Samsung's new Book 6 laptop targets entry-level users with an Intel Core 5 processor, but faces competition from rivals like the MacBook Neo and Asus ZenBook.
Samsung enters entry-level laptop market
Samsung has launched the Book 6, a new entry-level laptop featuring an Intel Core 5 320 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of SSD storage, priced at 899 € at launch. This model joins Samsung's ultraportable lineup, which maintains the brand's design language but uses a more budget-friendly Intel Core series 3 processor.Design and build materials
The Book 6 includes a 14-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, a matte finish, and weighs 1.35 kg. The rear panel is made of plastic, while the front panel is aluminum, which may give the impression of a less refined assembly.Keyboard and touchpad features
The laptop's keyboard has a tactile response in the center of the keys but less precision at the corners, with a textured plastic finish and a scribed design that appears sticker-like. The touchpad lacks haptic feedback and has limited responsiveness, with a coating that is difficult to use.Ports and connectivity options
The Book 6 includes two USB-C 3.2 ports, one USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, one HDMI port, and a headphone jack. It does not include Thunderbolt 4 or 5. Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4.Audio and thermal performance
The laptop's speakers are described as being cramped within the chassis and have limited audio output. It has a single fan that maintains temperatures around 39.5 °C near the keyboard and produces noise levels of 38.7 dB during heavy loads.Processor and performance
The Intel Core 5 320 processor, part of the Wildcat Lake generation, has six cores (two performance and four efficiency cores) and is expected to have limited performance. The laptop's performance index matches that of the Acer Swift Air 14, which uses the same processor.Memory and storage capabilities
The 8 GB of RAM is noted as a limiting factor, affecting the performance of certain applications and multitasking. The SSD has sequential read and write speeds of 4134 MB/s and 2742 MB/s, respectively.Display quality and color accuracy
The display has a color delta E of 5.5, which is above the threshold of 3 where color deviations become noticeable, and an average color temperature of 7053 K, which is higher than the ideal 6500 K for video. The display has a contrast ratio of 1337:1, which is average.Battery life and usability
The Book 6's battery life was measured at 6 hours and 41 minutes under a realistic usage scenario, which is average compared to other entry-level laptops. The Acer Swift Air 14 has a slightly better battery life of 7 hours and 48 minutes, while the Apple MacBook Neo has a battery life of 8 hours and 2 minutes.Comparison with competitors
The Samsung Book 6 is described as being less impressive than the Apple MacBook Neo, which has a more refined build and more efficient performance management, even with 8 GB of RAM. The Asus ZenBook 14 is also noted as a better alternative at a lower price.
