The Series 5 Ultra didn't do quite as well in our graphics tests, as it relies on Intel's integrated graphics technology. In our Crysis 2 graphics test, the Series 5 Ultra spit out only a wimpy 23 frames per second (low quality, 800 by 600 resolution). The machine did better in our Dirt 3 test, with frame rates ranging from a decent 40 fps (low quality, 800 by 600) to a not-so-decent 13 fps (high quality, 1366 by 768 pixels).
Samsung's Series 5 Ultra may not be a gaming machine or even a multimedia powerhouse, but it does have a DVD-RW drive, which is more than any other Ultrabook can say. Video looks good on the Series 5 Ultra, though high-resolution content occasionally suffers from artifacts such as blocks--especially in motion-heavy scenes--and general choppiness. The speakers, located along the top of the keyboard, produce loud but thin and bass-less sound.
Here's the thing: Samsung pitches the Series 5 Ultra as the first Ultrabook to sport an optical drive. But it's not, because it's not an Ultrabook. Sure, it may (barely) hit the 21mm thickness mark, but it contains a hard disk drive (along with a cache SSD for speedy startup) and it weighs 3.9 pounds. Don't get me wrong, this is a decent ultraportable laptop--it's just not at all what I think of when I think "Ultrabook." Still, if you're looking for a small laptop with more ports and functionality than an Ultrabook, the Samsung Series 5 Ultra is your machine.