My new Fujitsu N6010: pics (LARGE), initial thoughts - Page 5

I want to thank both of you for your comments.

I have seen the Qosmio, Sony and HP screens and what you both say helps to confirm what I have come to think about those three screens.

My impression of the Qosmio is that it is outstanding and probably the best of those three, but the only way I would consider it at its current selling price is if the screen quality was justifiably ($400-$500?) better. Even if the N6010 comes in second at a Sony Xbrite level, then that is not nearly enough to justify the extra cost, because the Sony screen is terrific. From what I have seen in this forum and other reviews, there seem to be a number of other things that would suggest the superiority of the N6010 over the other models, too. While I would probably prefer something other than an "off-white" color scheme to my next laptop, the most important things are screen quality, build quality and reliability, and it looks like the N6010 has all of those. So I can live with a humongous ipod color scheme.

Once again, I want to say thanks to both of you for taking the time to respond to my post. This is a great forum!!

Frodo

seememom said: “ I generally agree with Jack_L, except that I would have to say the Toshiba screen is the best of the bunch. Why? Well, it "seems" to have the least amount of glare and highest amount of brightness.”

“Glare” and “brightness” are two significantly different issues.

I’ll address “brightness” first.

The Fujitsu laptop LCD screen is rated as possessing a 400:1 contrast ratio.
The Toshiba laptop LCD screen is rated as possessing a 300:1 contrast ratio.
The average laptop possesses +/- 250:1 contrast ratio. (above info taken from “Laptop Magazine” , December 2004 issue)

“Screen glare” (a potentially significant problem with new model laptops <and in my opinion, Sony and HP/Compaq really suffer badly from this issue>), is, to date, a subjective evaluation based on ambient lighting conditions.

I’ve looked very critically at both the Fujitsu and Toshiba LCD screens... but for my money, the Fujitsu wins... with the Toshiba right on its heels.

Jack,

Thanks again for your comments. I also appreciate Seememom's comments about the Toshiba because that helps me to get a sense of the quality of the Fujitsu screen compared to the Toshiba. It sounds like the Fujitsu and Toshiba are running neck and neck, with the Fujitsu slightly ahead. That speaks volumes for Fujitsu because of the price differential. It really helps to get your perspective when I can't see the Fujitsu first hand.

The contrast ratio is clearly in Fujitsu's favor, and for me, from what I've seen from the three screens I've had a chance to view, screen glare seems like pretty much a non-issue.

However, I would like to ask your opinion on one more thing: the font presentation (rendition?) of the two systems. As I mentioned in my previous post, I do alot of spreadsheeting and was wondering how the two screens compare with respect to font clarity and readability. To be honest, before I read learned about this forum, I was thinking about going with an Apple Powerbook, but in the end I couln't stand the way the fonts look (read slightly FUZZY or BLURRY) because of Apple's font-smoothing features in OSX. I also kind of liked HP's WSXGA version of the ZD8000 because of the sharpness of the fonts, but I was concerned about fan noise a "darker" screen for other things like photos, DVDs, games, etc. I think I would prefer the N6010 or the Qosmio, and at this point your comments are leaning me strongly toward the N6010.

While I would expect fonts to be "sharper" (albeit smaller) at higher resolutions (i.e. WUXGA vs. WSXGA vs. WXGA), I have seen some WXGA screens where the fonts seem more "readable" and more pleasant to the eyes than other WXGA screens, for whatever reason. Sometimes I think it's just subjective but then I read reviews about lcd monitors and flat panels out there where some are clearly better for graphics and others are clearly better for fonts. I was just wondering how the Qosmio and N6010 compared in that regard. Are they pretty much even because they are both Windows systems and have the same resolution, or does brightness and contrast (and other factors?) make a difference here, too?

Sorry for rambling on here, but you've been so helpful. If you can comment that would be great. I promise I won't keep coming up with more questions. I'm about ready to take the plunge and would value your input one more time.

Thanks!

Mie

Well, I have to stand by my comments since on every occasion I've seen the Toshiba screen it has always looked the best. (only the 17 inch dual lamp screen) Furthermore, unless those are actual contrast tests using software and special measurement equipment, I put absolutely no value on what a manufacturer states in their marketing literature.

As to the "glare", I will let you guys know how I came upon my conclusion in more detail. I have seen the Toshiba on numerous occassions and always marvelled at the crisp detail of the screen (fonts, clarity on a spreadsheet, pure colours). The direct comparison to the Sony and HP was always there, and their screens were always more "glossy". I was hoping that the Fujitsu would be less glossy, like the Toshiba. This wasn't the case, it was more like the Sony in terms of gloss. HOWEVER, I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE TOSHIBA AND FUJITSU SIDE BY SIDE, so that is my disclaimer. Therefore, my reference isn't really to "glare" per se, but to the glossiness of the screen coating - I just extrapolate that the more glossy the screen the more POTENTIAL for glare.

With respect to "font clarity and readability" I cannot comment on the Fujitsu because what I saw were mostly darker colours and graphics. I imagine it's just as good as the Toshiba though, as this is something LCD's are known for. I'll be purchasing a Fujitsu, unless Toshiba does something special in the next month or two.

Seememom,

I want to thank you for your comments, too. I have seen the Qosmio screen and I must admit, it is hard for me to think that the Fujitsu might have a better screen. I really believe it is superior to the HP and the Sony screens, being much more vivid and pleasant to the eye (IMO). That you and Jack disagree between the Toshiba and Fujitsu helps me to appreciate the quality of both screens. If it weren't for the Toshiba price I could probably go either way. I definitely know I would be very satisfied with the Toshiba screen, so if the Fujitsu is right there with it, either slightly ahead or slightly behind, that's fine with me. I just can't (WON'T) spend what Toshiba is asking.

As I mentioned, I'm not crazy about the style of the Fujitsu (off-white color scheme). I prefer a more traditional look and I think the Toshiba and HP look good as far laptop style goes. However, build quality, reliability and screen quality are such big issues with me I just don't know how I could go for the the HP or Sony, and as I mentioned in one of my previous posts, it seems that the Toshiba has a few more quirks than the Fujitsu does, at least from some of the things I've read on this forum, CNET and Notebookreview. That means I guess I am leaning strongly toward the N6010.

Certainly you and Jack have helped me to narrow my choice to either theToshiba or the Fujitsu.

I'm grateful you guys took the time to respond to my comments. You've helped to make this a great experience. After I get the laptop, maybe I can post some of my impressions.

Thanks again!

as an n6010 owner, I can truly say that the two tone, silver/white color scheme is one of the things that really makes this laptop stand out.

And with the light from the LCD screen at night, the white keyboard is illuminated nicely.

The only complaint I have about this notebook is how hard it is to find a backpack that it will fit in...looks like I will be going with a 17" neoprene notebook cover.

When notebooks are close in every qualifiable and quantifiable way, as the Fujitsu and Toshiba models are (both excellent machines at the exact same native resolution), I think it comes down to a personal choice.

I wouldn't even consider saying seememom is in anyway "wrong", though I disagree with his/her preference for the Toshiba.

Why?

Because this is where "personal choice" figures in.

As far as font "crispness" (for lack of a better word) is concerned, this was something I was concerned about as well. I test typed a short message (using every letter in the alphabet) in Notepad, WordPad and Works, on both notebooks. To my eye, it was a draw, with no laptop being better than the other.

As far as fonts are concerned on WUXGA equipped LCD screens, I've looked at a few... and for my needs, I've rejected this particular level of resolution as the fonts are too small in some applications (but not all)... and as I've mentioned previously, this is not an uniformly fixable situation in all applications. If you do a lot of spreadsheet work, its my opinion (yes, *opinion*) that you might regret WUXGA res on a 17" LCD. On a 30-32" LCD, it looks terrific!

Probably the best thing to do is go to Fry's and start typing away and see what you think... and buy the laptop that best seems to suit you.

Then relax, forget all the "reviews" and be happy with the machine you selected! And remember that there is NO "perfect laptop". Jack_L's "law" is that no matter how close you come to finding the "perfect laptop", there ALWAYS exists some feature you don't like.

As much as I love the Fujitsu, I surely wouldn't be disappointed with the Toshiba (but I like the numeric keyboard on the Fujitsu, I will admit. See, I just proved my own law).

Tell us which machine you eventually decide to "adopt", okay?

Hello all.

I've been following this great thread for a while and am thinking about buying a N6010. I would really like to look at it in person, but there are no Fry's that I can locate near me in Brooklyn.

Could anyone suggest somewhere I can see the N6010 in Brooklyn?

Also, if I do indeed decide to buy this (right now it's a close battle between the N6010 and the Sager 4750 as you can see here), where's the best place online to order it? PortableOne? I do need to configure it with a 60gb 7200rpm drive which I noticed many places don't offer.

Thanks for any insight!
Samantha

Samantha,
I just spent the last month waffling between the sager 4791 and the fujitsu N6010 and this past weekend I went ahead and placed my order for the fujitsu at Portable One. It all boiled down to the screen difference in the two. I just think that the N6010 is superior to any of the sager screens. And dealing with P1 has been great. Their dedication to customer service is something I havent seen in a long time. They go the extra mile to explain all of your choices when it comes to configuration. And if the one you choose is going to be delayed for some reason, they let you know ahead of time. I emailed sales several times on Sat. and each response was within an hours time. Ivan, my sales rep, called me on Monday, and told me that they had to have the unit I wanted shipped in so they could put in the hard drive I selected. He said I should still receive the laptop either this Friday or the following Monday. So if you decide to go with the N6010, I would give P1 a call. Good luck with your choice

I'm seriously considering buying the N6010, but am a little concerned about the fan noise issue. Do the fans quiet down if you slow down the CPU?

Got mine yesterday!

Ordered from P1. Great cs, multiple build options, they seem to have it together more than any other Fujitsu reseller I checked into. Looking forward to doing alot of future business with them. Highly recommended.

Thanks for the replies guys!

Would there be any problems with running that N6010 for long periods of time as far as overheating? I do pretty heavy audio production and multimedia work for a living and will be using the laptop I buy as the centerpiece for a small, portable production studio I'm currently putting together. It's not uncommon for my current rackmount PC (which I love) to take a 10 hour pounding every day... with tracking, mixing, and editing of high resolution digital audio (24bit, 192kHz).

I am also very curious about the fan noise.

Samantha

Oh yeah... I have a few more questions for you.

First, If I buy this, I'm going to opt for the 60GB 7200 option (from P1). Is it possible to add a second harddrive down the line myself? I don't need striping RAID 0 or anything, just something for data storage later on.

Second... I know the N6010 has a VGA output so you can run a CRT simutaneously with the laptop display. This is essential for me in the work I do. My only problem is I would like to have my second display be a LCD and not a CRT. Is there a VGA to DVI adaptor out there that someone can point me towards? Or possibly another solution?

Thanks so much for any more insight you can provide. This is proving to be a very tough decision.
Samantha

Thank you for your reply, Michael.

Thinking about it, I suppose that using an external for storage is not a big deal at all.

As far as the N6010 lacking a DVI port... Are you using some sort of VGA to DVI adapter to run your external LCD?

Yes it sucks....let me know what you decide to get as I am in the same boat as you...Sony FS--nice but battery life and washy washy screen (bright..too bright and video card? )

Hello,

Has anyone any idea if this laptop will be released in the UK? I've looked for ages and haven't found anything, and I have not had replies from the UK Fujitsu resellers I have asked.
Thanks

Just curious as to how hot this machine gets, is it comfortable on your lap or too hot? Can you watch at least one DVD on battery? I am very close to buying this laptop.

Thank you,

Dave