There are a whole host of Samsung utilities designed to make printing, file transfers, network connections and display management easier. We found a lot of these Samsung-branded tools to be no more helpful than the default Windows options, but Update Plus is useful for keeping drivers up to date. Administrators will appreciate the ability to disable the network, ExpressCard and memory card slots, but there's no way to lock out the USB ports. Security administrators will also appreciate the hardware-level support for Intel's Anti-Theft remote tracking technology, although this only works when used with a third-party subscription service.
Administrators will appreciate the ability to disable the network, ExpressCard and memory card slots, but there's no way to lock out the USB ports.
Whether the 600B5B will appeal to you or your company will depend entirely on whether you require a graphics card certified to work with particular programs. For most people, this is unnecessary; Intel's integrated graphics chip is perfectly capable of everyday tasks such as decoding high definition video. There are many different competitor models to choose from that offer an otherwise identical feature set, but for less money. However, if graphics are a deciding factor, the 600B5B is definitely worth considering. It doesn't have the best screen or touchpad, but performance is there when it's needed.
Verdict
The Samsung 600B5B is fairly niche, even for a business laptop, but it's also one of the least expensive laptops with a business-certified graphics card. The 600B5B could be ideal for the user that needs 3D performance that can’t be provided by integrated chips. For most other people though, there are better all-rounders available.
SPECIFICATIONS
Processor: Intel Core i5-2520M 2.5GHz
Memory: 4GB 1,333MHz DDR3 RAM
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics integrated / 512MB Nvidia NVS 4200M dedicated
Hard disk: 500GB HDD
Display: 15.6in 1,366x768, LED-backlit screen
Features: 1.3 megapixel webcam, microphone
Connectivity: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Ports: 1 x USB2, 1 x eSATA (shared with USB2), 2 x USB3, 1 x 7-in-one card reader, 1 x VGA, 1 x HDMI, 1 x ExpressCard/34, 1x 3.5mm headphone output, 1x 3.5mm microphone input
Dimensions: 36x368x246mm (WxDxH)
Weight: 2.5kg
Warranty: 1 year collect and return warranty
OS: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
Part code: NP600B5B-S01UK
BENCHMARK RESULTS
Image editing 71
Video encoding 50
Multiple apps 54
Overall 56
Light usage battery life – 7h 49m
POWER CONSUMPTION
Sleep 1W
Idle 14W
Active 58W
