Skilled’s Ranking
Professionals
- Stellar battery life
- Beautiful show
- Strong efficiency
- Spectacular port choice
Cons
- No touchscreen or S Pen help
- Trackpad lacks precision
- Costly, particularly within the UK
Our Verdict
The Galaxy Guide 3 Professional packs so much into an impressively skinny and lightweight chassis, particularly on the 16in mannequin. However true pro-level efficiency is barely accessible on the dearer Galaxy Guide Extremely.
Samsung’s February 2023 Galaxy Unpacked occasion was all concerning the Ultras, with the up to date Galaxy S23 model joined by a brand-new Galaxy Guide Extremely.
However the latter was simply one among 4 new laptops introduced by Samsung, and the opposite three, cheaper choices are prone to be extra well-liked. They embrace the Galaxy Guide 3 Professional, an everyday clamshell laptop computer accessible with both a 14in or 16in display screen.
None of those are touchscreens, they usually don’t have the S Pen help we’ve come to affiliate with Galaxy Guide vary. And though I simply stated ‘cheaper’, the Guide 3 Professional isn’t precisely low-cost. Is there sufficient right here to justify the excessive worth? The brief reply to that’s no, however it’s nonetheless a superb laptop computer for on a regular basis use, so don’t cease studying simply but.
Design, construct & ports
- Slick, premium design
- Impressively skinny and lightweight
- Good port choice
Samsung has caught with the identical primary design for its laptops since relaunching them in 2020, and there’s no signal of that altering any time quickly.
It means the Galaxy Guide 3 Professional has a near-identical aluminium physique and understated aesthetic to its predecessor, with a silver emblem punctuating an in any other case very plain exterior.
Some might even see it as boring, however I like the minimalist design Samsung has gone for. It’s accessible in two colors – Graphite and Beige – and the Beige mannequin I examined definitely appears the half.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
That alternative of supplies additionally helps the Guide 3 Professional to stay impressively light-weight for its dimension. The 14in mannequin weighs 1.17kg, whereas the 16in model is barely barely heavier at 1.56kg. It means each are very moveable, particularly with the chassis not more than 12.5mm thick.
Some might even see it as boring, however I like the minimalist design Samsung has gone for
A skinny and lightweight laptop computer usually dangers sturdiness, however that doesn’t appear to be a difficulty right here. The mixture of premium supplies and a strong hinge design means the Guide 3 Professional feels impressively sturdy. You’ll discover the wobbly show at occasions, particularly whereas typing, however there’s no indication of it inflicting any long-term harm.
I’m additionally very glad to see a wholesome port choice, one thing which is constant throughout each sizes. Each USB-C ports help Thunderbolt 4, making for quick knowledge switch and straightforward reference to a variety of different units and equipment. They’re joined by one USB-A, one full-size HDMI, a microSD card slot and a 3.5mm audio jack.
![Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 16in - ports](https://i0.wp.com/b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/samsung-galaxy-book-3-pro-review-6.jpg?resize=788%2C443&ssl=1)
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
If I’m being actually choosy, it’d have been good to have one other USB-A port – you should still want an adapter or hub – however I can’t actually complain. Many skinny and lightweight laptops dispose of the port totally.
Keyboard, trackpad & webcam
- Strong full-size keyboard, regardless of restricted key journey
- Large trackpad, however it lacks precision
- Nice fingerprint sensor and webcam, however no face unlock
Each sizes of the Galaxy Guide 3 Professional can comfortably accommodate a full-size keyboard, however solely the 16in mannequin features a separate quantity pad to the correct. A characteristic like this falls into the ‘good to have’ class, however I wouldn’t have missed it if it wasn’t there.
The keys themselves undertake a ‘chiclet’ design, that means they’ve a separated, flatter form and supply considerably much less journey than on another laptops. This appears like a foul factor, however typing on the Guide 3 Professional is nice. Every key feels very clicky and responsive, which improved the pace and accuracy of my typing.
Samsung gives three ranges of backlighting. On the dimmest setting it’s shiny sufficient to comfortably use in a room that’s fully darkish, and at 100% the sunshine continues to be seen when there’s extra ambient mild.
![Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 16in - keybard](https://i0.wp.com/b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/samsung-galaxy-book-3-pro-review.jpg?resize=788%2C443&ssl=1)
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The primary criticism of the keyboard is the row of perform keys on the high. They provide all the standard fast entry to quantity adjustment, brightness controls and different key settings, however you could maintain down the Fn key on the similar time to make use of them. That is one thing that impacts all Samsung laptops, however it annoys me each time.
Under the keyboard, you’ll discover an enormous trackpad. It extends throughout half of the width of the keyboard on the 16in mannequin, and covers nearly all the distance between the house bar and fringe of the gadget.
This provides the phantasm of extra management, however I discovered the other. Oddly, it lacked the precision of smaller variations, reminiscent of those you’ll discover on different Galaxy Books. I usually had bother clicking a particular space of the display screen or highlighting particular textual content. The cursor additionally generally moved erratically.
Plus, the sheer dimension of the factor led to some unintentional clicks just because it leaves restricted house to comfortably relaxation your palms. That appears like plenty of criticism, however it’s not a dealbreaker.
On the top-right of the keyboard, you’ll discover a energy button which doubles as a fingerprint sensor. It’s simple to arrange, quick and dependable – simply what you need.
Nevertheless, that’s your solely biometric possibility for unlocking the Guide 3 Professional. With no IR sensor, it doesn’t help Home windows Good day face unlock.
As a substitute, you’ll discover a single 1080p webcam above the show. It’s top-of-the-line built-in sensors on any laptop computer, providing spectacular element and dealing with publicity properly. Alongside twin studio mics, the Guide 3 Professional is a good laptop computer for video calling.
Display screen & audio system
- Glorious 120Hz AMOLED show
- No touchscreen or S Pen help
- Respectable quad audio system
Samsung is aware of find out how to make an awesome show, and the Galaxy Guide 3 Professional’s display screen is without doubt one of the greatest you’ll discover on any laptop computer. It delivers a wealthy, detailed and vibrant viewing expertise that you just’ll wish to maintain coming again to
It’s a 2880×1800 AMOLED panel on each 14in and 16in fashions, leading to a shift to the 16:10 side ratio for the primary time. It is a good transfer for most individuals, because the taller display screen lets you slot in barely extra content material. Pictures and movies in 16:9 will embrace black bars above and beneath (letterboxing), however they nonetheless look nice.
![Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 16 - display](https://i0.wp.com/b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/samsung-galaxy-book-3-pro-review-11.jpg?resize=788%2C443&ssl=1)
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Color accuracy can also be wonderful. In accordance with inner testing, it covers the total sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts, plus 98% of Adobe RGB – top-of-the-line outcomes we’ve seen on any laptop computer.
That’s earlier than you even get to the refresh fee, which could be fastened at 60Hz and 120Hz or dynamically swap between the 2. The latter gives an awesome stability between further fluidity and battery life, so I’d suggest it for most individuals. You gained’t discover the excessive refresh fee as a lot as on a smartphone, however it nonetheless makes all the things really feel easy and slick.
The Galaxy Guide 3 Professional’s display screen is without doubt one of the greatest you’ll discover on any laptop computer
With all that in thoughts, it ought to most likely come as no shock that the top-of-the-line Galaxy Guide Extremely has the very same show specs. You may’t get a lot better than this on a client laptop computer.
Nevertheless, neither of those units are touchscreens, that means there’s no S Pen help both. Samsung makes loads of laptops which do, however it’s value being conscious of should you’re contemplating this particular gadget.
By way of brightness, a take a look at results of 405 nit is true in step with Samsung’s marketed 400-nit most. It means you may get away with utilizing it exterior, simply not beneath shiny daylight.
Audio isn’t fairly as spectacular, however the Guide 3 Professional can undoubtedly maintain its personal. It has quad audio system and Dolby Atmos help, serving to it to ship crisp, room-filling sound. It’s higher suited to voice-based content material than music, although, with bass-heavy music tracks sounding barely washed out.
Nonetheless, these audio system are nice for informal use reminiscent of video calls.
Specs & efficiency
- Intel Thirteenth-gen P-series CPUs
- Strong efficiency, however not for demanding workloads
- 512GB or 1TB SSDs (microSD expandable)
Regardless of the Professional title, the Galaxy Guide 3 Professional’s efficiency specs aren’t something particular. It gives a alternative between Intel’s Core i5-1340P and Core i7-1360P, from the 2023 Raptor Lake vary.
Whereas it’s nice to see 13th-gen chips arrive in laptops so quickly after they have been introduced, these are solely from the P-series, reasonably than the extra succesful H-series discovered within the Galaxy Guide Extremely. You additionally miss out on the Core i9 possibility.
![Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 16in - Intel Evo badge](https://i0.wp.com/b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/samsung-galaxy-book-3-pro-review-12.jpg?resize=788%2C443&ssl=1)
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Samsung is beneficiant in relation to RAM, although. You get 16- or 32GB of the DDR5 commonplace, which helps maintain all the things working easily – even should you depend on Google Chrome, which tends to make use of so much.
Efficiency is excellent consequently, with even the Core i5 mannequin excelling throughout a variety of on a regular basis duties. I primarily used it for internet searching, social media, watching movies and managing information, all of which it will possibly deal with with none issues by any means.
However you’ll run into points with extra demanding workloads, the place the shortage of a discrete GPU is extra noticeable. The gadget makes use of Intel’s Iris Xe built-in graphics, which makes it unsuitable for duties reminiscent of video modifying or gaming.
In abstract, the Guide 3 Professional is a lot highly effective sufficient for most individuals. However it will possibly’t deal with the form of intensive workloads the ‘Professional’ title would possibly counsel.
Nevertheless, within the benchmarks beneath, it greater than holds its personal.
In contrast to some laptops, there’s loads of inner storage whichever mannequin you select. The Guide 3 Professional begins with a 512GB SSD, however you’ll be able to improve to 1TB should you’d favor. If that’s not sufficient, it helps growth through microSD card as much as 2TB.
By way of connectivity, the gadget options each Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1. Solely the previous is the most recent commonplace, however you’re unlikely to overlook not being upgraded to Bluetooth 5.3. An absence of 5G (or 4G) may be extra grating, although.
Battery & Charging
- 63Wh battery on 14in, 76Wh on 16in
- Excellent battery life
- 65W charging barely underwhelming
Battery capability is one thing that varies considerably between sizes of the Galaxy Guide 3 Professional. The 14in mannequin is supplied with a decent 63Wh cell, however the 16in model bumps that as much as 76Wh.
That’s as a result of bigger show, though I can’t touch upon how that impacts the 14in Guide 3 Professional. What I can say is that battery life on the 16in mannequin is actually wonderful.
It’s mirrored in our 720p video loop take a look at, the place the Guide 3 Professional lasted an unimaginable 18 hours. That’s top-of-the-line scores we’ve ever seen, bettered solely by ARM-based units.
Battery life on the 16in mannequin is actually wonderful
Video playback doesn’t essentially replicate real-world utilization, whereas 120 nits of brightness is comparatively dim. Nevertheless, turning on battery saver on the default 20% (reasonably than turning it off, as was the case for this take a look at) will assist it final lengthy.
However it will possibly comfortably final a full eight-hour workday on a single cost, even with excessive brightness and the show set to 120Hz. For those who solely use it in your spare time, three and even 4 days are inside attain.
The battery capability performs a giant function right here, as does the improved energy effectivity of 13th-gen Intel CPUs.
While you do finally run out, Samsung features a 65W charger within the field. This can be utilized to cost any Galaxy units which use USB-C, however speeds on the Guide 3 Professional are barely underwhelming.
![Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 16in - ports](https://i0.wp.com/b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/samsung-galaxy-book-3-pro-review-5.jpg?resize=788%2C443&ssl=1)
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
I recorded 33% in half-hour and 66% in 1 hour from off. That’s nice for most individuals, however definitely not the quickest.
Software program
- Home windows 11 Dwelling out of the field
- A number of pre-installed Samsung apps, however not disruptive
- Will get updates all through Home windows 11’s lifespan
The Galaxy Guide 3 Professional ships working Home windows 11 Dwelling.
However in contrast to on its telephones, Samsung’s software program tweaks aren’t vital until you personal different Galaxy units. The person interface is equivalent to some other Home windows 11 gadget, with solely a handful of additional apps pre-installed.
![Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 16in - software](https://i0.wp.com/b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/samsung-galaxy-book-3-pro-review-10.jpg?resize=788%2C443&ssl=1)
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
These are as follows: Move (for syncing between units), Restoration, Account, Bluetooth Sync, Gallery, Notes, Fast Share, Second Display screen and Galaxy Guide Expertise (fast entry to key options). Samsung additionally has its personal model of Settings, however it’s nothing like the total Home windows 11 model.
The excellent news is that these can all be uninstalled at any time, and it’s simple to keep away from interacting with them altogether. However when you have a Samsung telephone or pill, some options shall be genuinely helpful.
One other constructive is that every one Home windows 11 units are anticipated to get updates throughout the working system’s lifespan. Microsoft is but to verify how lengthy that’ll be, however it normally helps (well-liked) main variations for round a decade – that might take us to 2031.
Value & availability
The Galaxy Guide 3 Professional isn’t Samsung’s most costly 2023 laptop computer, however it nonetheless doesn’t come low-cost.
You’ll pay at the least $1,449.99/£1,349 for the 14in mannequin, whereas stepping as much as the 16in begins at $1,549.99/£1,449 – supplied you don’t have a tool to commerce in.
Nevertheless, Core i5 fashions aren’t accessible within the US, so the like-for-like costs are considerably increased within the UK.
These are excessive costs for a client laptop computer. Most of the alternate options in our greatest laptop computer chart are both higher worth for cash or supply further performance, however that doesn’t imply you need to rule out the Guide 3 Professional totally.
It’s an awesome laptop computer, only a bit overpriced, so maintain your eye out for any offers and reductions.
Verdict
The Galaxy Guide 3 Professional isn’t as class-leading as its worth might counsel. However there are various highlights together with a beautiful 120Hz AMOLED show (14in or 16in), a formidable choice of ports and stellar battery life.
You additionally get Samsung’s trademark premium design, plus some nice video calling options.
Efficiency is strong too, however it will possibly’t deal with the demanding workloads you would possibly affiliate with a ‘Professional’ laptop computer. With an iffy trackpad and no contact (or S Pen) help, there are sufficient causes to hesitate earlier than shopping for one – particularly at full worth.
With the Extremely taking most of the headlines and 360 fashions providing extra performance for much less, the Guide 3 Professional results in an ungainly center floor. It’s a formidable laptop computer, however so are many others round this worth – together with the LG Gram 16, Huawei MateBook 16s and Microsoft Floor Laptop computer 5.
Specs
- Show: 16:10 AMOLED, 14in or 16in (each 2880×1800), 120Hz
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1340P, Intel Core i7-1360P
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
- Reminiscence: 8/16/32GB
- Storage: 256/512GB/1TB SSD (expandable as much as 2TB through microSD)
- Ports: 2x USB-C (each Thunderbolt 4), 1x USB-A, HDMI 1.4, microSD, 3.5mm audio jack
- Digicam: 1080p front-facing
- Wi-fi: WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, 5G (elective)
- Battery: 63Wh (14in), 76Wh (16in)
- Charging: 65W USB-C (included)
- Working system: Home windows 11 Dwelling
- Colors: Graphite, Beige
- Weight: 1.17kg (14in), 1.56kg (16in)