Fantastic Notebook (Fujitsu)

If you go to Laptops.inc
http://www.laptopsinc.com/Merchant2/...ory_Code=FUJIN
they have an option for a 7200rpm hard drive upgrade with the N5010. That is the only thing that I can see lacking at the Fujitsu home site.

I have narrowed down my choices to the Sager 5680 15" and The Fujitsu N5010 16".

To those who have ever owned a Fujitsu:

How is the sound quality, loudness of fans, heat issues etc., or anything else you can comment on. I can't seem to find any good Forums for Fujitsu users so I can't get too much first hand info. Only from what I read. Are there any good forums for Fujitsu other than the one on the Fujitsu site?

Thanks
KP

PS: One thing that I do know is that their bad pixel policy is well above standard. Here is their response to my inquiry:

The pixel policy is as follows:

The following criteria will be used by Service and Support to determine
LCD display replacement based on abnormal pixels. Abnormal pixels are
defined as pixels (dots) on the screen that appear white, green, red,
blue and/or black. The pixel criteria defines two Zones. Zone A is
defined as a 2" x 2" square in the center of the LCD screen. Zone B is
defined as the remaining area of the LCD.

Criteria for new units

During the standard warranty period of the product, Fujitsu PC
Corporation (FPC) will consider the LCD defective if:

More than one abnormal pixel appears in Zone A or
More than three abnormal pixels appear in Zone B or
More than three abnormal pixels appear on the entire screen.

Is there any reason that the N5000 series isn't available with a 128 MB ATI 9600? Such an option would seal the deal for me.

I can't figure that out either. They are using the ATI Mobility Radeon 9600. I would gladly pay the extra for an upgrade to 128 MB if it was available.

KP

That's a reasonably nice little machine. However, the limitation of the Video RAM, which is simply silly and hopefully could be upgraded (but I doubt it can be) and a single HD is sort of disappointing. Perhaps the screen makes up for it. I don't see it as being any better than the SAGER 5680 which frankly has more and better features for less money.

This is the laptop I want. Hopefully by time I have enough money to get it, they will offer the 128MB 9600.

I've been scouring the net for reviews of the N5000 series, but no luck so far. CNET has a review of the N3000 series. I never put much stock in CNET's reviews, but the user opinions can be helpful. Users overwhelmingly like the Fujitsu and they rave over the 15" screen. If the N5010 had a 128 MB ATI 9600, I'd give it a try immediately. I wrote to Laptops.inc and asked if the 128 MB would be an option, and am awaiting a reply.

Let us know what they say about the 128 MB upgrade. Personally if the Sager 8890 had the Fujitsu 16" LCD, with better speakers, I would have my dream machine. For me wide angle viewing, (not to be confused with wide-screen) is an absolute necessity. Which brings me to the Sager 5680 15" or the Fujitsu 16".

The reason Fujitsu caught my eye is the same as Sager did. High quality components. Above average Pixel Policy. Rugged exterior. Above average tech support. Fujitsu also has a $100.00 Rebate and Free 2 Day Shipping. Price wise Fujitsu is also very competitive. Competition is good, it keeps prices down and companies fight to see who can offer the highest quality components for the best price. My gut feeling says that Sager would most likely win when it comes to overall benchmarks. But then again not all of us are gamers and even at 64 MB ATI still makes a nice choice for graphics. Fujitsu is not much in the way of Internal Expandability such as second hard drive etc., but they do include such things as a "802.11a+b/g with on-off switch (Wireless LAN)". Anyway I have a box of spare Hard Drives so I can buy a case and go External for minimal cost. It is just driving me crazy that I am so close to buying a laptop, but then again I have been saving and researching for about two years and a couple more weeks to make sure that I will be happy with my decision won't kill me I guess.

I guess in the long run It doesn't matter what Is the fastest machine as long as It has all of the features that you are looking for. Man that 16" Fujitsu LCD sure looks sweet.

"jmkay03" Maybe we can get you to write us a review after you receive your Laptop and answer a few of our questions. Please!

Later
KP

no 128 MB video for the N5000 :-(

I just received a reply from Fujitsu about getting an N5000 with 128 MB video memory. I posted the full e-mail below, but the short answer is NO. That effectively squashes my interest in the N5000. It looks like a great notebook, but I don't want something with such limited graphics memory. I'll turn my attention back to the Sager 8790. If it's available with WSXGA+ or WUXGA resolution, it could be the one for me.

Here's Fujitsu's reply:

Thank you for your inquiry. I understand that you are looking to purchase an N5000 notebook. None of our N series notebooks have upgradable video cards. They all come with standard 64MB of dedicated memory.

Should you have any further questions or concerns regarding this issue,
please reply back to this email and refer to call detail number
40398532285.

Thank you for your time and patronage. We value all our customers and
look forward to helping you now and in the future.

Sincerely,

Luc F
Fujitsu Computer Systems Technical Support
1-800-838-5487 (Technical Support and Customer Service line open 24
hours a day 7 days a week)

Original Message Follows:
------------------------

I'm very interested in purchasing one of your N5000 notebooks. Can the
ATI video card be upgraded to 128 MB? Please let me know as soon as
possible. I'd like to order today before leaving work for the rest of
the week.

A review would be great. Looking forward to it.

Later
KP