Samsung Galaxy Book Odyssey review
The Samsung Samsung Galaxy Book Odyssey ranks as the #430 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 73. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #161-ranked features among 772 laptops. Consider the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook or MSI Katana 17, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The Samsung Galaxy Book Odyssey is an adequate laptop for work and play, but it doesn't excel in either category. For $1,400, you can get a better Windows laptop that offers improved performance and build quality. The laptop's display is not color accurate, and the lack of Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C ports limits its expandability options. While it does a decent job with gaming at 1080p resolution, setting the settings to low to medium is necessary for smooth gameplay. Overall, the Galaxy Book Odyssey feels like a compromise rather than a standout laptop. Considering its price, there are better options available from Dell and Razer that offer improved performance and build quality.
Build
The Samsung Galaxy Book Odyssey boasts an impressive build quality, with a sturdy metal body that exudes premium feel. The laptop's design is sleek and sophisticated, making it a great option for those who value aesthetics. However, the lack of Thunderbolt 4 or USBC ports might be a letdown for some users, particularly those who need to expand their system storage or connect external devices easily. Nevertheless, the micro SD card slot serves as a suitable alternative for expanding storage capacity. Overall, the Galaxy Book Odyssey's build quality is impressive, but its port limitations might hinder its overall functionality. You might want to check out Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, featuring an upgraded build for a superior experience.
Display
The display on the Samsung Galaxy Book Odyssey is an adequate option for everyday use. While it's not the most vibrant or color-accurate screen, it gets the job done. The 1080p resolution can make editing high-resolution photos and videos a bit challenging, as the display may appear slightly pixelated. However, this can be mitigated with some calibration. One notable issue is the lack of sharpness on the display, which may lead to oversharpening of content when editing at higher resolutions. Overall, the display is a decent option for those who don't require extreme color accuracy or high-resolution visuals. However, it's not ideal for professionals or heavy users who rely on accurate colors and crisp visuals in their work. Take a look at Samsung Galaxy Book Go - its improved display sets a new standard.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Book Odyssey delivers adequate performance for work and play, but falls short in exceeding expectations. Compute performance is satisfactory, handling demanding tasks with ease. Content creation is also manageable, allowing for 4K video editing and high-resolution photo editing. However, the laptop's limitations become apparent when trying to expand its capabilities. The lack of Thunderbolt ports and a micro SD card slot hinder potential upgrades and expansion options. As such, while it's a decent option, users may find themselves limited in their ability to upgrade or connect additional devices. If you're after top-notch performance, consider Samsung Galaxy Book3 360.
Battery and Charging
The Samsung Galaxy Book Odyssey's battery life is decent, lasting around 8-10 hours in moderate use. Charging time is relatively quick, taking about an hour to reach 80% capacity from empty. However, the laptop lacks a USB-C port for faster charging or expansion capabilities. Overall, while not exceptional, the battery and charging performance are satisfactory for general use cases.
Connectivity
The Galaxy Book Odyssey's connectivity options are lacking, with only two USB-A ports, a microSD card slot, and HDMI 2.0. The absence of Thunderbolt 3/4 or USBC ports hinders expansion possibilities, making it difficult to connect external displays or storage devices. This limitation may impact content creation and gaming performance, especially for users requiring high-speed connections. Give Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro a try—it’s designed to provide an unparalleled connectivity.
Features
The Samsung Galaxy Book Odyssey offers a compelling set of features, including a 15.6-inch display, Intel Core i7 processor, up to 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It also boasts Dolby Atmos speakers and a microSD card slot for expandability. The laptop ties into the Samsung ecosystem with wireless file sharing and automatic cloud backups. However, it falls short in terms of port options and display sharpness. Get your hands on Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro if you're looking for better features.
Support and Maintenance
The Samsung Galaxy Book Odyssey offers average performance for work and play, but it doesn't excel in either category. The laptop's build quality is also just adequate. At $1,400, I think you can find better options elsewhere. One notable drawback is the lack of Thunderbolt 4 or USBC ports, limiting expandability. Furthermore, the display's 1080p resolution may struggle with high-resolution content creation and gaming. Overall, this laptop feels like a middle-of-the-road option that could be improved upon.
Pros
1. It's a pretty good option from Samsung, especially if you're invested in the Samsung ecosystem
2. The laptop ties in beautifully into that ecosystem, offering things like Wireless file share, automatic Cloud backups, and access to your phone straight from your laptop
3. The content creation capabilities are plenty capable, able to edit 4K video or high resolution photos easily
4. 1080p gaming on the galaxy book Odyssey is going to be just fine
Cons
1. The display is not color accurate and may require calibration, which can be an issue for content creators
2. There is a lack of Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USBC ports, limiting expandability options like egpu or a better display
3. The micro SD card slot is less convenient than a regular SD card slot, and the laptop cannot do any expansion with it
4. The 1080p panel may cause issues with editing resolutions higher than 1080p for video or high resolution photos, leading to oversharpening of content
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