Brian, Machine suggestions?

Hi Brian and all,

I am currently shopping for a new laptop (my first) and have heard good things about the Fujitsu. I'm looking for something with a Pentiuium 4 w/ 2.8GHz, prefereably 512 RAM, 15" screen, 30-40 GB hard drive and hopefully a 5400 rpm drive.

I've been looking at machines by Dell (Inspiron 5100) and Gateway (M305XL) but would be interested in finding out what Fujitsu had to offer with those features.

My budget is 1500 w/ software (XP Pro and Office Small Business).

Would anyone have any suggestions and know where I could get a good deal on one?

Thanks to all in advance!

Chris

 

Here's a little more info to add in. I have scanned throught the Fujitsu's on the site and most of the ones that seem to fit the bill are different versions of the N3010. Any thoughts on that machine?

 

The N series is very solid. Fujitsu offers great support, build quality and design. In my mind they're perhaps second only to IBM in these regards. They do come without the IBM price tag though, which is nice. The only other problem is that Fujitsu has to be ordered site unseen in many cases, like mine, so it's a leap of faith to a certain extent. If the feature set of the N3000 meets your needs, I'd prefer it over comparable units from Dell and Gateway.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Here are the problems as I have been able to sort them out. I've talked with Fujitsu and to get comparable features that the Dell or Gateway have, it looks like and additional 500.00 or more. The Fujitsu rep also said they are not battery friendly (short battery time)and ship only with 4200 rpm drives, not the 5400s.

The best deal I could get through them was a Pentium 4 @2.6 w/ XP pro with 40 gig HD for 1499 before the additional 249 for software. If I could justify this extra expense (right around 500 more than the Dell)I'd consider going the extra mile. But so far, I haven't found a good reason to make the leap. Got any?

Chris

 

Before I answer that question...take a look here. Their prices will be better than Fujitsu's.

http://www.laptopsinc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=GC&Category_Code=FUJIN

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Hi Brian,

Thought you might like to know the follow up. I'd still be curious to hear your Fujitsu comments, even more so now since I did break the budget and buy one.

I spent the whole day internet and phone shopping and NOBODY discounts this machine (except for a camera store, which as I recall, you had warned against in another thread). Even the guys you sent me to didn't discount it, but they did have free shipping and matched the educator discount that Fujitu offers (5%.)They also tossed in a 2nd 256 ram chip that I'll install myself. It will be about the 1st of March before it arrives. Since Fujitsu would have charged sales tax and shipping(they have a repair center in my state)I ended going with Laptops, Inc.

So now that I've taken the plunge, do you have any words of encouragement?

Thanks!

Chris

 

Ha! My only words are that you'll surely love it, but waiting is going to kill you. I had to wait three weeks for mine to arrive, it was complete torture!

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

[^]My P5020D is on the FedEx truck "out for delivery"! This is me with my nose against the window![ ]

 

Thanks for the assistance. I'll be chomping at the bit till it arrives!

Chris

 

Ha, you should have it by now...annnnnnnd?

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com