Samsung G15 review

Samsung has taken the concept of desktop replacement to the extreme with the G15 -- it doesn't even have a battery, so using it on the move is out of the question.

If you're prepared to keep it deskbound, however, it's reasonably cheap with an asking price of £548 from LaptopsDirect.co.uk.

Strengths
Samsung may not have equipped the G15 with Intel's latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor, instead opting for a 1.86GHz Pentium Dual Core T2130 chip combined with 1GB of RAM, but it still managed to pull in a respectable PCMark05 score of 3,487.

When it comes to storage space, Samsung hasn't skimped either, equipping the G15 with a massive 320GB hard drive, which should be more than enough for all but the most demanding of users. Samsung has also thrown in a backup utility to keep your data safe and there's a DVD writer plus a 6-in1 card reader.

The 17-inch screen is a glossy display, with great colour reproduction, but it is more reflective than a normal model so you may find traces of bright lights behind you a distraction.

When it comes to expansion, you'll find a generous five USB ports available, with four on the left hand side and a further connector at the rear. The keyboard is large and solid to type on.

It also slopes slightly towards the front, making it comfortable to use. In terms of wireless connections, you'll find an 802.11g Wi-Fi adapter built in, but no Bluetooth.

Weaknesses
Although the G15 can hold its own in the 2D performance stakes, it's not really cut out for 3D gaming. Its ATI Radeon Xpress 1250M graphics chip only managed to limp home with a 3DMark06 score 431, which is disappointing.

It's not a widescreen model, so you're stuck with a 4:3 aspect ratio which isn't great for working on multiple documents side by side or watching DVD movies.

In terms of design, it's not the most inspiring model with fairly utilitarian looks that don't really help disguise its huge size. It's also just as well it's not cut out for life on the road since it weighs a hernia inducing 5kg so you'd be hard pushed to cart it very far at all. It's pretty bulky too, measuring 376 by 65 by 335mm so you'd need a fairly large bag to carry it around.

If you want all the bells and whistles of Microsoft's latest operating system then you'll need to look elsewhere as it only comes with a copy of Windows XP Professional Edition. Given its poor 3D performance, it's unlikely it would run Vista that well even if you splashed out extra for a copy.

The touchpad is cramped, making it rather awkward to use. Given that it's not a particularly small model, it wouldn't have been that difficult to have included a larger one. You also won't find a PC Card slot, so your expansion options are limited.

Conclusion
If you never plan to do any work on the move -- and given that the G15 weighs 5kg, it's not exactly an ideal travel partner -- then the lack of battery is acceptable. It offers decent 2D performance, but is let down when it comes to gaming and you'll have to settle for Microsoft's previous generation OS. The G15 is available for £548 from LaptopsDirect.co.uk.

Edited by Jason Jenkins
Additional editing by Jon Squire