TrustedReviews Looks at the Fujitsu-Siemens Lifebook E8010 Dothan Notebook

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=454' target='_blank'>http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=454</a><br /><br /></div>"With the recent launch of Intel’s new Dothan core Pentium M processor every laptop manufacturer is rushing out new models and the Lifebook E8010 is Fujitsu-Siemens’ attempt to show off the new CPU. TrustedReviews managed to secure the first pre-production sample in the UK - as always, we try to bring you the latest technology first.<br />Apart from the 1.8GHz Pentium M 745 processor and the Intel 855GME chipset, Fujitsu-Siemens has equipped the Lifebook E8010 with an Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG wireless network card to make it a full Centrino branded machine. The wireless network card can access both 802.11b and 802.11g networks, making it a flexible feature that can be used pretty much anywhere in the world. As more wireless networks switch to the higher bandwidth 802.11g standard, it’s important for any new notebook to support it. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/fujitsu.jpg" /> <br /><br />There is also Bluetooth v1.2 support, which is the latest revision of Bluetooth. In order to configure Bluetooth you get a very handy and easy to use application for connecting to various devices. The only company I have come across that offers something similar is Sony. In general though, most Bluetooth utilities are very basic, so it can be awkward to get them work as they should. However, I had no problem connecting up to two different mobile phones as well as a Bluetooth enabled printer using the Lifebook."<br /><br />TrustedReviews is at it again (man do they ever crank out the reviews!), this time taking a look at the Dothan-equipped notebook from Fujitsu-Siemens. Mobile multimedia takes serious CPU firepower - I was reminded of this when I was using my Fujitso P5010D on the weekend for a massive PhotoStory project. I was cursing the 900 mhz P4M CPU when after 30 minutes my WMV to VCD process was only 1% finished. 8O When it comes to video editing, there's no such thing as too much CPU power. Check out the review!

[michael]

Remember that the current Dothans are crippled - the ones with a 533MHz FSB won't be out until later this year, current ones are still at 400MHz. Worth considering before buying IMHO.

[Jason Dunn]

Remember that the current Dothans are crippled - the ones with a 533MHz FSB won't be out until later this year, current ones are still at 400MHz. Worth considering before buying IMHO.

Calling a 400 mhz bus "crippled" seems a bit dramatic. ;-) Technology is always improving, but that doesn't mean current gen is crippled. After they his 533 mhz, they'll be aiming for 800 mhz next - but does that make 533 mhz crippled?

[michael]

I only say crippled because Dothan was supposed to ship with a 533MHz bus and then Intel started shipping them with 400Mhz instead. In addition they don't have the newer chipset Dothan was supposed to ship with, so there's no PCI Express, SATA etc... which would add performance to the system. All the 400Mhz FSB Dothan's are are higher clock speed and more cache Banias chips at the moment - not what Dothan was intended to be or will be in Q4.