In this two-part interview, Samsung Newsroom illustrates how the Odyssey is changing the game in the gaming PC category.

Part 1: eSports Pros Discuss the Odyssey’s Winning Performance

Boasting powerful performance capabilities, gaming desktops have long been preferred to laptops by professional gamers. But thanks to the Samsung Notebook Odyssey, that may no longer be the case. Injae Kim and Jaehong Ryu of the professional eSports team Lunatic-hai explain why.

Q. You recently had the chance to test out the Samsung Notebook Odyssey. What were your first impressions?

Injae Kim: For me, the simple but powerful design really stuck out. While both color options are impressive, I especially liked the white model, which is rather unique for a gaming laptop. A good design can catch the attention of the public, which is something gamers have to consider.

Jehong Yu: The first thing I noticed was the size. I expected it to be small, but it turned out to be just the right size for playing.

Q. How did using the Samsung Notebook Odyssey compare to using a gaming desktop?

Injae Kim: Before using the Odyssey, I wondered if it would really stack up to a desktop in terms of performance but I ended up being very impressed. Thanks to the computer’s NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card, the images on the screen transitioned smoothly without lag, just as they do on a desktop. The colors were vibrant and the visuals extremely clear.

Jehong Yu: When I’m playing a game, I’m very sensitive to my surroundings. My performance can easily be affected if something is off. But with the Odyssey’s life-like color contrast, wide-view angle display and anti-glare screen, I didn’t notice any differences. I felt as if I were playing on a desktop like I usually do.

Q. What sets the Odyssey apart from other gaming PCs?

Jehong Yu: The ventilation system. Even after using the laptop continuously for long periods of time, the Odyssey didn’t get overheated, so its performance didn’t drop off. I once left the Odyssey on my bed, and the bedspread stayed cool.

Injae Kim: The curved keycaps feel very comfortable, and it doesn’t take long to get used to using them. Also, the WASD keys, which are the most frequently used keys in most games, are backlit, making them easier to find, even when playing in the dark.

Q. Of all the Odyssey’s features, which are your favorite?

Injae Kim: In addition to the laptop’s performance and portability, I find the keyboard shortcuts to be very useful. For example, I simply need to press two keys to access the System Status Dashboard, which lets me quickly check the frame rate and hard drive space. I can also record my gameplay without having to download additional programs, like most other computers require you to do.

Jehong Yu: The computer’s Beast Mode, which can easily be switched on with the press of a hot key, optimizes game performance by making the computer faster and the picture smoother. I kept Beast Mode on the entire time I used the Odyssey.

Part 2: Odyssey Designers Showcase a Design That’s Ahead of the Game

The design of the Samsung Notebook Odyssey is truly one of a kind. So much so that it was awarded the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2017, an accolade that appraises the best design products of the year. Jusuek Lee from Samsung Design Europe discusses the concept and the inspiration behind the aesthetics.

Q. What inspired the name of the computer?

Jusuek Lee: We wanted to design a device that could take gamers on an exciting adventure. Therefore, we named the laptop ‘Odyssey.’

Q. Tell us a little bit about the concept of the design.

Jusuek Lee: The Odyssey was inspired by the strength of the fabled dragon, which is evident in the details of the device’s unique design. The front logo, for example, resembles the eyes of the mythical creature. And, like the scales on a dragon’s skin, the laptop’s HexaFlow Vent located on its bottom panel enables optimal performance for even the longest gaming sessions. It also ensures that the device stays continuously cool.

Q. The hexagon shape is prevalent in the design of the Odyssey. What’s the story behind this?

Jusuek Lee: Of all shapes, the hexagon has the most stable and solid structure. Take a honeycomb, for example. Each hexagonal wax cell of the structure utilizes a limited amount of space while being able to support and balance a great amount of weight.

Likewise, the hexagonal ventilated bottom supports the laptop very well, while simultaneously cooling the device. If you look closely, you can see that each hexagon of the vent is skewed at a slightly different angle, and all are drawn from a singular point. This task alone took longer than any other part of the design process, as one small error would have spoiled the entire design.

Our design team also incorporated the same tilted hexagon shape into the laptop’s front logo and trackpad, thus unifying the entire design of the device.

Q. Why did you choose the colors?

Jusuek Lee: Most gaming PCs look so serious and dull. We wanted to create a completely new design that could appeal to all users. So, in addition to black, we also selected white for the body, a color that is both gender-neutral, innovative and unique to the product category.

For the accents, such as the keyboard backlight, we chose red, a straightforward hue symbolic of energy and enthusiasm, including the passion our users have for gaming.

Available in 17.3-inch and 15.6-inch models, and featuring refinements in design, cutting-edge technology and enhanced gaming usability, the Samsung Notebook Odyssey is no ordinary computer. From its eye-catching aesthetics and optimized keyboard to its advanced display and high-power performance, the device takes gaming experiences to entirely new heights.

A Design That Raises the Game

The Samsung Notebook Odyssey was inspired by the strength of the fabled dragon, which is evident in the details of the device’s unique design. The front logo, for example, resembles the eyes of the mythical creature. And, like the scales on a dragon’s skin, the Samsung Notebook Odyssey’s HexaFlow Vent located on its bottom panel is a cooling and ventilation system that enables optimal performance for even the longest gaming sessions. It also ensures that the device stays continuously cool.

On closer inspection, one cannot help but to be drawn to the device’s keyboard, which includes ergonomically curved keycaps (0.5mm volcano keycaps on the 17.3-inch, 0.3 mm crater keycaps on the 15.6-inch) for more comfortable gaming. Backlit WASD keys on the 15.6-inch model stand out in a dynamic red hue, providing users with optimal interaction. With the 17.3-inch model, users can also choose the backlight color of individual keycaps to make locating their most frequently used keys more intuitive.

Game-Changing Display

Equipped with a full-HD display and powerful backlight that features 300 nits (17.3-inch) or 280 nits (15.6-inch) of brightness, the Samsung Notebook Odyssey allows users to see each frame of the action in extreme clarity.

Its portable size and anti-glare treatment that minimizes reflection—and subsequently distractions—allows for a superior gaming experience in just about any environment.

Moreover, with its wide-view angle display, viewers can play with accuracy and precision from any angle. The display also offers high-quality, vibrant images that equate to an immersive, cinema-like HDR video experience by transporting gamers into exciting scenes with lifelike color contrast.

This performance is only enhanced by a NVIDIA GTX 1050 graphics card* which can handle even the most graphics-intense games out there with precision and power.

A-Game Performance, Superior Usability

Powered by a 7th Generation Intel® Core i7 processor (Quad Core 45W), the Samsung Notebook Odyssey offers users superior performance. Should users decide to do so, they can also upgrade the SSD drive more conveniently by simply opening the door on the HexaFlow Vent.

Furthermore, seamless keyboard shortcuts, like the one to the System Status Dashboard (Fn+F10), enhances usability by letting gamers quickly check frame rate to ensure premium performance and confirm memory and hard drive space. Or, should a gamer want to capture a memorable battle scene or show off an epic racing record, they simply need to press Fn+F11 to start recording their gameplay.

Samsung Notebook Odyssey also comes preloaded with software solutions for peer-to-peer sharing between devices, as well as PC Message and PC Gallery that enable users to easily share files, messages and photos.

Every part, piece and detail of the Samsung Notebook Odyssey has been thoughtfully designed and built from the ground up, offering excellence in performance and usability to give gamers the best gaming experience possible.

“The Samsung Notebook Odyssey allows for smoother gameplay, even during graphics-heavy games,” said Injae Kim, a professional gamer who participated in the Overwatch event at the Samsung CES 2017 booth. “I really like the feel of the keyboard and the fact that the ventilation keeps the computer cool so I can play just about anywhere, added Jehong Yu, another gamer present at the event.

* This feature currently applies to the 15.6-inch model.

Take a look at these videos from the press conference to see how Samsung is pioneering technology to truly fit consumers in more personalized, intuitive ways.

Tim Baxter, President of Samsung Electronics America, kicked off the press conference by sharing the company’s commitment to reaching higher for customers in 2017. He outlined three key areas of focus for 2017: developing technology that fits the lives of consumers, infusing elegant and thoughtful design into all Samsung products and continuing to build on the company’s leadership in IoT.

Joe Stinziano, EVP at Samsung Electronics America, introduced Samsung’s new QLED TV and Quantum Dot Curved Monitor, as well as the latest innovations in audio technology. Won Jin Lee, EVP at Samsung Electronics, highlighted how Samsung is leading the industry in aligning the TV experience to customers’ daily lives by introducing voice control enhancements to the Samsung Smart TV remote, and more personalized TV discovery options, particularly for 4K HDR content.

John Herrington, SVP at Samsung Electronics America, presented the new FlexWash & FlexDry laundry system and built-in premium kitchen appliances, which will bring unparalleled flexibility and choice to home appliances. He also unveiled the expansion of Samsung’s hugely successful Family Hub refrigerator series and updates to the Family Hub platform.

Alanna Cotton, VP at Samsung Electronics America, introduced the company’s newest wearable and mobile products, including the Gear S3 with LTE connectivity and the next generation of the Samsung Chromebook Plus designed for Google Play. She also introduced the new Samsung Notebook 9 for Windows users, as well as Samsung’s first-ever gaming laptop, the Notebook Odyssey.

If you would like to watch the full press conference, check out the video here:

“Despite some challenges, we’ve made big strides in 2016, gaining market share in TVs, home appliances, wearables and smartphones,” said Tim Baxter, President and Chief Operating Officer of Samsung Electronics America. “By listening to our consumers and building on our heritage of innovation, we are delivering on our vision of the future – one that is powered by connected and elegantly-designed products and services that put consumers firmly at the center.”

Samsung QLED, the Next Innovation in TV

Featuring incredible advancements in the development of Quantum dot technology, Samsung unveiled the 75-inch Q8C QLED TV, which adds new metal material to nano-sized semiconductor quantum dots to deliver the perfect mix of light and color currently available in display technology. The result is a stunning large-screen QLED TV, with an incredibly accurate and precise picture that can be viewed from any angle or in any environment.

Samsung QLED TV takes Quantum dot technology to new heights with advanced light efficiency and stability, as well as a wider color spectrum than ever before. The new QLED TV also features truly deep black levels, perfect 100% color volume when measured with DCI perfect match, and HDR optimal brightness of 1,500 – 2,000 nits. Samsung QLED TV’s new panel design also reduces reflection so consumers can see every bold detail with unbelievable levels of contrast. Finally, QLED delivers this level of performance regardless of where one is sitting, with consistent color and picture quality from any viewing angle.

New design elements introduced by Samsung enhance the QLED TV experience even further.

The practically invisible optical cable helps to solve the issue of unsightly cords and clutter that can be found in the home with a sleek, single cord system. Additional accessories include the optional “No-Gap Wall Mount,” which makes mounting a TV flush against the wall simpler and faster than ever before. Finally, for those who desire a variety of stylish options when displaying their TV, Samsung introduced two new optional elegant TV stands – Gravity and Studio – that appeal to the consumer who prefers an un-mounted TV.

In addition to the new TVs, Samsung also detailed plans to deliver a more unified experience for customers using various services and devices. Last year’s hit Samsung One Remote has been enhanced to support even more devices and offer voice control capabilities across more Smart TV features. And Samsung SmartView app – available on Android and iOS – allow users to get their personalized SmartHub experience right on their phone, as well as notifications of new content even when the user’s TV is off.

New to the Smart TV experience in 2017 is the Samsung Sports service. The Sports Service ensures that sports fans will never miss a moment, with customizable content and alerts based on a user’s team preferences, powered by real-time partnerships with the biggest content players in sports today.

Rounding out this year’s new Smart TV portfolio of offerings, Samsung has extended its popular global service, TV PLUS, to the U.S. market. A new entertainment app exclusively available on Samsung Smart TVs, TV PLUS conveniently brings high quality content into a single app on your TV for the most premium viewing experience. Paired with Samsung Checkout, TV Plus is the fastest way to connect with the entertainment consumers love, right out of the box. In addition, Samsung has also partnered with FandangoNow in the U.S. to bring instant access to rent or buy more than 40,000 movies and shows, including new releases in 4K HDR.

Additionally, Samsung announced their newest lifestyle TV innovation. The new Lifestyle TV offers a sleek, stunning design that was curated with an artful approach. This new TV was designed to appear just like a picture would appear on a wall, outfitted with an invisible cable that allows it to hang anywhere in the home, and blend seamlessly into any living space without those unsightly cables or wires. The Lifestyle TV was awarded a “2017 Best of Innovation Award” at CES 2017 and will be launched later this year.

Samsung showcased its 2017 lineup of home audio visual products, including the new Soundbar Sound+ which features a built-in sub-woofer, H7 Wireless Audio and the latest UHD Blu-ray Player. The products reflect a comprehensive suite of premium features with an eye toward heightened integration, as well as a premium, simplistic design that complements the user experience across multiple devices. Finally, the new Soundbar and H7 feature the rich and detailed sound of UHQ 32bit, which upscales from any source that provides 8-24bit sound.

Unprecedented Flexibility in the Home

Samsung unveiled a truly differentiated line of home appliances to give consumers more flexibility and choice in how they cook, clean and connect.

Bringing more flexibility into the laundry room, Samsung introduced FlexWash + FlexDry to meet the needs of today’s busy families. FlexWash is equipped with a 5.0 cu. ft. capacity front load washer, the largest in its class¹, to handle normal or bulky loads. It adds another cubic foot of capacity in a separate compartment on top for washing smaller loads separately from the main load. Both washers can run separately or simultaneously with different settings.

Meanwhile, FlexDry has the ability to tackle large laundry loads while gently drying a few delicate items at the same time at the top of the dryer. Suitable for items like athletic wear or a silk scarf, the unique Delicate Rack zone adjusts the heat automatically depending on the type of fabric being dried.

Signaling the company’s commitment to investing in categories in which its expertise and innovation can enrich and empower the lives of consumers, Samsung also introduced its line of new smart built-in appliances. This includes a new combination wall oven microwave, upgraded dishwasher, and matching line of premium refrigerators.

During the press conference, Samsung also announced Family Hub 2.0, the next generation of its award-winning refrigerator. Building upon Family Hub 1.0, which was introduced to wide acclaim last year, Family Hub 2.0 expands from four to 10 refrigerator models, so consumers can choose the refrigerator that best matches their household needs. It also features enhanced usability with intuitive app integration and new app partners to help families stay connected, manage food, and access more entertainment features on the refrigerator’s 21.5” LED touchscreen. For added convenience, Samsung’s advanced voice technology has also been integrated across many of Family Hub 2.0’s apps.

Fueling Passions with New Mobile Devices and Computers

This year at CES, Samsung introduced the next generation of mobile computing, with a range of new premium PCs that reflect the company’s commitment to design, craftsmanship, and choice. They include the Chromebook Plus and Chromebook Pro, a 15-inch Notebook 9 with a discrete GPU, and Samsung’s first-ever gaming laptop, the Notebook Odyssey.

The Samsung Chromebook Plus and Chromebook Pro are premium convertible laptops designed for Google Play, and can run millions of apps from the Google Play Store. The new Chromebooks feature a sleek yet durable metal body, and also go from notebook to tablet in a single snap. Thanks to Quad HD screen, the Samsung Chromebook Plus and Chromebook Pro perform equally well as both tablet and laptop, and are also the very first Chromebooks to come with an embedded digitizer pen. The Chromebook Plus will be available with an ARM CPU, and for those looking for even stronger performance, the Chromebook Pro will be powered by an Intel core M3 CPU.

Samsung’s new 15-inch Notebook 9, which will be available in the U.S. this year, is built for maximum performance and exceptional mobility. Powered by the 7^th-generation Intel Kaby Lake processor, it also features a discrete GPU to tackle even the most hardware intensive tasks, from photo and video editing, to running programs on multiple monitors.

Lastly, Samsung’s first-ever gaming laptop, the Samsung Notebook Odyssey, offers a mobile experience that rivals a desktop rig for power, speed and comfort while still being light enough to carry in a backpack. The laptop will be available in 15 and 17-inch screen sizes. The 15-inch Odyssey is powered by Intel’s 7^th-generation Core i7 processor, with up to 32 GB of 2400 Mhz DDR4 RAM, up to 256 GB SSD and HDD dual storage, and an NVIDIA GTX 1050 graphics card. More details on the17-inch Notebook Odyssey will be unveiled later this Spring.

Usability has also been enhanced with a built-in shortcut to maximize performance. At the push of a button, supercharge the Odyssey’s processor, graphics, and memory to realize the absolute best gaming experience.

For more information on this press release including photos, videos and relevant Samsung Newsroom articles, please visit news.samsung.com/global. Samsung’s CES booth #15006 is on Level 1 of the Central Hall in the Las Vegas Convention Center, and will be open from January 5-8, 2017. To learn more about CES 2017, please visit www.ces.tech.

¹ Based on product dimensions.