The PC market is in shambles these days, and it's so bad that you don't have to be an enthusiast builder to feel the effects of RAM and storage shortages. Heck, even my less-tech-savvy parents are asking what's going on.

Last week, I wrote a lengthy analysis about the RAM crisis and when it might end, and I came up with answers that no one wants to hear.

It essentially boils down to the global supply of DRAM being so short and the demand for AI datacenters being so high that it will likely take until 2028 to see any easing at all, while more pessimistic views extend the crisis into the 2030s.

I mentioned that I wasn't explicitly calling out collusion on the part of the three big DRAM producers who control 90% of the world's supply, but I might have been wrong.

Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron are facing a class-action California federal lawsuit alleging that they've been deliberately fixing prices and squeezing supply to drive up costs for regular consumers like you and me.

The lawsuit, reported by Law360 (via VGC), accuses the three memory makers of working together to reduce production of DDR3 and DDR4 memory while at the same time dialing their DDR5 production towards High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) that's used in AI data centers.

Citing the ongoing "RAMpocalypse," the lawsuit alleges that the "DRAM oligopolists" raised prices "with mind-blowing scale and rapidity." The lawsuit has been filed by a "class of individual and business consumers."

The lawsuit's argument is fairly straightforward. A healthy market with actual competition would see increased supply alongside rising prices. If RAM gets more expensive, it makes sense for RAM manufacturers to produce more in order to capture demand and undercut each other.

That isn't currently happening. The lawsuit alleges that the three big DRAM companies all moved in the same direction at the same time, and prices kept rising. Hard to argue with that claim.

The suit also says that "consumer purchasers of conventional DRAM and devices incorporating it have paid supracompetitive prices and have otherwise suffered the impacts of a distorted market crippled by the behavior of DRAM oligopolists." Again, I can't argue with that.

Why this lawsuit matters for regular PC users ... and practically everyone else

The global DRAM crisis isn't just affecting PC builders. Memory prices affect practically every device out there, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to find any shelter from the storm.

For example, Xbox just announced last week that it's raising console prices. Apple announced it's raising MacBook prices. Valve's Steam Machine costs $1,049, whereas it should have probably made its debut somewhere around $700. Surface PC prices went up a few weeks ago. I could go on.

None of these price increases happened just 'cause, and the lawsuit indeed argues that artificially constrained DRAM supply is a significant part of the reason.

Can any new DRAM makers challenge the current oligopoly?

The lawsuit also raises concerns regarding how insulated the three big DRAM producers have become over time. Building even one DRAM fabrication plant costs billions of dollars and takes years, never mind the expertise required to keep one running.

Although Chinese DRAM manufacturers like CXMT and YMTC are slowly picking up Steam, export and supply controls imposed by the US don't help the situation.

The result? It's almost impossible for anyone to step in and compete with the big three manufacturers.

The DRAM oligopoly has been in legal trouble before

As noted in the lawsuit filing, Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron are not strangers to DRAM price fixing.

Samsung and SK hynix were accused by the US Department of Justice of price fixing between 1998 and 2022. Samsung ended up paying a $300 million fine, while SK hynix paid a $185 million fine.

Micron managed to avoid a similar fine after it reported "the conspiracy" and cooperated with officials.

It's well worth pointing out that nothing has been proven in court regarding this new lawsuit. As far as I can see, none of the three companies has offered a public statement, either.

Do you think Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron have indeed been conspiring to keep RAM prices high? Or is it just a lucky coincidence? Let me know what you think in the comments section below!

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Last year, it was reported that Samsung was planning to drop support for OneDrive backups in the Samsung Gallery app on Galaxy phones, as new strings were spotted stating that users would need to begin backing up photos to Samsung's own cloud service soon.

Now, Microsoft itself has confirmed that this is indeed happening later this year. Starting September 30, Samsung will cease to support OneDrive in the Samsung Gallery app on Galaxy phones, meaning from that date onwards, OneDrive will no longer be the default cloud provider for photo backups on Galaxy devices.

"After September 30, 2026, Samsung Gallery will no longer sync photos to OneDrive. All photos stored in OneDrive will disappear from your Samsung Gallery app. If you previously used Samsung Gallery to OneDrive sync feature, you will need to update your camera roll settings to continue backing up new photos and videos and to access any photos you have already backed up via the OneDrive app."

OneDrive has been integrated with Samsung phones since 2019, when Microsoft and Samsung first announced a special partnership that would see the Redmond giant provide cloud services and pre-install a number of its apps on Galaxy phones, along with deeper integration with Windows Phone Link.

Now, it seems the OneDrive aspect of that deal is coming to an end. Samsung has chosen to begin hosting its own cloud services for photo backups, and Samsung users will be encouraged to use Samsung's own service instead of OneDrive starting later this year.

After September 30, photos that were previously backed up to OneDrive via the Gallery app will no longer be viewable. Microsoft says that the photos will not be deleted, and will still be available to view via the OneDrive app or website. You'll just no longer be able to see them directly in the Samsung Gallery app.

The good news is that if you prefer using OneDrive for photo backups, you can continue doing so, just not via the built in Gallery app. Instead, you'll have to setup cloud backups in the OneDrive app itself, which will run in the background and backup your photos every day. This is how it works on all Android phones with the OneDrive app installed.

The experience is the same, but it just means you'll have to manually enable it when you set up your device going forward, as it will no longer be natively supported by the in-box photos app on Galaxy devices.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

Microsoft Edge has a new competitor on Windows. Samsung Browser just launched for Windows 11 and Windows 10. It promises secure and simple syncing, sign-in, and continuity across devices.

Until this week, Samsung Browser has been exclusive to mobile devices. It's a bit of a dark horse, trailing Chrome and Safari by a significant margin in terms of market share, but offering a clean browsing experience.

Now, that experience extends to Windows PCs. You can download the browser for free through Samsung's website.

While you could use Samsung Browser on your PC without using its smartphone-focused sibling, you'll get the best experience connecting the two.

You can continue viewing a webpage when moving between the mobile and PC versions of Samsung Browser, for example. The browser also supports Samsung Pass, allowing you to store personal information and sign-in details.

Samsung offers an impressive ecosystem for those with smartphones and PCs from the company. Phone Link is at its best when pairing a flagship Samsung smartphone and laptop, for example.

Microsoft and Samsung's partnership also sees OneDrive integrate with Samsung Gallery.

But Samsung Browser is a bit different. It's available on all PCs running Windows 11 or Windows 10 (version 1809 or later). That means hundreds of millions of PCs have access to the browser and can connect their mobile and PC experiences.

Some of us at Windows Central have already used Samsung Browser while it was in beta, but we'll take a bit more time to test it now that it's generally available. Keep an eye out for more thoughts (spoilers, it's good).

Agentic AI

Samsung also introduced an AI-powered assistant that's part of Samsung Browser. That tool comes courtesy of Samsung's partnership with Perplexity, and it can understand the context of webpages.

Here are a few of the key features and benefits of that AI tool, as shared by Samsung:

• Intelligent Content Understanding and Comprehensive Response: Samsung Browser understands the specific context of the webpage users are currently viewing to provide more relevant and optimized solutions. For instance, while planning a trip to Seoul, users can ask the browser to create a four-day travel plan based on the page currently in view. Samsung Browser analyzes the content and generates a structured plan that can be easily organized and customized in the user’s preferred format.
• A Faster, Smarter Way to Search: Powered by advanced natural language understanding, Samsung Browser enables users to browse the web with speed and efficiency. Users can now get the right information instantly without manually sifting through countless webpages. Furthermore, Samsung Browser extends this intelligence to video content; by understanding the context within a video, it can find the specific part users are looking for and start playback from that exact moment.
• Retrieving the Right Page From Browsing History: Instead of relying on keywords or dates, users can search their browsing history using natural language to find things like the smartwatch they were looking at last week.
• Multi-tab Context Awareness: Users no longer need to click through multiple tabs to compare information. Samsung Browser can summarize and compare content across multiple tabs all at once. This makes it easy to get key insights from different sources in a single view.

As someone who covers AI and browsers for a living, I think Samsung should prepare for some pushback. Many dislike AI integrating with their browser, leading to features like the AI killswitch in Mozilla Firefox.

Being able to search your browsing history with natural language is a useful addition, as are the other AI tools in Samsung Browser. But I think Samsung needs to make sure all AI tools can be disabled easily or some will write off a great browser before giving it a fair chance.

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UPDATED 18/3/2026: This article has been updated and now includes a detailed guide shared by Microsoft to help address the issue that locked Samsung laptop owners out of their C:\ drive on Windows 11.

Microsoft acknowledged an annoying bug that locked some Samsung laptop owners out of their C:\ drive on Windows 11. The tech giant pointed fingers at Samsung's Galaxy Connect app as the root cause of the problem, prompting it to temporarily scrapping it from the Microsoft Store to prevent the issue from being widespread.

And now, the company has published a guide explaining how to address the issue in affected Windows 11 devices (via Neowin).

You’ll need to uninstall the Samsung Galaxy Connect app from your PC until Samsung releases a fix for the software issue. Then, you'll need to restart you PC and add temporary permissions to drive C by following the steps highlighted below:

1. Right-click Drive C and select Properties.
2. Next, go to Security > Advanced.
3. Then, click Change next to Owners.
4. Type Everyone and click Ok.

You'll now need to add a temporary permission to drive C using the steps highlighted below:

• Right-click Drive C and select Properties.
• Navigate through Security > Advanced and click Edit.
• Click Add and type Everyone.
• Click Yes when prompted. However, Windows 11 may shows multiple warning prompts for some users. In this case, press Alt + C.

Finally, you'll need to restore Windows default permissions by following the steps below:

First, launch Notepad and copy paste the following text:

icacls c:\ /grant BUILTIN\Administrators:(OI)(CI)(F)

icacls c:\ /grant "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)(F)"

icacls c:\ /grant BUILTIN\Users:(OI)(CI)(RX)

icacls c:\ /grant "NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users:(OI)(CI)(IO)(M)"

icacls c:\ /grant "NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users:(AD)"

icacls c:\ /setowner "NT Service\TrustedInstaller"

icacls c:\ /remove everyone

pause

• Select File > Save as.
• Set Save as type to All Files.
• Name the file RestoreAccess.bat.
• Save it to your Desktop.

You'll also need to run the repair before restarting your device:

1. On your Desktop, right-click RestoreAccess.bat.
2. Select Run as administrator.
3. Select Yes if prompted.
4. Wait until the process completes.
5. Restart your device.

After restarting your Windows 11 PC, you should have full access to your C:\ drive and Windows should be working normally.

The original article continues below

Of late, Windows 11 updates have been wreaking havoc, making the operating system's user experience less-than-pleasant. Some of the issues highlighted by users include being unable to fully shut down their PCs or sign in to a device when using Remote Desktop.

While Microsoft issued an emergency fix to address the problems highlighted above, a new Windows 11 bug appears to be locking some Samsung laptops out of their C:\ drive after installing the February 2026 security updates (via Neowin).

"Affected devices encounter the issue when users execute common actions, such as accessing files, launching applications, or performing administrative tasks, and do not require any specific user action beyond routine operations," Microsoft added. "In some cases, users are also unable to elevate privileges, uninstall updates, or collect logs due to permission failures."

Microsoft is working closely with Samsung to establish whether the issue is related to the Windows update or if it was caused by Samsung software installed on the affected PCs.

The software giant has indicated that the issue seems to be intentional and is impacting users in Brazil, Portugal, South Korea, and India with "the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 and other Samsung consumer devices." The company suspected that Samsung Share might be the culprit causing the issue, but it's not entirely certain.

However, an updated version of the documentation confirms that the problem was caused by an issue with the Samsung Galaxy Connect app. "While the reports coincided with recent March Patch Tuesday timing, the investigation confirmed the issue is not caused by current or previous Windows monthly updates," Microsoft indicated.

As a result, Microsoft has temporarily removed the Samsung Galaxy Connect app from the Microsoft Store to prevent the issue from becoming widespread."Samsung has republished a stable previous version of the application to stop recurrence on additional devices. Recovery options for devices already impacted remain limited, and Samsung continues to evaluate remediation approaches with Microsoft’s support," added Microsoft.

Before Microsoft mitigated the issue, a Reddit user claiming to be a Samsung technician in Brazil had posted a workaround, which some affected users have claimed helped them restore access to their C:\ drive.

Samsung Galaxy Book laptops screwd over a Windows update? from r/sysadmin

However, the third-party workaround is a tad peculiar, as noted by BleepingComputer, and will require the user to change the ownership of the entire C:\ drive and all subfolders to the "Everyone" group, including system directories and files that are normally owned by TrustedInstaller or SYSTEM.

With that said, waiting for a fix from Microsoft might be a safer bet. In the interim, "Microsoft is collaborating with Samsung’s efforts to develop and validate solutions for devices that have already been affected."

Have you been impacted by this issue? Share your experience with me in the comments.

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OLED displays are among the best you can buy right now, especially if you value deep color and contrast. But standard OLED panels are only the start of a monitor rabbit hole that Samsung just made deeper by introducing new QD-OLED Penta Tandem branding for its proprietary tech.

Let me back up for a moment. Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) tech involves each pixel producing its own light when fed an electric current. Because there's no backlight required, you can expect perfect contrast and deep color.

Quantum Dot OLED, also known as QD-OLED, was introduced as a way to make standard OLED displays brighter. Without getting too technical, the quantum dots in these types of displays help boost brightness to a point otherwise impossible in standard OLED screens.

Samsung, the company responsible for a significant share of the high-end screens found in laptops, monitors, phones, and more, has added a fifth layer to its proprietary QD-OLED stack, which the company says "delivers superior picture quality, efficiency, and peak brightness."

As Samsung points out in its QD-OLED Penta Tandem press release, the high-resolution monitor market has intensified significantly of late. It believes this fifth layer is the key to balancing higher resolutions with higher brightness levels.

This revelation is based on the fact that as you add pixel density, there's less space for each pixel to emit light. This dilemma is solved by adding OLED layers, and Samsung's advancements aren't minor.

The company says that "compared to last year's four-layer QD-OLED, Penta Tandem improved luminous efficiency by 1.3 times and extends lifespan by 2 times." That essentially means Samsung's TVs with new QD-OLED Penta Tandem tech will hit 4,500 nits brightness, while monitors will hit 1,300 nits.

Displays with the new QD-OLED Penta Tandem tech will also receive VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification, proving they can drop black levels to 0.0005 nits brightness while also hitting at least 500 nits peak brightness.

QD-OLED Penta Tandem display tech is coming to all of Samsung's new displays launching this year, but it's worth pointing out that the tech is already available in many products. The ASUS ROG Swift 27" (PG27UCDM) gaming monitor, for example, features Samsung QD-OLED Penta Tandem and was launched last year.

How does QD-OLED Penta Tandem compare to Tandem OLED?

Throwing the term "tandem" into the display tech mix for another go could serve to confuse shoppers. LG's Tandem WOLED (TV) and Tandem OLED (monitor) tech has been around for a while now, and it implies that there are two OLED displays stacked one on top of the other.

This results in a broader color range and superior HDR TrueBlack visuals. And because the two panels can combine their brightness, they don't require as much power (improving efficiency) and aren't as likely to cause burn-in.

Samsung's Penta Tandem is simply a way to denote that it's added a fifth layer to its OLED stack. Yes, this is all about branding, but it's interesting to see how OLED displays are quickly evolving to be brighter and more efficient.

What do you think?

Have you made the change to some form of OLED display tech? What do you think about it? Let me know in the comments section!

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Each year, I test and review a wide range of tech from laptops, desktops, and handheld gaming PCs, to various computer accessories.

Since this year is drawing to a close, I took a moment to think back on all of the devices I've tested that stood out to me most, whether due to their impressive performance, unique features, or reliable designs.

Here are my favorite tech things of 2025 that I personally have used and love. Some of them even happen to be on sale, so you can grab them at a discount if interested.

Whether you're looking for some new tech for yourself or are trying to find the perfect gift for a loved one, these are all devices I personally have used and recommend.

My favorite tech things 2025

Amazing devices from 2025 that I recommend

Whether it's time to replace your current tech or you're looking to get a gift for someone else, I cannot recommend these devices enough.

I've spent at least dozens of hours with each of them, and they're seriously my favorite tech things from 2025 that I cannot stop thinking about.

If you'd like a small computer that can easily keep up with common program usage, web browsing, and video calls, then I highly recommend the Geekom IT13 mini PC.

As for any creatives who might be looking at this page, you should consider the ASUS ProArt PA27JCV. Its fantastic color range with DisplayHDR500, KVM switch, and a healthy range of ports make it ideal for artistic endeavors.

Finally, if you're interested in getting a new desktop that can run the latest games but is also ideal for work, school, or personal use, then you should check out the Dell Tower Plus (EBT2250). This desktop puts up a modest front, but it's actually a powerful computer that runs beautifully and provides plenty of ports to fit your needs.

Regardless of what you're looking for, good luck finding the perfect new gear as we go into 2026.

RAM prices are already high, and things are about to get worse. That's assuming a recent rumor regarding Samsung DDR5 modules proves accurate.

Leaker Jukan shared on X that Samsung has raised the contract price of DDR5 to $19.50. That price relates to 16GB DDR5 modules with the cost being measured per 2GB memory chip. The rumored new cost is more than double what it was previously.

Jukan's figure comes courtesy of Taiwanese outlet Technowvoice.

The report covers the cost of RAM in the supply chain. While it's reasonable to expect the cost of DDR5 RAM doubling on the manufacturing side of things would affect consumer pricing, we may not see a directly proportional increase.

There are a variety of factors that determine pricing in the industry, but it's safe to assume that if the rumor proves accurate, consumer prices will go up.

Samsung said there is "no stock" to customers, according to Technowvoice.

Samsung is one of the three major manufacturers of RAM, alongside SK Hynix and Micron. Those three companies make up over 90% of memory market share.

RAM is used in laptops, phones, TVs, and a variety of other devices. For years, the market has been relatively stable. But AI changed everything.

Now, billions of dollars are being invested into AI datacenters, skewing demand for memory modules. With how much money companies are tossing at AI, Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron can guarantee sales and make money without having to rely on sales to consumers.

RAM has skyrocketed in price, with some modules increasing from a couple hundred dollars to well over $1,000. Stock shortages and panic buying are exacerbating the situation, as did Micron pulling out of the consumer market.

Some PC manufacturers have already increased prices due to rising cost of RAM. Dell will reportedly up PC prices by up to 30%. Smaller companies have made changes as well, such as Framework increasing the price of select laptop models.

Needless to say, the cost of PC building has gone up. We have some tips on how to work around RAM price hikes, but the best option may be to wait to see if prices normalize. Of course, that's not a viable choice for people currently in need of a PC.

Samsung has officially announced that it's bringing its Internet browser app to Windows 11 (and Windows 10) PCs, and users in the United States or South Korea can be the first to try it by signing up for the Samsung Internet beta program.

For years, Galaxy phones have shipped with a default web browser simply dubbed "Internet," which over time has become somewhat of a hidden gem amongst Samsung phone users. It's a great browser, complete with extension support, dark mode, and cross device sync with your Samsung account.

It even recently gained some AI features such as the ability to summarize webpages, and more. It's very customizable too, letting you change the position of the address bar, tabs, and UI buttons. Now, the app is coming to Windows PCs, based on Chromium.

The new Samsung Internet browser for Windows PCs is a fully featured browsing experience, complete with tab and bookmark syncing, saved passwords, extension support, and even AI features. It features sign-in with Samsung, which will sync your data between Samsung Internet clients too.

The browser features a familiar "browser" UI, but with more rounded corners that are in-line with Samsung's OneUI design language. It features a cool tab overview page that's very animation heavy and blurs the background with whatever webpage you have open, and it also includes a built-in adblocker and web page dark mode theme option.

"Samsung Internet for PC allows users to sync their browsing data, such as bookmarks and browsing history. Personal data is also synchronized with Samsung Pass, helping users sign in to websites or autofill profiles securely across devices," explains Samsung. "Additionally, users will now be prompted to resume browsing when switching between mobile devices and PC, enabling a more seamless, cross-device web experience."

The new Samsung Internet is currently in beta, and only available in the United States and South Korea for users who sign up for the Samsung Internet PC Beta. Availability is expected to broaden over the coming weeks and months, and will likely eventually even be pre-installed on Samsung Galaxy laptops running Windows 11.

In 2019, Microsoft and Samsung announced a special partnership that would see many Microsoft apps and services be preloaded onto millions of Galaxy handsets worldwide. That partnership has continued to this day, with the latest Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Flip 7 handsets continuing to ship with Microsoft apps like Outlook, Office, Phone Link, and OneDrive pre-installed.

The partnership also resulted in OneDrive being deeply integrated into Samsung's ecosystem, becoming the default cloud backup solution for photos taken and stored using Samsung's included Gallery app. Samsung dropped its own cloud-backup solution in favor of Microsoft's, and that's what has powered photo backups on all Galaxy phones since.

Now, Android Authority reports that it looks like Samsung is gearing up to drop support for OneDrive, 6 years after it was first introduced. Strings spotted in the OneUI 8.5 version of the app appear to confirm that Samsung is preparing to sever ties with OneDrive, with strings such as "Sync with OneDrive ending soon" being present.

Instead of OneDrive, it looks like Samsung wants to start using its own cloud backup solution. Samsung Cloud has existed for many years, and now it wants Samsung Cloud to handle your photos too. OneDrive integration will be ripped out of the Gallery app, though you'll still be able to backup photos to OneDrive using the dedicated OneDrive app if you want.

Most users have moved away from using OneDrive as a photo backup solution these days. OneDrive used to be great for this, but competing services like Google Photos and iCloud have improved a lot in recent years, to the point where most users just choose to use whatever comes as default on their phone.

OneDrive still exists for those who want it, and it's a great cloud backup solution for files and documents. It's also good for photos if you use it as a secondary backup service in addition to the one that comes on your phone. That's how I use it, and it works well.

What are your thoughts on Samsung dropping OneDrive as its photo cloud backup solution? Will this impact you? Let us know in the comments.

Earlier this year, during CES, Samsung and LG announced that Microsoft's Copilot AI was coming to their TVs to improve the general user experience by allowing users to generate custom TV backgrounds and get show recommendations based on viewing habits.

Samsung recently announced, alongside Microsoft's own post, that it has integrated Copilot across its new range of 2025 TVs and smart monitors. This move builds on the company's mission to provide its users with "more personalized and intelligent features" on screen with Samsung Vision AI. You can access Copilot in Samsung TVs via the Samsung Tizen OS home, Samsung Daily+, and Click to Search.

The new devices will ship with Copilot AI built into the screen display, making it easier for users to access its next-gen capabilities via a voice command or click of the remote. The integration sort of mimics the setup we already have on mobile devices, allowing users to search, learn, and engage with content, but this time, directly from your TV.

According to Kevin Lee, Executive Vice President of the Customer Experience Team at the Visual Display (VD) Business of Samsung Electronics:

“Through our open AI partnerships, Samsung is setting a new standard for AI-powered screens. Copilot makes it fun and easy to quickly get what you need through tailored experiences, whether you’re learning something new, enjoying entertainment, tackling everyday tasks or more.”

Samsung is still all-in on AI

Copilot AI coming to TVs and smart monitors isn't Samsung's first rodeo with artificial intelligence. It has dabbled in the space for a while with features like Bixby, its dedicated voice assistant across its flagship Galaxy devices, which also ship with features like Click to Search.

For context, the feature lets you learn more about anything that's visible on your screen by running a thorough search on the web without you having to leave that page, similar to Google's Circle to Search.

Samsung's integration of Copilot across its flagship devices should make the user experience richer and intuitive while building on Samsung Daily+'s capabilities, which act as the company's lifestyle hub across entertainment, food, wellness, and more.

According to David Washington, Partner General Manager, Microsoft AI:

"Copilot on Samsung TVs is designed to feel like an AI companion in your living room. Together with Samsung’s leadership in advanced display technology, we’re bringing people a shared experience that helps them discover something to watch, ask questions, make plans or simply enjoy a moment together, all on the biggest screen in their home."

This news comes as Microsoft is shipping new features to its Copilot AI. Microsoft's AI CEO, Mustafa Suleyman, has outlined his plan to transform Copilot into more than just a digital assistant, turning it into a real friend and companion.

As you may know, Microsoft recently added Copilot Appearance to the AI chatbot, giving it an expressive face that reacts and speaks every time you're having a conversation. However, the feature is still in the early phase and is rolling out in waves for users across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

While Copilot's reception on TVs remains to be seen, it will be interesting to see the feedback it gets and whether it will be a significant improvement to the tech used in streaming services like Netflix, which already provide show recommendations.

Verizon wants to give away another round of gadgets and goods. A pair of bundles lets you get an Amazon gift card and either a discount on Samsung products or a year of NFL Sunday Ticket for free.

If you sign up for Verizon 5G Ultimate, you'll get a $200 Amazon gift card and your choice of NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube or $400 off select Samsung products.

Signing up for Verizon Fios 1Gig or 2Gig will let you choose between NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube or the $400 discount on select Samsung products, but it does not come with a $200 gift card.

Verizon 5G vs Fios

Verizon has two ways to get high-speed internet to your home: Verizon 5G and Verizon Fios. Both provide quick download and upload speeds and have earned positive reviews from several outlets, but they work in different ways.

Verizon 5G, which is split into three tiers, relies on Verizon's wireless network rather than underground cables. One benefit of the setup is that Verizon 5G is available in many areas that are not supported by fiber-optic cables.

Verizon Fios, which is also split into tiers, uses a method you're likely more familiar with: underground cables. Fios offers excellent download and upload speeds and is built on Verizon's 100% fiber-optic network that averages speeds of 750 - 940 Mbps (download) and 750 - 880 Mbps (upload).

The main downside of Fios is that it is not available in all areas.

For both the 5G and Fios options, Verizon has a coverage map checker. The signup page also makes sure the service you sign up for is available in your area.

Save $400 on Samsung devices

Verizon rotates the bundles offered to new 5G or Fios subscribers. Some deals get you free items while others get you discounts. Right now, signing up for either service gets you both.

In the discount department, signing up for 5G Ultimate, Fios 1Gig, or Fios 2Gig lets you save $400 on select Samsung devices.

Eligible devices include some of the best gaming TVs as well as popular laptops like the Galaxy Book4 Pro and Galaxy Book5 Pro. Gaming monitors, including the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9, are also eligible.

• Samsung major appliances
• Samsung TVs, home theater equipment, and soundbars
• Samsung computers and tablets

I've never reviewed a refrigerator, washing machine, or dishwasher, so I can't comment on the eligible products in those categories apart from saying they earned positive reviews on Best Buy's website.

Is NFL Sunday Ticket worth it?

If you heard me talk about NFL Sunday Ticket in my everyday life, you'd hear me break down how the NFL has watered down its product, spread itself across too many networks, and made packages like NFL Sunday Ticket too limited. My rant would run through how NFL Sunday Ticket should include in-market games. In fact, it should include every NFL game considering it costs close to $500 per year.

And hey — all those are worth talking about in other situations. But Verizon wants to give you NFL Sunday Ticket for free, so there's no need to dwell on whether it's worth $480. Being able to watch out-of-market games on a range of devices is a big perk. And you can use the money you would have otherwise spent on NFL Sunday Ticket to get another streaming subscription that fills in the gaps.

* Preseason game availability depends on the team you'd like to watch.

To give you a gauge of what other services you'd need in order to watch every NFL game in 2025, check out the above chart.

If you get NFL Sunday Ticket for free through Verizon, you can fill out the rest of the NFL schedule with YouTube TV and Amazon Prime.

One of our favorite laptops is currently on sale, making it far more affordable than usual. It offers solid performance, a reliable display, and battery life that can keep up with your long school days.

I'm talking about none other than the Samsung Galaxy Book4 15.6, which has an MSRP of $899.99, but is only $599.99 at Best Buy right now — that $300 off.

Last year's Samsung model is still a fantastic choice this year

When I was in college, I dreaded whenever I had to buy another laptop because I didn't have a lot of money to spend.

As such, it was important for me to do research and select a laptop that would offer good performance, provide enough storage space for my files, and have enough battery life to keep pace with me while I ran from classroom to classroom. And it had to do all of that while not costing too much.

With all that in mind, I can easily recommend the discounted Samsung Galaxy Book4 as a great option for most students.

To be clear, the Galaxy Book4 is not the latest flagship laptop from Samsung; that honor belongs to the Galaxy Book5 line, which I reviewed earlier this year.

Having said that, as is often the case with last year's launches, the 2024 Galaxy Book4 is a fantastic laptop that is still worth purchasing this year. That's especially true when you can grab this laptop at a much lower price than the newer Galaxy Book 5.

So what makes the Samsung Galaxy Book4 such a great laptop?

My Windows Central colleagues and I have reviewed several Samsung devices over the last few years, including a configuration from the Galaxy Book5 line and the Galaxy Book4 line (see our Galaxy Book4 Ultra review), and we've always walked away impressed by these devices.

The Galaxy Book4 that's discounted right now at Best Buy specifically offers a 15.6-inch LED display that reaches a crisp FHD resolution and up to 60Hz refresh rate, which is more than apt for displaying most homework assignments and class projects to good advantage.

It's powered by a Series 1 Intel Core Ultra 7 AI processor and Intel Graphics card, which means this laptop is an AI PC that can handle certain tasks more efficiently than non-AI PC laptops.

To be clear, the Series 1 Intel Core Ultra chips aren't as powerful as the Series 2 ones in the Galaxy Book5, but they can still keep up with most needs.

Whether you're writing papers, accessing online courses, using basic programs, and video calling your professors or family, this laptop can keep up with your busy days.

Just note that the Intel Graphics card is not intended for more graphically intensive tasks like AAA gaming or demanding rendering programs. Although you can get around the gaming issue by streaming your games via a cloud service like NVIDIA GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming.

As someone who entered a lot of numeric data into Excel sheets and other documents, I also appreciate that this laptop offers a full number pad, which isn't always on offer.

Perhaps best of all, this Galaxy Book4 offers a long battery life of up to 15 hours, allowing you to stay productive throughout your long school days without running out of juice midway through a class.

In your off time, you can use it to stream shows while you unwind after a busy day filled with homework, classes, stressful projects, and tests.

One thing is certain: Samsung creates reliable laptops that you can rely on. Its solid performance and long battery life make the Galaxy Book4 the perfect choice for students, especially while its price is temporarily reduced.

As the years pass, much different tech comes across my desk. It's a perk of the job, getting to check out the latest new products, but there are always a few which stick around.

At the same time, one thing we all need is storage. Lots and lots of storage. So one of the products I've tested that stuck around the longest is the Samsung T7 portable SSD.

Thanks to Amazon Prime Day, you can snag the highest capacity 4TB Samsung T7 for just $218.49, its lowest price yet.

• Shop all Amazon Prime Day deals

At this price, it works out to a ridiculously low 5 cents per GB, which represents great value. Even better is that you can still get it at its previously lowest ever price, $229.99, if you don't have Amazon Prime. Subscribers just get a little extra off for Prime Day.

When I first reviewed the Samsung T7 portable SSD, one of the negative points was that you needed USB 3.2 to really get the most from it. Back then, this wasn't nearly as widespread as it is now. Samsung has no problem being on the cutting edge.

What that means is that it's more suitable now for more people than it was back then. At least, if you're hoping to extract the most from it. Transfer speeds are good, though, with USB 3.2 I measured a 3GB file transfer from my laptop to the SSD at just 7 seconds.

I've used my T7 for a variety of purposes, one of which has been stashing a backup of my Steam library. When I was reviewing more laptops and more desktop SSDs, I needed to move my game library about a lot. This SSD is perfect for that.

So, it's insanely portable, great value, and fast. Any downsides? Only really one, and that's the cable. The one you get from Samsung isn't very long. It's fine if you're using the SSD with a laptop mainly, but if you also want to hook up to a desktop, you might want to invest in a longer cable.

• 10 foot USB-C 3.2 cable - $11.38 (save 33%) at Amazon w/ Prime

While the Samsung T7 has been durable in my experience, if you're a regular outdoors tech user, or work in an industry where ruggedness is key, there's also a deal for you.

The Samsung T7 Shield, the version designed to withstand basically anything, is also 40% off for Prime Day. Now is very much the time to top up on your external storage.

• Samsung T7 Shield 4TB portable SSD - $299.99 (save 40%) at Amazon w/ Prime

I have reviewed dozens of devices this year, but the laptop that has stood out to me the most is the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro.

It's a solid laptop with a slim frame, a full number pad, and a gorgeous AMOLED display. Currently, as part of an anti-Amazon Prime Day deal, this laptop is discounted by $300, bringing the price to just $1,049.99 at Best Buy.

Why the Galaxy Book5 Pro makes for the perfect laptop

In my review, I gave the 16-inch Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro four and a half out of five stars.

One of the biggest reasons I didn't give it full five stars was that it was overpriced, with a higher MSRP than many similarly configured AI PC laptops. But this anti-Prime Day deal fixes that issue, so I can focus on telling you all of this laptop's recommendable qualities.

To be clear, the laptop I'm highlighting here is the slightly smaller 14-inch model, but it has many of the exact same features.

The gorgeous AMOLED touchscreen took my breath away with its wide color range, powerful contrast, and crisp 3K resolution. Regardless of whether I was working in Photoshop or watching shows, everything I looked at was displayed to its best advantage.

An Intel Core Ultra 7 256V CPU (central processing unit) is found inside, along with an Intel Arc GPU (graphics processing unit).

Since this laptop utilizes an AI processor, it also features an Intel AI Boost NPU (neural processing unit), which reaches up to 47 TOPS (Tera Operations per Second). This officially makes it a Copilot+ PC, as well as an AI PC laptop.

If you really don't care about the AI-ness of the laptop, then suffice it to say that this computer is built in such a way that the processors can work more efficiently than a non-AI PC.

Because of that, this laptop offers solid performance that I can rely on whether I'm attending video calls, editing things in a creative program, or streaming shows in my off time.

As someone who regularly works in spreadsheets, I absolutely love having a number pad on my laptop. This one is well-situated with perfect latticed spacing and helpful keys like Pg Up, Pg Dn, Home, and End to help me navigate around pages quickly.

Then there is the fantastic battery life. In my testing, the laptop typically lasted up to 17 and 44 minutes when doing daily work tasks like typing up documents, browsing the web, and joining conference calls. As is typical, when I ran light video games on it, the laptop only lasted around three hours, but that's still a pretty good result.

So, if you're someone who is constantly on the go and wants a laptop that can keep up with their long days, then this battery life is also an appealing factor.

I'm enamored by this sleek laptop's slim form factor, number pad, AMOLED touchscreen, and performance. It's the ideal device to take with you, whether you need it for work, school, or personal use.

I take data preservation very seriously, especially for the files and documents that I know I can't afford to ever lose.

Rather than rely completely on cloud storage, which has had its fair share of data leaks and data losses over the years, I've invested in a couple of these rugged Samsung T7 Shield SSDs.

I paid full price, unfortunately, but that doesn't mean you have to do the same. Amazon Prime Day and Best Buy's competing Black Friday in July events have both dropped the 4TB T7 Shield down to $299.99, which is about 40% off the regular price with a Prime membership.

• Shop all Prime Day deals at Amazon

Why I can easily recommend Samsung's T7 Shield SSD

I'm never shy about telling other people to back up their data, and I've taken my own advice to heart.

Not only do I use one of Samsung's T7 Shield external SSDs for everyday backups, but I've also purchased a second model to use as a data deposit for important documents — including all of Wikipedia — should I ever lose access to the internet.

The T7 Shield is the SSD I chose to save the internet for several reasons. First and most important, it's an SSD with several additional durability standards.

It has a shockproof shell that can protect it from drops up to three meters in height, and the shell also plays into the SSD's IP65 certification against water and dust.

Despite the added durability, these drives are small enough to easily slip into a pants pocket, never mind a backpack or messenger.

Beyond environmental protection, Samsung adds 256-bit AES encryption with password protection. It's easy to set up, and it means that no one can get into your files without the proper credentials.

The T7 Shield is durable and secure, but how does it perform?

Thanks to a USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2) host connection, you can expect 10Gbps performance. That translates to about 1,064MB/s read and 958MB/s write speeds (as tested).

In the real world, that works out to being able to transfer roughly 4,500 images in about 49 seconds. Working with larger files? I only took about 18 seconds to move a 10GB file from my PC to the drive.

In my Samsung T7 Shield review, I remarked:

"Read and write speeds are some of the best we've seen from portable USB-C drives, the extra AES encryption and password protection keep your data safe if you happen to misplace the drive, and the included host cables let you connect to just about any device."

I awarded the T7 Shield a Windows Central Recommended Award in my review, but after a few years of flawless use, I could comfortably upgrade that to a Best Award.

And considering it's now so much cheaper than when I first tested it, this deal is a no-brainer for anyone like me who is paranoid about losing data or losing access to data should the internet ever go down.

The 4TB T7 Shield model is available for $299.99 at both Amazon and Best Buy; neither retailer asks for a membership, so you can freely choose your preferred store.

You probably think Microsoft's "This is an Xbox" marketing campaign is extremely corny, but there's some truth in it. Case in point, Samsung's smart TVs that come with access to Xbox Cloud Gaming.

As Prime Day (week) gets underway, Best Buy isn't hanging around, and you can get a massive 75-inch Samsung 4K UHD Smart TV for just $479.99. Cheaper than an Xbox Series X, and still with Xbox games on tap.

• Shop all Amazon Prime Day deals

The angle here is that you're getting a massive 4K UHD TV with bells and whistles including HDR 10, but that's also a games console without the need to buy an extra box to attach to it.

I've highlighted Xbox Cloud Gaming, but it doesn't end there. Samsung Gaming Hub is a conduit to a range of cloud gaming services, including Amazon Luna, and the absolutely superb NVIDIA GeForce Now.

The Xbox Game Pass library for cloud streaming is the best it has ever been, and it keeps getting better. Xbox is now adding the ability to stream games you've bought, rather than ones just on Game Pass, and it's making the library even larger.

I'm back into playing The Division (the original game) on my Steam Deck of late, simply because it's one of the stream-what-you-own titles on Xbox Cloud Gaming. And the library will only continue to grow.

GeForce Now, by comparison, may have PC Game Pass access, but is primarily for playing PC games you've bought on stores such as Steam and Epic Games. The need to have a dedicated gaming machine continues to diminish.

I should also point out that, even without any public statements, Xbox Cloud Gaming seems much better these days. I tended to avoid it in the past because the streams weren't nearly as good quality as on something like GeForce Now. But of late, that's not a concern.

Neither, it should be said, should the fact this TV only has Wi-Fi 5. I play Xbox Cloud Gaming on my Steam Deck LCD all the time, and that only has Wi-Fi 5. It's perfectly fine, though you can also hook an Ethernet connection up to this TV if you prefer.

It's not the highest end TV you'll find, not at all. There's no OLED, and reviews point to a lacklustre HDR experience. But if you want a massive screen to play games on, this has a good response time, and the 60 Hz refresh rate is absolutely fine for cloud gaming. Check out Samsung's spec sheet for the full run down.

But the idea you can pay less than an Xbox Series X, and still play the latest Xbox games, all from your TV, that's pretty enticing. It won't be around for long, though.

Early Prime Day deals are here, offering savings on some of the best gadgets. Among the many deals is a 29% discount on the Samsung QN90D. That deal knocks $400 off the 50-inch model of one of the best gaming TVs.

The Samsung QN90D is an excellent TV for gaming, watching sports, and enjoying films. In fact, it's one of the best TVs overall, according to our friends at TechRadar. While the Samsung QN90D has earned praise and high review scores, it is normally pricier than some competing sets. That's not the case right now, however, thanks to the early Prime Day deal on the TV.

Playing games during the day

The Samsung QN90D has a Mini LED panel that's very bright. The peak brightness will depend on the mode the TV is in, but across the board you'll see bright and vibrant content. That display is anti-reflective, which improves the viewing and gaming experience during the day.

Some of my friends need to shut their curtains and create a dark room to get a great gaming experience. One playfully compared themselves to a gremlin for having to hide in the dark. That isn't a requirement when gaming on the Samsung QN90D.

The anti-reflective display of the Samsung QN90D also has practical benefits. If your TV is in a common area, such as a living room, you can enjoy your favorite games without making the rest of your home sit in the dark.

"The QN90D's vibrant picture also stands out for gaming. Its high brightness - both peak and full-screen - not only gives colors a vivid look, but also allows the QN90D to compete with high levels of ambient light," explained my colleagues at TechRadar when comparing the best gaming TVs.

"The QN90D's anti-glare screen also lets it deliver rich contrast and deep black levels in bright rooms for a well-balanced picture. Textures and details are lifelike, and, as we found in our testing, pictures with HDR have a well-defined, but natural look."

TechRadar called the Samsung QN90D "the best gaming TV for high-brightness gaming."

Of course, it can be fun to play in the dark and immerse yourself in your favorite game, but it's nice to have the option to game in a bright environment.

What is the best TV for gaming?

When picking a TV for gaming, there are some must-haves. Certain features allow you to get the best out of your Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, or other gaming devices.

For example, you'll want your TV to have HDMI 2.1 ports to support faster frame rates and lower latency. HDMI 2.1 ports also support 4K resolution at 120Hz and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).

If you get a gaming TV without HDMI 2.1 ports, you won't be able to take advantage of your console hardware. The Samsung QN90D has four HDMI 2.1 ports, giving you plenty of connectivity options.

The Samsung QN90D also supports Auto Low Latency Mode, meaning it will switch to gaming presets when a supported device is detected.

While you may have a TV exclusively dedicated to gaming, it's generally best to have a television that works well for other types of content. The Samsung QN90D covers a broad range of experiences, as explained by TechRadar:

"It wasn't just sports where it impressed me during testing, as the QN90D also demonstrated rich contrast and vivid, natural colors when viewing movies as well. The QN90D is also ideally equipped for gaming, with four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K, 144Hz, VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro included), ALLM and more – as well as excellent performance and graphics to pair with it."

The Samsung QN90D is a great choice for those who want an excellent gaming experience while also having the option to view other content on a vibrant and bright screen. The TV's anti-reflective display makes it an especially strong option for daytime use in bright rooms.

The 29% discount on the Samsung QN90D drops its price into the range of competing sets that normally offer a better value but are now pressed by the early Prime Day deal on the Samsung QN90D.

This year's Memorial Day deals are live, and major discounts are only expected to run until the end of the day. If you're shopping for a new monitor, Samsung has you covered with its unbelievable promotion.

Three of its best 49-inch Odyssey ultrawide gaming monitors are on sale, and when you buy one, Samsung is tossing in a 27-inch QHD monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate 24-inch S36GD monitor for free.

The best overall deal involves the Samsung Odyssey G95C, on sale for 50% off. That drops the price from $1,599.98 to $799.99. Samsung's Odyssey G91SD and G95SD are also on sale and part of the free monitor deal; you can check them out right here.

Is the free Samsung Odyssey G5 monitor any good?

I've been covering deals events for a long time, and I don't recall ever seeing something like this.

Usually, you'll get either a sale price or a free add-on; rarely do you get both. The Odyssey G9 (G95C) is by far the best deal, hitting 50% off before you even consider the additional free monitor.

Saving $300 on the other Odyssey super ultrawides isn't bad either, especially if you can't live without the superb color and contrast afforded by QD-OLED technology.

So what's the deal with the free monitor Samsung is tacking on to its super ultrawides?

The Odyssey G55C is regularly priced at $300, so it's not like Samsung is giving away something inconsequential.

It's a 27-inch curved gaming monitor with a VA panel, 2560x1440 (QHD) resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync compatibility.

It's a perfectly capable gaming monitor in its own right, and it's yours to keep, sell, trade, or give away.

This deal is live now and should run through the holiday weekend, but I wouldn't wait too long if you're interested. I've seen Samsung's previous add-on deals sell out before expected.

Samsung's 2025 OLED TV lineup will support NVIDIA G-SYNC, starting with the flagship S95F. The Samsung S90F and S85F will also feature the technology.

Samsung has a limited-time sale on OLED TVs right now, some of which will support NVIDIA G-SYNC. I'd recommend browsing the deals right now to see if you can save big on an older model (if NVIDIA G-SYNC is not a priority) or save a bit on 2025 OLED TVs from Samsung.

NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility joins a long list of gaming features seen in the 2025 OLED models from Samsung. Those devices support HDMI 2.1, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and the aforementioned NVIDIA G-SYNC.

There used to be a significant gap between TVs and the best gaming monitors in terms of features and specs, but that gap has narrowed dramatically. While you should still choose a gaming monitor for certain refresh rates or if you game at a desk, a gaming TV can provide an excellent experience in 2025.

The new Samsung OLED TVs also have Samsung Gaming Hub, which makes it possible to stream games through services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now without requiring an external device.

Samsung is not the first TV manufacturer to support NVIDIA G-SYNC, the well-reviewed LG C4 has had the feature for a while, but the feature is a welcome addition to Samsung's OLED lineup. NVIDIA G-SYNC, which matches a TV's refresh rate to a GPU's frame rate, is a critical feature for ensuring smooth gameplay when PC gaming.

The 2025 OLED TVs from Samsung also use AI Auto Game Mode to analyze the genre of game you're playing and optimize settings accordingly.

“With the addition of NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility and our most advanced gaming features yet, Samsung’s 2025 OLED TVs deliver elite-level performance for even the most competitive players,” said Samsung's Kevin Lee.

“By building on our leadership in display innovation and integrating real-time AI enhancements, we’re redefining what gamers can expect from a TV—on and off the battlefield.”

Samsung's 2025 OLED TVs have specs that compete with the best gaming TVs, but they're for more than gaming. Samsung makes some of the best TVs in general.

The 2025 OLED TVs from Samsung feature 4K AI upscaling and screens designed to reduce glare.

The Samsung OLED S95F is the company's brightest OLED TV. That screen has a 4K resolution and up to a 165Hz refresh rate. It also supports HDR 10+, which means you'll see high contrast on a bright display.

Verizon has another round of free gadgets to give away. The current bundles from Verizon can save you $400 when purchasing select Samsung items through Best Buy.

The list of eligible items is quite extensive, and it includes some of the best gaming TVs and highly rated laptops like the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro. Sadly, smartphones are not part of the Samsung savings.

I'd argue the best deal is on the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9, which ranks among the best gaming monitors. The Odyssey OLED G9 is already $800 off at Best Buy, so the additional $400 of credit you get for signing up for Verizon Home Internet brings the total savings to $1,200.

Saving on Samsung laptops, tablets, and appliances

I've covered similar deals from Verizon for years. There are a few eligibility rules to run through, but the bottom line is these bundles can save you a bunch of money while also securing a locked-in price for Verizon 5G Home or Verizon Home Internet.

If you sign up for select Verizon internet plans, you'll be eligible to save $400 on certain Samsung products. Some plans come with other perks as well, such as a pair of Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, but I'll focus on the Samsung savings since there's a bit to explain.

There are three categories of devices in which you can save $400. You can browse items in each category through specific sections of the Best Buy website:

• Samsung major appliances
• Samsung TVs, home theater equipment, and soundbars
• Samsung computers and tablets

To use your $400 credit, you need to spend $800 or more on eligible items. Considering the lowest price you'll see on any of those lists is $799.99, it shouldn't be that difficult to cross the threshold.

I was pleasantly surprised by the selection in each category. I was initially concerned that the range would be limited, but that's not the case.

For example, you can use your credit on a 65-inch Samsung S90D, which is rated as one of the best gaming TVs by our friends at TechRadar. The Samsung S95D is also eligible, though it has a much higher starting price due to it being newer.

Over on the computing side of things, you can save on the Galaxy Book4 Pro, the newer Galaxy Book5 Pro and monitors like the Odyssey OLED G9.

I confess that I do not know much about refrigerators, washing machines, or dryers, but there are quite a few eligible for the Samsung savings.

If you're specifically interested in the massive gaming monitor discussed above, use the following link for the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 at Best Buy.

Verizon 5G Home vs Verizon 5G Home Plus

Verizon 5G Home relies on Verizon's wireless network rather than underground cables. A benefit of that type of connection is that Verizon 5G Home is available in some areas that do not have broadband cables.

All of the signup pages for Verizon internet plans have a coverage checker along the top to make sure the service you'd like is available in your area.

There are two Verizon 5G Home plans available. With a starting price of $35 per month, Verizon 5G Home is a more affordable option.

That plan is meant for 1080p streaming and has a maximum download speed of 300Mbps and a maximum upload speed of 20Mbps.

Many of Verizon's bundles that include free gifts or discounts require the more expensive (and faster) Verizon 5G Home Plus, but that is not the case with the current Samsung bundle.

That being said, you get an extra perk if you sign up for Verizon 5G Home Plus. That plan starts at $75 per month. It includes the same Samsung savings plus Ray-Ban Meta glasses and YouTube Premium for six months.

Verizon 5G Home Plus has a maximum download speed of 1,000Mbps and up to 75Mbps upload speed.

Neither of the Verizon 5G Home plans have data caps.

Is Verizon Home Internet worth it?

Verizon Home Internet uses broadband cables and is the type of connection you likely think of first when considering home internet. The plan promises download speeds of up to 940Mbps and upload speeds of up to 880Mbps.

If your area is connected to Verizon's 100% fiber-optic network, you'll have the option to take advantage of the company's high download and upload speeds. The biggest drawback of Verizon Home Internet is that it may not be available in your area.

Verizon Home Internet has plans that start as low as $34.99 per month, but if you want to take advantage of the Samsung savings or get other perks, you'll need to sign up for at least a 1Gig plan (from $74.99 per month). Select plans also come with a free pair of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, and YouTube Premium for six months.

Verizon Home Internet has been around for years and consistently gets good reviews. I used the service for many years before moving to the United Kingdom.

Samsung just announced the Odyssey OLED G6. Samsung claims that the device is the world's first 500Hz OLED gaming monitor, but the spec sheet is impressive for more than the screen's refresh rate.

The Odyssey OLED G6 has a 0.03ms response time, a QHD (2,560 x 1,440) resolution, and uses QD-OLED (quantum dot organic light-emitting diode) technology.

Thanks to its display tech, the Odyssey OLED G6 promises vivid colors and deep blacks. The 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio of the monitor's screen should help deliver an excellent experience for the best PC games.

The Odyssey OLED G6 will launch in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia before becoming available in more countries. According to the Singapore listing for the monitor, the Odyssey OLED G6 will start shipping on May 18, 2025.

The Odyssey OLED G6 can reach up to 1,000 nits of brightness. Samsung's Glare Free technology in the panel should make it easier to see anything on the screen as well.

While OLED panels offer many advantages, such as deep blacks and high contrast ratios, they have disadvantages. OLED screens are prone to burn-in, so Samsung has a range of OLED Safeguard+ features to prevent that issue.

A heat pipe within the Odyssey OLED G6 diffuses heat five times faster than a graphite sheet, according to Samsung. A thermal modulation system within the monitor also helps protect against burn-in.

The Odyssey OLED G6 can detect static images, such as logos, and reduce the brightness of those elements automatically. The display will also dim itself after 10 minutes of inactivity.

Do you need a 500Hz gaming monitor?

I suppose the short answer to the above question is "no," since no one needs a refresh rate that high on a gaming monitor. Perhaps a better question is, "will you even be able to tell when a screen has a 500Hz refresh rate?"

Many of the best gaming monitors have refresh rates of 165Hz or 240Hz. When you venture up into the premium space, you'll see monitors, such as the Alienware 27, that have a 360Hz refresh rate.

LG announced an UltraGear gaming monitor with a 480Hz refresh rate late last year. 500Hz gaming monitors existed before this week, but none of them had OLED screens.

Most gamers would not benefit much, or at all, from a 500Hz gaming monitor. But if you're a professional gamer or play competitively at a high level, you'll be able to take advantage of the high refresh rate.

Even if you don't take full advantage of the monitor's maximum refresh rate, the Odyssey OLED G6 includes several features to ensure smooth gameplay.

Who doesn't like free stuff? Right now, Verizon has a bundle that can get you a free 4K Samsung TV or a free Meta Quest 3S when you sign up for Verizon 5G Home Plus or the same freebies when you sign up for Verizon Fios Home Internet.

The bundle snags you an internet plan from a well-reviewed provider plus a nice perk for free. While it is a good bundle that's easy to recommend, there are a few things you should know before taking advantage of the deal.

What is Verizon 5G Home Plus?

Free gifts are nice, but only if they come with a service you actually want. Verizon 5G Home Plus is a great way to get an internet connection to your home, but you need to know a few things before signing up.

Verizon 5G Home Plus works differently than a broadband connection. Rather than rely on underground cables like a broadband connection, Verizon 5G Home Plus uses a wireless network.

That setup has both pros and cons. Because it works through a wireless network, Verizon 5G Home Plus is available in some areas that do not have fiber optic broadband cables in the ground.

On the flip side, Verizon 5G Home Plus is not available in all areas. Verizon's coverage checker is easy to use though, so accidental signups shouldn't be an issue.

If 5G home internet sounds appealing but you’re not interested in the free gifts, Verizon’s more affordable 5G Home Plan costs as low as $45 per month.

Regardless of which plan meets your needs, make sure to check out Verizon's internet plans FAQs. Verizon will help cover termination fees in some cases (up to $500), which is quite the perk.

What is Verizon Fios Home internet?

If you prefer an internet connection based on physical cables, Verizon Fios Home Internet is an excellent option. The 100% fiber-optic network delivers average wired speeds of 750 - 940 Mbps (download) and 750 - 880 Mbps (upload).

Those speeds are quick enough for several devices connected at once to be able to stream content and handle demanding tasks.

Verizon Fios Home Internet comes with a Wi-Fi6E router and one Verizon Wi-Fi extender.

How do I get a free TV or Meta Quest through Verizon?

In order to get a free 4K Samsung TV or a free Meta Quest 3S, you need to sign up for Verizon 5G Home Plus. That plan costs as low as $55 per month and comes with a 3-year price guarantee.

That $55 per month price is available for those with select 5G mobile plans from Verizon and auto pay & paper-free billing enabled. Not qualifying for either of those increases the price.

Alternatively, you can get the free Samsung TV or Meta Quest 3S by signing up for at least a 1Gig plan for Verizon Fios Home Internet. That plan is available for as low as $74.99 per month but that price assumes you have a Verizon mobile plan and sign up for auto pay and paper-free billing.

What is a Meta Quest 3S?

The Meta Quest 3S is a virtual reality headset that's more budget-friendly than its siblings from Meta and its competitors. However, you wouldn’t suspect its lower price when looking at the Meta Quest 3S spec sheet.

The Meta Quest 3S has a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor, which delivers excellent performance. It also has next-gen controllers and hand tracking.

Battery life on the Quest 3S is also impressive, besting any other modern Quest headset. You can get around two and a half hours of use on a single charge, though some games can drain the battery quicker than that.

RELATED: Microsoft announces Windows 11 integration with Meta Quest 🥽

My colleague Nicholas Sutrich, who has used just about every consumer VR headset over the years, has been incredibly impressed by the Meta Quest 3S.

"The Meta Quest 3S is a triumph in nearly every way, from its highly polished onboarding presentation to the excellent mixed reality content that's been developed over the past year. It feels like a palpable upgrade from the Quest 2 and even sports some design and UX improvements over the more expensive Quest 3."

In his Meta Quest 3S review, Sutrich gave the headset a 4.5 out of 5.

To reach the $299 retail price, Meta had to use a display and lenses more in line with the Meta Quest 2 than the Meta Quest 3. That's a bit of a sacrifice compared to the more expensive Meta Quest 3, but it is more than functional.

The biggest difference you'll notice is that the Meta Quest 3S has a 90-degree field of view rather than the impressive 110-degree field of view of the Meta Quest 3.

The Meta Quest 3S supports both virtual reality and mixed reality. The Meta Quest platform has thousands of games, some of which are truly special.

I suggest a quick perusal of the best Meta Quest games roundup from my friends at Android Central if you choose to get a free Meta Quest 3S.

Microsoft and Meta have a close partnership in the virtual reality and mixed reality spaces, including support for Xbox Cloud Gaming within Meta Quest headsets. You can also use a Meta Quest headset as a virtual desk with Microsoft 365.

Mixed Reality Link for Windows 11 (preview) is a new feature from Microsoft that lets you connect your PC and Meta Quest headset.

What about the free TV?

If the Meta Quest 3S is not your thing, or if you just prefer to get a free TV, Verizon has another option. The Verizon 5G Home Plus bundle and the Verizon Fios Home Internet bundle can come with a 43-inch 4K Samsung TV instead.

While it’s not a high-end model, it’s still a solid 4K TV — and at this price (free), it’s hard to complain.

If you want a larger TV, you can get a 55-inch Samsung TV for $100 when you buy subscribe to Verizon 5G Home Plus or Verizon Fios Home Internet.

Last year, I reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360, a 2-in-1 laptop that comes with a stylus and features an AI-boosted Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor.

Since doing the review, I've really liked using this laptop for both work and personal use. So, when I was at CES 2025 and saw that Samsung was releasing the Galaxy Book5 Pro, I knew I had to be the one to review it.

As denoted by the lack of "360" in the title, the Galaxy Book5 Pro is not a 2-in-1, and it does not come with a stylus. However, it's still very slim and comes with an Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor. After spending several days using it for work, I can say it is a great AI PC laptop. Here's why I recommend it.

This review was made possible thanks to a review sample provided by Samsung. Samsung had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Pricing and specifications

• This laptop qualifies as not only an AI PC laptop but also as a Copilot+ PC.
• It reached store shelves in February 2025 and has a starting MSRP of $1,649.99.
• Value rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

The specific Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro configuration I received features a 16-inch AMOLED touchscreen that can reach up to a 2880 x 1800 resolution and houses an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V CPU (central processing unit), Intel Arc integrated GPU (graphics processing unit), 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, and 1TB SSD. This is a very thin AI laptop despite its 16-inch touchscreen. Samsung also offers this laptop with a 14-inch AMOLED touchscreen and your choice of 16GB RAM + 512GB SSD, 16GB + 1TB SSD, or 32GB RAM + 1TB SSD.

It is both a Copilot+ PC as well as an AI PC laptop due to the fact that it has a Copilot button as well as an AI CPU complete with an NPU (neural processing unit) that can reach more than 40 TOPS (trillion operations per second).

You can purchase this AI PC laptop from Samsung, Best Buy, or other major retailers. More than likely, these laptops will eventually also get listed on Amazon sometime down the road. It has an MSRP of $1,649.99 at Best Buy. If you want to save some money, the 14-inch AMOLED with Intel Core Ultra 7, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD sells for $1,349.99 at Best Buy. This is a bit pricier than some similarly configured competitors by about $200 to $300.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: What's in the box?

In addition to the laptop itself, the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro comes with a couple of manuals, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and an outlet adapter.

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Design and build quality

• This laptop has an elegant and durable design that looks good in any location.
• There is a healthy range of ports for connecting displays and accessories, but it's a little harder to insert and eject a microSD card.
• Design rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Almost everything that I've previously said about the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 applies to the Galaxy Book5 Pro. They both feature an elegant metal casing that's imbued with sophistication and class. I also love how the display bezel is rounded at the corners, providing a subtle stylishness to the panel. Whether you're in a formal or casual setting, this laptop will look good and fit in.

Port-wise, there is a good selection at your disposal for connecting accessories and displays. On the right side, you'll find an HDMI port and two USB-C ports. These latter two can be used for charging or display purposes. Meanwhile, the left side of the laptop has a microSD card reader, a USB-A port, and a headphone jack.

During my previous Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 review, I noted that it was a little harder than usual to insert and eject microSD cards. Unfortunately, the same is true of this model. Rather than just pushing it in and out with my fingertip, I need to use my nail or something with a thin end, like a stylus. It's not the worst thing, but something to be aware of.

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Display quality

• This 16-inch, OLED display does very well in all metrics.
• It offers a great color gamut, high resolution, decent brightness, and good contrast.
• Display rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

While working on projects in Adobe Photoshop, streaming movies, and just going about my day-to-day usage, it was easy to see that the 16-inch OLED touchscreen offers an amazing viewing experience. It's very responsive to fingertips, too.

Not just wanting to leave this display analysis to anecdotal observations, I also pulled out a colorimeter and ran a few tests on the screen. In a color gamut test, the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro display produced 100% of sRGB, 96% of AdobeRGB, and 100% of P3 — a fantastic result and one that's expected for an OLED panel.

After the color gamut test, I ran a brightness and contrast test, which is how I know that the screen gets very dim (around 4 nits) on 0% and decently bright with max brightness going higher than 400 nits. Some OLEDs don't get very bright, so this is a good range with respectable brightness increases between percentage settings.

Since this is an OLED display, it produces true black, which turns black pixels off entirely. This allows colors near black pixels to really pop in comparison and helps provide better detail and contrast in imagery. It looks really impressive in person.

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Performance and thermals

• This laptop runs well, with no throttling or overheating issues.
• While not the most powerful laptop out there, it can easily handle day-to-day office work, creative programs, and even some gaming.
• Performance rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The latest batches of Intel-powered AI PC have the newer Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors, which tend to have much higher NPU performance over Series 1 processors. Regardless of what tests I ran, the Galaxy Book5 Pro's Ultra 7 256V scored better than the 360's Ultra 7 228V that I previously tested.

To start things off, I ran the Geekbench 6 CPU test, in which the Book5 Pro earned a single-core score of 2,682 and a multi-core score of 10,886. Then, I ran Cinebench R24 to check the CPU's rendering abilities to which it got a single-core score of 121 and a multi-core score of 597. These scores are very similar to other Ultra 7 256V devices we've tested, which is what we want to see.

Since this is an NPU-toting CPU, I also ran a couple of Procyon tests. In the Intel OpenVINO NPU test, the laptop got a score of 985, which was the second-highest score we've seen so far, and only trailed ASUS Zenbook S 14 by one point, so that's very good. After that, I also ran the Windows ML benchmark in Procyon. Interestingly enough, this is the highest Ultra Series 2 score we've seen so far, but several Series 1 devices outscore it.

Moving onto the Intel Arc 140V integrated graphics, I ran 3DMark Time Spy to see how it performs. Now, this is not an overly powerful gaming processor, but the GPU got a very respectable 4,411 score, which is the highest Arc 140V score we've seen so far. In other words, while not an intensive laptop, it does offer a solid GPU for work, school, or home use. It's more than capable of handling creative programs like Photoshop.

Because the laptop handled graphics tests so well, I decided to download Cyberpunk 2077 on it and run the in-game benchmark. To my surprise, the Galaxy Book5 Pro managed to produce an average of 33 FPS (frames per second) at the low preset graphics settings. This isn't amazing, but it meets the 30 FPS standard for console gaming, which is respectable.

From here, I used CrystalDiskMark to analyze the Book5 Pro's SSD transfer speeds. It got a read speed of 5,053 MB/s and a write speed of 3,586 MB/s. This isn't a horrible result, but it is slower than the Galaxy Book4 Ultra and Galaxy Book3 Pro. I also had the laptop transcode a 4K version of Tears of Steel in Handbrake. The process took 3,092 seconds, which is a little on the longer side. Still, it was nowhere near the slowest device we've tested.

To wrap up my analysis, I ran CrossMark to check overall system performance. In this test, the laptop got a score of 1,700, which is basically the same score that the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 received but otherwise higher than any other Samsung Galaxy Book laptop we've ever tested.

In the end, the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro isn't the most powerful AI PC out there, but it is very respectable and can easily handle day-to-day workloads and creative programs with ease.

Thermals and fan noise

Even when running more CPU-stressing programs, the Galaxy Book5 Pro manages to keep rather quiet. While sitting in front of the laptop with my decibel meter, the loudest I ever heard it get was 41.2 dB, not very loud at all.

As for its cooling abilities, the Book5 Pro keeps itself at a good temperature without throttling the system. When I took pictures using my thermal camera, I found that the hottest areas were the usual suspects — the back vents, which peaked at 113 degrees F (45 degrees C), and the area above the keyboard, which peaked at 110 degrees F (~43 degrees C). Again, this isn't very warm, and it never felt overly hot to the touch.

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Battery experience

• This AI PC laptop has excellent battery life that lasts longer than a workday.
• You can expect around 15-18 hours of real-world usage.
• Battery rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Samsung states that the Galaxy Book5 Pro's battery life can last up to 25 hours. To test this, I used the laptop on battery power for a few workdays in a row and then ran a Windows 11 battery report.

When the screen is set to around 200 nits, the laptop typically lasts up to 17 hours and 44 minutes while performing basic tasks like surfing the web, typing up documents, and streaming shows.

I also ran the gaming PCMark 10 battery life test, which stresses the GPU as if I'm playing a video game. In this test, the laptop only lasted about three hours and minutes, which is typical when running more demanding programs. In the end, if you're using this laptop for basic programs and workloads, it will easily last longer than a workday before needing to be charged back up.

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Keyboard and touchpad

• The touchpad is large and makes it easy to navigate around the screen.
• The keyboard has short travel distance, and so it might not feel good to everyone.
• Keyboard & touchpad rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐

While the touchpad is large and makes display navigation easy on this laptop, the keyboard is a bit more divisive. Let's talk about the good first.

There are plenty of helpful function keys along the top row as well as a Copilot button near the arrow keys, which quickly brings up Microsoft's AI assistant. These controls and functions are all very responsive and don't make me wait long. I also love that there's a full number pad at my disposal, making it easier for me to enter numerical data into spreadsheets or documents, helping it rank as the best laptops with a number pad right now.

Additionally, the power button in the upper right corner doubles as a fingerprint reader. I set up this biometric login method when I first booted up the laptop, and it has always worked without issue. I definitely prefer its faster method compared to a PIN login.

The one way that this keyboard might fall short for you, quite literally, is with travel distance. This was also an issue that I brought up in my Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 review. Basically, the keys don't move very far when pressed down. I'm a rather quick and confident typist, but in my own experience, this keyboard makes it harder for me to type the right letters and know that my fingers are in the right places. But this might not be the case for everyone. That said, the longer I spend using it, the more I adapt to the keyboard.

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Everything else

• This laptop's camera, mic, and speakers are all decent.
• It features the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity to keep up with your connection needs.
• Other hardware rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐

While they don't offer the very best experience ever, you'll easily be able to participate in video calls and enjoy listening to music with this laptop's speakers, webcam, and microphone. Unlike the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360, the Pro's webcam didn't capture overly saturated images, and they are decently crisp, too.

You'll want to note that there is no physical camera shutter, only a digital button for enabling or disabling the webcam. What's more, this laptop does not support Windows Hello face recognition. So, you'll only be able to use PIN and fingerprint login methods.

The speakers point down beneath the laptop allowing sounds to bounce off of any surface that the Galaxy Book5 Pro is placed on. They can get relatively loud and have decent audio quality. As usual, if you want a more full listening experience, you might want to use one of the best PC headsets.

Connectivity-wise, the Galaxy Book5 Pro offers the latest Wi-fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, which makes for a good wireless accessory experience.

AI Select and other Samsung programs

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro comes loaded up with various Samsung programs. You can access this suite from the blue and white Galaxy Book Experience icon on the taskbar. Many of these programs have been available for a while now, but I was eager to check out the new AI Select tool.

The AI Select icon is also on the taskbar, and clicking on it takes a screenshot. Then, I can use the touchpad or a connected mouse to draw a circle around anything on the screen. For instance, when loading up Cyberpunk 2077, I used AI Select to draw a circle around the game loading icon, and the laptop then proceeded to identify the image and run a browser image search. It's pretty handy if you ever need to use it. Of course, I won't be surprised if Windows releases its own Copilot image select tool down the line.

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Also consider

If you like the idea of the Galaxy Book5 Pro but want to weigh alternative options then these are the ones I recommend most.

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Score card

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: Final thoughts

You should buy this if ...

✅You want a durable, 16-inch AI PC laptop

Samsung's laptop chassis is durable and elegant, allowing it to look good in any setting without feeling fragile. Plus, it offers really good performance.

✅You're looking for a laptop with a battery that can last through a full workday

As with the Samsung Galalxy Book5 Pro 360, this model has a very long-lasting battery that can easily operate through a whole workday and then some.

You should not buy this if ...

❌You'd prefer a 2-in-1 AI laptop

As previously mentioned, the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is very similar to the Galaxy Book5 Pro, but differs in that it can be used as both a laptop and a tablet. Plus, the 360 comes with a stylus for easier screen drawing and navigation.

❌You're not interested in an AI PC laptop

More and more AI PCs and AI laptops are coming onto the market every day. It's expected that these devices will make up the majority of the market by the end of the year. That said, there are still some non-AI computers out there if that's what you'd prefer.

There are a lot of great AI laptops currently on the market, and the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro is one of the most appealing choices you can get right now. Not only does it have a refined style, but it offers excellent performance to keep up with your daily workloads. The AI Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor offers better NPU performance than the previous Series 1 processor, and the Intel Arc graphics card is more than capable of handling creative programs and even some gaming. Plus, the gorgeous AMOLED touchscreen really shows off movies and art projects to great effect.

Just note that the keys have a relatively short travel distance that might not feel good for everyone. However, I do think it's possible to get used to the feeling. Additionally, while you can log in with a fingerprint reader, the laptop does not offer face recognition. But if those aren't issues for you, then the Galaxy Book5 Pro is a top-notch AI laptop that outshines many others.

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Samsung's long-anticipated Galaxy Unpacked 2025 is just a few hours away. You can catch the live stream from Samsung's YouTube channel and website at 1 PM ET. The company is expected to unveil its newest lineup of mobile devices as part of the S25 series, including the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra with many AI-powered capabilities.

Our sister site, Android Central, is running a live blog, covering the announcements at the event as they roll in. If you can't watch the live stream, track their coverage for updates. But before the actual announcement, veteran tipster Evan Blass recently revealed some information about the upcoming lineup of Samsung phones, including a supposed marketing video from Samsung touting a handful of AI-powered features slated to ship with the devices out-of-the-box.

Like other top companies in the AI landscape, Samsung is also seemingly moving away from AI-powered chatbots with image and text generation capabilities. The leaked video suggests that Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked 2025 will lean heavily on AI-themed announcements more than anything else.

According to the video shared, Samsung has seemingly integrated a feature called Insights into its S25 series. The feature packages important data, including weather, sleep scores, and more, and presents it to users when they begin their day. Rather than sourcing for the various variables independently, the feature combines the data into a single scrollable page for efficiency and effectiveness.

Perhaps more interestingly, the video also features Google Gemini's improved capabilities where users can ask the assistant to scour pet-friendly outdoor Italian restaurants within a reasonable radius. The AI tool manages to identify several spots that meet the highlighted criteria and generates a message that can be sent to a recipient the sender is supposed to meet up with using a single tap.

While the capability to compose and send messages to other recipients isn't new, the video demonstrates that the chatbot's capabilities have improved significantly and can handle more complex and detailed prompts than before, if nothing else.

Galaxy S25 phones might also ship with a new Night Video mode feature. As expected, the feature works like the night mode feature for photos, making videos captured at night more appealing and crisp. Similarly, Samsung is expected to ship the new Galaxy phones with an Audio Eraser feature that lets you focus and zero in on a specific sound or person within an audio recording, blocking out noise from other elements.

Microsoft leans toward Agentic AI with Copilot

Last year, Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman shared Copilot's roadmap, including its evolution into a virtual companion that can become friendly and foster meaningful and lasting relationships with users. However, recent changes to Copilot's user experience received backlash, citing a degraded user experience while highlighting their preference for the previous version. "It tries to be my friend when I need it to be a tool," a concerned user indicated.

Microsoft has been in the crosshairs with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff who has branded the tech giant's AI efforts as a disservice to the industry while referring to Copilot as the new Microsoft Clippy that doesn't deliver any value to its clients. The executive further claimed that the tech giant repackaged OpenAI into Excel, indicating that users barely use Copilot, and that's when they don't have a ChatGPT license.

However, Microsoft CVP Charles Lamann clapped back at Salesforce with data highlighting more than "100,000 organizations" had used Copilot Studio to create AI agents by October 2024. As Google potentially dabbles its foot into the Agentic AI pool, it's critical to ensure that it meets consumer needs by integrating consumer feedback into its services for the best possible outcome.

Galaxy Unpacked kicks off today, January 22, 2025, at 1 PM ET. At the event, Samsung is expected to announce its Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra. The event will be live streamed on YouTube and Samsung's website.

While Samsung's flagship smartphones are expected to be the stars of the show, we could also see news on other devices. OneUI 7 is expected to make an appearance, as is Galaxy AI.

It's doubtful that Samsung will announce the Galaxy Ring 2 or Galaxy S25 Slim at Galaxy Unpacked 2025. Project Moohan, Samsung's XR headset, is also unlikely to be unveiled. That being said, the company may tease what's on the way.

This Galaxy Unpacked appears to be focused almost entirely on smartphones, so we may not see any Galaxy laptops shown off. Even if the hardware unveiled today is exclusively smartphones, that still affects many PC users. Samsung and Microsoft have a close partnership that connects phones and Windows PCs. There's a good chance devices shown off today will be connected to people's PCs in one way or another.

Samsung has other partnerships with Microsoft, such as Copilot being added to Samsung smart TVs, but I doubt we'll see anything on that today. If Samsung's presenters do talk about an AI tool, it will likely be Samsung's own Galaxy AI.

How to watch Galaxy Unpacked 2025

Luckily, Samsung made it easy to watch Galaxy Unpacked. You can enjoy the show through YouTube or Samsung's website. Samsung even allowed embedding for its live stream, so you can just click the video above to watch Samsung announce the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra and other gadgets.

For in-depth coverage, make sure to follow along with our colleagues at Android Central through their Galaxy Unpacked live blog. There, you can also catch up on the latest rumors surrounding Samsung devices and software.

The holiday break is over, get back to work rubes. And by "get back to work" what I really mean is, slack off and read Windows Central. We're here for you, for now, and forever.

Even if you don't fancy reading our spectacular articles, another popular way to slack off is to get zombified in front of the TV. If you're someone who found themselves wishing they had more AI in their TV while watching WWE or playing Xbox, today is absolutely your lucky day.

Spotted by The Verge, LG and Samsung issued twin press releases detailing how the big tech firms hope to capitalize on the AI craze, and how Microsoft Copilot is on board.

LG's press release details a smorgasbord of AI buzzwords, explaining how LLMs (large language models) will help users revolutionize their TV viewing experience by allowing them to generate custom TV backgrounds using command prompts, and provide show recommendations by tracking your viewing habits. It's like Windows Recall, but instead of tracking your credit card information, it'll expose your secret binge sessions on guilty pleasures like Naked and Afraid and The Kardashians.

Where does Copilot come in? Well ... from the horse's mouth, as it were: "Access to Microsoft Copilot further streamlines the process, allowing users to efficiently find and organize complex information using contextual cues. For an even smoother and more engaging experience, the AI Chatbot proactively identifies potential user challenges and offers timely, effective solutions."

Basically, it sounds as though Copilot will arrive on LG TVs as a simple web app, which I'm not sure anyone really asked for. The same is essentially true on Samsung's end, who says: "In collaboration with Microsoft, Samsung announced the new Smart TVs and Smart Monitors featuring Microsoft Copilot. This partnership will enable users to explore a wide range of Copilot services, including personalized content recommendations."

Samsung and LG both are exploring how AI can deliver video enhancements for things like upscaling HD video to 4K while boosting frame smoothing, and things like that. Indeed, Samsung isn't closing the door on its close partner Google to that end, whose Gemini platform is catching up very rapidly to OpenAI-powered services: "Samsung also plans to work closely with leading AI partners such as Google and others to expand what Vision AI can do."

Arguably starting on the back foot when it came to the AI craze, Google has rapidly caught up and emerged as a frontrunner for video generation technology in particular. Google has, however, stumbled repeatedly by trying to integrate AI services into YouTube and Google Search, both of which have been responsible for feeding false information into proceedings.

Consumers are still ambivalent towards AI apps and services

For all the money speculators and investors are throwing at AI right now, I would argue there has yet to emerge a truly "killer app" or service for consumers. Copilot, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini generally just add extra steps to search engines, albeit with the banal capability to mimic human speech and steal revenue from websites they crib information from.

Business and creativity tools are a different story, however. Adobe has found various ways AI can enhance Photoshop and Premier offering genuine tools that save big on time, and Github and Visual Studio Copilot have become cornerstones of enhancing programming efficiency.

Read more: Why Microsoft won't be the ones who mainstream consumer AI

On the flip side, Microsoft's Copilot integration with Windows has barely made a blip on Google's search dominance, despite being preinstalled on millions of PCs. Microsoft's heavily advertised "Copilot+ PC" range has also been widely regarded as a flop so far, as prospective buyers shrug at Microsoft's propensity for building things consumer products nobody actually wants.

Still, there's absolutely no sign of the hype train ending any time soon. Companies like xAI, Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Meta, and many more are racing to figure out how to be the first to truly mainstream the tech with the general audience, while figuring out to actually make a profit on the way. Who will be first?

We're in the thick of it now, with discounts and sales from every retailer under the sun. While many deals really aren't worth your time, if you're in the market to build a new PC or upgrade your existing machine but you're on a strict budget, then you should grab the Samsung 990 1TB SSD for $69.99 from Amazon or Best Buy. This SSD is a fantastic way to get a computer ready for modern games without breaking your wallet.

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• Samsung: Holiday deals on laptops, TVs, phones, and more are live

Looking to build or upgrade a PC? This is the time to buy

When the Samsung 990 EVO lineup first arrived earlier this year, it was fairly underwhelming, providing an experience that simply didn't fit the best SSDs available.

This was mainly due to the higher-than-expected price, which completely offset any advantages garnered by this SSD utilizing PCIe 5.0 technology.

That changed significantly with some sales a few months after launch. This SSD's all-time low price has returned for Black Friday, meaning you can grab a 1TB model for just $70. That's a far cry from the $150 price tag this SSD first commanded, and pushes this into territory where it can be recommended if you're looking to build a new PC or upgrade to an NVME drive for the first time.

If on the other hand you're looking for far more storage (and you don't mind spending a fair bit more) then you should consider grabbing Samsung's 4TB 990 PRO offering.

If you have multiple machines you like to game on, keeping a backup of your Steam Library on an external SSD is a smart move. Because you can add a library file from any directory, you can use this SSD to hook up to a desktop, a laptop, and a handheld like the ROG Ally. That's what I do, and I do with the Samsung T7. And for Black Friday, a 2TB Samsung T7 is down to $139.99 at Amazon, making it a smart buy for all PC gamers out there.

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• 🕹️Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flightdeck | $299.99 at Amazon
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Large capacity in a tiny drive, perfect for a game library

I first started keeping a backup of my Steam Library way back when I started reviewing gaming laptops. Adding the folder from an external drive into Steam for testing purposes was so much more efficient than waiting forever to download titles on my then horrendously slow internet.

You can also do this with some other game launchers, the big "no" being anything you download from the Microsoft Store or Xbox Game Pass. But my Steam Library is about 300 strong, and it's where the vast majority of my PC games currently live, so it's the one I care about the most.

Even today, having fast internet, I still keep a Samsung T7 loaded up with Steam games. My gaming laptop currently only has 1TB of storage, my desktop 2TB, but in both cases, a lot of space is used up by non-gaming.

The Samsung T7 with its USB 3.2 capabilities is fast enough to either copy across games as I need them, or just hook it up and use it as if it were any other drive on my system. And copying a Steam Library to a different drive is a simple copy and paste affair.

2TB for $140 on a T7 isn't the cheapest it's ever been, but it's still a great discount and a ton of portable storage. You don't have to use it for games, of course, it's just a blank drive at the end of the day. It's also a great choice to use with your Xbox console, so long as it's not for Series X|S optimized games. Ultimately, if you've got a lot of data you need to store, this is a superb SSD to get.

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• Best Buy: Big savings on video games, accessories, and more
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• HP: Save big on laptops, desktops, accessories, and more
• Lenovo: Doorbuster deals on all Lenovo PCs, monitors, accessories, and more
• Newegg: Save on PC gaming accessories, components, and more
• Razer: Take advantage of free shipping for a limited time
• Samsung: Holiday deals on laptops, TVs, phones, and more are live
• Amazon: Constantly rotating sales on everything you can imagine

Black Friday is in the rearview, but many deals are holding out for at least another day as we move into Cyber Monday. There are still some great deals on PC upgrade hardware, including top-rated M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid-state drives (SSD).

Samsung is leading the way with a massive 42% discount on its 990 PRO 4TB drive, dropping the price to $269.99 at Best Buy. It's the SSD I picked up for my gaming PC, and I'm recommending the deal to all of my PC gaming pals.

If the Samsung SSD is too much money or capacity, the SK hynix Platinum P41 (1TB) is down to $76 at Newegg, making it a close second on my list.

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Why these Samsung and SK hynix SSDs are in my cart on Black Friday

I took advantage of some early PC deals to grab the hardware needed to upgrade my personal gaming PC from a Ryzen 7 5800X to a Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU. In the process of swapping out motherboards, I somehow managed to fry my XPG Gammix S70 2TB drive. It happens, and I didn't fret too much knowing that Black Friday is so soon.

Samsung and SK hynix are two brands with which I have a ton of experience, and neither has let me down in the past. I actually gifted an SK hynix Platinum P41 SSD to a friend about a year ago, and I've confirmed it's still running without issue. On Samsung's side, it's usually regarded as some of the most reliable storage on the market.

While both have been around since 2022, the Samsung 990 PRO and SK hynix Platinum P41 remain popular for gamers, creators, designers, and practically anyone else who needs fast and reliable storage. They both use the PCIe 4.0 NVMe standard, which a vast majority of PCs are still using today.

Although I personally reviewed the Platinum P41 years ago, I recommend most people take advantage of the massive deal on the Samsung 990 PRO. The 4TB model is only $20 more than the cheapest price in its history, and I'm happy with the 42% discount. Here's what my former colleague Chuong Nguyen had to say about the Samsung 990 Pro in their review:

"With the 990 Pro, Samsung made some big updates to make its cult-favorite 980 Pro flagship solid-state drive even better. While the 980 Pro is a reliable drive that delivers solid speeds, the 990 Pro elevates that experience with performance that leaves all its rivals in the dust. Meaningful upgrades, such as a new proprietary controller and support for PCIe Gen 4, drive drool-worthy performance on this humble PC component that's worth an upgrade if you're a PC enthusiast, dedicated gamer, content creator, video editor, data scientist, or 3D modeler. The only thing holding back the 990 Pro is the drive's premium price tag compared to other PCIe Gen 4 competitors."

Indeed, one of Nguyen's only complaints was the price, and that's been more than rectified with this $195 Black Friday discount at Best Buy.

🍁More great Black Friday & Cyber Monday deals🦃

• Best Buy: Big savings on video games, accessories, and more
• Amazon: Constantly rotating sales on everything you can imagine
• Walmart: Major savings on practically everything
• Target: Live deals on a huge range of products
• Dell: Top deals on laptops, gaming PCs, accessories, and more
• HP: Save big on laptops, desktops, accessories, and more
• Lenovo: Doorbuster deals on all PCs, monitors, accessories, and more
• Newegg: Save on PC gaming accessories, components, and more
• Razer: Discounts and free gifts for Razer hardware, gear, and more
• Samsung: Holiday deals on laptops, TVs, phones, and more are live

The SK hynix Platinum P41 is a worthy (and affordable) alternative

Not everyone needs to have every game in their library downloaded onto their PC, and 4TB of storage space might seem a bit extreme. If you want to spend a lot less — even compared to the smaller capacities of the 990 PRO — I recommend checking out the SK hynix Platinum P41 I reviewed.

I came away very impressed with the SSD's capabilities, remarking in my review:

"The Platinum P41 PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD took a while to hit the market, but it seems that SK hynix took its time to do things right. The P41 is easily one of the fastest SSDs we've tested, coming out on top or just below the top spot in all benchmarks. Its three capacities all have a sturdy TBW rating, and pricing is super competitive for the speeds you're getting. Throw in some decent supporting software, cloning tool, and recyclable packaging, and you have an all-around impressive offering. If you need a new SSD for gaming or productivity, the Platinum P41 is easy to recommend."

It's not quite as fast as the 990 PRO, hitting upwards of 7,149MB/s read and 6,789 write speeds in my testing, but it's still more speed than most users will need. It's reliable, and it has the same five-year warranty. The 1TB capacity on sale is a great deal at just $75.99, and the 2TB model is also discounted at just $135.

If you've been keeping up with the market, then you know that AI PCs only launched earlier this year.

However, due to the somewhat recent release of Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors (a.k.a. Lunar Lake), we're already on a new wave of far more powerful AI PCs and Copilot+ PCs.

Among the earliest of these new AI-boosted devices to enter the market is the brand-new Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 2-in-1.

Over the course of the last two weeks, I've been using this 2-in-1 AI PC regularly to check out its abilities and features. Here's what I've learned about it.

This review was made possible thanks to a review unit provided by Samsung. The company did not see the contents of this review before publishing.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360: Price and specs

Pricing & specifications highlights

• At the time of writing, the specific Core Ultra 5 228V Evo Edition configuration I tested wasn't available online for purchase, but it should be coming soon.
• The Core Ultra 7 configuration of the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 that is currently available at retailers comes with the S Pen and has a $1,699.99 MSRP.
• Since the 200S versions of Intel Core Ultra processors are relatively new, there aren't a ton of other laptops that this directly compares against.
• While it is pricey, it is within a range that is expected considering its specs and included S Pen Pro.
• Price rating: 4/5

The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 Evo Edition configuration I received features an Intel Core Ultra 5 228V processor, Intel Arc 130V graphics, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD. However, at the time of writing, I couldn't find this exact configuration selling anywhere online, which means I don't know its MSRP. This is to be expected since this is a relatively new model. The version I reviewed should be released soon.

That said, another configuration featuring a heftier Intel Core Ultra 7 256V central processing unit (CPU), Intel Arc 140V graphics processing unit (GPU), 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD is currently available for $1,699.99 at Best Buy, the Samsung website, and other major online retailers. From this, we can deduce that the configuration I reviewed will cost less than $1,699.99 MSRP.

Since the 200S series of Intel Core Ultra processors is relatively new, there aren't currently a ton of other Copilot+ PC and AI PC laptops to directly compare this one against yet. We know that the 200S Core Ultras are much more powerful than the 100S ones. Although pricey, based on the components used, this 2-in-1 laptop is in an expected price range. Remember that the included S Pen Pro sells for $99.99 at Samsung on its own, and this adds to the laptop's overall price.

Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 — What's in the box?

When I opened the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360's box, I found a USB-C to USB-C cable, an outlet adapter, and the S Pen included in the package.

Recommended configuration

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360: Design and build

Build quality and design highlights

• This laptop looks absolutely elegant, and it feels very sturdy, too.
• There is a healthy range of ports available to meet your various needs.
• Despite having a large 16-inch display, the laptop is very thin.
• Regardless of if you're in a business or casual setting, this laptop will look good.
• The included S Pen Pro is very comfortable to use and provides a fantastic drawing experience.
• It's hard to stick a microSD card into the slot (and remove it), but the reader functions well.
• Design rating: 5/5

The Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is a pure example of sophistication and class. Everything from the metal case to the thin display bezel builds upon a standard of elegance that looks good in any setting.

While the screen bezel isn't the slimmest I've seen, it is very thin and has rounded corners that subtly add to the laptop's overall vibe. Meanwhile, this 2-in-1 laptop isn't just good-looking; it feels sturdy too. The casing is made of a metal material that feels nice to the touch and is very durable. Whenever I fold the screen back into tablet mode, the hinges work smoothly and hold the display at whatever angle I want it to, without any sense of straining.

Then, of course, there are the ports. Some thin laptops don't feature as many connection areas as thicker laptops, but this isn't a problem with the Book5 Pro 360. In total, there is an HDMI 2.1 port, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-A 3.2 port, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone jack to meet my various connecting needs. I never felt limited when connecting devices and PC accessories to this laptop.

That said, I happened to be testing a Samsung Evo Select 1TB microSD card while reviewing the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360. So, I decided to insert it and do the sequential transfer speed tests on this laptop. However, I soon found that it was difficult to push the microSD card in far enough that it would stay in place and the laptop would recognize it. Since I'm not Edward Scissorhands, it got to the point where I had to use the S Pen to push the memory card in all the way. I also had to use the S Pen to pop it back out because my nail couldn't reach in far enough to eject the card. The microSD card reader functions well, but this all seemed way harder to do than I've ever experienced on any other laptop.

The wonderful S Pen of awesome

As with previous Samsung Galaxy Book models, the Book5 Pro 360 comes with an S Pen stylus. I spend many hours each year digitally drawing in programs like Photoshop or Adobe Fresco, so I was very keen to check out this S Pen Pro and its drawing capabilities.

I love that — unlike some other PC styluses on the market — this one is the shape, thickness, and weight of an average pencil. When I hover over the screen, the S Pen cursor follows along so I know exactly where the tip will make contact. What's more, the sensation the S Pen Pro makes when the pen tip touches the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 touchscreen is very smooth and velvetlike rather than the harsh plastic-on-glass feeling I often encounter. I'll even go so far as to say that this is the best PC stylus drawing sensation I've ever experienced (outside of felt-tip nibs for dedicated drawing tablets). I get a lot of minute control because the pen tip and touchscreen work so smoothly together.

I obviously advise against snapping it in half, but the S Pen Pro feels sturdy, as though it will last a long time if you treat it well. While cylindrical in shape, one side of the S Pen Pro is flat and attaches magnetically to various parts of the Book5 Pro 360 — the top center when the laptop is closed or the left and right areas under the touchpad when the laptop is open.

However, I tend to draw with the laptop in tablet mode, and so I was surprised to find that there isn't a magnetic area to hold the S Pen to the side of the screen like you can with some of the best 2-in-1s and their styluses. It's not the worst omission, but I definitely do find myself wishing I could magnetically place the S Pen on the side of the Book5 Pro 360 when using it in tent, laptop, or tablet modes.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360: Software and apps

Software and apps

• Several Samsung programs come preinstalled on the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360, including a video editor, notepad, and more.
• While these programs can be useful, you might be better served using different apps for the same jobs.
• You might want to spend time uninstalling certain programs to improve this laptop's performance.
• Software rating: 4/5

If you already have a Samsung device, then you likely know that this company has a good range of programs in its ecosystem that can prove very helpful. On the laptop side of things, the Book5 Pro 360 comes loaded with over 20 Samsung apps for video editing, note-taking, image organizing, smart transferring, and much more. There's even a Samsung Settings app, which is like a more minimalistic Windows 11 Settings window, for controlling various aspects of the laptop. That said, these Samsung apps aren't always as good as more common programs out there. For instance, you might be better served using Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve for video editing over Samsung Studio.

Since this laptop comes with Dolby Atmos speakers, it also comes with Dolby Access installed from the get-go. I'll talk more about the laptop's audio system later, but suffice it to say that Dolby Access allows me to choose between default presets or create my own customized ones for a better listening experience.

As with many laptops, this one comes with a short McAfee virus protection trial. But you don't need to stick with it if you aren't interested.

In fact, you should probably take some time to get rid of some of the programs that come installed on this laptop in order to make it run more smoothly. But that's usually the case with any laptop that you purchase.

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360: Display

Display highlights

• In a color gamut test, the Book5 Galaxy Pro 360 display produced a fantastic 100% of sRGB, 98% of AdobeRGB, and 100% of P3.
• HDR+ further enhances the vibrant image quality of HDR videos and pictures.
• Since this is a 16-inch OLED, it's not surprising to see that it offers great contrast with the ability to produce true black.
• While not the brightest laptop screen, the monitor can reach 400 nits, which is better than some other OLEDs.
• The touchscreen always reacts well whether I'm tapping it with my fingers or the S Pen Pro.
• Display rating: 5/5

I've never seen an OLED display I didn't like, and the same holds true for the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360's AMOLED panel. In case you're wondering, AMOLEDs mainly differ from OLEDs in that they can typically produce higher refresh rates than OLEDs, but otherwise, the viewing experience can be very similar.

• RELATED: OLED vs. QD-OLED vs. QLED vs. AMOLED vs. Mini LED display comparison.

Right from the get-go, I could tell that imagery wasn't only crisp with its max 2880 x 1800 resolution but that it came through with a really good color range as well. To verify my eyeballed assessment, I used a colorimeter to run various tests on the display, starting with a color gamut test. The display produced a very good 100% of sRGB, 98% of AdobeRGB, and 100% of P3, which are great results. I further improved the visual experience by going into the Samsung Settings app to turn on HDR+ and adjust settings.

Following that, I ran a brightness and contrast test, in which I learned that the screen maxes out at a peak brightness of 400 nits. This is a pretty typical max brightness for a good OLED or AMOLED, but it might not get bright enough to be helpful in some very brightly lit rooms or outdoor settings.

Meanwhile, the contrast test verified that the screen was producing 0.00 black even at max brightness. What this means is that the pixels completely turn off if they are supposed to be displaying black. So, unlike other display types, you get a true black color rather than a light grey coming through. As you can imagine, being able to display true black allows the colorful areas of an image to really stand out on OLED panels like this one.

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360: Performance and thermals

Performance & thermals highlights

• Overall, the Book5 Pro 360 offers solid AI PC performance.
• This laptop's Series 2 Intel Core Ultra NPU offers far better performance than Series 1 versions, but CPU performance wasn't much different.
• It does a great job of keeping itself cool and is never hot to the touch.
• Even when stressing the CPU, the fans never got very loud.
• Performance rating: 4/5

In my own experience, the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 works very smoothly, and it didn't have any problems keeping up with the programs I used. It didn't even buckle when I was working with several layers in an Adobe Fresco file, which often can make other laptops struggle. Of course, I was also eager to run this laptop through various tests after hearing Intel say that the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 2 AI processors are far more efficient than Series 1 versions.

To start things off, I analyzed the laptop's Core Ultra 5 228V CPU by running Geekbench 6, followed by Cinebench R24. In Geekbench 6, the Book5 Pro 360 processor earned a multi-core score of 10,328, which isn't a bad result, but it turned out to be a lower score than many Core Ultra 7 Series 1 laptops we've tested (by 2,000 points or more in some cases). I had expected this Series 2 Core Ultra 5 to do better.

Meanwhile, in the Cinebench CPU rendering test, the 2-in-1 earned a 114 single-core score and a 594 multi-core score. This is where I expected the Book5 Pro 360 to score since it doesn't have a super powerful GPU to assist the CPU. For instance, as you can see in our Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra review, this laptop and its Series 1 Intel Core Ultra 9 185H scored a much higher Cinebench score of 958, but it also has a much more powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 L GPU.

After looking at the CPU, I used Procyon to test the CPU's NPU with the Intel OpenVINO Float 16 test. Here, the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 blew previous Series 1 Core Ultra's out of the water with an extremely high score of 905. Below that, the highest Series 1 score was just 351; that's roughly a 33% difference. What this means is the Book5 Pro 360's NPU helps the laptop undertake certain AI tasks far better than previous AI PC models.

Next, I tested the Intel Arc L 130V GPU by running a few different graphics tests in 3DMark. With Time Spy, the Book5 Pro 360 earned a score of 3,654, which is decently good and what I expected the result to be. In case you don't know, the Intel Arc L 130V is a more powerful integrated graphics card than the Intel Iris Xe, but it cannot stand up against dedicated (or discrete) graphics cards from AMD or NVIDIA for gaming or creative workflows.

After that, I tested SSD transfer speeds by running CrystalDiskMark. The laptop earned a read speed of 3,781 MB/s and a write speed of 2,600 MB/s, which isn't the best results I've seen (Galaxy Book4 Ultra and Book3 Pro both scored significantly higher) but very respectable overall. What this means is the device can open and load programs at a decent clip.

Finally, I ran Crossmark to check the laptop's overall system performance. Here, the Book5 Pro 360 earned a score of 1,701, which is basically the same score that the 2023 Galaxy Book3 Pro received (learn more in our Galaxy Book3 Pro review) and a bit lower than the 1,839 score of the Galaxy Book4 Ultra. So, it isn't the very best result, but it is a good place to be compared with similar laptops we've tested.

What all of these benchmarks tell us is that the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is more powerful and efficient than Core Ultra Series 1 AI PCs in some ways, but not necessarily with the CPU itself. Either way, it's a solid device performance-wise and a step up from previous Galaxy Book Pro laptops.

Thermals and fan noises

Overall, the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 does a superb job of keeping itself at a good temperature. To test its cooling abilities, I ran a CPU stress test for 20 minutes and then whipped out my thermal camera and took pictures. Unsurprisingly, the hottest parts of the laptop are the back vents, which peaked at 108 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (~42 degrees Celsius (C)). The second hottest area was the strip above the keyboard, which reached 107 degrees F (~41 degrees C).

None of the areas that I regularly handled ever felt hot to the touch. The center of the keyboard only reaches 99 degrees F (~37 degrees C). Even after using the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 for hours on end, it was never too hot to place on my lap. What's more, the fans never got super loud, even when running the stress test. When holding my decibel meter near my ear while sitting in front of this laptop, the device registered at 42.1 dB, which isn't loud at all.

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360: Battery life

Battery highlights

• This laptop can last more than 12 hours on average, which means it has excellent battery life.
• The included charging cable is a USB-C, and it can be plugged into either of the USB-C ports.
• The long battery life makes this a great option for students and businesspeople.
• Battery rating: 5/5

I've been using the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 every workday for two weeks, and it has always had more than enough battery life to meet my needs. As such, it is a great laptop for anyone who regularly travels or needs to rely heavily on unplugged usage.

After using it regularly, I ran a Windows 11 battery report and found that the laptop typically tended to last an average of 12 hours and 57 minutes. That's more than enough juice to keep up with an average eight-hour workday and then some. I typically had the screen at around 200 nits of brightness, so the battery could run out faster if the display is at 100% brightness. Regardless, this longer-than-average battery life makes this a great device for business people, students, or anyone else frequently on the go.

On a slightly different topic, many of the laptops I've tested recently use a barrel plug for charging, so it is nice to see that this laptop utilizes a far more standard USB-C charging cable. I can plug this cable into either of the laptop's right-side USB-C ports to juice up the battery. It would have been nice if there was a USB-C on either side of the laptop to make it easier to plug into the nearest outlet, but that's just a minor thing.

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360: Keyboard and touchpad

Keyboard and touchpad highlights

• The keyboard is incredibly shallow and can be hard to get used to.
• Having a full number pad makes it far more convenient to enter numeric data.
• A fingerprint reader allows me to quickly log in by resting my finger on the power button.
• Meanwhile, the touchpad is rather large and makes navigating the 16-inch display a breeze.
• Keyboard and touchpad rating: 3/5

The keyboard is going to be the most divisive part of the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360. On the one hand, it features a full number pad, which has made it a lot easier for me to enter numeric data into spreadsheets or documents. However, the keys don't travel much before they send a signal. It feels rather abrupt when typing on such shallow keys.

The first day I started typing on this laptop, it felt awkward; the satisfaction and confidence of knowing a key had been pressed was rather elusive, and I found myself making far more typing mistakes than usual. It wasn't until I'd been using the keyboard for a couple of hours that I grew more accustomed to it. That said, I could also see some people not being able to get used to this typing experience.

This is not only an AI PC but a Copilot+ PC, so it's no surprise that it features a dedicated Copilot button between the space bar and the arrow keys. Tapping this brings up Microsoft's AI Assistant or makes it go away again. Similarly, the function keys along the top of the keyboard provide useful quick controls like accessing Samsung Settings, adjusting screen brightness, opening the Display Settings window, toggling the touchpad on and off, adjusting volume, muting, changing backlighting brightness, disabling the camera, or locking the function keys.

On the top right of the keyboard, there is a blank button, which serves as both the power button and the fingerprint reader. I set up biometric sign-in when I first turned the Book5 Pro 360 on, and it never had any issues quickly sensing my finger and logging me in.

As for the touchpad, it's a relatively massive area that is roughly six inches wide and 4.25 inches tall. With this much space to work with, I find it very easy to navigate more minutely around the 16-inch display.

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360: Camera, mic, and audio

Camera, mic, and speaker highlights

• The 2MP camera is crisp, but the images look a bit too saturated.
• While it is possible to disable the camera, there is no physical shutter cover for the webcam.
• Windows Hello facial recognition is not available on this laptop.
• During meetings, the microphone carries my voice clearly to my colleagues.
• Quad speakers can get rather loud but don't provide the fullest soundscape.
• Camera, mic, and speaker rating: 4/5

I attended a couple of virtual meetings while using the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 to test out the mic and camera quality. During these sessions, I was told my voice was clear, and there weren't any issues understanding what I said.

Additionally, I also found that the imagery that the camera produced was rather crisp and bright but a bit too saturated. As an example, my skin tone has some natural pink to it, but the camera pulled these colors out and made me look slightly sunburned. As another example, my computer chair is a soft pastel blue, but it comes through as a stronger color with this camera.

While there is a key for disabling the camera, it's important to note that there is no physical built-in camera shutter on this laptop. I personally prefer the assurance of knowing I can block the camera from picking me up entirely, so if you're like me, then you'll want to use one of those adhesive camera shutter covers from Amazon. Additionally, this camera does not support Windows Hello, so you cannot log in using facial recognition.

The quad speakers (two 5W woofers and two 3.3W tweeters) are more than good enough for video calls, but as usual, they are no match for a dedicated set of computer speakers or one of the best PC headsets when it comes to music listening. These speakers are located under the laptop and visible as a mesh line near the sides. This placement allows sounds to bounce off of any surface that I place the laptop on and can amplify the effect pretty well.

While listening to playlists and podcasts, I found that these speakers could get exceptionally loud and could easily produce mid to high-range tones, but they didn't have the fullest bass quality. Of course, this is to be expected with any laptop. That all said, I don't immediately feel the need to plug in my best computer speakers or reach for my headset when using the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360.

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360: Competition

The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is one of the first laptops on the market to feature the brand new Lunar Lake Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors, and as such, there aren't many devices that can directly compare against this 2-in-1 yet. That will certainly change in the coming months, though.

You only need to look at the previous model, the Galaxy Book4 Pro 360, to find a very similar, albeit not as powerful AI PC 2-in-1 that comes with an S Pen. You can find it toting the Intel Core Ultra Series 1 AI processors. As for graphics, it also has Intel Arc. So, if you want a more affordable AI PC but don't need the most powerful option, then this could be a good fit. It sells for $1,449.99 at Best Buy, but it will likely go on sale since the newer version is now available.

At this moment, the closest competitor to the Book5 Pro 360 spec-wise is the ASUS Vivobook S 14 OLED. While not a 2-in-1, it is an AI PC and Copilot+ PC that features the same Intel Core Ultra 5 Series 2 processor and also utilizes Intel Arc for graphics. However, instead of having a 16-inch AMOLED display, it has a 14-inch OLED. Additionally, it does not come with an ASUS Pen 2.0 stylus (but you can purchase one for $149.99 at Amazon). This laptop sells for $949.99 at Best Buy with 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD.

There's also the ASUS ExpertBook P5, which is currently one of the only other laptops available right now that features the new Intel Core Ultra 5 Series 2 processor and Intel Arc graphics. It's another 14-inch laptop, but instead of an OLED display, it has an LED screen. While the screen can be pushed back 180 degrees, it is not a 2-in-1. This laptop sells for $999.99 at Best Buy.

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Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360: Scorecard

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if...

✅ You want a 2-in-1 that comes with a good stylus: The Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 has a fantastic touchscreen that works beautifully with the included S Pen. I find it's great for drawing in addition to screen navigation. Best of all, you can use it in laptop, tent, or tablet mode.

✅ You need a laptop with excellent battery life: If you need a laptop that can keep up with you through a full day of work or school, then this is an excellent choice to go with.

✅ You'd like one of the latest, most powerful AI PCs: AI PCs are projected to be 100% of the market by the end of 2025 (as mentioned in my Lenovo AI interview), but the newest wave of Lunar Lake processors like the one in the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 have far better performance than the initial Series 1.

✅ You're looking for a laptop with a great display: This laptop's AMOLED screen produces a fantastic color gamut, excellent contrast, and true black to really bring out details in videos or imagery.

You should not buy this if...

❌ You don't want a shallow keyboard: I've been able to get used to the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360's short travel distance, but that doesn't mean it's going to feel good for everyone.

❌ You need a laptop that has an Ethernet port: To be fair, most non-gaming laptops these days don't have an RJ45 port, but if you really need one, you could always purchase one of the best Thunderbolt hubs.

As far as Copilot+ PCs and AI PCs go, the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is a solid contender that can easily handle various tasks. Its 2-in-1 build offers a lot of versatility, especially since it comes with an S Pen Pro for drawing, note-taking, or otherwise navigating on the 16-inch AMOLED touchscreen. It also has a very elegantly slim design and a strong build, which, when paired with its long battery life, makes for a fantastic on-the-go laptop.

It is very convenient to have a full number pad at your disposal. However, the shallow keyboard is arguably this laptop's weakest feature, and it might take some time before people adjust to typing on these keys. In the end, if you want the latest and greatest AI laptop on the market, then the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 should definitely be something you consider.

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If you're tight on storage in your desktop PC, chances are you could upgrade to the world's most popular solid-state drive, Samsung's 990 PRO, down to only $149.99 at Newegg.com with price-matching offers at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. Buy through Newegg, and you'll enjoy an extended return period of January 31, 2025, or a 30-day standard affair with Amazon. Either way, check your motherboard documentation first to ensure PCI 4.0 (Gen 4) storage compatibility with M.2-2280 drives or install it into a PlayStation 5 for an extended games library.

The most popular NVMe SSD for a reason

I've used plenty of M.2-2280 variants when building custom PCs with solid-state drives, and it's still the best option with faster speeds than more traditional 2.5-inch variants connected via SATA cables. Sure, you need to be positive that your motherboard supports PCI 4.0 (Gen 4) to use Samsung's world-class 990 PRO and access the 2TB of space, but it's relatively commonplace these days since PCI 5.0 (Gen 5) is steadily rolling out.

It's also a versatile drive, compatible with Sony's PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro (via Android Central), with no extra effort than it takes to upgrade a PC. All you need for either is a screwdriver and, sometimes, extra attention to remove pre-applied heatsink stickers that can help cool the SSD under constant operation. Upgrading an M.2 drive is honestly one of the most straightforward DIY jobs you'll encounter with desktop PCs, alongside installing or replacing memory modules (RAM.)

Don't be intimidated — it's a super simple process and no more complicated than plugging an old-school game cartridge into a retro console, except you do it at a slight angle and then screw the thing down. Not sure about the drive itself? Check out our full Samsung 990 Pro review from when this SSD launched back in October 2022, and rest assured that I still rely on a 1TB variant to this day while I'm custom-building gaming desktop and testing parts.

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• 📺HP Omen 27qs (QHD, 240Hz) | $349.99 at Best Buy (Save $80!)
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• 📺LG C4 OLED 4K TV (42-inches) | $999.99 at Best Buy (Save $400!)

What you need to know

• A new report suggests Intel could be on Apple's acquisition alley to bolster its AI advances.
• The report also suggests that Samsung has better standing to acquire Intel out of the possible takeovers, including Qualcomm and Apple.
• If Apple closes the deal, it could free itself from an overreliance on TSMC for chips.

Intel has found itself between a rock and a hard place over the past few months. Its problems can be traced back to CEO Pat Gelsinger announcing the firm's decision to lay off 15,000 employees in unprecedented cuts that could see the chipmaker attempt $10 billion in savings through 2025.

The firm's financial struggles have spread like wildfire, opening it up to potential outsider interference and hostile takeovers. Speaking of takeovers, Tom S. discussed the possibility of Apple acquiring Intel at the Moore's Law Is Dead YouTube channel (via Tom's Guide).

Perhaps more interestingly, Apple isn't the only major tech corporation looking to acquire Intel. Samsung is also interested in acquiring or, at the very least, merging with the chipmaker.

As you may know, Intel and AMD announced a collaboration, forming the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group at the just-concluded Lenovo Tech World 24 conference. This could be an attempt to keep up with Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon Elite chips, which ship with Microsoft's Copilot+ PCs to power next-gen AI features like Live Translations, Super Resolution, and more.

While Intel and Apple have yet to confirm if the rumors are true, the information should be taken with a grain of salt. Interestingly, Tom suggests Samsung is likely to come out on top as it's closer to striking a deal with the chipmaker. 

An Intel acquisition could bolster Apple's advances in AI

Compared to its competitors in the AI landscape, Apple is seemingly joining the fray a tad late. However, this is Apple's MO. As you may know, privacy and security concerns continue to mount as AI advances. 

It's possible that the iPhone maker held back from investing in AI to maintain its privacy and security stature. This could be part of Apple's strategy, which suggests that while the company isn't always the first in line to hop on emerging trends, it often emerges as the best because of its execution.

To this end, Apple heavily relies on TSMC for chips. With the company announcing and launching its new AI strategy - Apple Intelligence, its demand for sophisticated AI chips will go high. Consequently, it'll have to spend vast sums of money to keep up with the ever-evolving technology amid investor concern over profit gains in the category. 

If Apple acquires Intel, the iPhone maker could free itself from an overreliance on TSMC for chips.

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Demanding games require capable hardware, and Samsung has built a name for itself in providing reliable SSDs that can easily met ever-increasing requirements. 

As part of Amazon Prime Day (officially, Amazon is referring to this sale as Big Deal Days, but it's really just another way to have Prime Day again) you can grab a Samsung 990 Pro 1TB SSD for $98 from Amazon. That's a 43% discount, allowing you to shave $75 off the current retail price. This SSD is selling fast, and there's no way to know how long it'll remain in stock, so act quickly!

• Shop all of Amazon's October Prime Day deals

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Why should you grab a Samsung 990 Pro SSD?

The Samsung 990 Pro is one of the best SSDs available, easily reaching read/write speeds of 7450/6900 MB/s. For comparison, the prior SSD in Samsung's lineup, 980 Pro (and the SSD that I personally have in my PC!) reaches 3500/3400 MB/s for read/write speeds.

In practical terms, that means games load fast, much faster than was ever possible before on hard drives or even SATA SSDs. These options remain fine for bulk storage, but for your operating system and games you're playing frequently, you absolutely need an uber-fast SSD.

This has become even more true as newer games demand SSDs. Big games from recent years like Alan Wake 2 and Starfield simply don't work on older, clunkier hardware.  This is only going to expand over time, as both the latest Xbox and PlayStation consoles also offer internal ultra-fast SSDs, so game developers are building their experiences with a baseline hardware expectation. If you're primarily a PC player and you haven't upgraded yet, it needs to be a priority for you.

All of this means it's no real surprise to me that this SSD is selling so quickly for Amazon Prime Day. If you're building a new PC, this is a deal to take advantage of before it's too late. When I built my new PC at the start of the year, I certainly wish I'd had this deal to help me save a bit of money. Now, to be clear, this SSD isn't usually at $170, and it's been possible for a while to get it at around $130 or even $120 if you bide your time. Just $95? That's a noteworthy discount.

Of course, PC users aren't the only ones that will benefit from grabbing the Samsung 990 Pro while it's on sale. Sony opted for players to be able to use third-party SSDs to expand their PlayStation 5 storage capacity, and this particular SSD is the perfect choice. Whether you're an existing PlayStation 5 owner running out of space or a prospective PlayStation 5 Pro buyer, you'll want more storage for newer games, with PlayStation Studios titles like Ghost of Yōtei on the way. 

More Prime Day deals and anti-Prime Day deals

We at Windows Central are scouring the internet for the best Prime Day deals and anti-Prime Day deals, but there are plenty more discounts going on now. Here's where to find more savings:

• Xbox controller deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Xbox SSD storage deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Gaming headset deals: Walmart | Dell | Target | Best Buy | Amazon 
• MicroSD storage deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Gaming handheld deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Laptop deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Copilot+ AI laptop deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Monitor deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Mini PC deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Gaming keyboard deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell | Newegg 
• Gaming mice deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell | Newegg

Earlier this year, Samsung updated its popular portable SSD range, but at first, only one became available. We've looked at that one before, the T7 Touch, a credit card-sized portable storage device with a built-in fingerprint scanner for added security.

Announced alongside, but made available later, was a regular, non-fingerprint version simply called the T7. It's cheaper than the T7 Touch, but essentially identical in every other way.

And those two things combined make this the one of the very best portable SSDs right now.

With Black Friday on the horizon, too, there's an imminent opportunity to look out for deals on the Samsung T7. This more affordable option could represent the best opportunity for value over the more expensive Touch version, with anything off the regular $80 entry price being worth taking note of. Another top thing to look out for is the chance to get a larger capacity than you might normally thanks to discounts. You can never have too much storage.

Samsung T7 portable SSD: Every bit as good as the T7 Touch

If you're not familiar with the Samsung T7 Touch, then you should definitely first check out our review. For the most part, the T7 is identical to the T7 Touch, and that's a very good thing.

Inside, it's exactly the same, with a USB 3.2 interface promising data transfer speeds up to 1,050MB/s. It comes in the same capacities, with the same warranty, and on the outside looks the same aside from its lack of a fingerprint scanner.

The T7 also supports Samsung's latest app for basically every platform bar iOS. You can hook it up to your Android phone and name it and manage your password protection, even. However, firmware updates will still require the use of a Windows PC or a Mac.

The T7 uses a USB-C connection, and in the box, you get a pair of cables, one USB-C to USB-C, and one USB-C to USB-A. And like the T7 Touch, I wish these were a little longer. If you're using with primarily laptops, you won't have an issue at all, but folks like me with a desktop PC under a desk have to do a fair bit of reaching, especially since the USB 3.2 ports you really need to use are likely on the back of the motherboard. Or you buy a longer cable.

The real benefit to the T7 is its size. Whether you go for the 500GB, 1TB, or 2TB model, it weighs only 58g and literally fits inside any pocket. It's beyond convenient to carry about, and it's also plenty tough enough if you're the kind of person who goes outdoors a lot with your computer, perhaps as a photographer or someone who visits construction sites.

There are limits to how you can treat it, but it will easily withstand mild shocks and falls from 2m without damaging your precious data inside.

Samsung T7 portable SSD: Great performance if you have USB 3.2

The Samsung T7 supports USB 3.2, and it's this that you'll need on your computer in order to get the best performance from it. It's still backward compatible, and you'll get decent performance over USB 3.0, but the maximum transfer speeds are reduced.

It's also worth highlighting that when using with your Android smartphone or tablet, you need to ensure that any power-saving modes are turned off. For example, on my Realme X50 5G, the T7 wouldn't be recognized by the phone until the "high performance" mode had been enabled.

How fast is fast, though?

Running through the CrystalDiskMark and ATTO Disk Benchmark tests produces the following. On the left is the T7; on the right is the T7 Touch for comparison.

Copying a 3GB file to the T7 Touch takes under 7 seconds, while a folder containing the game files for The Witcher 3, just shy of 50GB in total, clocked in at comfortably under 3 minutes. In both cases on par with the T7 Touch, and proof that the T7 is a perfect workhorse if you regularly move a lot of large files around.

Should you buy the Samsung T7?

Both the Samsung T7 and T7 Touch are incredible portable drives well worth your money. Samsung storage is always first-class, and these two portable drives are no exception.

So yes, you should definitely buy a T7. Which though depends on your priorities.

For me, the regular T7 gets the edge because it costs less. Right now, the 500GB version starts at about $30 less than the same capacity T7 Touch, and for the sort of thing, I'm using portable storage for, that's the sensible choice. And it's not like you're left without any security at all, you still have the same strength password encryption as on the T7 Touch.

But, if you're in the business of handling sensitive data, then the extra spend on the T7 Touch might be worth it for you. But whichever you buy, you're getting a great SSD.

What you need to know

• Intel announced its Core Ultra Series 2 "Lunar Lake" mobile processors on September 3, 2024.
• The first laptops with the next-gen chips, including the ASUS Zenbook S 14 we tested, are now on sale.
• Best Buy has dedicated a full page for the Lunar Lake launch, with six laptops from ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung.
• My Best Buy membership holders can land extra perks like free two-day shipping, extended return windows, extra tech support, and more.

Windows laptops powered by Intel's next-gen "Lunar Lake" mobile processors (CPU) have now entered the market. The new Core Ultra Series 2 chips had long been rumored before the official Lunar Lake announcement on September 3 at IFA 2024, but Intel officially unveiled them as the "most efficient family of x86 processors ever."

With the newfound efficiency — undoubtedly designed to directly compete with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X and AMD's Ryzen AI 300 — comes improved computing performance, better AI efficiency thanks to more TOPS for the Neural Processing Unit (NPU), and a huge leap in integrated graphics power.

And with the recent announcement that Core Ultra Series 2 systems are getting Copilot+ access starting in November, you're no longer forced onto an ARM64 platform for Windows on ARM with Snapdragon X.

Best Buy isn't shy about showing off the new Intel laptops. A Lunar Lake launch page at Best Buy contains a snazzy product brief and links to currently available Series 2 laptops, including the ASUS Zenbook S 14 (UX5406) that Windows Central Editor Ben Wilson is testing for review.

Best Buy is the place to go for new Intel Core Ultra Series 2 laptops

While the new Core Ultra Series 2 laptops are usually available from their respective manufacturer websites, shopping at Best Buy has some distinct perks. That's especially true if you subscribe to a paid tier of the My Best Buy membership plan.

The free tier gets you free shipping. Just sign up with an email address and go. But for $49.99 per year, My Best Buy Plus upgrades it to free two-day shipping. You'll also see exclusive member pricing in some areas, access to otherwise blocked deals, and an extended 60-day return window.

If you find yourself frequently shopping at Best Buy, the My Best Buy Total plan for $179.99 per year might be the way to go. It has all of the My Best Buy Plus perks, plus it adds better protection plans, 24/7 tech support, VIP support, and cheaper device repairs.

Here's a look at the Intel Core Ultra Series 2 Copilot+ laptops now available at Best Buy, including options from ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung.

Can't see a list of laptops following this note? Consider disabling your adblocker for this page only before refreshing.

A look at Intel Core Ultra Series 2 mobile CPUs

There are a total of nine new Core Ultra Series 2 mobile chips, all with eight cores and eight threads. The main differences come in the CPU base power — either 17W or 30W — as well as integrated GPU and CPU clock frequency.

Which chip you need depends on your workflow. Core Ultra 9 and Core Ultra 7 chips are great for multitasking and stronger GPU performance, though they use more power and, of course, cost more. For a lot of people, the Core Ultra 5 Series 2 chips will be more than enough for everyday computing.

Here's a look at the nine Core Ultra Series 2 mobile chips. It's worth noting that all chips have eight cores, eight threads, and a 37W maximum TDP, so I've omitted those stats from the following chart.

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Our hands-on experience with the ASUS Zenbook S 14 (UX5406)

Windows Central Editor Ben Wilson received the ASUS Zenbook S 14 (UX5406) to test and benchmark, and while the full review is still in progress, he wrote about his hands-on experiences with the premium Copilot+ laptop.

The model he's testing includes an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU, 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM, 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, and a 14-inch OLED display with 3K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It's shaping up to be an awesome AI laptop, with performance and efficiency to compete with Qualcomm and AMD.

Here's a look at some initial benchmarks collected by Wilson, in comparison to other laptops we've recently tested.

The Core Ultra 7 258V sits near the middle of the pack of new Lunar Lake chips, so you can scale performance up or down. As for battery life, here's what Wilson has to say:

With Copilot+ coming to these new Intel laptops in November (it's also coming to AMD Ryzen AI 300 laptops), Windows users now have more variety than ever when shopping for an AI PC. Keep an eye out for more Lunar Lake laptop reviews here on Windows Central in the coming weeks.

What you need to know

• Two ex-Samsung executives recently faced the long arm of justice for allegedly stealing the company's intellectual property, worth $3.2 billion.
• The officials used the resources to set up a joint venture, building 20nm DRAM chips at Chengdu Gaozhen, China — and even recruited several South Korean experts.
• Authorities are still investigating whether more technology was stolen from Samsung without the company's knowledge.

Earlier this week, two former Samsung executives found themselves between a rock and a hard place after being placed behind bars. According to Bloomberg, the officials allegedly stole Samsung technologies worth approximately $3.2 billion (4.3 trillion won) to build a chip-making plant in China (via Tom's Hardware).

The South Korean authorities loosely referred to the perpetrators using their surnames, listing Mr. Choi as the instigator who set up a joint venture building chips in China. Choi reportedly attempted to recruit several local officials to join the scheme where he served as the CEO. 

Choi's shady business deals caught the authorities' attention after being suspected of leaking Samsung memory technologies to build 20nm DRAM chips at Chengdu Gaozhen, China. According to South Korean authorities, Choi's move "weakened the nation's competitiveness when the countries are in a global chip war."

Samsung is among the leading memory manufacturers specializing in storage and memory solutions. To this end, South Korean authorities are still investigating the matter to establish the extent of the damage and whether more technology was stolen from Samsung unsuspectingly. 

Samsung may have a mole

Last year, a former SK Hynix employee was arrested for allegedly printing 3,000 pages of semiconductor process with the intent to share trade secrets with competitors. The employee was reportedly gearing up to share the top secret information with Huawei, though she categorically denied the allegations. 

Similarly, Samsung was in a South Korean court last year after a former executive at the company reportedly stole trade secrets with the intent to set up a chip fab in China. As reported by The Register, both perpetrators share the same last name. 

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Copilot+ PCs powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips have been on the market for a few months now, and prices have been sporadically dropping with some notable discounts at major retailers.

We now know that certain Intel and AMD laptops with the latest hardware will receive Copilot+ access in November, so competition is only about to get stronger for the Qualcomm-equipped PCs. That's driving prices down even further, resulting in what we have here — the cheapest price I've ever seen on the only Copilot+ PC I've seriously considered buying.

If you're interested in checking out Qualcomm's strong ARM64 performance and efficiency in a sleek 14-inch notebook with tons of high-end features, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge is an easy recommendation. Samsung's laptops are often underrated despite their aesthetic appeal, build quality, AMOLED screens, and comfy keyboards, and that's before even touching the Galaxy AI tools that only get better if you also use a Galaxy phone.

The 14-inch Galaxy Book4 Edge with a Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-80) chip, 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, and 2.8K AMOLED touch display usually costs about $1,350, but this deal at Best Buy has it down to $950. That's 400 off the regular price, and I've never seen it cheaper.

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Why I love the Galaxy Book4 Edge

Samsung's laptops are often overlooked, but every time I've used one I've been impressed. And when the first wave of Copilot+ PCs with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Systems-on-Chip (SoC) was announced in May, it was the Galaxy Book4 Edge that most caught my attention.

In the usual Samsung fashion, there are two sizes available for the Book4 Edge. The one I'm highlighting here that's discounted is the smaller 14-inch version, perfect for anyone who prefers to travel light and who doesn't need the extra screen real estate. This really is an ideal laptop for those on the move, as it combines the efficiency of a Snapdragon X Elite SoC and a chassis that weighs just 2.6 pounds (1.18kg). 

The aluminum body, finished in a Sapphire Blue color, boasts two USB4, HDMI 2.1, and 3.5mm audio ports, and the laptop has Wi-Fi 7 for reliable and fast wireless connectivity.

Samsung didn't cut any corners with the speakers, display, or keyboard, and the sub-$1,000 price doesn't stress how good the hardware is. There are four speakers — two 4W woofers and two 2.7W tweeters — with Dolby Atmos for outstanding sound. The keyboard is comfortable and the touchpad is huge. But the real gem is the 14-inch display with a 2.8K resolution and AMOLED panel. It has a 120Hz variable refresh rate to be easy on the eyes, it covers the DCI-P3 color spectrum, and it reaches up to 500 nits brightness with HDR enabled.

The X Elite (X1E-80) SoC has proven itself to be super powerful and efficient, and you'll be able to get true all-day battery life without worrying about slow performance on DC power. The inclusion of a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for local AI acceleration brings it into the Copilot+ fold, allowing you to tap tools like Windows Recall, advanced Windows Studio Effects, Live Captions, Cocreator, and more without requiring a connection to Microsoft's servers.

The Galaxy AI difference

Microsoft's Copilot+ tools aren't the only AI features available on the Galaxy Book4 Edge. Samsung has its own suite of tools known as Galaxy AI, and while it's designed primarily for use with Galaxy phones, some features are bleeding across form factors now that the Book4 Edge is on the market.

You can connect your phone to the Book4 Edge with Link to Windows, allowing you to control just about everything from the laptop. Copilot (the standard assistant) on the laptop will handle common tasks like sending messages, reminders and alarms, and contact searches with voice commands. But you can also access Galaxy AI tools like Circle to Search, Chat Assist, and more right from your laptop's larger display.

It's expected that Galaxy AI will continue to improve on the cross-platform functionality, especially if Samsung plans on charging for the service. It has stated that Galaxy AI will be free until 2025, but it hasn't specified what will happen beyond then.

Even if you aren't interested in the AI tools available with the Galaxy Book4 Edge, it's a sleek laptop with a beautiful AMOLED display, powerful and efficient Snapdragon X Elite SoC, and tons of high-end features. Getting it for less than $1,000 right now at Best Buy might be too good to pass up.

What you need to know

• Streaming apps from your Samsung smartphone to your PC just got much easier.
• Samsung phones running One UI 6.1.1 no longer require you to press a button every single time you want to stream and app to your PC through Phone Link.
• Starting with Android 14, Phone Link required a button press every time you wanted to stream an app due to a change made to improve the operating system's security.
• It appears Phone Link / Link to Windows now uses a different method to stream apps, which gives you the option to always allow app streaming.

A change to how Microsoft's Phone Link and Link to Windows work streamlines the process for streaming apps from a phone to a PC. Devices running One UI 6.1.1 now give the option to always allow screen mirroring, removing the need to click "Start now" every time you want to stream an app. The change was flagged up by Android Authority recently, and the outlet also shared a technical breakdown of why the behavior has changed.

Starting with Android 14, those streaming apps from a support Samsung phone to a Windows PC had to select "Start now" each time that they wanted to stream an app. That change occurred due to a change in the Android operating system that improved security. Securing devices is always important, but the change did add quite a bit of repetition to the app streaming process. With the rollout of One UI 6.1.1, it's now possible to select "Always allow" for mirroring Link to Windows to your PC.

You still need to have your Android device on and unlocked to stream apps to your PC unless you have Extend Unlock enabled. That feature can tell when you are holding your device, near your home or a trusted place, or when a trusted device like a smartwatch is nearby. Requiring your phone to be unlocked (or to have Extend Unlock enabled) is a security measure to protect your credentials and private information.

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Why the change?

Older versions of Android only required you to select "Start now" once, at least until you rebooted your phone. Android 14 changed that, adding extra steps to the process. Android Authority explained that the new behavior occurred because Android 14 closed a loophole that let Link to Windows and other apps bypass the need to ask for permission repeatedly.

Link to Windows used to use the MediaProjection API, which was meant for recording a screen or casting content to another device. Google did not seem to like the loophole that allowed apps to reuse someone's prompt input and closed the loophole with Android 14.

Microsoft appears to have shifted to Android's Companion App Streaming API, which is also used by the Chrome OS Phone Hub. Android Authority deduced the API change and noticed that Link to Windows now lets you choose between "Always allow," "Only this time," and "Don't allow," when it comes to app mirroring.

At the moment, One UI 6.1.1 is only available for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6, so people with other Samsung smartphones will have to keep pressing "Start now" each time they want to stream an app. One UI 6.1.1 will eventually make its way to some older Galaxy devices, such as the S22, S23, S24, and older Fold devices.

Microsoft, Qualcomm, and a host of major laptop manufacturers revealed Copilot+ AI features and the laptops that run them in 2024, and the same companies have been busy expanding their AI and hardware portfolios.

Part of the 2024 announcement, which included hardware from seven major brands, was Samsung's Galaxy Book4 Edge 14- and 16-inch laptops. The sleek and premium AI PCs were announced to work with other Galaxy AI devices on top of Windows 11 Copilot+ features, effectively doubling the AI effectiveness available at your fingertips.

Let's jump in and explore what makes up Galaxy AI, what it can do, and how you can access it with your Galaxy devices.

What is Galaxy AI?

Galaxy AI is Samsung's suite of AI tools exclusive to Galaxy products. It's a collection of advanced features baked right into Samsung's One UI interface and was added alongside One UI 6.1 with the release of Samsung Galaxy S24 phones.

Galaxy AI relies on a mixture of local and cloud AI models to perform its abilities. The models include ChatGPT competitor Google Gemini Pro for advanced LLM tasks, as well as Google's Imagen 2 via Vertex AI for image generation. Google's Gemini Nano is tapped for local AI tasks that don't require an internet connection.

Pixel users might be scratching their heads at this point, wondering how Galaxy AI is different from, say, what you'd find on a Pixel 8 Pro. There are indeed some similarities, with some standout features only available with Galaxy AI (which I get into below). A major part of the appeal is the ecosystem that Samsung is nurturing, similar to Apple's closed loop that includes Apple Intelligence AI.

The release of Samsung's Galaxy Book4 Edge laptop, considered one of the best Copilot+ PCs on the market, is what really piqued my interest. Both 14- and 16-inch Book4 Edge models include Copilot+ and compatibility with Galaxy AI features, and anyone who is already invested in the Galaxy ecosystem will see immediate benefits.

As Windows Central Managing Editor Jez Corden wrote, "The enormity of Microsoft's Windows Phone shut-down mistake is becoming increasingly clear in the AI era." Imagine having a Copilot+ Windows phone that works seamlessly with your Copilot+ PC; Galaxy AI and the Galaxy ecosystem are shaping up to be the next best thing.

• Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge vs. MacBook Pro (M3)

What can you do with Galaxy AI?

Galaxy AI continues to grow, and its suite of tools should cover many different users. While the brunt of the features are designed for Samsung's Galaxy phones, the release of the Galaxy Book4 Edge Windows on ARM Copilot+ PC with Snapdragon X Systems-on-Chip (SoC) has shaken things up.

The Snapdragon X Elite chips in the Book4 Edge have a powerful NPU for Copilot+ features, resulting in an interesting mash-up when you connect a Galaxy phone with Link to Windows. You can essentially set your phone down next to you and forget about it, instead using your Book4 Edge for nearly everything.

Microsoft Copilot can handle common actions like sending messages, setting reminders or alarms, and looking up contacts on your phone, all from the laptop and with voice commands. But it also provides access to Galaxy AI tools like Circle to Search, Chat Assist, and more. You need to connect your phone to the Book4 Edge and mirror apps to access these features, but it allows you to use one device with a larger screen for all actions.

Here's a look at some of the standout Galaxy AI features that are available on Samsung's flagship hardware, including S24 phones, Z Flip/Fold 6 phones, and Tab S9 tablets.

• Live Translation: Real-time translation of voice or video calls, texts, and in-person conversations. Supports 13 languages at the time of writing.
• Chat Assist: Suggestions for grammar and context corrections, as well as emoji and hashtag recommendations in social media.
• Photo Assist: Includes Sketch to Image, Generative Edit, and Portrait Studio tools for advanced photo editing.
• Voice Recorder, Interpreter, and Transcript Assist: Record any words and receive a transcript in a language of your choosing.
• Note Assist: Receive instant summaries, translations, and custom formatting for anything you write in Samsung Notes.
• Browsing Assist: Translate or summarize webpages viewed through the Samsung Internet app.
• Circle to Search: Circle anything on your screen using a finger or S Pen to quickly search Google for more information.
• Instant Slow-Mo: Create slow-motion clips from any saved video.

There are more goodies hidden within Galaxy AI than I've listed above, and we're expecting to see more on the way as the suite of tools matures. Note that Samsung Notes syncs with OneDrive, so you have them everywhere, and Samsung's Quick Search tool is available on the Book4 Edge as an alternative to Windows Search.

It's worth mentioning that the majority of live translations and edit suggestions are handled locally on the device's built-in performance hardware, whereas the rest of the Galaxy AI tools require a connection to the cloud for stronger computing power.

Which devices offer Galaxy AI?

Samsung has a fairly long list of devices compatible with Galaxy AI, but support for all features differs in some of the older hardware. Samsung announced its new Galaxy S25 phones at its Unpacked event on January 22, complete with quite a bit of news surrounding Galaxy AI. The new phones are more primed than ever for AI thanks to the Qualcomm chip inside, and Samsung is dialing everything up with One UI 7 and Android 15 to create what it calls an "AI-integrated OS."

The full suite of Galaxy AI features is available for the following phones and tablets. As noted, the Book4 Edge laptops act as conduits for using Galaxy AI on a larger display.

• Galaxy S25 Ultra, S25+, S25
• Galaxy S24 Ultra, S24+, S24
• Galaxy S23 Ultra, S23+, S23
• Galaxy S23 FE
• Galaxy Z Fold 6
• Galaxy Z Flip 6
• Galaxy Z Fold 5
• Galaxy Z Flip 5
• Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, S9+, S9
• Galaxy Book4 Edge (14" and 16")

Samsung is bringing Galaxy AI to older hardware as well, though not all features are available due to a lack of Neural Processing Unit (NPU) power for local tasks. It looks like phones back to the Galaxy S21 and Flip/Fold 3 series will receive some sort of Galaxy AI, and Tab S8 tablets should get the same treatment. Just be sure they have the One UI 6.1 update.

Focusing again on the Galaxy ecosystem, Samsung's wearables and accessories also tie in with the AI tools. Galaxy Buds are compatible with tools like Live Translate and Interpreter, while the new Galaxy Watch Ultra, Watch 7, and Galaxy Ring will link up to offer fitness and health insights and challenges curated by AI.

Here's a list of the accessories confirmed to be compatible with Galaxy AI tools:

• Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, Buds 3
• Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
• Galaxy Buds FE
• Galaxy Watch Ultra
• Galaxy Watch 7
• Galaxy Ring

Samsung isn't fooling around with its Galaxy AI ecosystem, and it no doubt knows that combining all of these products under one AI umbrella will spur more users to expand their setup with Galaxy products.

How do you get access to Galaxy AI?

Galaxy AI is available to some extent on all the devices I listed above. Basically, your phone or tablet must support at least Samsung's One UI 6.1 interface.

You must also be signed in on the device with a Samsung account to access Galaxy AI. Of course, accessories like Galaxy Buds just need to be connected to a device compatible with Galaxy AI.

When you sign in with a Samsung account, you'll be greeted by an introduction page with a bunch of pertinent information. Any apps with Galaxy AI features will also present an explainer the first time you launch them.

Is Galaxy AI the same as Copilot+?

Galaxy AI is not the same as Copilot+. The latter is Microsoft's umbrella term for AI features baked into Windows 11, as well as the PCs that can run them. Copilot+ PCs are AI PCs that first ran on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips; AMD and Intel have since entered the arena with Core Ultra Series 2 and Ryzen AI 300 mobile CPUs.

Though Copilot+ and Galaxy AI can do a lot of the same things, they are separate platforms that come into contact with each other only on the Galaxy Book4 Edge laptops.

Can you disable Galaxy AI?

Yes, Galaxy AI can be disabled. You can either shut it down completely or you can force it to only rely on local computing power, sending nothing to the cloud. That should help alleviate some security concerns for users with sensitive data.

Does Galaxy AI cost money?

At the moment, Galaxy AI features are free to use.

However, Samsung has stated that this will only apply until the end of 2025. Beyond that, we have no idea if Samsung will start charging for Galaxy AI or if it will remain free.

I converted to foldable smartphones with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, and there's no indication I'll ever go back. This growing category of personal devices lets me do more on the go, which can be a lifesaver when this job demands I get online even when I don't have a laptop nearby.

That being said, the latest Galaxy Z Fold is dreadfully boring to me, especially when it costs $1,900. Oh, and especially especially when you can get one of the best non-Samsung foldables — which is better in almost every single way — for just $1,399.99 at Amazon. That's a $500 discount over the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, and you'll enjoy better hardware, better cameras, and better battery life.

If my Galaxy Z Fold 5 were to go the way of the dinosaurs, I know which new foldable I'd choose (and it's not the Samsung).

Update, July 18, 2024 — This Amazon Prime Day ended at its original discounted price of $1,299.99, but the OnePlus Open is still on sale for $1,399.99. That's still a great deal, but you can scroll down a little further for a list of the best deals still active after Amazon Prime Day.

🔥The hottest post-Prime Day deals🔥

• Seagate Xbox Series X|S Expansion Card (2TB) | was $359.99 now $249.99 at Best Buy
• Lenovo Legion Go (512GB) | was $699.99 now $599.99 at Best Buy
• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months) | was $49.99 now $31.99 at CDKeys
• Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW3423DWF) | was $899.99 now $699.99 at Dell
• ASUS 65W USB Type-C charger | was $64.99 now $29.99 at Best Buy
• HP Victus 15.6 (Ryzen 5, RTX 4050) | was $979 now $599 at Walmart
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max + Xbox Wireless Controller + Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (1-month) | was $119.98 now $78.90 at Amazon w/ Amazon Prime
• Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse | was $149.99 now $79.99 at Amazon
• Samsung Class QE1C QLED TV (85-inch) | was $2,799.99 now $1,229.99 at Samsung
• Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming Mouse | was $69.99 now $54.99 at Best Buy
• Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX (Cobalt Blue) | was $179.99 now $119.99 at Best Buy
• Samsung Class S90C OLED TV (83-inch) | was $5,399.99 now $2,699.99 at Samsung
• Razer Blade 15 (Core i7, RTX 4070) | was $2,799.99 now $1,599.99 at Best Buy
• ZOTAC Gaming RTX 4080 SUPER AMP | was $1,199.99 now $959.99 at Newegg w/ code FANDUA5748

Beautiful hardware and an excellent price

My current daily driver is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. I personally love it — the hardware is premium, the displays are magnificent, the performance is excellent. I use it for media consumption, playing Solitaire, reading articles, editing documents, multitasking, staying connected with people and coworkers, and much more. It's honestly an amazing phone, but there's no arguing that it's on the boring side when it comes to the rapidly evolving foldable category.

The new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 isn't much more interesting. The design is more attractive than ever and the phone is a little faster, but what else has Samsung done? Once again, other companies are leaving the South Korean behemoth in the dust when it comes to foldables, and one of the absolute best you can buy is the OnePlus Open.

Not only is the OnePlus Open actually available worldwide (and in the US) with functional software, it's frankly just better than Samsung's most recent foldables on the hardware front. The design is utterly gorgeous, and feels more comfortable in the hand (and the black version has a lovely faux leather texture). The hinge is smoother and more durable. The displays are larger and boast superior aspect ratios. The infamous display crease is less visible.

Want me to keep going? The battery is larger and lasts longer, and the charging speeds are far higher. The cameras are significantly better, with OnePlus not cutting any corners compared to its traditional slab flagships. There are so many subtle additions, refinements, and advantages the OnePlus Open has over the Galaxy Z Fold when it comes to hardware, and it all adds up quickly.

The one area where Samsung has the competition beat is software — the Z Fold's interface is among the best at taking advantage of foldable displays, and Samsung promises seven years of software support compared to the four years of platform updates and five years of security updates that OnePlus promises. That doesn't mean the OnePlus Open completely fails here, though.

OnePlus' software is smooth and packed with awesome features, especially for multitasking. Updates have been improving the experience since the phone's launch, too, so it's better than ever. It's close enough that, combined with the hardware strengths, the OnePlus Open is looking like an obvious choice over the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. What does Samsung have? Well, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 inside the Fold 6 is newer than the Gen 2 inside the OnePlus Open, so there's that.

Oh yeah, I guess I forgot to mention the pricing. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 starts at $1,899.99 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The OnePlus Open retails for $1,699.99 with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, but it's obviously heavily discounted right now. At just $1,399.99 at Amazon with an Amazon Prime membership for the US unlocked version that should work great with most American carriers, the OnePlus Open is $500 cheaper.

I'll admit that Samsung has the advantage with its trade-in program and US carrier deals, but those who aren't too concerned with that can save a lot of money and get a really, really good foldable in the process. Honestly, at this price the OnePlus Open is simply a good deal for a foldable, let alone when compared to the category default that is the Galaxy Z Fold 6. I'm sticking with my Galaxy Z Fold 5 for now, but I know exactly which foldable I'd replace it with if I had to choose right now.

What is an Amazon Prime membership?

Amazon Prime is the subscription for the ultimate Amazon-savvy shopper. You can already save a lot of money just by shopping through Amazon, but the company's all-in-one subscription service shoves an absurd amount of value into one monthly or annual cost. An Amazon Prime membership includes a ton of perks and features, such as:

• Free one-day and two-day shipping on millions of items
• Exclusive deals and promotions, such as for the $100 Best Buy gift card
• Ad-free access to thousands of free movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, books, and magazines
• Unlimited full-resolution photo backup
• Free games, perks, channel subscriptions, and more with Prime Gaming at Twitch
• Savings on prescriptions at thousands of pharmacies
• Zero delivery fees, exclusive offers, and other discounts on food deliveries with GrubHub+

If you're interested in trying it out, you can get started with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime for free at Amazon, or explore paid plans starting as low as $6.99 a month (the standard pricing is $14.99 a month).

Call me paranoid, overprepared, or perhaps even underprepared depending on your worldview; I don't want to be caught without a few things ready to go in the case of an emergency.

The bare minimum I'm leaving my house with when things go bad is a bug-out bag full of the items I need to survive in the near future. While the most important are food, tools, and first aid, I've also tucked away a Samsung T7 Shield external solid-state drive (SSD).

It's filled with survival manuals, books, reference documents, maps, and more (including all of Wikipedia) that will be useful if the internet is ever no longer accessible. We all take the internet for granted, and I don't want to be stuck wishing I could do one more search for some missing information.

Why the T7 Shield? It's a rugged SSD with all sorts of durability guarantees, and it's small and light enough that I don't notice it's there. The 2TB T7 Shield launched at about $285 and has slowly come down in price, but it's now down to just $149.99 at Amazon during Prime Day. Don't need the 2TB version? Amazon also has the 1TB model on sale for 41% off, bringing the total down to $100. Prime Day wraps up tonight, and you don't want to miss this deal.

🔥The hottest Prime Day 2024 deals🔥

• Seagate Xbox Series X|S Expansion Card (2TB) | was $359.99 now $229.99 at Best Buy
• Lenovo Legion Go (512GB) | was $699.99 now $599.99 at Best Buy
• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months) | was $49.99 now $31.99 at CDKeys
• LG Class C3 Series OLED Evo TV (65-inches) | was $1,699.99 now $1,399.99 at Best Buy
• Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW3423DWF) | was $899.99 now $699.99 at Dell
• Remnant II Ultimate Edition (PC) | was $59.99 now $25.99 at CDKeys
• Surface Laptop Go 3 (Core i5) | was $799.99 now $599.99 at Best Buy
• ASUS 65W USB Type-C charger | was $64.99 now $29.99 at Best Buy
• HP Victus 15.6 (Ryzen 5, RTX 4050) | was $979 now $599 at Walmart
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max + Xbox Wireless Controller + Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (1-month) | was $119.98 now $78.90 at Amazon

Why I'm using the T7 Shield SSD for my most important data

Samsung is a leading brand for internal and external storage, and you can often find its products whenever the best laptop accessories are mentioned. I've used countless Samsung storage solutions over the years, and I've never had issues with reliability and durability. It's our top rugged choice when it comes to the best external SSDs on the market.

For this reason, I chose the Samsung T7 Shield as the external SSD to house what I deem the most important documents in case of an apocalyptic emergency. I sincerely hope that I never have to use them, but the maps, books, instructions, and documents I've loaded onto the drive will hopefully be enough to keep me alive should the internet be no longer accessible. I've even downloaded all of Wikipedia (somewhere around 25GB without media) in case I ever want to get nostalgic.

In my Samsung T7 Shield review, I discussed rugged features that make it stand out against a lot of the competition:

"Whereas the other T7 drives have a flat metal shell, this extra rubber is where most of the "rugged" aspect of the drive comes in. The T7 Shield weighs slightly more and its footprint is slightly larger (we're talking a comparison of millimeters), but it should be able to withstand a harsher environment. Whereas the standard T7 and T7 Touch each come with 2-meter (about 6.5 feet) drop resistance, the T7 Shield boosts it to 3 meters (about 10 feet) and adds IP65 water and dust resistance."

The drive includes 256-bit AES encryption with password protection, barring any intrusion without your consent. It's optional, and you can leave your survival docs open to anyone lucky enough to find them.

Transfer speeds are excellent, and you won't have to wait around while you move files back and forth. In my testing, I saw 1,064MB/s read and 958.7MB/s write, pulling ahead of Samsung's other T7 external drives.

I gave the T7 Shield a Windows Central Recommended Award in my review, and if I were to re-review it today it would receive a Best Award. My main gripes were the inclusion of only two capacities and the elevated price, but these have both been solved over time. You can find 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB sizes, and the 50% discount at Amazon for Prime Day is easy to swallow.

You need to be a Prime member to get the full 50% discount, but you can always sign up for a free 30-day trial, get the deal, and then cancel before it renews and charges your card.

Samsung is an electronics behemoth that makes a little bit of everything, but the company has been legendary for its incredible displays for years. Honestly, Samsung is the only company in my books that properly gives LG a run for its money, and these Amazon Prime Day deals made me wish my salary was a whole lot higher. Right now, an absurd number of those TVs are heavily discounted, and there are some insane promotions going on, like the 83-inch Samsung Class S90C OLED for just $2,699.99 at Samsung — a $2,700 discount.

There's also the 85-inch Samsung Class LS03D The Frame QLED, discounted to $3,799.99 at Samsung with a free or discounted soundbar thrown in. There's even the 55-inch Samsung Class LST7T The Terrace for $2,799.99 at Samsung, a high-end outdoor TV that also comes with a heavily discounted soundbar, free outdoor cover, and free installation.

Oh, and that's only scratching the surface — all of these TVs are discounted in numerous sizes, and there's a huge number of other TVs discounted, starting at $600 and moving up (just keep scrolling down for even more TVs for every budget and need).

🔥The hottest post-Prime Day deals🔥

• Seagate Xbox Series X|S Expansion Card (2TB) | was $359.99 now $249.99 at Best Buy
• Lenovo Legion Go (512GB) | was $699.99 now $599.99 at Best Buy
• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months) | was $49.99 now $31.99 at CDKeys
• Alienware 34 Curved QD-OLED Gaming Monitor (AW3423DWF) | was $899.99 now $699.99 at Dell
• ASUS 65W USB Type-C charger | was $64.99 now $29.99 at Best Buy
• HP Victus 15.6 (Ryzen 5, RTX 4050) | was $979 now $599 at Walmart
• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max + Xbox Wireless Controller + Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (1-month) | was $119.98 now $78.90 at Amazon w/ Amazon Prime
• Logitech G502 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse | was $149.99 now $79.99 at Amazon
• Samsung Class QE1C QLED TV (85-inch) | was $2,799.99 now $1,229.99 at Samsung
• Razer DeathAdder V3 Wired Gaming Mouse | was $69.99 now $54.99 at Best Buy
• Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 MAX (Cobalt Blue) | was $179.99 now $119.99 at Best Buy
• Samsung Class S90C OLED TV (83-inch) | was $5,399.99 now $2,699.99 at Samsung
• Razer Blade 15 (Core i7, RTX 4070) | was $2,799.99 now $1,599.99 at Best Buy
• ZOTAC Gaming RTX 4080 SUPER AMP | was $1,199.99 now $959.99 at Newegg w/ code FANDUA5748

Too many awesome deals to choose from

Let's not beat around the bush. I'm going to rapid fire all of the best Samsung smart TV deals going on this Amazon Prime Day so you don't have to waste time searching for your dream TV. Below this, I'll go into detail on my personal pick and why it's the best discount of the bunch.

My personal favorite from the list

When it comes to choosing the most enticing sale of Samsung's Amazon Prime Day promotions, there's one obvious winner. The Samsung Class S90C OLED is a spectacular 4K smart TV that was well-priced when it released but is now a practically unbeatable deal. Samsung takes the fight straight to LG with its OLED TVs, and the S90C impresses with its beautiful Quantum Dot-boosted colors and incredible brightness levels.

Windows Central doesn't review televisions, but you can check out our siblings at TechRadar review the Samsung Class S90C OLED with a perfect 5/5 score. It's not just the astounding picture quality or reasonable pricing for a super-premium QD-OLED TV, it's also the added features and Samsung's Tizen interface. The Samsung S90C OLED is one of the best TVs for Xbox Series X|S, for example, thanks to its bevy of hardware and software gaming features.

Sure, the newer Samsung Class S95C OLED is brighter and sounds better, but it's also more expensive. At just $1,599.99 at Samsung for the 65-inch version (which is the sweet spot for me), the S90C OLED is more than enough TV to last me for years of movies, TV shows, and video games. Of course, it'd be difficult to choose between the ultra-bright Samsung Class S90C OLED and my personal dream TV, the LG Class C3 Series OLED evo that's on sale right now.

There are even more value-driven deals, too, like the incredible Samsung Class QN90C Neo QLED, a dual LED TV with Quantum Dot technology that sits directly below Samsung's OLED panels... And it's only $1,599.99 at Samsung for the 65-inch version. You can gain 20-inches of pure QLED screen and keep a couple hundred dollars, though, with the Samsung Class QE1C QLED for just $1,229.99 at Samsung.

Samsung's Galaxy Book4 Ultra packs high-end specs into a thin body. While the design of the laptop is unassuming, its display is gorgeous, thanks to being an AMOLED panel. Right now, you can snag the maxed-out Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra for $650 off. That discount gets you the model with an Intel Core Ultra 9 Series 1, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, and 32GB of RAM. Perhaps most eye catching is the fact that the maxed-out Galaxy Book4 Ultra is now more affordable than the regular starting price of the PC.

✅Perfect for: Those who want a powerful Ultrabook with a thin and light design.

❌Avoid if: You are on a budget, want a flashy design, or don't need the power the Galaxy Book4 Ultra provides.

💰Price check: $2,349.99 at Samsung

👀Alternative deal: $1,899.99 for Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 1 model

🔥The hottest post-Prime Day 2024 deals🔥

• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months) | was $49.99 now $31.99 at CDKeys
• Surface Laptop Go 3 (Core i5) | was $799.99 now $599.99 at Best Buy
• ASUS 65W USB Type-C charger | was $64.99 now $29.99 at Best Buy
• Resident Evil 7 Gold Edition (PC) | was $51.19 now $9.69 at CDKeys
• HP Victus 15.6 (Ryzen 5, RTX 4050) | was $979 now $599 at Walmart

Why I recommend this deal

TIP🔍 paying for a Best Buy membership gets you perks such as free two-day shipping and an extended return window. If you get a My Best Buy Total membership, you'll also get a protection plan, 24/7 tech support, and 20% off repairs.

The Galaxy Book4 Ultra is a premium laptop featuring a 16-inch AMOLED display and high-end specs to handle heavy workloads. It's a traditional laptop in terms of design, but it's at the top of the class when it comes to clamshell PCs. Samsung made a well-built PC with a lovely display, plenty of ports, and a full number pad. Samsung makes many of the best screens in the tech world, including designs used by other companies. So, it should come as no surprise that the Dynamic OLED 2X panel on the Galaxy Book4 Ultra is vibrant, accurate, and has high contrast.

Normally, the Galaxy Book4 Ultra starts at $2,399.99, but the discount on the laptop lets you get the maxed-out version with an Intel Core Ultra 9 Series 1 and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 for $2,349.99. That model also has double the RAM, getting you 32GB of memory. If you don't need the higher specs or want to spend less, the Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 1 model is on sale for $1,899.9 ($500 off).

A massive reason that I recommend this deal is that our Zachary Boddy gave the laptop a near-perfect 4.5/5 in their Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra review. Boddy is a laptop expert who goes hands-on with the best Windows laptops and the latest tech. In addition to experience with the greatest gadgets, Boddy is honest about devices. Even when a PC is fun to use or has unique elements that make people geek out, they see the big picture and evaluate PCs for their functionality. For example, despite part of them loving the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i, the laptop only received a 3.5/5.

On its own, the Galaxy Book4 Ultra competes with the best Windows laptops, but it shouldn't be judged in a vacuum. Samsung has the closest integration of devices outside of the Apple ecosystem. A massive library of apps let you control your phone or tablet from your PC, transfer files across devices, and sync settings, notes, and more. You can even use supported Samsung tablets as an external monitor with the Galaxy Book4 Ultra. Add in Samsung's Phone Link integrations and you have a premium laptop that can also be a hub for your devices.

Boddy was effusive in their praise of the Galaxy Book4 Ultra:

"When other companies are seeking wild and unique ways to differentiate their hardware, Samsung is quietly refining its Windows laptops with the latest internals and AI features. The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra may be indiscernible at a glance from the faceless hordes of Windows laptops, but underneath its unassuming aluminum chassis is a top-notch, powerful 16-inch Windows laptop.

A wonderful OLED display, excellent performance across the board, and not a single hardware miss makes the Book4 Ultra an excellent option for anyone that needs a do-it-all workstation."

Anyone who needs a premium Windows laptop should look at the Galaxy Book4 Ultra. Looking should become staring when you see the massive discount on the maxed-out model.

The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge is one of the best Copilot+ PCs if you're shopping for a MacBook alternative. It's available in 14- and 16-inch sizes, it comes with Qualcomm's two top-tier Snapdragon X Elite chips, and it has AMOLED touch displays with accurate color reproduction and high refresh rate.

The 16-inch Book4 Edge is one of the first Copilot+ PCs we have in for testing, and we also have the MacBook Pro 14 with its M3 chip standing by for comparison purposes. Which one is better for you? Let's take a look at features, design, displays, and performance.

Galaxy Book4 Edge vs. MacBook Pro 14 (M3): Specs

Here's a look at the raw specifications that make up these laptops before we dive into a more detailed breakdown of the similarities and differences. We're focusing on the 16-inch Galaxy Book4 Edge with X Elite (X1E-84) and the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3.

Galaxy Book4 Edge vs. MacBook Pro 14 (M3): Price and availability

The first wave of Copilot+ PCs, including the Galaxy Book4 Edge, is now available at official and third-party retailers. The 16-inch model we have for review, with an X Elite (X1E-84) SoC, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD, costs about $1,750.

You can also get the 16-inch version with the mid-tier X Elite (X1E-80) SoC, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD starting at $1,450. The cheapest price is tied to the smaller 14-inch model with X Elite (X1E-80) SoC, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD; it costs about $1,350.

The MacBook Pro 14 we're comparing here has an M3 chip, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD for about $1,599. The price jumps to about $1,999 for a model with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD to match the Book4 Edge spec we're comparing. That positions the Samsung laptop as the better value, especially considering the larger 16-inch display. Moving up to the MacBook Pro 16 with M3 Pro CPU, 18GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD pushes the price to $2,499.

It's worth mentioning that both Samsung and Apple have some respectable trade-in programs that can save you a ton of money. Apple says it offers up to a $1,105 rebate for a MacBook Pro, while Samsung offers up to $500 off with laptops, phones, or tablets.

Galaxy Book4 Edge vs. MacBook Pro 14 (M3): Design and features

The 16-inch Galaxy Book4 Edge that we're focusing on here is impressively thin and light, especially when compared directly to the MacBook Pro 14. Both laptops weigh in at about 3.4 pounds (1.54kg) despite the Book4 Edge's larger footprint to accommodate the larger display. Samsung's laptop is also more than 3mm thinner than the Apple device.

Despite the size difference, Samsung managed to include more ports. The Book4 Edge 16 has two USB4, USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The MacBook Pro 14 drops the USB-A port and swaps the microSD reader for a full-size SD card reader; it also has Apple's proprietary MagSafe 3 charging connection.

One important difference when it comes to ports is external display support. We're still testing how many screens the Galaxy Book4 Edge can handle, but we do know that the MacBook Pro with M3 can run up to two external displays if you close the lid on the laptop. The Book4 Edge can run a 4K display at 60Hz via the HDMI port, but we're checking to see what USB4 can handle at the same time.

As for wireless connectivity, the Book4 Edge offers Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3. The MacBook Pro (M3) has Wi-Fi 6E and the same Bluetooth standard. Will most users notice a difference? Probably not, especially since Wi-Fi 7 routers aren't yet too common. However, Wi-Fi 7 can offer blistering throughput and will set you up nicely for the future.

Samsung and Apple include Dolby Atmos for their audio setups, but the MacBook Pro 14 comes out on top in terms of hardware. It has six speakers in total, and the sound experience is always impressive. Samsung isn't too far behind with its quad-speaker setup, and you should expect a pleasant listening experience from both laptops when you aren't using a headset.

Typing will ultimately come down to personal preference, but the Galaxy Book4 Edge should be considered one of the best laptops with a number pad for those who need the extra keys. Samsung and Apple each offer comfortable typing, and the touchpads are oversized for easy pointing. Apple does, however, bring haptics, while the Book4 Edge still has a more traditional touchpad with moving parts.

Finally, the cameras in each laptop have a 1080p resolution and lack any facial recognition hardware. They both have a fingerprint reader instead for biometric security.

Galaxy Book4 Edge vs. MacBook Pro 14 (M3): Display

The displays in these two laptops are some of the best on the market. Focusing on the larger Galaxy Book4 Edge, it has a 16-inch AMOLED panel with a 2880x1800 resolution. The variable refresh rate reaches up to 120Hz, Samsung says it hits perfect DCI-P3 color, and it can reach up to 500 nits with HDR enabled. It otherwise tops out at 400 nits.

The Galaxy Book4 Edge adds touch functionality and an anti-reflective layer to reduce glare. It should be a great option for designers and creators.

Apple's 14-inch mini-LED display is, however, the more impressive entry. It has a higher 3024x1964 resolution for higher pixel density, it has an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz, and it can reach up to 1,600 nits brightness with HDR enabled. It otherwise hits 600 nits with SDR or 1,000 nits with XDR. The mini-LED tech allows for individual dimming zones, resulting in deeper blacks.

Samsung does not list Dolby Vision support, something that is available with the MacBook Pro 14. Both displays are impressive, and it will ultimately come down to how much brightness you need and whether you prefer AMOLED or mini-LED.

Galaxy Book4 Edge vs. MacBook Pro 14 (M3): Performance and battery

The 16-inch Galaxy Book4 Edge is available with the Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80 or X1E-84 SoC; our review unit has the latter high-end chip with 12 cores, a 3.8GHz multithread frequency, 4.2GHz dual-core boost, and integrated Adreno GPU with 4.6 TFLOPs. As with all Snapdragon X chips, its Hexagon Neural Processing Unit (NPU) hits 45 TOPS of power for local AI acceleration.

On Apple's side, the MacBook Pro 14 we tested has the standard M3 chip with eight cores (split in half for performance and efficiency). The performance cores reach up to 4.06GHz, and its efficiency cores hit 2.75GHz. The chip has an integrated GPU with 10 cores. It, too, has an NPU capable of about 18 TOPS.

We're still working on concrete benchmark results for power and battery life, and we'll keep this comparison updated as we get more information. We know that the MacBook Pro 14 has a 70Wh battery; the Galaxy Book4 Edge sits at 61.8Wh.

So far, we have Geekbench 6 results, which show the X1E-84 coming out well ahead of the M3 in multi-core score. It's worth mentioning that the mid-tier X1E-80 chip in the Surface Pro 11 scored 14,186 in Geekbench 6 multi-core and 2,796 in single-core.

Gaming performance is also something we're keeping an eye on. The massive list of games compatible with Windows on ARM — which you can peruse at the WorksonWoA website — shows that Windows is still the place to game. The Galaxy Book4 Edge isn't expected to be at the same level as the best gaming laptops, but it should handle lighter titles without much effort. That's especially true with the Auto Super Resolution feature that comes as part of Copilot+, which is essentially Microsoft's own version of NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR that's built right into Windows 11.

Galaxy Book4 Edge vs. MacBook Pro 14 (M3): Copilot+, Galaxy AI, Apple Intelligence

Samsung and Apple each have their own proprietary AI suites available across devices. Galaxy AI works with Galaxy laptops, phones, and tablets just like Apple Intelligence works with iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. One big difference is that Galaxy AI is already available, whereas Apple Intelligence is expected in the fall of 2024.

Galaxy AI allows you to connect your Galaxy phone to your Book4 Edge, blending the AI features across devices. You can take advantage of tools like Chat Assist, Live Translate, and Circle to Search seamlessly, as well as use Copilot voice commands to control your phone from your laptop.

Combined with Copilot+ tools, the Book4 Edge should be a powerful AI centerpiece for those invested in the Galaxy ecosystem. Windows Recall has been delayed due to privacy concerns, but there are nevertheless a bunch of great tools available in Copilot+. It allows you to:

• Translate video and audio in real time with Live Caption.
• Enhance your video and audio further with advanced Windows Studio Effects.
• Explore advanced AI edits in compatible design and editing software.
• Explore suggested visual and contextual edits in displayed content.
• Leverage Cocreator for advanced local image and text creation.
• Upscale games automatically with Auto Super Resolution.

Apple Intelligence is sort of a blend of Copilot+ and Galaxy AI due to it all being made by the same company. It offers recording, writing, and transcription tools, smart media search, an image creator, and more. It relies on a mix of local hardware and a cloud that Apple says runs on Apple silicon. Siri is also getting access to ChatGPT.

AI features are only expected to improve and expand, and choosing one device or the other will likely come down to where you've already invested money. If you have a Galaxy phone and earbuds already, it only makes sense to stick with Samsung. On the other hand, those with an iPhone and iPad should get a lot more out of a MacBook Pro.

Galaxy Book4 Edge vs. MacBook Pro 14 (M3): Which should you buy?

Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Systems-on-Chip (SoC) is now available in some of the best Windows laptops on the market, including the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge. They compete well with Apple's own M3 silicon, which is great news for Windows users who have always wanted the power and efficiency that for years was exclusive to Apple laptops.

We're still working on performance and battery testing for an accurate comparison, but from what we've seen in other Copilot+ PCs, you can expect the Book4 Edge to offer better multi-core scores. Apple does have the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips for anyone who needs the best performance possible, but keep in mind at that point the pricing climbs quickly.

The 16-inch Book4 Edge with top-tier X Elite chip, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD costs about $1,750, whereas you'll pay about $1,999 for a similar setup in a smaller 14-inch MacBook Pro. Samsung's laptop can save you money while at the same time landing you a larger display.

While both laptops can be considered AI devices thanks to the inclusion of an NPU, Apple's suite of tools known as Apple Intelligence isn't set to arrive until later this year. On the other hand, Samsung's own Galaxy AI suite of tools is already working within its ecosystem, and Copilot+ is a go other than the delayed Windows Recall.

Amazon has confirmed its 2024 Prime Day dates as July 16 and July 17, but you might not want to wait that long if you're shopping around for a new solid-state drive (SSD). With Best Buy and Samsung's current deal pricing on this M.2 drive, it might even be best to forego Prime Day and grab some new storage right now.

It's no secret that Samsung makes some of the fastest and most reliable storage on the market, and its 990 EVO M.2 NVMe SSD is a relatively recent release with PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 hybrid compatibility. It's available in 1TB and 2TB capacities, it can hit read speeds up to 5,000MB/s, and it'll work in desktop or laptop PCs.

The 2TB Samsung 990 EVO is usually priced around $240, but right now you can pick it up for about $140. That's cheaper than the 1TB model's suggested $150 pricing, essentially allowing you to double up your storage on the cheap.

If you'd rather cap the capacity at 1TB, I've spotted the smaller 990 EVO drive on sale for $90 at Samsung, which is $60 off the regular price.

Why choose the Samsung 990 EVO over the 990 PRO?

Samsung's two-punch approach to modern M.2 storage also includes the 990 PRO we reviewed favorably enough to give it a Windows Central Best Award. It's strictly a PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD with a focus on maximum transfer speeds; it tops out at 7,450MB/s on the read side and 6,900MB/s on the write side.

Both the 990 EVO and 990 PRO use Samsung's own V-NAND TLC memory and in-house controllers, though the 990 EVO goes with the newer Piccolo while the 990 PRO uses the older Pascal. They have a similar Terabytes Written (TBW) rating at 1,200TBW for the 2TB SSD; that means you should theoretically be able to write 1,200TB of data to either SSD before it leaves the warranty zone, which itself is five years.

Both drives have 256-bit AES encryption, and Samsung's Magician software is super useful for keeping track of drive health, optimization, and security.

The biggest differences between these drives are transfer speeds, PCIe compatibility, and cache. The newer 990 EVO featured here thanks to its deep discount lacks any DRAM, which in turn pulls back its potential top speeds and makes it less suited for gaming purposes than its 990 PRO sibling. Nevertheless, the 990 EVO tops out at about 5,000MB/s read and 4,200MB/s write speeds whether you're using PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 5.0, which is more than fast enough for most people's needs.

Why the same speeds across PCIe standards? Samsung uses a PCIe 4.0 setup with four lanes and a PCIe 5.0 setup with two lanes, which essentially come out to the same performance. Because the 990 EVO has compatibility with both, it'll work in more systems and will allow you to potentially free up specific PCIe lanes for other purposes.

We're getting into the weeds a bit here, especially since most PC users are looking for strong performance and a competitive price when it comes to storage. The 990 EVO will work well in a wide selection of desktop and laptop PCs, and the fact that you can right now pick up the 2TB version for less than what Samsung usually charges for the 1TB version will matter most.

If you don't want to wait for Prime Day, spending $140 now on 2TB of versatile M.2 storage doesn't sound too bad at all. If you'd rather stick with a 1TB version, Samsung's own sale has it discounted to $90, which is $60 off the regular price.

Samsung's Galaxy Book4 Edge was one of the world's first Copilot+ PCs to be announced on May 20, 2024, and it's now available to buy. If you missed out on the preorder deal that came with a free TV, you can still get something in return when you buy after launch.

Most major laptop makers, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Surface, and, of course, Samsung, have great Copilot+ PCs, but the Galaxy Book4 Edge is particularly enticing for those who want a crisp AMOLED display, strong performance and efficiency, and baked-in Galaxy AI features that complement other Galaxy hardware.

While we're still in the early release days for Copilot+ PCs and thus can't expect major price cuts, Best Buy has added a $150 e-Gift Card to both 14- and 16-inch Galaxy Book4 Edge models. Prices start at about $1,350 for the smaller laptop or about $1,450 for the larger PC. If you plan on buying a Copilot+ laptop anyway, why not get some money back and use it to pick up some accessories?

The Galaxy Book4 Edge is perfect for those already in the Galaxy ecosystem

The Galaxy Book4 Edge is part of what Windows Central Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino calls a "Great Reset" in the PC industry, as Qualcomm and Microsoft have come together to deliver next-gen AI experiences through ARM64 and Copilot+. The new Windows on ARM laptops are shaping up to be some of the best laptops of the year thanks to strong performance and efficiency.

There are a lot of great Copilot+ PCs on the market already, but the Galaxy Book4 Edge is no doubt the best option for anyone who is already invested in the Galaxy ecosystem. That's all thanks to Galaxy AI, which aims to streamline AI tools across Galaxy laptops, tablets, and phones.

Galaxy AI allows you to connect your phone to your laptop to access extra AI tools like Circle to Search on a larger screen, but it also works the other way. You can use Copilot voice control to do things like set reminders and send texts on your phone without actually touching it. It's the same idea as Apple Intelligence, but it's available now.

Galaxy AI is joined by Copilot+ to bring even more AI upgrades. Tools like Live Caption allow you to translate video and audio in real time, advanced Windows Studio Effects can further improve your picture, and Cocreator allows you to create images and text locally. Auto Super Resolution is especially important for those who want to do some gaming on their laptop, and, of course, the controversial Windows Recall is expected to arrive after a delay to work out the privacy concerns. 

The Galaxy Book4 Edge is as much a looker as it is smart

Samsung's Galaxy Book4 Edge is one of the only Copilot+ PCs to offer the top-tier Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 chip with 12 cores, a 3.8GHz multithread frequency, 4.2GHz dual-core CPU boost, and 4.6 TFLOPs of power from the integrated Adreno GPU. Like all Snapdragon X chips, it has a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with 45 TOPS of power to handle local AI acceleration.

The X1E-84 is only available in the 16-inch model, with the 14-inch model falling back to the mid-tier X1E-80 System-on-Chip (SoC). Both units come with 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and either a 512GB or 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. We're still in the process of testing performance, but early hands-on impressions are very positive, with tons of power and strong battery life.

Like most of Samsung's laptops, the Book4 Edge is super thin and light despite an aluminum chassis. Even the 16-inch model measures less than a half-inch thin. Both sizes of the laptop come with a quad-speaker setup and Dolby Atmos tuning, as well as a 1080p webcam above the display. The keyboard on the 16-inch model includes a number pad for easier productivity, and both sizes have large touchpads.

Samsung didn't skimp on the display, which is no surprise considering it makes its own hardware. Both the 14- and 16-inch models have an AMOLED touchscreen with a 2880x1800 resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, 120Hz variable refresh rate, perfect DCI-P3 color reproduction (important for design and creative work), and up to 500 nits brightness with HDR enabled.

All things considered, the Galaxy Book4 Edge is one of the most exciting new Copilot+ PCs to enter the market. The recent release means you won't likely see any major discounts for a while, so any money back is a huge bonus. My recommendation? Take the $150 Best Buy e-Gift Card and pick up some great laptop accessories to complement your new AI PC.

Samsung's Galaxy Book4 Edge and the ASUS Vivobook S 15 (S5507) are two of the world's first Copilot+ PCs to enter the market, and they each bring enough power to run advanced Windows 11 AI features locally. 

Beyond the AI aspect, Samsung and ASUS have served up some gorgeous Windows laptops with strong performance and efficiency thanks to Qualcomm Snapdragon X Systems-on-Chip (SoC), OLED displays, and plenty of high-end features.

Samsung's Galaxy Book4 Edge comes in 14- and 16-inch sizes, while the Vivobook S 15 has a more traditional 15.6-inch setup. There are plenty of similarities between the laptops, but there are also some key differences that you should be aware of before making a final decision. Let's take a close look at these laptops to help you make the right decision.

ASUS Vivobook S15 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: Specs

It's worth taking a closer look at the raw specifications that make up the ASUS Vivobook S 15 (S5507) and Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge laptops before we get into a more detailed breakdown.

ASUS Vivobook S 15 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: Price and availability

The Vivobook S 15 (S5507) and Galaxy Book4 Edge have launched and are readily available to buy.

The best places to pick up the Book4 Edge are either Best Buy or direct from Samsung. Prices start at $1,350 for the 14-inch model and about $1,750 for the 16-inch model.

If you'd rather shop at Samsung, you can get some trade-in credit with valid hardware. Samsung offers up to $500 off depending on the device you trade in, which can lower the starting price to well below $1,000.

The Vivobook S 15 is available to buy from the official ASUS website as well as third-party retailer B&H. You can expect to pay about $1,300 for a model with a Snapdragon X Elite chip, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD.

ASUS Vivobook S 15 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: Design and features

Samsung offers two sizes for its Galaxy Book4 Edge, while the Vivobook S 15 is a nice middle ground at 15.6 inches. All laptops have a sleek all-metal design, with the Book4 Edge models offering the thinnest dimensions. Samsung has a Sapphire Blue color for its Book4 models, while the Vivobook S 15 comes in a more traditional Cool Silver finish. None of these laptops have 360-degree hinges for convertible functionality; instead, they focus on a premium notebook approach.

The Vivobook S 15's keyboard is impressive, serving up customizable RGB lighting and a full number pad for productivity masters. It even has 1.5mm key travel for a comfortable approach. Samsung also added a number pad to its 16-inch Book4 Edge model, while the 14-inch model drops the extra keys. Quality laptops with number pads are popular, so this might be a feature with a lot of weight. Both laptops have sizable touchpads. Typing will ultimately come down to personal preference, but you should expect a high-end experience from any of these devices.

Samsung and ASUS approach biometric security a bit differently. Both lean into Windows Hello, but the Book4 Edge sticks with a fingerprint reader, while the Vivobook S 15 has an IR sensor for facial recognition. All laptops have a 1080p webcam above the display, but only the Vivobook adds a privacy shutter.

The Galaxy Book4 Edge models have an impressive quad-speaker setup. While we haven't yet tested the audio quality, you get output at 13.4W on the 14-inch model and 14W on the 16-inch model. The dual harman/kardon speakers in the Vivobook are just average, so expect Samsung to offer a better listening experience. Dolby Atmos is included across all laptops for further tuning.

Looking at ports, those who need broad native connectivity without a great Thunderbolt dock should stick with the larger models. The 16-inch Book4 Edge has dual USB4, USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audio, and a microSD card reader for removable storage. The Vivobook S 15 has the same setup, except it adds a second USB-A port to the mix. The 14-inch Book4 Edge is limited to dual USB4, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Wi-Fi 7 and modern Bluetooth are available across all models.

ASUS Vivobook S 15 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: Display

The displays in these laptops are all impressive, and your choice will likely come down to size and aspect ratio. ASUS decided to keep a 16:9 aspect ratio for its 15.6-inch display, resulting in a 2880x1620 resolution. Most non-gaming laptops have moved on to a taller 16:10 or even 3:2 aspect ratio, providing more vertical space. If you're used to 16:10, it might be tough to go back to 16:9.

In any case, ASUS delivers an OLED panel with a smooth and dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 600 certification (up to 600 nits with HDR enabled), and 100% DCI-P3 color reproduction. It should be a stellar option for general computing and for photo or video editing thanks to the deep OLED color and contrast.

Samsung's 14- and 16-inch displays have a taller 16:10 aspect ratio with a 2880x1800 resolution. You get more pixel density on the smaller display, but even the 16-inch model will be plenty crisp. Both displays have Samsung's stellar AMOLED panel for unreal color and contrast, and they both have a 120Hz variable refresh rate to be easier on the eyes. Samsung lists 120% DCI-P3 color coverage, as well as up to 500 nits brightness with HDR enabled.

ASUS Vivobook S 15 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: Performance and battery

Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips power the first wave of Copilot+ PCs to enter the market, bringing strong performance and efficiency for Windows on ARM. These chips have a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with 45 TOPS of power for local AI acceleration, which is more than the 40 TOPS benchmark set by Microsoft for advanced AI features coming to Windows 11.

The initial Vivobook S 15 model has a Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-78-100) SoC running at 45W, and it's expected that ASUS will also eventually release a model using the more affordable Snapdragon X Plus chip.

The Galaxy Book4 Edge offers the higher-tier X Elite (X1E-80-100 and X1E-84-100) chips, though it's unclear at what TDP they run. Because ASUS has set its chip at 45W, it could end up running faster than the ones in the Book4 Edge. We'll know more when we get our hands on these laptops for testing.

ASUS lists up to 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM, though the initial offering has 16GB. Samsung only lists 16GB across its laptops, though that could change in the future. The Vivobook S 15 comes with a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. On Samsung's side, a 1TB SSD is only available in the 16-inch model. The 14-inch model tops out at 512GB.

We've now tested first-hand the Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-78) chip in the ASUS laptop, and the results are impressive. In our Vivobook S 15 (S5507) review, Windows Central Senior Editor Zac Bowden said:

"This chip is a beast, outputting incredible performance that you can feel in almost every task. Whether browsing the web with lots of tabs, multitasking through lots of open apps, rendering video and audio, hosting a podcast, or even some gaming, The Snapdragon X Elite can do it all."

The X Elite "trades blows with the Apple M3," according to Bowden, and it even bests plenty of modern Intel and AMD chips.

As for battery life, Bowden discovered that the 70Wh battery in the Vivobook could go for a full workday and into the next day without needing a charge. It hit more than 14 hours in PCMark 10's Applications rundown, and keep in mind that it's with a high-res OLED display.

The Vivobook S 15 has a larger 70Wh battery compared to 55.9Wh and 618Wh in the Book4 Edge models, but chip TDP and other factors will play a role. Samsung says its 16-inch model can run for up to 22 hours. We'll know more when we get our hands on the Samsung laptops.

ASUS Vivobook S 15 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: Copilot+ and Galaxy AI

Microsoft and Qualcomm teamed up to deliver Copilot+, the next step in AI PCs. Copilot+ is an umbrella term for advanced AI features baked into Windows 11, as well as laptops with an NPU powerful enough to run them locally. So far, that's only laptops with a Snapdragon X chip, but we now know that AMD's Ryzen AI 300 chips and Intel's "Lunar Lake" CPUs will also have an NPU capable of handling Copilot+.

The Galaxy Book4 Edge and Vivobook S 15 both get access to Copilot+, which includes features like Windows Recall, Live Captions, local AI image and text creation, Auto Super Resolution, and advanced Windows Studio Effects.

Samsung's Galaxy AI is an exclusive feature that should appeal to anyone with a Galaxy phone. You can connect your PC and phone to access extra AI features on the larger screen, and Copilot voice commands will even be sent back to your phone for things like messages and reminders.

ASUS Vivobook S 15 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: Which should you buy?

ASUS and Samsung's laptops are quite closely matched, and making a final decision might not be easy if you're looking for a sleek Copilot+ PC. In general, those who value audio quality or who already have a Galaxy phone should lean toward Samsung's laptops. The quad-speaker setup, paired with high-res AMOLED displays, should be great for anyone who watches TV and movies on their laptop.

On the other hand, the Vivobook S 15 also has an OLED display with a crisp resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It's also a great laptop if you want a bright screen, as ASUS lists it at up to 600 nits with HDR enabled. The drawback is a 16:9 aspect ratio, which doesn't provide as much vertical screen space. If you want an IR sensor and a privacy shutter for the webcam, ASUS is also the way to go.

We now have a clear idea of how strong and efficient the X Elite chip can be, but we'll have to test the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge directly for a clear comparison. In any case, you should be safe in assuming that Snapdragon X is the real deal no matter the laptop.

Finally, pricing will play a big role in your final decision. The Vivobook S 15 with a Snapdragon X Elite chip, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD costs about $1,300. The smaller Book4 Edge with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD costs about $50 more. And if you want the larger 16-inch Book4 Edge, prices start at $1,750 for 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. If you're looking for the best value possible, ASUS has Samsung beat.

Microsoft unveiled the Surface Laptop 7 on May 20, 2024, as one of the world's first Copilot+ PCs with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Systems-on-Chip (SoC). Samsung quickly followed up by revealing its Galaxy Book4 Edge, another high-end AI laptop with the right hardware for Copilot+ AI features in Windows 11.

Microsoft and Samsung offer two different sizes of laptops, giving customers more choices when it comes to buying a sleek new Windows laptop. At a glance, the Galaxy Book4 Edge should be the better choice for demanding users thanks to the inclusion of the most powerful Snapdragon X Elite chip. However, the Surface Laptop 7 should be a more budget-friendly option thanks to the Snapdragon X Plus configuration.

There's a lot more to unpack here, including keyboard arrangement, touchpad tech, ports, and displays. Let's dig into the similarities and differences between these laptops to help you make the right decision.

Surface Laptop 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: Specs

Take a look at the specifications that make up each of these Copilot+ PCs. Specs include both sizes of the Surface Laptop 7 and Galaxy Book4 Edge.

Surface Laptop 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: Price and availability

The Surface Laptop 7 and Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge are both, at the time of writing, available to preorder. They're expected to launch on June 18.

Best Buy is offering one of the best preorder deals around for these laptops. Best Buy Plus and Total members can currently get a free 50-inch 4K TV with a preorder, but only for a limited time. The Surface Laptop 7 is tied to an Insignia Class F30 model, while the Galaxy Book4 Edge comes with a Samsung DU7200 TV.

The Surface Laptop 7 starts at about $1,000 at Best Buy for a model containing a 13.8-inch display, Snapdragon X Plus chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD. The larger 15-inch model starts at $1,300 but comes with the more powerful Snapdragon X Elite chip.

The Galaxy Book4 Edge starts at about $1,350 for a 14-inch model with a Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-80-100) chip and 512GB SSD. A 16-inch model with the same chip starts at about $1,450.

Samsung's official website also has a preorder deal with a free 50-inch Crystal UHD 4K TV. Prices are the same at Samsung, though you can find a 16-inch model with the more powerful X Elite (X1E-84-100) chip for about $1,750.

Surface Laptop 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: Design and features

The Surface Laptop 7 is available in 13.8- and 15-inch sizes, while the Galaxy Book4 Edge comes in 14- and 16-inch sizes. Due to the screen dimensions, the Surface Laptop 7 remains the more compact laptop when you're looking at the footprint.

However, Samsung has done a great job of keeping its laptops thin and light; the 14-inch model weighs just 2.6 pounds (1.18kg) and measures 0.43 inches (10.9mm) thin, while the 16-inch model weighs 3.4 pounds (1.54kg) and measures 0.48 inches (12.19mm) thin. These are respectable numbers, especially for the larger 16-inch model. The Surface Laptop 7 is comparatively heavier and thicker.

The Surface Laptop 7 received a minor redesign for this generation, now featuring rounded edges and new Sapphire and Dune colors to go along with the Platinum and Black. The Galaxy Book4 Edge looks a lot like the Laptop 7 except for a thicker lower display bezel. You can get the Galaxy Book4 Edge in a Sapphire Blue color.

One Galaxy Book4 Edge highlight that will no doubt attract multitaskers is the inclusion of a number pad on the 16-inch model's keyboard. The 14-inch model and both sizes of the Laptop 7 lack a number pad, but the typing experience should be otherwise exceptional.

Sensel's haptic touchpad has made it into the Surface Laptop 7, which is great news for anyone who wants a premium pointer without any moving parts. On the other hand, the Galaxy Book4 Edge's touchpads are enormous (especially on the 16-inch model) and will be great for multitasking.

Both laptops have a 1080p camera above the display, but only the Surface Laptop 7 offers an IR sensor for Windows Hello. The Galaxy Book4 Edge instead relies on a fingerprint reader for biometric security.

Audio hasn't really changed for the Surface Laptop 7, with two Omnisonic speakers and Dolby Atmos. The Galaxy Book4 Edge also supports Dolby Atmos, and it comes at you with four total speakers. We'll have to test the audio ourselves to figure out which has better sound quality.

And as for ports, it's a mix across the model sizes. The smaller Surface Laptop 7 has two USB4, USB-A 3.1, a microSD card reader, 3.5mm audio, and a Surface Connect port. The larger Laptop 7 adds a microSD card reader to the list.

The smaller Galaxy Book4 Edge has two USB4, HDMI 2.1, and 3.5mm audio. Again, the larger model adds a microSD card reader. For most people, the HDMI 2.1 port is going to be a lot more useful than the proprietary Surface Connect port. You can use USB4 with Thunderbolt docks, though you should be aware of some nuances. All laptops come with Wi-Fi 7 and modern Bluetooth for wireless connectivity.

Surface Laptop 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: Display

If you're looking for higher screen resolutions and an AMOLED panel with awesome color and contrast, the Galaxy Book4 Edge should be the easy choice. The 14-inch model has a 2880x1800 resolution for the 16:10 aspect ratio, 120Hz variable refresh rate, full DCI-P3 color reproduction, and 400 nits brightness that goes up to 500 nits with HDR enabled.

The 16-inch screen has the same 2.8K resolution and otherwise similar specs. Even with the larger screen dimensions, you're looking at a higher pixel density from the Galaxy Book4 Edge with 242 PPI at 14 inches and 212 PPI at 16 inches. The screens are also touch-enabled, though they don't support inking.

Samsung's AMOLED displays are outstanding, but the touchscreens in the Surface Laptop 7 are also impressive. The 13.8-inch model has a 2304x1535 resolution (201 PPI) with a taller 3:2 aspect ratio, giving you more vertical space. It has a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate, Dolby Vision IQ, and HDR support.

The 15-inch display in the Laptop 7 has a 2496x1664 resolution (201 PPI) and otherwise similar specs to its smaller sibling. Like the Galaxy Book4 Edge, there is no inking support in the Surface Laptop 7.

Surface Laptop 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: Performance and battery

Microsoft and Samsung's laptops were some of the first Copilot+ PCs ever announced, and they're equipped with a mix of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus chips. More specifically, Samsung only offers X Elite, while Microsoft has both options.

And if you're looking for the best performance possible with Windows on ARM, you'll likely want to go with the X Elite (X1E-84-100) chip available in the 16-inch Galaxy Book4 Edge. It has 12 cores, the highest multithread frequency at 3.8GHz, the highest dual-core boost at 4.2GHz, and the strongest integrated GPU at 4.6 TFLOPs.

The 14- and 16-inch Surface Laptop 7 models top out at the X Elite (X1E-80-100) chip. It has the same 12 cores but drops to a 3.4GHz multithread frequency, 4.0GHz dual-core boost, and 3.8 TFLOPs GPU power.

Microsoft also offers the Snapdragon X Plus chip in its 14-inch model, which comes in the most affordable configurations. The X Plus drops to 10 cores and lacks a dual-core boost ability but otherwise has a similar multithread frequency and GPU to the mid-range X Elite (X1E-80-100) chip.

We look forward to testing these laptops ourselves to see how thermals and power are handled, but as a bottom line, you should expect the most performance from the Galaxy Book4 Edge thanks to its top-tier X Elite option.

One area where the Surface Laptop 7 easily comes out ahead is with memory and storage availability. Samsung, for some reason, capped the Galaxy Book4 Edge's RAM at 16GB, which is the minimum for a Copilot+ PC. Samsung also only offers a 512GB SSD in its 14-inch model, adding a 1TB option for the 16-inch model.

Microsoft brings 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB RAM options across 13.8- and 15-inch sizes, though you might have to swap colors to land the perfect configuration. It also comes with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options, which can be upgraded after purchase. Samsung does not clarify whether you can upgrade storage, but we know that the LPDDR5x RAM is soldered by nature across all models.

Surface Laptop 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: Copilot+ and AI

AI PCs have been on the rise ever since laptops started, including a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for local AI acceleration, and Microsoft took the next step by introducing Copilot+. It's an umbrella term for a set of advanced AI features coming to Windows 11, and it's also used to denote laptops compatible with these features.

In order to get in on Copilot+, a laptop needs an NPU with at least 40 TOPS of power. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips hit 45 TOPS, AMD's new Ryzen AI 300 CPUs hit 50 TOPS, and Intel's upcoming "Lunar Lake" chips go up to 48 TOPS.

The Surface Laptop 7 and Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge are both considered Copilot+ PCs, and they'll have access to features like Windows Recall, Live Captions, local AI image and text creation, and more.

Samsung is taking things one step further with Galaxy AI, which should prove useful for anyone who is already invested in the Galaxy ecosystem. Galaxy AI allows you to connect a Galaxy phone to your Book4 Edge to access extra AI features on a larger screen. You can even use Copilot voice commands to do things like send messages and set reminders on your phone.

Surface Laptop 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: Which should you buy?

The new Surface Laptop 7 starts at a more affordable price, and that will no doubt play a big role in your final decision. Its configuration options, which include the X Plus SoC with multiple memory and storage options, should also be more accommodating. However, if you want the most performance possible, the Galaxy Book4 Edge's top X Elite SoC option should be the way to go.

Samsung's Galaxy Book4 Edge comes with AMOLED touch displays at a higher resolution, and anyone who wants the deep color and contrast associated with the tech should consider these first. However, the Laptop 7's displays are impressive in their own right, especially with the taller 3:2 aspect ratio.

All devices have a slim and sleek design, but the Book4 Edge is thinner and lighter. It also boasts an impressive quad-speaker setup with Dolby Atmos, and the HDMI 2.1 port will likely be better than the Surface Connect port in the Laptop 7. The keyboard setup in the 16-inch Galaxy Book4 Edge should also make it one of the best laptops with number pads, which is important for heavy multitaskers.

What you need to know

• Samsung announced the Galaxy Book4 Edge, its first Copilot+ PC powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite SoC.
• Preorders are live at Samsung.com starting at $1,730.
• You can trade in a laptop, phone, or tablet and get up to a $535 discount.
• Samsung also offers a 50-inch Crystal UHD 4K TV valued at $380 for free when you preorder.

Microsoft, Qualcomm, and a host of major laptop makers, including Samsung, have teamed up to deliver what Windows Central Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino calls the "Great Reset" of Windows PCs. 

The new Copilot+ PCs announced at the Microsoft Event 2024 include Samsung's Galaxy Book4 Edge, available in 14- and 16-inch sizes. The laptops are powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite Systems-on-Chip (SoC), and according to Samsung they've been "designed from the ground up for AI."

Both sizes of the Galaxy Book4 Edge are now available to preorder at Samsung.com. Prices start at $1,730 for the 14-inch model, but you might not have to pay full price. Samsung is offering up to $535 off the regular price when you trade in a valid laptop, phone, or tablet. That brings the price as low as $1,350 for the 14-inch model or $1,450 for the 16-inch model.

Samsung doesn't stop there. Anyone who preorders also gets a 50-inch Crystal UHD 4K TV with a $380 value for free. The laptops are expected to ship on June 18, with the TV not far behind on June 24.

The Galaxy Book4 Edge is a Copilot+ PC

The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge is one of the first Copilot+ PCs to enter the market, alongside a bunch of other laptops from major manufacturers. 

This first run of Windows on ARM laptops to receive the new Copilot+ branding are built around Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips, and they're considered the next generation of AI PCs.

Why only Qualcomm? The Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus contain a powerful Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that is capable of 45 TOPS. Copilot+ requires at least 40 TOPS performance to run its new AI features locally, putting Qualcomm above the new benchmark. With Intel and AMD's current-gen chips far below this threshold, Qualcomm Snapdragon X is, for now, the only option.

The 14-inch Galaxy Book4 Edge is equipped with the Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-80-100) chip with 12 Oryon CPU cores, a 3.4GHz frequency, a 4.0GHz dual-core boost, and an Adreno GPU with 3.8 TFLOPS. For even more performance, the 16-inch Book4 Edge comes with the X Elite (X1E-84-100) with a higher 3.8GHz frequency, 4.2GHz dual-core boost, and a GPU with 4.6 TFLOPS.

Both laptops are thin and light with a sleek design, yet they boast a quad-speaker setup, a respectable collection of ports, and brilliant AMOLED displays with 2880x1800 resolution, 120Hz variable refresh rate, HDR support, and perfect DCI-P3 color reproduction.

Alongside the new Copilot+ AI features in Windows — like Recall, Live Caption, Auto Super Resolution, and more — available thanks to the X Elite chips, the Galaxy Book4 Edge has its own improvements through Galaxy AI. When connected to a Galaxy mobile device through Link to Windows, you'll be able to take advantage of things like Mirror Circle to Search, Chat Assist, and Live Translate across devices. Samsung also says you'll be able to use Copilot voice commands on your laptop to send messages, set reminders and alarms, and more on your connected phone.

The Galaxy Book4 Edge certainly isn't the most affordable Copilot+ PC on the market, but this preorder deal can certainly take a bite out of the price if you have something to trade in. Even if you don't, landing that $380 50-inch 4K TV for free might be too good to pass up.

• Preorder the 14-inch Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge at Samsung
• Preorder the 16-inch Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge at Samsung

What you need to know

• Samsung announced the new Snapdragon X-powered Galaxy Book4 Edge in 14- and 16-inch sizes.
• They're Copilot+ PCs with a Qualcomm Hexagon NPU running at 45 TOPS.
• The laptops feature 2.8K AMOLED touch displays, quad-speaker audio with Dolby Atmos, and the Galaxy AI suite of tools.
• The 14- and 16-inch Galaxy Book4 Edge are now available to preorder through Samsung. Prices start at $1,350 and $1,450, respectively, and Samsung is throwing in a 50-inch Crystal 4K TV for free.

The world of Windows PCs has had a busy day, with seemingly all major manufacturers jumping in to show off new AI laptops powered by Qualcomm's ARM-based Snapdragon X series Systems-on-Chip (SoC).

Samsung joined the fray to unveil its own new Windows on ARM laptops. The Galaxy Book4 Edge is available in 14- and 16-inch sizes and has been "designed from the ground up for AI," according to the company.

The new Galaxy Book4 Edge is already available to pre-order at Samsung's website starting at $1,350 for the 14-inch model. The 16-inch model starts at $1,450. When pre-ordering through Samsung.com or the Samsung Shop App, you'll also receive a free 50-inch Crystal UHD 4K TV. The devices are expected to ship June 18, 2024.

With 14- and 16-inch sizes, Samsung aims to cater to users who want mobility and those who can't live without enough screen space for heavier multitasking. Both sizes are built to a high standard with a premium feel, which isn't unusual for Samsung laptops.

These new models incorporate recycled plastic, glass, and aluminum and come in a Sapphire Blue finish. The 14-inch model weighs in at 2.6 pounds (1.18kg) and measures 0.43 inches (10.9mm) thin, while the 16-inch model only climbs to 3.4 pounds (1.54kg) while measuring 0.48 inches (12.19mm) thin.

They're both very light and sleek laptops, yet Samsung has four speakers with Dolby Atmos tuning and a decent selection of ports. The smaller model has two USB4, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm audio jack, while the larger PC adds USB-A and a microSD card reader.

The touch AMOLED displays offer the same specs and features, albeit in different sizes. Both have a crisp 2880x1800 resolution, a 120Hz variable refresh rate, 120% DCI-P3 color reproduction, and up to 500 nits brightness with HDR enabled. They otherwise hit 400 nits. Samsung's displays are always impressive, and these look to be no different.

Digging into the performance hardware, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chips are the centerpiece. The Galaxy Book4 Edge 14 has the X1E-80-100 version with 12 Oryon CPU cores, 3.4GHz frequency, and 4.0GHz dual-core boost, plus an Adreno GPU with 3.8 TFLOPs. The larger 16-inch model offers the same chip and the more powerful X1E-84-100 with a 3.8GHz frequency, 4.2GHz dual-core boost, and GPU with 4.6 TFLOPs.

All SoCs have a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with 45 TOPS of power for local AI acceleration, which will be used for the new Windows 11 Copilot+ features and Samsung's own Galaxy AI (more on these below). All Galaxy Book4 Edge laptops are listed as having 16GB of RAM and either a 512GB or 1TB SSD. Samsung claims the 14-inch model can run for up to 18 hours on a charge, while the 16-inch model tops out at 22 hours.

It's worth pointing out that the 16-inch Galaxy Book4 Edge has a full number pad, which many users can't live without. Rounding out the specs is a 1080p webcam above the display and a fingerprint reader for Windows Hello.

The Samsung Galaxy AI difference

The new Galaxy Book4 Edge makes the cut as a Copilot+ PC thanks to its Qualcomm Hexagon NPU with 45 TOPS of power, but Samsung wasn't satisfied with stopping there. Its own Galaxy AI is also included as a suite of tools best used between Galaxy devices. Although I recently switched from a Galaxy phone, this new cross-platform AI compatibility makes me reconsider my decision.

Samsung says that you'll now be able to connect your Galaxy phone to a Book4 Edge with Link to Windows to get all the AI features on a bigger screen. For example, using the Mirror Circle to Search with Google feature will have the results pop up on your PC for easy copy-pasting. Chat Assist and Live Translate, two of the most popular Galaxy AI tools, will also be available on the Book4 Edge.

According to Samsung, Copilot voice can also be used to send messages, set reminders and alarms, and more on your mobile device when it's connected to your Book4 Edge. That's going to make this one great laptop for those invested in the Galaxy ecosystem.

A quick look at AI PCs and Copilot+

We'll be talking a lot more about AI PCs and Copilot+ in the foreseeable future, and it's worth explaining what these terms actually mean.

An AI PC has an NPU inside to handle local AI tasks, freeing up the CPU and GPU for other work. While some great AI laptops are on the market sporting Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen chips, Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X series chips have taken things to another level. That's where the Copilot+ term comes into play.

Microsoft has created a new umbrella term to identify certain next-gen AI features coming to Windows. Only PCs with an NPU capable of at least 40 TOPS will be named Copilot+ PCs, and for now, that means only laptops with the Snapdragon X Elite or Snapdragon X Plus.

Copilot+ features have me rather excited about the future of Windows 11, something I can't say is always the case. Most notable is a Recall feature that runs in the background, allowing you to search for anything you've seen or done on the PC in any app. Microsoft says this data is stored locally without sending info to the cloud, which eases some privacy concerns.

Live Captions can translate more than 40 languages to English when viewing or listening to pre-recorded and live video or audio, and Windows Studio Effects is also getting some new lighting and styling features. Auto Super Resolution will be particularly useful for gamers who want to upscale in real time. Not all features will be available immediately, but they are expected this year.