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Samsung Q45

Author	Andy Vandervell
Published	26th Jun 2007
Manufacturer	Samsung
Price	£646.77 (Exc VAT)
as reviewed	£759.95 (Inc VAT)
Latest Price	Click here

Features
Performance
Value
Overall

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As if the value of the Q45 wasn't clear enough, results from PC Mark 05 were extremely encouraging. Results sat between the Sony VAIO VGN-FZ11L and the Acer Aspire 5920, with the Q45 comfortably outperforming the larger and more expensive Sony in all but the Graphics and HDD tests. The Intel X3100 integrated graphics chipset is never going to provide gaming grade performance, but for a 12.1in notebook this is hardly a priority.

For battery testing I've conducted two subjective tests, the first watching a DVD with the display brightness set to full and the second a general use test using the high performance profile, wireless and display brightness on full.

After watching a one and a half hour film there was still 27 per cent of battery life remaining, which represented just under an hour of further battery to be used. Meanwhile, the general use test of word processing and Internet browsing resulted in three hours and twenty minutes of battery life before the notebook went into stand by mode. Both these results represent a pretty good return, without making any real attempt to extend battery life through reducing brightness or turning off unused components.

So what you have with the Q45 is a competitively priced and portable notebook, with performance and features to match. It seems as though Samsung has once again pulled out all the stops, recreating what it achieved with the Q35 and adding a new Santa Rosa CPU and chipset, along with a refreshed though fundamentally unchanged chassis. Luckily that's all that was really needed to make this a success, and if you want portability on a budget then your search probably begins and ends here.

Verdict

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Samsung has already managed great things with the Q35, and the Q45 only continues that trend. It isn't the most complete Santa Rosa notebook out there, but at this price it hardly matters.

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