First Impressions: Samsung's Galaxy Book S Lakefield is here - Almost 75% brighter thanks to outdoor mode

We have already covered the specs and the performance of the new Lakefield processor in a separate article. Compared to the Snapdragon 8cx processor of the ARM model, the CPU performance is a bit better, but the graphics performance is almost on the same level. The x86 processor is much more convenient in practice since 64-bit apps are supported. While you have to check if there are suitbale versions for the ARM processor, you can just use the Intel Galaxy Book S like a regular laptop.

The subjective performance impression is very good for common tasks. We did not notice any limitations or delays when we installed applications and benchmarks. The Intel CPU is also passively cooled, so there is no annoying fan.

The Intel processor also includes a faster Wi-Fi 6 module (AX200), but Samsung does not include an LTE modem, even though Intel's XMM 7560 is supported by the Lakefield processor. This is a big drawback compared to the ARM version and we cannot really understand this decision for such a mobile device.

Our criticism of the keyboard illumination (in this case white instead of green) also applies for the Intel model. We did find the brightness sensor (which only controls the keyboard illumination) on the Intel model in the lower right display bezel, but the basic problem is the same, because you cannot deactivate the sensor and control the illumination manually. If it is not completely dark, the illumination is just turned off automatically. You can at least change the duration before the illumination is turned off when you do not type. There should be an option to control the illumination manually and not just via sensor.

The Intel model uses a bit more power in almost every scenario, which is also noticeable in the battery runtime. Samsung advertises a lower runtime, and our results so far confirm that: The load test runs for almost 4 hours (without outdoor mode), 2 hours less than the ARM model. The Wi-Fi test at 150 nits is still running, but it should result in about 11-12 hours compared to more than 16 hours for the ARM model.

Intel's new Lakefield processor is a standard x86 processor, which means it supports 64-bit applications. This means you can just install any application without thinking about the compatibility. The subjective performance impression is okay and the implementation of the Wi-Fi 6 module is definitely good, but we cannot understand the lack of an LTE modem. This means you have to waive a big advantage of the Galaxy Book S ARM. The outdoor mode for the display is also a welcome feature, but we do not know why the ARM model does not get this mode, since it seems to be the exact same 1080p touchscreen.

We will perform our standard benchmarks and measurements over the next couple of days. Besides the performance of the new processor, we are especially eager to see the efficiency and the battery runtimes. We will also check the effects of the outdoor mode for the display.