24GB ExpressCache to allow for a quick boot up and snappy performance. However there are times when the laptop takes just a second or two longer to load applications and on other CPU intensive tasks it does seem a little slower; perhaps it could benefit from a more powerful CPU.
The Series 5 boasts an impressive number of connectivity options; it features a full sized HDMI port, one USB 3.0, two USB 2.0 ports, SD card reader, and a full sized Ethernet port. The Series 5 delivers a run time of about 6 hours on a single charge with average usage.
Priced at Dh3,299, the Series 5 Ultra Touch is a compelling purchase. Apart from a DVD drive, the laptop makes compromises and delivers a great performance.
The writer is a digital marketing professional and an early adopter of all things digital.