When a Pocket PC Just Isn't Quite Enough - I'm Buying a Fujitsu 5010D Laptop [Archive]

View Full Version : When a Pocket PC Just Isn't Quite Enough - I'm Buying a Fujitsu 5010D Laptop

Jason Dunn

08-07-2003, 04:30 PM

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://pocketpcthoughts.pricegrabber.com/search_gen.php?form_keyword=Fujitsu%205010&topcat_id=1&found=2&ut=44938dd26e429329' target='_blank'>http://pocketpcthoughts.pricegrabbe...4938dd26e429329</a> </div>Although this may make some of you weep openly, I have to confess: if I'm going away overnight and I want to get work done, I always bring my laptop. :worried: I've tried the whole Pocket PC + folding keyboard routine, but it just doesn't work for me - the applications aren't full-featured and rich enough to match what I need from my desktop. About two and a half years ago, I purchased a Fujitsu Lifebook E Series laptop, and it has served me well since then (even surviving being dropped three times 8O). The laptop didn't truly become useful to me until I put a second battery into the CD-ROM bay, so when it came time to look for something better, battery life was going to be an important factor. What to choose, what to choose. Here's how I did it...<!> Games on the Go For quite a while, I was torn between getting a laptop that had decent gaming performance (something with an ATI or nVidia chipset), or one that was built for mobility. I was looking very hard at the <a href="http://www.voodoopc.com/systems/m355.aspx">Voodoo Envy M:355</a>, but the lack of an extra battery in the drive bay option turned me off that one (does the <a href="http://www.voodoopc.com/systems/m460.aspx">new M460 ever look amazing</a> though!). When it came down to deciding what was important to me, small size and long battery life were at the top of the list. The appeal of the wide screen had me looking seriously at the <a href="http://pocketpcthoughts.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php?page_id=13&form_keyword=HP+NX7000&ut=44938dd26e429329">HP NX700</a>, but ultimately it was too big for my needs. One of my personal pet peeves is when flying in economy class seats, how difficult it is to get any work done on my current laptop. It's always a clumsy balancing act to get anything done, so the wide-screen concept had me smitten. Imagine, actually being able to open up your laptop and get work done on a plane without uncomfortable contortions? Amazing! :roll: I also would often be on the razor's-edge of fear waiting for the person in front of me to drop their seat into recline mode, shattering my screen - I've had it come very close to happening twice, and it's a scary feeling. :| The List Narrows... For the longest time I was convinced the <a href="http://www.acer.com/app/akc/internet/aacpubli.nsf/allDocs/RWP696E94400D63C6FE88256CCA0055566C?OpenDocument">Acer 803Cli</a> was the laptop I wanted, but I decided the size wasn't a good match with my needs. Performance-wise, it looks awesome, but it's too big for me. So I started looking around at laptops that typically fall into the "ultra-portable" category, and ones that had a wide-screen aspect ratio. The list was surprisingly short: the <a href="http://pocketpcthoughts.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=902462/search=Sony%2520TR/ut=44938dd26e429329">Sony TR1</a>, the <a href="http://pocketpcthoughts.pricegrabber.com/search_gen.php?form_keyword=Fujitsu%205010&topcat_id=1&found=2&ut=44938dd26e429329">Fujitsu P5010</a>, and...that's about it. Tiny wide-screen laptops are still a relatively new thing so there aren't many models to chose from. I was tempted by the Sony claim of seven hours of battery life on a single charge, but put off by the insane $299 cost of the second battery that strapped onto the back rather than being put into the drive bay. And while I love Sony designs (next to Apple, they have the best industrial designers around), the Memory Stick slot wasn't going to benefit me at all - I don't own a single device that uses a Memory Stick. That left the Fujitsu P5010 - so was it any good? Once I started my research, this laptop shone like a star going supernova (I just finished watching an episode of Deep Space 9, forgive me for the space melodrama). 5010 Great Reasons to Buy It? Almost! Deciding the get the Fujitsu P5010 was not a small decision for me - I might get some Pocket PC hardware and software for free, but no such luck with laptops (maybe if I launch Laptop Thoughts...). I was hoping to get a review unit from Fujitsu so I could take it for a spin and make sure it was the one I wanted (and write a review for you kind folks), but Fujitsu Canada said it would take more than a month to get me one. Occasionally with expensive items reviewers can get the item at a reduced cost (usually dubbed an "editorial discount"), but the markup on laptops are so slim it wouldn't have saved me much anyway. To make matters even more frustrating, there wasn't a single Fujitsu reseller in Calgary who had the P5010 in stock (or really any Fujitsu laptop). I couldn't see it in person, or get any sort of idea of its size and performance without first special ordering one (which put me on the hook to buy it). This was extremely frustrating for me - I tried talking several resellers into ordering one for their stock so I could examine it before buying, but none would. There's a high-end version of the P5010 with a 60 GB hard drive and 512 MB RAM, but it's not avaialble to any of the Canadian resllers. Fujitsu might as well not have any resellers in the Calgary area with customer service like this! :evil: Fujitsu only allows online orders from within the US - they make Canadians order from local resellers instead of picking what they want online. :? You Look Mmmmmarvelous! A laptop is very much like a PDA - it's a mobile, personal device whose aesthetics have to appeal to you if you're going to carry it with you. Aesthetics are the primary reason why the much-trumpeted IBM X31 was scratched off my list so quickly - I really don't like they way IBM designs anything they make (no offense to you X31 owners out there). In my opinion, they have the worst industrial design in the technology industry. After reading a few reviews and <a href="http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/articles.hwz?cid=14&aid=762">seeing many pictures of the 5010</a>, I decided it was the laptop for me. :mrgreen: <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/21220755-2-300-overview-1.gif" /> The <a href="http://www.fujitsupc.com/www/products_notebooks.shtml?products/notebooks/tech_specs/p5000d_summer03_ts">list of technical specifications is impressive</a>. The fact that it has slots for SD and CF is just icing - the size, weight, and battery life were my primary "lust list" items. Although the CPU is only 900 mHZ, with the 1 MB of cache, it performs closer to 1.3 Ghz when compared to other laptops. I dearly wish Fujitsu would have chosen something other than the Intel 855GM graphics chipset - the performance numbers make me wonder if I'll be able to play any game on this thing. I wish Fujitsu had a more tricked-out version of this laptop: a 5400 RPM hard drive, ATI Radeon 9200 GPU, and a faster CPU. But the more high-performance components they add, the worse the battery life performance will get, so it's easy to see why they kept performance secondary to battery life and mobility. I'll be interested to see what I think of the performance when I get my hands on it. Even the Pro-Apple bigot Brett Larson seemed to like the Fujitsu P5010 in <a href="http://cgi.techtv.com/mediamodule?action=view_video&seen_ad=true&video_src=/technews/2003/tl060326b&vidsection=3200026&video_speed=165&video_format=asf&version=20030711103228">this TechTV video review</a>. If the cool hardware manages to make Brett forget that it's not running the Mac OS, then it must be pretty cool indeed. ;-) When is a Centrino Not a Centrino? When it offers more than what Intel wants it to offer of course! There are two models of the P5010: the P5010 and the P5010D. Fujitsu makes this as clear as mud on their site, but after a lot of research, I discovered that the only difference between the P5010 and the P5010D is that the "D" offers 802.11b/g while the P5010 offers only 802.11b. Why is that? Because Intel doesn't have their official Centrino b/g part ready to go yet. Any laptop that offers anything beyond 802.11b can't be called a Centrino because it's not using Intel's wireless chipset. My hope is that I won't see any performance or battery differences by going with the "D" model. What's even stranger is that the price is basically the same on either unit. All of the reviews online that I've seen are of the P5010, not the "D", so I'm a little leary...:worried: The Waiting Game At the moment, I'm waiting for the laptop to come in from a local vendor. This is only the second laptop that I've ever ordered, and dropping almost 3K CND isn't something I do very often. Let's hope I made a good decision. ;-) If there's enough interest, I might do a review of the unit once I get it - but I've got so much Pocket PC hardware there would have to be a lot of interest for me to do it. Getting One for Yourself... If you're interested in checking our prices on the P5010, <a href="http://pocketpcthoughts.pricegrabber.com/search_gen.php?form_keyword=Fujitsu%205010&topcat_id=1&found=2&ut=44938dd26e429329">look in our Pricegrabber directory</a>.

iomatic

08-07-2003, 04:52 PM

PowerBook. Who's the "bigot" here?

Joe Pepka

08-07-2003, 04:53 PM

I ordered the Fujitsu S6120D directly from Fujitsu. The size and weight of the laptop makes it a perfect fit for me. I researched a lot of other laptops and the Fujitsu models were the only ones that had smaller screens and light weight that I could find. I got the laptop in the middle of July and I love it a lot. It makes a great lightweight device.

rlobrecht

08-07-2003, 05:02 PM

I'm surprised you didn't consider a Tablet PC. Its a logical next step for a PocketPC power user. I just wish I had $2k to buy one.

Jason Dunn

08-07-2003, 05:12 PM

PowerBook. Who's the "bigot" here?

My world is a Windows world, not a Mac one. Macs intrigue me, and I've honestly pondered getting one, but the learning curve and need to buy all new software makes it an even more expensive undertaking that just the hardware. If that makes me a bigot, so be it. Why do Mac users immediately trash someone who doesn't love thier platform? I didn't even mention Powerbooks in my write-up, so why are you getting upset?

Jason Dunn

08-07-2003, 05:15 PM

I'm surprised you didn't consider a Tablet PC. Its a logical next step for a PocketPC power user. I just wish I had $2k to buy one.

It got taken off the list pretty quickly. Does anyone make a wide-screen Tablet PC? I haven't seen one if they do. Battery life was a major factor for me, and most Tablet PCs are designed to be ultra-thin and light, which means there's no option for a second battery. The whole touchscreen concept didn't really appeal to me either - I can't imagine really using it, so it's paying for technology I don't need. A friend bought the new Acer Centrino Tablet PC and it's quite nice, but not the right laptop for me.

Hugh Nano

08-07-2003, 05:24 PM

Although this may make some of you weep openly, I have to confess: if I'm going away overnight and I want to get work done, I always bring my laptop. :worried: I've tried the whole Pocket PC + folding keyboard routine, but it just doesn't work for me - the applications aren't full-featured and rich enough to match what I need from my desktop.

Despite being a Pocket PC afficionado, I must admit this has been my experience too. I initially bought a Pocket PC when I heard you could get a folding keyboard for it because I couldn't afford a laptop. I fell in love with it instantly, of course, but I kept yearning for more. Even TextMaker's wonderful word-processing program didn't offer quite enough power--and was always limited by the Pocket PC's tiny screen.

I never realized quite how much I missed, though, until I finally found a laptop cheap enough for my miniscule student budget. (A friend of mine gave me a laptop that wasn't working, and I managed to fix it by simply ordering in a new hard drive for about $100.) The difference is amazing! So much more freeware available, so many more options--and the 1024x768 screen has definitely spoiled me. Even my 800x600 desktop monitor seems constricting now.

Not that the new laptop offers that much more in computing power. It's pretty old--only a 300MHz Pentium II processor, compared to my iPAQ's 206MHz StrongARM. And it's definitely much more limited in terms of mobility: only about 45 minutes of battery life, at best. And I really miss the Pocket PC's instant-on feature, as opposed to the laptop's frustratingly slow "hibernation". But the ability to run an industry-standard OS like Windows (or Linux), along with all the wide assortment of available software (and freeware) that that entails, along with the ability to see more than a paragraph's-worth of text at a time has made all the necessary compromises more than worth it!

Don't get me wrong. I haven't given up my Pocket PC--I still use it as my main PIM and for gaming and word-processing when mobility (read "extended battery life") is essential. And I still do wish that laptops could be more like Pocket PCs. That's why I was so excited about the OQO (http://www.oqo.com/) (and so disappointed when it never materialized) and why I still wish I could somehow get myself an Antelope MCC (http://www.antelopetech.com/). (Anyone out there know how to get hold of one?) And why I'd love to buy a Tablet PC if I could ever afford one (stylus input is so much superior to using a mouse!). But I can't. So the best I can do right now is compromise using my wonderful old Compaq Armada 7400 in conjunction with my wonderful old iPAQ 3650.

But keep pushing for innovation in the Pocket PC form-factor, Jason (and all the rest of the wonderful Pocket PC community!). With higher-resolution screens (800x600 is achievable--just look at the Samsung Nexio) and built-in USB (also doable: has been done, in fact, on a Pocket PC cradle, even--was that Toshiba or Casio?), the Pocket PC could yet become the laptop-replacement that I am longing for. And if you ever start up Laptop Thoughts, Jason, believe me, I will be there in a flash!

gorkon280

08-07-2003, 05:34 PM

I just bought an Acer TravelMate 230 series laptop bought mainly on price. The size did not matter much, the processor did not either. My wife needed to have one to use as a backup machine to our desktop (for work) and also to do work from a parent lounge at my son's ECE School (he's developmentally behind and only 4). Micro Center advertised this model at an amazing price of 699 (after 2 100 dollar rebates). Here's what it has:

20 GB Hard Disk
Celeron 2.0 GHz
256 MB of RAM (266 MHz I think)
a built in floppy and a built in combo drive (DVD/CD/CDRW)
either a 14 or a 15 inch screen (have not gotten my ruler out yet!)
Built in ethernet
Built in modem
one PC card slot (Type I, II or II...)
USB 2.0
Lock doohickey(Kensington I think)
Sound output, selectable display (either on lcd, or on vga monitor or both)
Touch Pad
Couple of media type keys....programmable ones
Intel Graphics

For the price, I could not beat it. Strangely enough, the 20 GB drive is mostly open, although they chose FAT32 for the filesystem (going to convert to NTFS). Of course it comes with a blasted recovery cd instead of XP system disks. Software consists of only Norton, PowerDVD and a CD program called NTI? Never heard of that before. There is some hidden stuff on the second drive partition and I am awaiting a e-mail from Acer to find out if I can blast it so I can create a NTFS partition there instead. Also, it looks like this chassis is used for other models....specifically, one with integrated Bluetooth(saw a non functional button for turning it on and off). Anyway, it's not exactly light, but it's not heavy either. I am fine with it's size and I have faith it will be an ok purchase. Even so, at only 699 after rebate, it's still a great deal.

Performance is acceptable. It's not my screaming desktop, but it does fine at normal everyday stuff. Laptops kind of suck for gaming anyway.

JohnJohn

08-07-2003, 05:50 PM

Why not a new Sony TR. DVD CDR/W in it...That's my next machine!! I carry an SRX now. Same size, but the screen on the TR is sweet. Looks like a peice of glass covers it. It feels like it weighs less than my SRX without CD. I love the TR!!!

Vger

08-07-2003, 05:57 PM

Jason,

I also took the laptop plunge within the past two weeks, and I opted for the gaming/high-performance platform WITH the wide screen. I went for the Sager 4760 with 17" display (1440x900). It is awesome. Battery life is minimal, but my usage does not take me far away from power outlets. Take a look at www.sagernotebooks.com for more info.

mjgroff

08-07-2003, 06:09 PM

I went through the same agony when I bought a laptop last December. I was dissatisfied with my Pocket PC as an in car navigation system. I still wanted maximum portability. There are so many choices in the ultra light category but none of then are kept in stock by local stores. I decided on the Compaq N410c. It is very compact, durable, expandable and has a complete set of ports. It allows interchangable wireless modules to be plugged into the lid and accepts a variety of additional battery configurations. The only catch is it has no built in CD/DVD. For the reduction in size, I am content carrying around an exernal DVD ROM when I think I will need it.

I ordered it online. The unit I got had a bright pixel. The online store refused to take it back - they said bright pixels are "normal". Fortunately Compaq was happy to repair it for me. This turned me off buying big ticket items sight unseen. I definitely wont ever order something with an LCD screen this way again unless there is a zero bad pixel warranty. Next time I will buy it in person from a company with a no questions asked refund policy even if it means I have fewer models to choose from.

klinux

08-07-2003, 06:10 PM

One of my personal pet peeves is when flying in economy class seats, how difficult it is to get any work done on my current laptop.

There's your problem. Got to upgrade from the steerage class! :)

I respect your choice but while I may go for Windows for desktops, it is definitely Mac for laptops. I love my iBook!

porpackage

08-07-2003, 06:11 PM

I got a Sony TR1A recently.. It has an excellent bright screen.... typing on it is acceptable... on the outside with the silver magnesium cover it looks like a small powerbook... However when you open it, it is white on the inside and has white keyboard keys... It looks like the Ibook from the inside.. The integrated webcam is a nice feature... but its more of a gimmic, I dont see myself using it very much.. I already have a 640X480 camera on my Sony Ericsson P800 phone.. I will be using the memory stick slot for the laptop... i can trade files between my PDA phone memory stick DUO and my laptop. The Intel 855GM Extreme Graphics chipset is pretty good... I was able to play Wolfenstein Enemy Territory on it at 1024 X 768 resolution... In fact, the Sony includes a game with the computer... Age of Empires 2 by Microsoft. The only problem is that most games do not support the widescreen resolution of the notebook so u end up with black vertical lines on each side of the screen. If you are in style, lightweight, and multimedia then go with the Sony. If you are into performance and flexibility then go with the Fujitsu. Both are excellent choices. I believe the Sony TR1A got a Editors choice of 8.4 rating at Cnet.com and the P5010 got a 7.8 which is good. Oh yeah I got the Sony at Ecost.com (one of the few sites in the US that does ship to Canada) for around $1999 USD ~ $2758 CAD dollars which isnt too bad.... Sonystyle.ca has just listed the TR1 at a suggested price of $3499 CAD dollars which is a total rip off.. and it isnt even available yet, only a pre-order.

The Japanese Version of the TR1 includes 802.11a and 802.11b and Integrated Bluetooth!! Dont know why they decided to take out the 802.11a and Bluetooth for the North American version!!

Here is a pic of the TR1A

http://members.cox.net/plasman/hitachisale.jpg

Jason you should check out these two sites!!
Any buyers looking to buy the Fujitsu, check out http://www.directdial.com

It is like the biggest Canadian online store... they carry the Fujitsu P5010 and the P5010D.. They ship to anywhere in Canada.

And for any questions on the Fujitsu check out this forum site.. it is users who actually own the fujitsu and can answer any of your questions.

http://www.leog.net/fujp%5Fforum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=18

The Acer Travelmate is pretty good too.. excellent performance, Toms hardware called it the "Ferrari of laptops" Acer is offering a $150 CAD rebate for the Travelmate till the end of this month! Directdial.com carrys the Acer as well. Hope this helps!

porpackage

08-07-2003, 06:14 PM

Oh yeah the P5010 is in stock at directdial.com right now... but the P5010D is on backorder.... sorry If i sound like a commercial plug.. Just to those ppl that are interested in getting one!!!

easylife

08-07-2003, 06:19 PM

...maybe if I launch Laptop Thoughts...

Why not? :D You have PPCT, SPT, TPCT (? Tablet PC Thoughts), so why not LPT (Laptop Thoughts) ? :idea:

Jason Dunn

08-07-2003, 06:38 PM

Why not a new Sony TR.

Umm...did you read my article all the way through? :wink: I looked at the TR but ultimately decided it wasn't a good fit with my needs. It does look like a sweet machine though, that's for sure...

Jason Dunn

08-07-2003, 06:39 PM

I also took the laptop plunge within the past two weeks, and I opted for the gaming/high-performance platform WITH the wide screen. I went for the Sager 4760 with 17" display (1440x900)...

Wow, looks awesome! :way to go:

beq

08-07-2003, 06:55 PM

OK, I admit the Fujitsu P5010D is very nice, for ultraportable consideration that had actually been near the top of my list too (but in the end I didn't get an ultraportable, no $$$ yet)! :)

Don't know why all the IBM dissing though, I think the ThinkPad look is just awesome (honestly)...

Please update us on how you like it (the little things like its keyboard, etc)...

Jason Dunn

08-07-2003, 06:55 PM

If you are in style, lightweight, and multimedia then go with the Sony. If you are into performance and flexibility then go with the Fujitsu. Both are excellent choices.

I don't want to argue with you, but I sort of dispute the "lightweight" part - the units are virtually identical in all dimensions, the Sony being a few mm smaller and 4/10ths of a pound lighter.

The Sony is 3.11 pounds. Size is 1.37"-1.44" X 10.6" X 7.4"
The Fujitsu is 3.5 pounds. Size is 10.27" x 7.8" x 1.55",

Style is in the eye of the beholder, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Sony looked a little "cooler" than the Fujitsu - Sony has some sweet designs. Multimedia?

Nah, I have to disagree here. :D There are more memory card slots on the Fujitsu, so for me, that means more multimedia fun. :-) I also don't see any S-Video out ports on the Sony (only VGA), and the 10 GB bigger hard drive on the Fujitsu means more storage for my multimedia. :-)

But you're right, both are excellent choices. I would have been happy with either one, but the Fujitsu seemed closer to what I wanted.

Jason Dunn

08-07-2003, 06:58 PM

Don't know why all the IBM dissing though, I think the ThinkPad look is just awesome (honestly)...

I know, several people I trust SWEAR by Thinkpads, but I just personally don't like they way they look. :mrgreen:

KAMware

08-07-2003, 07:02 PM

I think you will be pleased with the Fujitsu. I have owned 5 Fujitsu Laptops and currently still have 3 of them.

It is unfortunate you could not order directly from Fujitsu as they are very fast in getting the machine directly to you if you are in the US. When you order one that you customize they have to build it in Japan. They then send it 2 Day air directly to you! At rates lower than some shippers charge shipping within the US!

I have never had one fail and everyone that sees one likes the high quality appearance of the Fujitsus.

If I did not currently have a P1110 I would also get a P5000.

:D

CTSLICK

08-07-2003, 07:38 PM

If there's enough interest, I might do a review of the unit once I get it - but I've got so much Pocket PC hardware there would have to be a lot of interest for me to do it.

I am in the market for a laptop and am struggling with the choices. Luckily I am not in a hurry. So, while I don't need a full review I would appreciate your feedback on the following items if you have a chance. Nothing long winded just a quick opinion would be great

- Real use battery life
- Display quality (I am concerned about some of the ghosting or blurring I have seen on some laptops while playing a DVD or a game)

- Heat output: my current laptop can get really hot, I am hoping my next one won't be such a scorcher

- Wireless performance: Heard some concerns about some laptops with built in wireless not performing well when it comes to range

- Overall Performance: How well does the combination of processor, video, hard drive etc perform. Always good to know if all the tech specs actually equate to good performance.

- Gotchas: any nasty surprises?

whoopus

08-07-2003, 07:39 PM

I'm impressed with the Fujitsu too. I have always been looking for a sub-notebook that had the features like DVD/CD-RW and firewire in such a small package. Once they include a DVD burner and bluetooth, I'm sold! I have always been sold on VAIOs since my first 2xx open-box buy a few years back. But something like this would make me leave the Sony world.

I would also have to agree on your opinion with tablet PC's. Too pricey with not alot of options. Don't know how much I would use the pen capability.

Anyway, let us know how you like it!

Mark

Deslock

08-07-2003, 08:02 PM

Actually, the P5010 weighs 3.85 pounds, or almost three HP1910s heavier than the Sony TR1.

Anyway, enjoy your new notebook... And check out www.leog.net. It's a very active P-series forum (I bought my wife a P2040 last year). One warning: I read that the screen on the P5010 rubs against the keys when the book is closed and can get scratched.

To anyone else looking for small notebooks, the P5010 and the Sony TR1 are excellent choices. However, their DPI is higher than most notebooks (almost like comparing Palm's 320x320 to PPC's 240x320) and you should try them out before buying. The P5010 is a little hefty compared to the TR1, but the TR1 has a 1.8" hdd that maxes out at 30 GB (and is not as easiliy upgradable). Panasonic also makes a couple nice lightweight notebooks with an internal DVD/CDRW. However, they don't have firewire and are only XGA (but have bigger screens).

If you have money to burn, check out www.dynamism.com for all the cool Japanese notebooks. On that note, the Panasonic W2 (2.8 pounds with 12.1" screen and DVD/CDRW) is coming to North America soon.

I want 40+ watt-hour battery, internal DVD/RW, firewire, and a 12" or 13" 1400x960 widescreen in a <4 pounds notebook. Is that too much to ask?

Jason Dunn

08-07-2003, 08:05 PM

Once they include a DVD burner and bluetooth, I'm sold!

I was initially really geared up on getting a DVD-R in a laptop, and in fact was patiently waiting for the Acer 803Cli to include one (it was mentioned as an upcoming option). But the more I thought about it, and the more I looked at my Pioneer A03 that I've used exactly 10 times since last September, I came to the conclusion that DVD burning really wasn't terribly important. Besides, I'm a big SVCD fan. ;-)

I plan to add Bluetooth using a Socket CF card. :mrgreen:

fmcpherson

08-07-2003, 08:20 PM

Any new gear is good gear! Jason I'm sure you will be happy with your purchase.

I've been insanely happy with my 12-inch PowerBook. The size is just right for me, power management (suspend & resume) is better than any notebook that I've ever used. Of course, it doesn't meet your dual battery requirement, but I've consistent had 3 hours of continuous use with Wi-Fi going and the screen at full brightness.

The built-in wireless (801.11G and Bluetooth) just simply works, with better management than any notebook that I have ever used. The biggest negative is the heat, though unlike others, I have found the heat on my PowerBook to be acceptable.

I don't think its difficult to overcome the UI differences between OS X and Windows. Jason, I know that you could do it.

daS

08-07-2003, 08:28 PM

Great choice Jason :way to go: , I'm sure you'll love the Fujitsu. I've been using a P2110 for a little over a year now. It's been great and I love the 16x9 screen. Like you, I got the secondary battery and keep it in the drive bay most of the time. I typically have the brightness turned down a bit on batteries to conserve power (unless I'm showing the machine off to someone. :D ) With the extra battery I easily get more than ten hours use!

My only complaints are that it doesn't have any legacy ports (no parallel, no serial) and the Crusoe processor is quite slow. :|

I see a lot of "laptops" with huge screens now, and I just can't image having to lug one around. For about the same weight, I have my Pocket PC, the Lifebook, a Brother printer, and all sorts of accessories. When I open my notebook bag, I feel like Felix the Cat. :mrgreen:

Jason Dunn

08-07-2003, 08:36 PM

I don't think its difficult to overcome the UI differences between OS X and Windows. Jason, I know that you could do it.

What about your software though? Did you find it frustrating having to buy a new copy of Office for the Mac, new versions of your other apps, etc? That's part of what concerns me about this whole "dual platform" thing.

Jason Dunn

08-07-2003, 08:37 PM

My only complaints are that it doesn't have any legacy ports (no parallel, no serial) and the Crusoe processor is quite slow. :|

I haven't had to use a legacy port in years, so I'm ok with that limitation. As for the CPU, the 4-M has a lot of punch per Mhz, so I think I'll be happy with it. :-) Thanks for the feedback!

dochall

08-07-2003, 08:47 PM

It got taken off the list pretty quickly. Does anyone make a wide-screen Tablet PC? I haven't seen one if they do. Battery life was a major factor for me, and most Tablet PCs are designed to be ultra-thin and light, which means there's no option for a second battery. The whole touchscreen concept didn't really appeal to me either - I can't imagine really using it, so it's paying for technology I don't need. A friend bought the new Acer Centrino Tablet PC and it's quite nice, but not the right laptop for me.

Can't argue with the widescreen and the battery option (though I do carry round a spare for my Tosh 3505.

As far Tablet PCs are concerned I'm finding it very much like a pocket pc in that you're surprised what you do with it. Certainly when I come to replace the Tosh I won't be looking at anything that isn't a tablet pc. Very much a home run by Microsoft.

daS

08-07-2003, 08:49 PM

I haven't had to use a legacy port in years, so I'm ok with that limitation. As for the CPU, the 4-M has a lot of punch per Mhz, so I think I'll be happy with it. :-)

I still design a few projects using programmable controller modules which must be programmed by downloading the code using a serial port. I got around that problem with a Socket Dual Serial Port PC Card.

Also, I agree that your 4-M processor is much better than the Crusoe in the P2110. When it's time to replace this laptop, I'm sure I will be looking at the Fujitsu Lifebooks again.

Jafar

08-07-2003, 09:02 PM

Hey Jason,

I took the plunge about a week ago and got me the P5010 (non 802.11g) from a local retailer (Fry's Electronics) here in Portland. This is bar-none one of the smartest and best decisions I've made when it came to purchasing a computer based device. The device fires up almost as fast as a Pocketpc (from Standby mode) and about 10 seconds from Hibernate mode. The only thing that I wished it had was either integrated bluetooth or an IR port (mini-ir printer anyone?). I have yet to have the battery die on me because everytime I stop using it, and I close the lid, it goes into standby, and I set it to go into hibernate mode after 15 minutes in standby.

I use it to transfer pictures I take (I sell cars on eBay) onto the device, run it through a batch process (image optimization, sharpen, drop shadow, rename), upload to my FTP server via the 1000's of hotspots around. The only thing that will surprise you is how heavy the unit is. I understand it's only 3.8 lbs but when you look at how small it is, lifting it takes you off guard.

I love my PocketPC (GPS, Contacts, To-do, notes) but it just doesn't hack it when it comes to multimedia usage.

I was also pondering the TR1 but like you said, it blew my mind how expensive a battery was ($300), vs a modular battery for the Fujitsu (around $100). Also, the Sony unit uses proprietary everything so good luck finding parts for it. Both units have a feeble warranty period though so I might suggest you get some sort of extended warranty (tonns of online ones available).

Anyways, enough of my praises (hugz his p5010), enjoy it when you get it.

Jafar

Janak Parekh

08-07-2003, 09:05 PM

As for the CPU, the 4-M has a lot of punch per Mhz, so I think I'll be happy with it. :-)
Sorry for being a pedant, but the P5000 series have Pentium M processors, not Pentium 4-M. The former is much faster at a given clock speed than any other x86 notebook processor and has insanely better battery life. Why oh why did Intel use such confusing naming? :roll:

--jaank

easylife

08-07-2003, 09:11 PM

Janak Parekh

08-07-2003, 09:13 PM

dave

08-07-2003, 09:24 PM

if those of us running corporate desktop engineering and support organizations had users that all respected, loved and babied their hardware as much as many of the readers of this site do, IBM would probably abandon selling thinkpads (cuz we wouldn't buy the ugly things). as far as delicate, protable machinery goes, they are pretty bomber.

you should see some of the machines we have taken in for redeployment.... maybe i should start taking pictures.

nosmohtac

08-07-2003, 09:26 PM

I have owned 5 Fujitsu Laptops and currently still have 3 of them.

Care to lighten your laptop load? :deal: PM me if you do.

Congratulations on your fine purchase Jason. :clap: I'm sure you will be pleased with the fujitsu. I don't need one, but have been looking for one using the same criteria as you, and I would have chosen the same one. I would buy one now, if I had the cash in hand.

beq

08-07-2003, 09:46 PM

Whoa... I know there was P4 desktop chips in notebooks, the mobile P4M, but what is a PM chip? Then there's celeron and centrino... :crazyeyes:
The Centrino isn't a chip. This is the whole messed-up marketing I was alluding to. Centrino is a "mobile solution" that includes the Pentium M, the supporting Intel chipset, and the wireless Intel hardware. Jason's new laptop isn't technically a Centrino, but it's largely the same thing as it has a P-M.

So, there's the P3-M, P4-M, Celeron, and the P-M. The last one is by far the best in terms of a speed-for-power ratio. It was built as a response to the Crusoe and Intel did an awesome job.
Not to mention different classes w/in a family (ultralow voltage Pentium M in the slower speeds, etc). And now Intel's got a "Mobile Intel Pentium 4" (Mobile P4) processor that's different than the old "Intel Mobile Pentium 4 Processor-M", not to mention the desktop P4, ay caramba!

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1189135,00.asp (too lazy to lookup at Anand/Tom/et. al)

Picturing some Intel executive slamming his fist down, "Crusoe, feh, we will crush them with wave after wave of mobile processors!" But seriously, Intel-Israel must be golden right now thanks to the P-M :D

Jason Dunn

08-07-2003, 09:52 PM

Anyways, enough of my praises (hugz his p5010), enjoy it when you get it.

Cool - it's great to hear from someone who actually has one. :D

iomatic

08-07-2003, 10:54 PM

whoa, there. i wasn't trashing anyone; and i apologize for not conveying the right tone. i was simply pointing out the name-calling came from you first.

anyway, there is hardly a learning curve, the Mac OS is so well-designed. Look, I still use PCs occasionally, but anything you can get done on a PC as far as a client goes, you can do with Mac OS X, and have the power of Unix, MySQL, php, Apache and hundreds--no, thousands--of open-source software sitting there in your lap. i have sendmail enabled in case i need to send mail from a wireless network, or a friend's network, for example.

The client apps that are in major use are available (MS Office, Photoshop, InDesign, Final Cut Pro, CodeWarrior, ad infinitum), work great. The design of course, is top-notch. Once you get one, you won't go back.

US$.02

PowerBook. Who's the "bigot" here?

My world is a Windows world, not a Mac one. Macs intrigue me, and I've honestly pondered getting one, but the learning curve and need to buy all new software makes it an even more expensive undertaking that just the hardware. If that makes me a bigot, so be it. Why do Mac users immediately trash someone who doesn't love thier platform? I didn't even mention Powerbooks in my write-up, so why are you getting upset?

klinux

08-07-2003, 11:39 PM

I agree with you IO as I am a Mac user too (I think of myself a cross-platformer).

I can do on Mac almost everything I do on PC - everything for some corporate networking/application/etc that uses Windows authentication and other Windows only protocols. Grrr.

I have Dell laptop and an iBook (in addition to bunch of desktops). I grab the iBook 99% of the term but cannot dump the Dell for some corporate work.

Fzara

08-08-2003, 01:44 AM

I have Dell laptop and an iBook (in addition to bunch of desktops). I grab the iBook 99% of the term but cannot dump the Dell for some corporate work.

What kind of Dell notebook? The Latitude, or the Inspiron?

I have the Inspiron 8200, and currently I am pleased except for the dead pixels I just got on the bottom right of my screen. Although the laptop is a powerhouse running 1.9ghz, 512mb ram, and a geforce4 64mb Mobile, I only get about 1.5 hrs of battery life on it.

Jason, no mention of the Dell Latitude? I have heard this notebook has a good battery life of 5-6 hours, with good build quality.

I hope you'll be happy with your new Fujitsu though.

Jason Dunn

08-08-2003, 02:01 AM

Jason, no mention of the Dell Latitude? I have heard this notebook has a good battery life of 5-6 hours, with good build quality.

I looked at one, but their only widescreen model was a beefy boy - 6.5 pounds I think. Too big, too heavy (the 8500 I believe).

Fzara

08-08-2003, 02:35 AM

D'oh! Seems like they officially took down the Latitude from the product line, I think.

Anyway, I did find a Wide Screen Latitude though; it's just refurbished, or so it seems. :mecry:

http://www.dell.com/us/en/dfh/products/series_latit_notebooks.htm

SassKwatch

08-08-2003, 04:37 AM

Also, I agree that your 4-M processor is much better than the Crusoe in the P2110. When it's time to replace this laptop, I'm sure I will be looking at the Fujitsu Lifebooks again.
Is there anything specific you don't like about the Crusoe? Just curious as there's a chance we may purchase a bunch of the Fujitsu P1120's at work.

What we're really hoping for is our s/w vendor to release a PPC enabled version of their app before year's end. But that's looking rather iffy, and the P1120 is looking to be the next best option for our needs.

Janak Parekh

08-08-2003, 04:46 AM

Is there anything specific you don't like about the Crusoe? Just curious as there's a chance we may purchase a bunch of the Fujitsu P1120's at work.
Performance is probably the only one. It's noticeably slower than Pentium solutions, but doesn't have substantially better battery savings over the Pentium M, which is perhaps one of the best processors Intel has engineered in the recent past.

--janak

Isaac

08-08-2003, 04:58 AM

Funny timing Jason! I was just down at the local Fry's Electronics pondering both the Fujitsu and the Sony.

The Fujitsu has a great display but the Sony's is just magnificent, other than that I think I will do the Fujitsu because of the SD and CF slots, between my camera, PPC PE, and iPaq I use anything but a Sony Memory Stick.

And as far as design, they look like they were drawn up by the same guy, the Sony has the small details, like the cool font on the keyboard, but overall most "normal" people would easily confuse the two.

Add that witht the fact the Fujitsu gives you a bigger HD for US$300 less solves the issue of which to get.

mar2k

08-08-2003, 05:18 AM

I've been seriously looking at the Fujitsu S2020 lately. I can't seem to find much "real world" feeback on it however. Its exactly the same frame as the Pentium-M based S6120 and S6120D models except no Firewire, just USB 2.0 and uses an ATI integrated chipset instead of Intel. The main difference is it uses low voltage AMD XP-M 1900+ CPU.

I'm just wondering how much a performance gap there is between it and the Pentium-M models, for multimedia and battery.

You can get the S2020 with a 3 year warranty, 802.11g, 512MB RAM, 60GB hard drive, DVD/CDRW combo, AND modular bay battery, for less than the price of the 1.4GHz Pentium-M model with only 40GB HDD and 1 year standard warranty....unless the battery life or performance gap is massive the S2020 seems to be a much greater value. Anyone own or play with one?

kansat

08-08-2003, 09:02 AM

I too find my Pocket PC not quite enough PC when away more than a day.
I went with the P2120 Fujitsu and love its power to handiness ratio.
I'm sure you'll like the P5010.

maximus

08-08-2003, 10:21 AM

If I ever to buy a laptop again, I will buy this one (http://www6.tomshardware.com/mobile/20030806/targa-03.html)

Mobility Radeon 9600 at 338mhz :rock on dude!:

pjtrader

08-08-2003, 02:42 PM

I don't care what everyone else says, Jason. I happen to agree with your choice.

Of course, it has nothing to do with the fact that my laptop purchase a year ago was the pre-cursor to your P5000 series...I have the P2110.

I opted for the high capacity battery to get the extra power and have (almost) never regretted it. My only woe is that it's not been easy to find a small enough case for it that I like. But I finally did.

One issue I've noted with mine is a tendancy to lock up after XP (home, ick, I know...too lazy to change it) puts the computer to sleep when the screen is left open. This never happens when the screen is closed and the system goes to sleep. I usually have to remove all power (including pulling the battery off) to get things to reset.

Good luck and have fun with your new toy!

Cheers,
Pam

anthonymoody

08-08-2003, 02:49 PM

"If you have money to burn, check out www.dynamism.com for all the cool Japanese notebooks. On that note, the Panasonic W2 (2.8 pounds with 12.1" screen and DVD/CDRW) is coming to North America soon."

I have this laptop (the W2) and can say with confidence that it's the best laptop in the world :mrgreen:
It offers an amazing combination of lightweight, features (built in wifi, DVD/CDRW, 12 inch screen, etc), and LOOOONNNG battery life - it's truly incredible. On a recent cross country flight I watched 2.5 hours of DVD films and the battery was only down to 50%!!! It's mfr rated for 7.5 hours and I've gotten 6+ in normal use around my home office.

It's size and weight elicits cries of envy from everyone who sees it. It's clearly no desktop replacement. But for someone who really does travel with their laptop, I can't think of a better model out there.

TM

deich

08-08-2003, 03:45 PM

Great thread! Hugh Nano had it exactly right. I love my Axim, but can't live without my laptop. PDAs have the battery life, but mostly the go from 0 to 100 in just a second. It's a shame, but it seems the PDA world is limited (for now) by it's screen size. Why can't they build a PC that can boot in a reasonable amount of time? I got so frustrated at the gaud-awful boot time of my laptop that I almost never do it -- I hibernate instead. ThaKudos to Bill for making XP that much more reliable. Can anybody imagine running Win 9X for weeks on end witbout rebooting? I used to feel lucky to go all day!

mjgroff also had some great points. In my case, my old Sony ultra-portable (just 3 pounds and smaller than a tablet of paper!) suddenly died. I needed a new laptop, NOW! This was some time ago. Centrino PCs were just becoming available. Their prices and delivery times took them out of the picture. I knew the new processor was a big benefit, but it was just a few months too early for me. Oh, well, there's always something newer and better around the corner anyway.

I didn't want to buy a laptop sight unseen because the "look and feel" are incredibly important to me. I knew there were more choices out there, but I just couldn't find any in retail channels -- and I live in Baltimore, hardly the outskirts of civilization! I finally settled on the Sony V505A, but when I went to buy it, no retail channels offered it with XP Pro. Because I want to be able to join a domain at work, XP home is just not an option. And while updating the OS is always possible, it's not very attractive. I had repaired my old Sony twice. Each time, it came back with the original WIN 98, leaving me to re-install WIN 2K, plus all the patches, then all the software. Who needs to waste a day and a half doing this mindless drivel? In the end, I was forced to buy it online. Microsoft finally "got it right" with XP. All PCs finally run the same OS. Why, oh why did they have to re-fracture the market with Pro -vs- Home?

At first, I didn't like the much larger and heaver unit. One could hardly call it "ultra portable". But after a while, the form facter grew on me. The larger screen is easier to see. And while the old PC was a pound lighter and much smaller, the new one includes the CD ROM and the VGA port (both were extra units before), plus a DVD reader to boot! The old unit didn't even include an Ethernet port. So the V505A is not so shabby. I don't miss the internal WiFi - the technology is still a moving target, I'm happier with a PC card.

Now, if Sony could just get off their memory stick jag ... and give us an all-day battery ... and build a computer that could boot in a few seconds ... and make it the size of a PDA, with a big screen and a big keyboard ... and ...

daS

08-08-2003, 06:02 PM

My only woe is that it's not been easy to find a small enough case for it that I like. But I finally did.
What did you end up with? I have just been using a soft leather bag designed for bigger laptops and simply stuff more accessories inside. However, I too would like to find something nicer.

One issue I've noted with mine is a tendancy to lock up after XP (home, ick, I know...too lazy to change it) puts the computer to sleep when the screen is left open. This never happens when the screen is closed and the system goes to sleep. I usually have to remove all power (including pulling the battery off) to get things to reset.
While I haven't had this trouble with mine, (I loaded XP Pro over the Home version that came with the P2110) I've had a few lockups. Are you aware of the reset button on the back between the network RJ45 connector and the USB ports? You can press it with a Pocket PC stylus. This should save you from having to remove the batteries.

whoopus

08-08-2003, 06:09 PM

If you have money to burn, check out www.dynamism.com for all the cool Japanese notebooks. On that note, the Panasonic W2 (2.8 pounds with 12.1" screen and DVD/CDRW) is coming to North America soon.

I want 40+ watt-hour battery, internal DVD/RW, firewire, and a 12" or 13" 1400x960 widescreen in a <4 pounds notebook. Is that too much to ask?

Thanks for the website.....Only more things to add to my "I wish I was a billionaire" list! I was able to find the laptop for me, though.....The Fujitsu T90D (Fujitsu T90D (Intel Pentium Centrino 900-M/SS, 256mb, 60gb, DVD-RAM/R/RW))

http://www.dynamism.com/t90d/index.shtml

Grant it this laptop is $2799, but I almost paid that much for my 486/33 Gateway desktop and I did pay that much for my loaded VAIO before laptop prices plumetted. Now if I can just sell my used VAIO on ebay for that much, I will be set! :roll:

3.13 lbs that includes DVD-RAM/R/RW and a 60 GB HD!!!!! Plus it has firewire and USB2! You are right about the bluetooth attachment....I would sacrifice having to use my Bluetooth dongle for such a wonderful package.

The main reason why I would want DVD-RW included is so that I wouldn't have any more reasons to long for a newer laptop (yeah right...like that will ever happen) I said that about my 15" VAIO/DVD and then they come out with >15", widescreen, laptops with CD/RW and now laptops with DVD-RW!!!

Jason Dunn

08-08-2003, 06:29 PM

Jason Dunn

08-08-2003, 06:34 PM

Janak Parekh

08-08-2003, 06:37 PM

I'll console myself by reminding myself that this laptop is a full $1400 more than that I paid for the P5010D, and I don't need a DVD burner THAT bad. :wink:
Also console yourself by thinking that you'll have full North American support for the laptop you purchased. :) And that you'll presumably be able to attach an external DVD burner if you need it...

--janak

Jason Dunn

08-08-2003, 06:49 PM

Also console yourself by thinking that you'll have full North American support for the laptop you purchased. :) And that you'll presumably be able to attach an external DVD burner if you need it...

Good point! I have my Pioneer A03 DVD-R sitting in a Firewire enclosure anyway, so it would be easy enough to tap into. I wish the Firewire port on the P5010D as a 6-pin port though - now I'm going to have to get a few new cables. Oh well.

I might be getting the P5010D today! Woo hoo! :mrgreen:

anthonymoody

08-08-2003, 07:02 PM

A couple things to keep in mind about purchasing from Dynamism:

1) they provide quite good support for the products they sell, use them all internally themselves, and are quite well versed in getting them to work if you have any issues (at least in my experience)

2) many, though not all, of the models they sell ultimately become available in the US as regular models available through 'normal' channels, like the 40GB HD version of the Panasonice W2...so if you see something there you like, but can't stomach the price, wait and you may find it available down the road

TM

ctmagnus

08-08-2003, 08:14 PM

Has anyone checked out Eurocom (http://www.eurocom.ca/)? They have a huge assortment.

daveshih

08-08-2003, 09:35 PM

My take.

Jornada 567 owner since 10/2001.

Recently I've gotten a TabletPC. It's an Acer TMC110Tci. Let's see:
1. Centrino ULV 900 MHz with 802.11b (bluetooth capable with add-in card)
2. 512 MB RAM (pc2100) standard, 1GB max
3. 10.2 (1024x768) screen
4. External Firewire CD-RW/DVD-Rom combo
5. 40 GB HD
6. 5-degree curve-up keyboard with touchpad + 4-way scroll button and 5 hardware shortcut buttons per profile (slate or notebook)
7. Tablet pc touch screen + pen with eraser
8. 3+ hours battery life (recharge time ~1 hour)
9. Convertable (slate AND classic notebook, your choice)
10. pcmcia slot
11. Same graphics spec (via Intel 855 chipset)
12. Normal sound spec (fujitso's looks way better, plus S/PDIF) and real mic (not just a jack)

After some thoughts, I think the only thing missing on my Acer is the CF and SD card slots and price (my acer cost $2199+tax, before $300 rebates). The battery life and screen also are lacking. No wonder Jason picked his Fujitsu... :)

Still, I like my acer primarily because of the touchscreen. It's like a big PDA, and it's very natural to operate. I mean, there's even a version of Fitaly for tabletpc. :D I hardly use my Jornada to surf the net anymore, since my tablet is a perfect surfing platform.

Anyway, congrats, Jason!

David

Jason Dunn

08-08-2003, 09:59 PM

Oh no! My laptop didn't come in today! I have to wait until Monday! 8O NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! :cry: :cry:

Yes, I'm a big baby when I can't get my hands on the cool toy I've been waiting for. :D

ctmagnus

08-08-2003, 10:02 PM

Oh no! My laptop didn't come in today! I have to wait until Monday! 8O NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! :cry: :cry:

Yes, I'm a big baby when I can't get my hands on the cool toy I've been waiting for. :D

Weekends suck when it comes to shipping. :( Two day shipping, shipped on a Thursday/Friday = four day shipping. Unless it goes through the mysterious void known as Castlegar. :wink:

woa1

08-08-2003, 11:59 PM

Interesting thread. I have also always had an "ultrathin" notebook since I started using WinCE machines in late 1996 to use for more computing power on weekend trips etc. I started with a Toshiba Libretto 30 and then upgraded to a Sony Viao 505FX. I recently got an Averatec 3150HS notebook to replace the Sony. What I liked about the Averatec was that it was still reasonably thin (1.2" ) and light (4.3lbs) but came with built in DVD/CD-RW, 12.1" screen, Ethernet & Modem all for about $900 new!

Loving it. I now use it as my sole computer for both home use and travel.

More info at http://www.averatec.com for those interested.
Averatec used to be the former Sotec Corp for those familiar with japanese notebook manufacturers.

Kati Compton

08-09-2003, 12:10 AM

Again, I must vent:

Why aren't manufacturers putting 1280x1024 in 12" screens?? Argh. 1024x768 is great at 10.4". But with the extra 1.6", I want more resolution! Oh, Panasonic W2 - you were so close to being my dream machine...

beq

08-09-2003, 01:14 AM

^ Depends on the user I guess. An older relative bought ThinkPad 14" running SXGA+ 1400x1050 (4:3 at roughly 125ppi I'd guess). Turns out to be an encumbrance to his problematic eyesight. I had to set his XP to a custom extra-large dpi setting and also large fonts. So other than fitting more of a bitmap on screen it's pretty much useless for him (at the cost of strange GUI anomalies w/ apps not meant for anything other than 96dpi Windows setting)...

SXGA 1280x1024 (or even 1280x960 4:3) on 12" is like ~135ppi isn't it, I think that might border on being too condensed even for me (w/ current Windows) ;)

ignar

08-09-2003, 01:17 AM

I used to have a Fujitsu P2110 and was really happy with that. It has a sloooow Crusoe chip, but still the form factor, portability, and gorgeous screen compensates that. I gave the P to my wife and got a Dell since I got it free from my work. The Dell is a much more powerful (P4 2.2, 512MB Ram, with Radeon card), and its weight seemed to be not too bad at 6.4lb. Well, as soon as I started to travel with it, I came to miss P so much. 6.4lb is just too heavy to carry it around. I finally decided to get a new lightweight laptop and like many of you, was torn between Sony tr, Fuji P5010, and Panasonic W2. The tr was scratched off pretty early after I saw and tried it at a local CompUSA. It looks awesome on the paper and screen, but in real life, just too much like a toy. I thought P2110 looks professional and had no problem using it in a suit, but couldn't imagine using a tr in a business setting. Also the glossy screen has too much reflections and seems to make my eyes get tired pretty easily. That left P and W2. This decision was even harder and after lots of research, I finally came up with ordering W2. The main reason I went with W2 was obviously the weight. 5010 is a bit heavier than 2110, which I considered had just about right weight. On the other hand, W2 is much lighter than 5010 and as much as I tried to make little of 1lb difference and consider feature richer and cheaper 5010, I always came back to look at W2. Also W2 is in the "tough book" line and as its name suggests, known as more durable and well built than other laptops in the same league. After a few weeks of waiting, my W2 was shipped yesterday and scheduled to come here on Monday. I still think I couldn't go wrong with either laptop especially because P2110 was such a sweet laptop, but I'm very excited at getting a W2 and wish I made the best decision.

beq

08-09-2003, 01:23 AM

I must say I'm kinda surprised at the sheer number of posters who already have or are considering Fujitsu's (or even Panasonic's) laptop...

How big a US marketshare do these minor Japanese players hold?

EDIT: Another question, do any of these ultraportables w/ built-in DVD/CD writer use the smaller 9.5mm optical drive bay, or still 12.5mm?

SassKwatch

08-09-2003, 02:13 AM

I have this laptop (the W2) and can say with confidence that it's the best laptop in the world :mrgreen:

That does look like one SWEET laptop! Wow - the CD in the front keyboard zone is very innovative!

Check some of the reported specs.....

".......Panasonic W2 weighs only 2.84 pounds and measures 10.6 x 8.2 x 1.1~1.6 inches........"

Hmmmm...., Panasonic must be *WAY* ahead of the tech curve. Getting a 12.1" screen in a device with no single measurement as large as the screen itself seems like a pretty nifty trick. :)

Prolly just a typo, but I sure did a double-take at first.

Kati Compton

08-09-2003, 03:11 AM

".......Panasonic W2 weighs only 2.84 pounds and measures 10.6 x 8.2 x 1.1~1.6 inches........"

Hmmmm...., Panasonic must be *WAY* ahead of the tech curve. Getting a 12.1" screen in a device with no single measurement as large as the screen itself seems like a pretty nifty trick. :)

Prolly just a typo, but I sure did a double-take at first.

The 12.1" is a diagonal measurement. So if the unit didn't have ANY framing on the screen, the screen could be up to sqrt(8.2^2 + 10.6^2) = 13.4".

So the 12.1" isn't impossible. Just a pretty efficent case.

Deslock

08-09-2003, 04:51 AM

3.13 lbs that includes DVD-RAM/R/RW and a 60 GB HD!!!!! Plus it has firewire and USB2! You are right about the bluetooth attachment....I would sacrifice having to use my Bluetooth dongle for such a wonderful package.

Whoa! 8O That looks a LOT like the P5010, only it has a DVD burner. Sonofa...!! Oh well, my laptop that I don't yet have is already outdated. :lol: So typical...

I'll console myself by reminding myself that this laptop is a full $1400 more than that I paid for the P5010D, and I don't need a DVD burner THAT bad. :wink:
Rumor has it we're getting the DVD/RAM in the P5000 (North American version of the T90D) this Fall.

I might be upgrading my laptop and the P5010 is probably what I'll get. Jason, can you post a review next week after you've had a chance to try it?

- Thanks!

Janak Parekh

08-09-2003, 05:15 AM

Why aren't manufacturers putting 1280x1024 in 12" screens?? Argh. 1024x768 is great at 10.4". But with the extra 1.6", I want more resolution! Oh, Panasonic W2 - you were so close to being my dream machine...
Hmm, you need to see lots of information too, huh? :lol: Probably a good thing the W2 isn't your dream machine, though -- now you won't have to wrestle internally with the decision to go Dynamism or not. ;)

Give it a bit of time, and I'm sure it'll come.

--janak

Janak Parekh

08-09-2003, 05:20 AM

How big a US marketshare do these minor Japanese players hold?
You'd be amazed how quickly marketshare in laptops change. 6 years ago, Sony had just entered the notebook business. Today, they're a huge player. Fujitsu has been steadily growing their laptop business in the US for the last 3 years or so...

--janak

Kati Compton

08-09-2003, 06:23 AM

Hmm, you need to see lots of information too, huh? :lol: Probably a good thing the W2 isn't your dream machine, though -- now you won't have to wrestle internally with the decision to go Dynamism or not. ;)

I was under the impression it was going to be released soon in the US. If only they'd change the LCD to SXGA or whatever it's called by then.

ctmagnus

08-09-2003, 07:20 AM

Why aren't manufacturers putting 1280x1024 in 12" screens??

Probably because of the users who inist on running their 19" CRTs at 1024x768.

theone3

08-09-2003, 07:45 AM

I have a P1010.. It was good.. when it was new :roll:

Deslock

08-09-2003, 02:54 PM

Why aren't manufacturers putting 1280x1024 in 12" screens??

Probably because of the users who inist on running their 19" CRTs at 1024x768.
Desktop DPIs are always lower than laptop DPIs. For laptops:

141 DPI / 1280x768 / 10.6" (Fujitsu P-series and Sony TR)
132 DPI / 1600x1200 / 15.1" (Dell Inspiron 8000-series)
124 DPI / 1400x1050 / 14.1" (Dell Inspiron 8000-series)
121 DPI / 1024x768 / 10.6" (Sony SRX99)
116 DPI / 1400x1050 / 15.1" (Dell Inspiron 8000-series)
106 DPI / 1024x768 / 12.1" (Panasonic W2)
96 DPI / 1024x768 / 13.3" (Fujitsu S-series)

96 DPI / 1280x1024 / 17" (Common desktop LCD)
91 DPI / 1280x1024 / 18" (Common desktop LCD)
85 DPI / 1024x768 / 15" (Common desktop LCD)

Some laptop screens I'd like to see:

140 DPI / 1400x960 / 12.1" widescreen
135 DPI / 1280x1024 / 12.1"
128 DPI / 1400x960 / 13.3" widescreen
123 DPI / 1280x1024 / 13.3"
123 DPI / 1280x768 / 12.1" widescreen
119 DPI / 1152x864 / 12.1"

In particular, the Fujitsu S' 13.3" screen seems wastful at XGA. The S2010 is only 4.3 pounds... if they threw SXGA in that puppy, it'd be in a class by itself.

On a side note, why is SXGA 1280x1024 and not 1280x960? Since the screens use the same aspect ratio, the pixels are not quite square... it's weird.

Janak Parekh

08-09-2003, 07:06 PM

On a side note, why is SXGA 1280x1024 and not 1280x960? Since the screens use the same aspect ratio, the pixels are not quite square... it's weird.
IIRC, it's a leftover mistake that we've been dealing with for years and years. It's annoying, isn't it?

--janak

buffasnow

08-09-2003, 08:29 PM

I have owned a Fujitsu PC for three years. I have been very pleased with it, but I am ready for a color case laptop and the new Voodoo laptops seem to fit the bill for me. Shipping the machine to the USA will cost $97 extra. How does Voodoo handle repairs and returns in the USA? Do they charge a small fortune for shipping the machine back to Canada or are there other options?

Mark Johnson

08-09-2003, 09:02 PM

The Sony is 3.11 pounds. Size is 1.37"-1.44" X 10.6" X 7.4"
The Fujitsu is 3.5 pounds. Size is 10.27" x 7.8" x 1.55",

I've found myself in the same boat (needing more horsepower than the PPC gives you) but I rarely use a "second spindle" optical drive. So I've been looking at the Sharp MM10:
http://www.sharpsystems.com/tmplproduct_mm10.asp

Is a "full power" notebook, but weighs only 2.1 pounds. It does not have an internal optical drive, but I rarely use one, and when I need to burn files, an external USB unit is fine. I like the Archos Cesar since it's the only one I've found that is powered through the USB port (no need to travel with a "wall-wart" AC adapter.) Of course it's only CD-RW, not DVD.

Jason Dunn

08-09-2003, 09:06 PM

I've found myself in the same boat (needing more horsepower than the PPC gives you) but I rarely use a "second spindle" optical drive. So I've been looking at the Sharp MM10...

I was looking at that as well several months back, and while it was appealing on the surface, the Crusoe processor is very slow, and at least when I looked, the laptop was limited to 256 MB of RAM! I need 512 MB of RAM in any system I use because of the way I use it, so that immediately scratched it off the list for me. Your needs may be different than mine. :wink:

Jason Dunn

08-09-2003, 09:13 PM

Why aren't manufacturers putting 1280x1024 in 12" screens??

Probably because you'd need to have super-human vision to see anything at that resolution! :lol: Seriously, until Windows XP implements a resolution-independent graphics system, there are limits to resolution. I bought a laptop with a 15" screen for a client, and it was running at 1400 by whatever, and it was too small for him to see. And this is a guy in his late 30's, not someone in his 60's. It was even too small for me to see. If you're 18 years old and have 30/20 vision, there might not be a limit to what resolution you can handle, but for the rest of us, there's such a thing as "too small". Dell has it right when they offer multiple resolution choices on a single model of laptop.

I'm running 1280 x 1024 on my 17" LCDs, and that's about as small as I'd want to go. I'm actually a little worried about adapting to the resolution on the P5010...

Mark Johnson

08-09-2003, 10:41 PM

Your needs may be different than mine. :wink:

You got me on that on Jason. I do quite a bit of HTML editing, and I like to do that in Notepad. (I've never quite trusted them there new-fangled "web-editor" thangs like that Dreamweaver or that FrontPage.)

I supposed someone who needs more serious power would find the Crusoe annoying. Of course, it will be interesting to see what happens when the 8000 series Transmetas come out.

The one thing I have LOVED about the Crusoe is that it runs cool enough to be fanless. I hate how noisy every Intel-based system is. I sit in meetings with my Toshiba Tablet PC (intel-based) and the noise of the unit draws attention. If someone is using an LCD projector in the conference room, then it is noisy enough to drown out my TabletPC, but if they are only drawing on a whiteboard, then my notebook is definately distracting. It's really too bad intel hasn't made progress on this.

Janak Parekh

08-09-2003, 10:46 PM

Probably because you'd need to have super-human vision to see anything at that resolution! :lol:
But the DPI of a 1280x1024 display at 12" is not a substantially different screen density. As per Deslock's post, 1024x768 at 10.4", which is very common, is 121 DPI. 1280x1024 at 12" is 135 DPI. Moreover, Windows does support a variety of different system font sizes, and while it's not truly resolution-independent, it works pretty darn well.

--janak

Jason Dunn

08-09-2003, 11:48 PM

Windows does support a variety of different system font sizes, and while it's not truly resolution-independent, it works pretty darn well.

I couldn't disagree with you more - I've found them to be an absolute train wreck every time I've tried to use them. Want large icons? Sure, you get them on the desktop, but not on the quick start toolbar. Want bigger fonts? You can have 'em, but you won't be able to see half of the dialogue boxes that pop up. The only realistic solution I've seen that works well is changing the system DPI, but then everything looks like crap.

This remains a very ugly issue IMO.

Jason Dunn

08-09-2003, 11:50 PM

The one thing I have LOVED about the Crusoe is that it runs cool enough to be fanless.

That is indeed VERY nice - I hope my P5010D isn't too loud. 8O

ctmagnus

08-10-2003, 12:51 AM

The one thing I have LOVED about the Crusoe is that it runs cool enough to be fanless.

That is indeed VERY nice - I hope my P5010D isn't too loud. 8O

Never having owned one, how loud can notebooks get? I'd assume about as loud as my current daily-use desktop (Pentium 200MHz - half the MHz of my current PPC, and proud of it! :rock on dude!: ) for the Dells/Toshibas and similar.

Jason Dunn

08-10-2003, 12:55 AM

Never having owned one, how loud can notebooks get? I'd assume about as loud as my current daily-use desktop (Pentium 200MHz - half the MHz of my current PPC, and proud of it! :rock on dude!: ) for the Dells/Toshibas and similar.

It varies by brand and type of laptop - my Fujitsu Lifebook E Series is quite quiet, even when the fan is going, but I have no idea how loud/quiet your desktop computer is - it's impossible to make any comparisons without knowing that. ;-)

Kati Compton

08-10-2003, 02:00 AM

119 DPI / 1152x864 / 12.1"
Well, even if they're not going to do 1280x1024 on a 12" screen, they should do the above resolution. 1024x768 just isn't quite enough for me at that size.

Kati

ignar

08-10-2003, 03:20 AM

The one thing I have LOVED about the Crusoe is that it runs cool enough to be fanless.

P2110 indeed has a fan, but it's so rarely used, many people even forget that it is there. :mrgreen:

Jeff Rutledge

08-10-2003, 04:41 AM

119 DPI / 1152x864 / 12.1"
Well, even if they're not going to do 1280x1024 on a 12" screen, they should do the above resolution. 1024x768 just isn't quite enough for me at that size.

Kati

I agree. I am fortunate to have a 19" monitor at home and on my desk at work. With the external monitors, I'm at 1280x1024. However, when I travel and have to use my laptop's built-in screen, I'm bumped back down to 1024x768. It is painful!

I'm hoping to swap my 19" at home for a 17" flat screen. I assume it will be able to do 1280x1024. Would anyone know? (I don't know which monitor I'm getting yet, so I'm looking more for "In general, they do" -type feedback). Thanks.

Janak Parekh

08-10-2003, 04:47 AM

I'm hoping to swap my 19" at home for a 17" flat screen. I assume it will be able to do 1280x1024. Would anyone know? (I don't know which monitor I'm getting yet, so I'm looking more for "In general, they do" -type feedback). Thanks.
Yes, most 17" LCDs do 1280x1024. Most 18" LCDs do too, and some 19" and 20" do as well. (Some 19" and 20" do 1600x1200 instead.)

--janak

Jeff Rutledge

08-10-2003, 04:51 AM

ctmagnus

08-10-2003, 05:12 AM

It varies by brand and type of laptop - my Fujitsu Lifebook E Series is quite quiet, even when the fan is going, but I have no idea how loud/quiet your desktop computer is - it's impossible to make any comparisons without knowing that. ;-)

When the drives aren't spinning, the only way to tell it's on without looking at it/using it is to put your ear extremely close to the fan on the PSU. Only then can you hear the single fan in it. In fact, I've noticed that when I set the display settings on my iPaq 5550 just right, I can get it to emit a high-pitched whine that you have to be very close to it to hear, which is still louder than my PSU. I love my PSU. :mrgreen:

pjtrader

08-12-2003, 06:30 PM

What did you end up with? I have just been using a soft leather bag designed for bigger laptops and simply stuff more accessories inside. However, I too would like to find something nicer.

Actually, I ended up shopping in the purse department of my local Walmart and ended up with a bag that fits the P2110 nicely in one side, a compartment for the power cords and paraphenalia in another zippered compartment and even a few pockets for a cell phone and "stuff". And yet, the whole thing is no bigger than about a foot wide and a couple inches deep. No, it won't hold file folders and stuff, but it's not a chore to carry it around anymore.

While I haven't had this trouble with mine, (I loaded XP Pro over the Home version that came with the P2110) I've had a few lockups. Are you aware of the reset button on the back between the network RJ45 connector and the USB ports? You can press it with a Pocket PC stylus. This should save you from having to remove the batteries.

Why no, I've never seen the reset. I'll go hunt it up! (Of course, I didn't look at the documentation either. :) Thanks heaps for the advice.

I have to admit, everyone looks jealously at my small, easily portable, long battery lifed Fujitsu. And I glory in it.

Cheers,
Pam

Jason Dunn

08-14-2003, 02:09 AM

Actually, I ended up shopping in the purse department of my local Walmart...

Great idea! I'd better bring my wife with me though, just so people don't look at me funny. :worried:

I have to admit, everyone looks jealously at my small, easily portable, long battery lifed Fujitsu. And I glory in it.

Me too. :mrgreen: Glory! Glory!

paul_sc

08-16-2003, 09:14 PM

Oh no! My laptop didn't come in today! I have to wait until Monday! 8O NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! :cry: :cry:

Hi all...I am in the market for a pocket pc/ultra portable and found this site...great info :D I a leaning towards the ultra portable route...and would really like to know Jason's..and others...usage feedback. I have never used or seen a pocket pc or an ultra laptop. I am currently in a very rual area and do not have access to electronic stores..so the purchase is going to be sight/use unseen :(

Jason..did you get your laptop?...what do you think? Any follow up posts :) The 5010 is one of the laptops I amlooking at.

Thanks

By the way, are there any pocket pc emulators for windows xp (like I have seen for palm) that I could get a feel for how a pocketpc would work and perhaps try some programs?

ignar

08-16-2003, 09:27 PM

paul_sc, for lots of info and user feedback about Fujitsu P series, visit leog.net. That is THE place to go.

These two sites have many photos of P5010.

http://www.cathmartin.com/html/lifebook_p5010d.html
http://www.duffyzone.com

paul_sc

08-16-2003, 09:49 PM

Thanks Ignar :D

AndyD

08-17-2003, 04:17 PM

Whoa that Panasonic W2 is very nice. I'm definitely gonna consider getting one for Grad School next Spring. I do have a question though for you guys who own both a laptop and a PocketPC. Owning both, does it make the PocketPC pointless to have as well? I was thinking of getting one primarily for news/books on the go despite the small screen (I'm still wondering if I could actually read an entire ebook off a pda) but still question whether I will really put it to good use. I'm starting to think I just want one cause it will be another gadget I can play with :)

ignar

08-17-2003, 04:45 PM

Even the ultra small laptops still are not instant-on. You have to boot it up or wake it up from hibernation, which takes some time, then you need to open an application and so on. PDA can do that with just one button push. PDA wins in portability comparison as well. You can really carry them everywhere you go, but you can't do that with a laptop.

I'm starting to think I just want one cause it will be another gadget I can play with :)
What's wrong with that? :mrgreen:

Kati Compton

08-18-2003, 02:54 AM

FYI - the discussion about whether or not eBooks are comfortable to read on PPCs has been split into another thread:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16730&highlight=

Jason Dunn

08-19-2003, 05:27 AM

paul_sc

08-24-2003, 01:13 AM

Great to hear Jason. I broke down and bought a Sony Vaio 1a and the fuji 5010 (after my wife confiscated the 1a ;)

I am still waiting for the 5010 to arrive...I am anxious to see how they compare.

I have to agree with your recommendation...I have owned laptops and pda's (never a pocket pc) and I have to say this form factor, performance and weight so far are perfect.

If you are looking for input, proofing or comparisons to the sony...feel free to email me...I look forward to your reviews.

all the best

dcharles18

09-03-2003, 02:14 PM

Can any of the P2000 series owners comment on how they like their's?? I've narrowed down to either the P1000 or the P2000 series. The main difference b/t the two being the size and the internal DVD/CDRW. I don't know how often I would use the drive and if the tradeoff in size is worth it or not. Thanks.

CTSLICK

09-24-2003, 09:50 PM

Jason..did you get your laptop?...what do you think? Any follow up posts :) The 5010 is one of the laptops I amlooking at.

The P5010D is the most amazing laptop I've ever owned! Ok, I've only owned one before this, but it still kicks ass. :mrgreen: It's seriously AWESOME. I've started to write a review of it, but I have about seven other reviews to write prior to this one, so I can't promise anything. Suffice it to say that so far this laptop has exceeded my expectations, and I had very high expectations. The screen and resolution is quite easy to read actually - I was expecting to have to adjust the font size, but my eyes adapted quite quickly. I give this laptop my highest recommendation. :way to go:

So Jason...you've been living with your new little beasty for a while...any further commentary? My vintage 1999 HP laptop is struggling mechanically and it finally made my wife mad...so the laptop budget just got approved! Maybe you've got enough to make a mini review?

Specifics I am interested in:

- Real use battery life

- Display quality (I am concerned about some of the ghosting or blurring I have seen on some laptops while playing a DVD or a game)

- Display size: Any real life trade-offs

- Heat output: my current laptop can get really hot, I am hoping my next one won't be such a scorcher

- Wireless performance: Heard some concerns about some laptops with built in wireless not performing well when it comes to range

- Overall Performance: How well does the combination of processor, video, hard drive etc perform. Always good to know if all the tech specs actually equate to good performance.

- Gotchas: any nasty surprises?

Its so tough to buy a laptop without even laying hands on it so any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

Jason Dunn

09-25-2003, 03:55 AM

So Jason...you've been living with your new little beasty for a while...any further commentary? My vintage 1999 HP laptop is struggling mechanically and it finally made my wife mad...so the laptop budget just got approved! Maybe you've got enough to make a mini review?

I'm working on a review, but it's not ready yet and I'm totally and completely swamped, so I'm not sure when it will be ready. But to quickly address your issues:

Battery life: utterly amazing. 5 hours easy on the main battery using WiFi + Word processing and other activities

Display quality: perfect, DVDs look great, haven't tried that many games because it's not a gaming laptop

Display size: I got used to the high-resolution really fast, and I love the screen size now

Heat: it does get warm, but not "hot"...I do wish it were cooler though. I use it with a "laptop pad" to help with this issue

Wireless: bloody awesome. MUCH better signal strength than my PCMCIA 802.11b card

Performance: I'm happy with it. It's quite snappy, though of course I would have liked to have seen a better graphics co-processor in there and something faster than 900 Mhz would have been nice...but I wanted mobility + battery life, and this thing delivers in spades.

Gotchas: none so far

CTSLICK

09-25-2003, 04:27 PM

Thanks for the reply Jason. Sounds like the Fujitsu will be a worthy contender on whatever my "short-list" ends up being.