Here we go again - Looking for Laptop Advice

[shawnc]

You're KILLIN me skoobuoy :wink: . Actually this is a pretty good option and I'm going to do some more digging. That's pretty weird about the 300M. I appreciate you not mentioning when it looked like that was going to be my choice.

I've got a couple of weeks before the Gateway ships :evil: , so I'm going to continue to do some comparision shopping. Believe it or not, I'm STRONGLY considering the Fujitsu S6210 (I think) that The Yaz suggested back in the beginning of this thread. Back when he suggested it, I was really fixated on external optical. Now that I've decided to go internal, the Fujitsu is getting serious consideration.

I am just a mess! You should see the private joy my wife is taking in all of this indecision.

Thanx again.

[shawnc]

You're KILLIN me skoobuoy :wink: . Actually this is a pretty good option and I'm going to do some more digging. That's pretty weird about the 300M. I appreciate you not mentioning when it looked like that was going to be my choice.

I've got a couple of weeks before the Gateway ships :evil: , so I'm going to continue to do some comparision shopping. Believe it or not, I'm STRONGLY considering the Fujitsu S6210 (I think) that The Yaz suggested back in the beginning of this thread. Back when he suggested it, I was really fixated on external optical. Now that I've decided to go internal, the Fujitsu is getting serious consideration.

I am just a mess! You should see the private joy my wife is taking in all of this indecision.

Thanx again.

[maximus]

How about this, for less than $1000 :

http://www20.tomshardware.com/mobile...610/index.html

It is using athlon XP mobile though.

or this, with integrated SD/MMC reader :

http://usa.twinhead.com/PRO/N23PB/

[shawnc]

Maximus,

Thanx for the link. I think I'm going centrino. The averatec has anthlon.

[shawnc]

I'm back to revive the thread that just won't die. I promised to post back with my ultimate decision and let me tell you, it has been a l-o-n-g road traveled to finally get here.

I ended up with the Fujitsu S6210. First, the obvious. THERE SIMPLY IS NO PERFECT MACHINE OUT THERE! It doesn't matter if you're looking for a PPC or laptop, there are always comprise(s). You may THINK that if you do thorough research that you will find the perfect machine but you would be wrong. With the S6210, my comprimise is that the machine is a little thicker, and maybe heavier, than I would like. Other than that, it is the perfect blend between the Toshiba I just sold and the 300M that I just sent back to Dell.. After having the Dell for a couple of weeks, I was really beginning to get attached to it. I was even getting used to the 12 inch screen. The thing I couldn't get used to (and this is my own fault because I thought it would be ok) was the external optical. But in terms of portability and performance, I really recommend the Dell.

Now for the 6210. Man.... this screen is incredible. They have something they refer to as Clear-view technology that I just assumed was a marketing gimmick. Trust me, it's not! I can't describe it other than to say it's almost like looking at crystal clear glass (without the glare or reflection). After a couple of weeks of typing on the Dell, its nice to go back to the full size keyboard of the fujitsu. I won't bore you with all the details, but there are a lot of little touches in the fujitsu that didn't factor into my buying decision, but are nice to have. And with a 13 inch screen, it is the perfect size for functionality and portability.

Well, that's all. Sincere thanks to everyone who posted with suggestions and help.

[ignar]

Shawnc, thanks for the updates and I am glad to hear you finally found what you wanted. I think you made a great decision. I've had a couple of Fujitsu laptops before, and I was very impressed both times. I also recommended Fujitsu to a few of my friends and they all seem to like it. Actually one of my friends got a S6000 series this year though it didn't have a clear view screen. So yours must be a recently updated model. Buying a laptop is never easy. I'm also kind of in the market for a new laptop too though I'm looking for a desktop replacement. My current favorite is Asus M6N, but my mind changes almost daily. I totally agree with you in that an internal optical drive is a must. I once had a laptop using an external drive, and I swore that I would never buy a laptop without ODD built-in. You don't really understand the value of internal ODD until you use a laptop without one. About the screen, 13" is a bit odd size. I'd go for XGA on 12" for less weight or SXGA on 14" for higher resolution. If Fujitsu releases a S series with higher resolution screen, I will seriously consider getting one.

[shawnc]

Originally Posted by ignar

Shawnc, thanks for the updates and I am glad to hear you finally found what you wanted. I think you made a great decision. I've had a couple of Fujitsu laptops before, and I was very impressed both times. I also recommended Fujitsu to a few of my friends and they all seem to like it. Actually one of my friends got a S6000 series this year though it didn't have a clear view screen.

Thanx ignar. The 6210 updates the 6120, which is what you're friend probably got because the clear view just got introduced with the 6210.

Originally Posted by ignar

Buying a laptop is never easy. I'm also kind of in the market for a new laptop too though I'm looking for a desktop replacement. My current favorite is Asus M6N, but my mind changes almost daily.

Believe me, I totally understand. Good luck.

Originally Posted by ignar

I totally agree with you in that an internal optical drive is a must. I once had a laptop using an external drive, and I swore that I would never buy a laptop without ODD built-in. You don't really understand the value of internal ODD until you use a laptop without one.

This is so true. I actually thought I PREFERRED the external thinking that size was the overriding consideration. I quickly realized how wrong I was. Internal is definitely a must.

I also agree that the 13" seems odd but it actually works out really good because it gives the laptop a much better feel of portability. I must confess that I don't really know the significance of XGA or SXGA. The 12" was fine but I could not go any smaller.

Good luck!

[Skoobouy]

Wow, congratulations Shawnc! I recently saw a Fujy S6000 (a guest in my little community had one) and they are sweet machines. In fact, I'm tempted to think that Fujy just builds darn good laptops.

I'm still waiting anxiously for a Fujy P1000 update. If there's nothing before August, then I'll... just keep looking. Unlike some of the above posters, I don't need an ODD because I'm coming up from a PDA rather than down from a computer. I'm soured on PPC limitations and would much rather have something super-portable which can just do everything, no compromises. Unfortunately, the current P1000 is just too slow (I want some modest games, too). *sigh* I'm so tired of waiting.

[shawnc]

Skoobuoy,

I was struggling with whether to buy the extended warranty or not. I had a converstaion with a fujy rep and she pointed to me that someone tracks and reports the percentage of laptops returned for repair during the 1st year of ownership. She indicated that the return rate of some manufacturers was as high as 29%. She said the average was around 22% and the fujitsu rate was 7%. She was very bullish (as expected) on the impact of fujitsu having their own manufacturing facilities in Japan. No manufacturing or buiding in countries like korea or china.

I can imagine how tough the waiting is but be patient, it will pay off in the end.

Let me just point out one thing to you. From my experience with the PPC, there are always things that initially don't seem important. But the more you use the machine, the more you want to do with it. What may not seem important now may become very important in a few months.

Having said that, if you are certain that internal optical is not important then I would seriously consider the 300M. It was just soooo lightweight and the centrino chip gave it plenty of juice. The main caveat, battery life absolutely sucks. Other than that, a great machine.

Good luck.

[substring]

I have the Dell 600M and I am very happy about it. It is Centrino with 802.11b. But you can buy the 802.11g card online (not from Dell of course) and swap it yourself.... much much much cheaper that way.

The 600M is thin and lightweight... under 5lb. It also come with the CDRW+DVD Rom combo drive, free of charge. I added a few upgrades.... Win XP Pro (I hate Home edition), SXGA, bigger hard-drive. With all of that, I paid just under $1400. The best value for the money!!!!