Samsung's 16-inch R610 laptop reviewed: more mediocre than memorizing

Among Samsung's first line of self-branded laptops in America, you'll find the 16-inch R610. Designed to be amongst the thinnest, lightest and least expensive 16-inchers on the market, the unit succeeded at its core missions. Sadly, it didn't fare so well when it came time to get to business. In terms of sheer performance, critics found it to be "acceptable" overall, but the graphics scores and HDD test results left a lot to be desired. Also, the bundled six-cell battery only lasted 2.5 hours before needing a recharge, though you could fork out a bit extra to get nearly six hours with the 9-cell pack. At the end of the day, reviewers just couldn't recommend this over, say, Acer's feature-packed 6930G, though those on a budget may be willing to overlook the shortcomings to have the footprint they're really after.

[John H. @ Nov 25th 2008 4:11PM]

uhhmoney

[coffee @ Nov 25th 2008 4:12PM]

Mesmerizing?

or can you not remember the laptop?

[stereobot @ Nov 25th 2008 4:30PM]

Ha! I know, I was going to say something about that too, but your comment made me lol'd all over my shirt. I can't compete with your comment, so I'm not gonna try.

"memorizing"... AHAHAH

[aznofazns @ Nov 25th 2008 6:03PM]

I love it when I notice a mistake in the post and proceed to comment on it, but at the same time KNOWING somebody already commented on it before me, and that i'm going to end up just laughing and posting this comment.

[JohnTitor @ Nov 25th 2008 8:23PM]

I was going to mention that too, but I couldn't figure out a clever remark, kudos

[chef @ Nov 26th 2008 12:01AM]

@johntitor

Engadget couldn't think of a clever title, so it's okay.

[Matthew Hilario @ Nov 25th 2008 4:26PM]

they said shortcoming.

[Ken @ Nov 25th 2008 4:28PM]

Wait. There are other 16" laptops??

[stereobot @ Nov 25th 2008 4:31PM]

I would like to see a 16' laptop. Now THAT would be memorizing!

[Tango @ Nov 25th 2008 6:41PM]

I had a 16' laptop... but I forgotted it =(

[Erv @ Nov 25th 2008 4:56PM]

size does matter....

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Nov 25th 2008 5:15PM]

Why is there so many people baffled by 16inch and 18 inch laptops. They've been out for nearly a year now. It would annoy me with the mouse pad on the left though with 6930G. But you can get used too it.

[GiF @ Nov 25th 2008 6:21PM]

my 17-inch laptop is already a beast, why would you want to "tote around" an 18-inch laptop?

Then again, mine is usually for desktop usage so I don't mind.

[LonnieDvD @ Nov 25th 2008 5:58PM]

No kidding, my local Best Buy store has a 16 inch laptop for sale. Too bad about the short battery life in that R610, I get 4.5 hours out of my Toshiba.

[El Taco @ Nov 25th 2008 6:05PM]

ToC=NtY

[bryan @ Nov 25th 2008 7:24PM]

Why not substitute "least expensive" for most expensive and tweak the screen size a weeee bit, add a Unix based OS - and - VOILA - you have an Apple!

[Scurr @ Nov 25th 2008 8:26PM]

does this sync with my TV?

[Badger_badger_badger @ Nov 25th 2008 9:32PM]

memorizing

lol.

[ManekiNeko @ Nov 25th 2008 11:56PM]

This typo really stood out in the Gmail advertisement! Man, get that fixed!

[jj @ Dec 4th 2008 11:32AM]

Actually, the specs are ok for the price fairly inline EXCEPT for one glaring mistake, WTF is up with that smallish 1366x768 resolution on a 16" screen??? Uh, hello, do you think people buy computers to only watch 720p movies?

Samsung, if you're gonna make a computer, make a computer first. It should have minimum 1440x900. And another model at 1680x1050. I would be so willing to pick up this laptop at the curent price if it had one of the two resolutions above. You're a display maker, kick some A$$ in that department, sheesh. Otherwise, just pack up and call it a day, the world doesn't need another me-too mediocre laptop maker.