Disappointed in Lifebook S7010

After reading good reviews I ordered my S7010. My first impressions were that it looked stylish enough, but comparing it to my old Portege 3440CT I don't think it does compare, in terms of looks and build quality. On opening the S7010 to me it looked quite cheap and plasticy. But that's all aesthetics and personal preference. I was disappointed to find the screen wasn't evenly lit, with a large darker patch to one side. Has anyone else had this problem? Probably just bad luck :/ Also, the keyboard didn't sit properly into its base. A number of the keys, where it appears to be warped, make loud clicking noises compared to the rest of the keyboard. Some of those keys stay slightly depressed and you can hear them clicking back into place a few moments later. The touch stick also moved of its own accord a number of times (a problem I had occasionally with the old Portege).

All of which has given me the feeling it's been thrown together. Right now I'm working on my Portege which I can't really fault, and I'm sending the Lifebook back to be replaced. But the more I think about it, the more I'm inclined to look for another laptop altogether.

I love the style of the Vaio's, but I keep hearing about problems getting replacement parts. Since I've had good experiences with them, I may stick with Toshiba. Someone mentioned the R100 being a comparable model to the S6231. Are there any other Toshiba's I should be looking at? I'm after a thin and light, 12-14" screen with built-in CD-RW/DVD. Similar specs to the S7010.

Jason

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

Have you checked out the IBM T42 Thinkpad?

 

I very nearly went with that to begin with. Right now I'm thinking of going with the Tecra M2.

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

The Vaio line is excellent: the made in Japan design and craftsmanship that had traditionally been associated with quality electronics. The S260, a 13.3" WXGA form, is the "sweet spot" for most people. You will hear complaints of fan noise, but like notebook computers in general, this unit is not meant for long hours in the quiet of one's home. Once mobile, the noise factor is very much moot.

If you have a desktop system, and I strongly recommend one, the S260 is a superb companion.

 

I really hope you got a lemon or the problems only apply to the S7010 series. My awesome g/f saw how bad i want a new notebook and gave me some cash to buy one now and I just got done ordering my S6231 from newegg, i should have it next tuesday.

Anyone with a S6231 wanna comment on the problems wickedmoon has?

hope you find a better notebook wickedmoon

~RaNDoM

 

Probably a lemon. I read a number of good reviews on here before buying it. On the other hand, given the problems I had, I can't help but think everyone was bribed to say nice things about it!

It wasn't just the faults that put me off, the build quality and the look and feel of the machine I thought were questionable. Right now I'm trying to exchange it for the Tecra. Personally, the S7010 is not a notebook I'd recommend.

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

you know, the fujitsu notebooks are made of magnesium alloy, so if you were dissappointed in the build quality, then you are gonna be really dissappointed by lappys made from dell, HP/compaq, and emachine/gateway. they all make there lappys out of plastic mostly.

I think IBM is the only way for you, i remember my uncle brought over a old IBM and that thing was like a rock and it was still working perfectly.

~RaNDoM

 

I think it's bad luck. Why not just flip it for a new one?

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

 

I hate the look of the thing now, so I've ordered the Tecra instead. The company I ordered from wanted to charge me a "4% re-stock fee" to replace the Lifebook with a Tecra, which is nonsense. Here's a useful link for those in the UK about their statutory rights and the return of goods:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_world/consumer_affairs/consumer_problems_options_for_the_customer.htm#Gettingafullrefund

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>you know, the fujitsu notebooks are made of magnesium alloy, so if you were dissappointed in the build quality, then you are gonna be really dissappointed by lappys made from dell, HP/compaq, and emachine/gateway. they all make there lappys out of plastic mostly.<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

My issue isn't with the material, it's with the aesthetics and quality of design of the S7010. I've not compared a lot of laptops up close, but I seem to remember seeing a few from those other manufacturers that I like. If I want to be really picky for example, the screen is fractionally wonky in this S7010. I can scrutinise this Portege and I can't fault it. To be honest, the S7010 to me looks like a designer's first draft.

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

I don't know Moon, but I too, suspect you got a defective unit. In that case you're choice of vendor would be very important. A lot of vendors will only replace a non-defective unit with one of the same make and model. I have a S6231 and couldn't be happier. Like Random said, If the build quality of a Fujitsu bothers you, don't even consider the other brands he mentioned. In my view, Fujitsu quality and design are top notch. IBM is also. A close friend bought a Toshiba and has had nothing but problems from the get go. Not that Toshiba is building bad notebooks, but a bad one slips through every manufacturer occasionally. I'm really sorry you're not happy! I've known that feeling! BTW, just what is, "Fractionally Wonky" anyway[?] Regards, Ace [8D]

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by wickedmoon

 

Why would you want to replace a non-defective unit with the same make and model? Or are you talking about upgrades?

It's so difficult choosing your "perfect" notebook. I'd call one laptop shop and they'd criticise one manufacturer, while another would say something completely different. I think I went with the Tecra as my Portege has been lugged around the world and operated flawlessly all that time. A brand becomes tried and trusted.

When I say wonky, the screen on the S7010 was tilted slightly in its base. Not that you'd notice in general use, but when you spot a flaw it's difficult not to let it bother you

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

thats not always true, i got "use" to having 3 dead pixels on my LCD. i also had to get "use" to the 2 lines in my NEC monitor, even tho that is not a flaw.

i dont think there is such a thing as a perfect laptop, i alrdy know i am not going to be happy about the speakers on the S6231. but i think the pros outweighs the cons enough to make me buy it.

~RaNDoM

 

As I see it new models offer better specs at a lower build quality , if you are satisfied with older specs an older model could give you much better value .

In the Tecras I would take notice for the screen viewing angles , check for built in wifi , and go with Geforce 5200 that some models offer .

You'd get magnesium casing ( not sure ) , 3 years warranty , and serial/paralel ports which could come in handy ( for me anyway ) , to tell the truth I don't understand why anyone would go with the newer m35x decreased build quality when they can get simillar speced Tecras .

 

This illustrates my fear of purchasing big ticket items over the internet, although I've had to pay a huge restocking fee once from a local store as well.

Perhaps if wickedmood had been able to demo the model in a store local to him he could have checked out the keyboard, screen tilt, screen brightness continuity, and known without a doubt whether the S7010 would suit his needs, and if so, whether the unit he got was defective.

-David

 

I think it would be a good idea to buy it in person with what I've been hearing about Toshiba's policy on a screen having to have over a dozen dead pixels or so before it's considered faulty.

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

No such pixel policy on a Fujitsu from Portable One. Give them a call and discuss your concerns. They are good folks. Straight shooters. In my view they give advice for your best interest. Regards, Ace [8D]

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by wickedmoon

 

The problem with Fujitsu (and I'm considering a Fujitsu E8010) is that you *can't* see them in stores.

 

8010 and 7010,they all are different models.8010 s far superior with its gpu for gamers,text and graphics arrangements,applications.But 7010 s thin and light machine.Actually I do not understand "moon s thoughts" about 7010,If u dont like 7010,how can u like others plastic machines,lcd screens...But 8010 s an excellent machine overall.At least for me.

Love of the dead does not last,
because the dead will not return.
But love of the living
is in every moment fresher than a bud,
both the inward and the outward eye.
Choose the love of that Living One
who is everlasting, who offers you
the wine that increases life.
Do not say "We have no entrance to that King."
Dealings with the generous are not difficult
Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi (1207-1273)

 

It seems you're assuming my problem is with "lcd specifications" and "construction materials", which it's not. I dislike the design of the S7010, the way it's pieced together. I got my Tecra M2 yesterday and love it. By comparison, they're pretty similar case wise, but opened up I think the Tecra looks and feels better, with far more attention to all the small details. The S7010 to me looks a bit like a toy.

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

I understood,u say,Tecra s design more good than 7010,yeah this s ur choose,ur answer.Maybe it s or not...This s a self selection,self choice.Someone may say,7010 s better,someone opposite...It doesnt mean it s not enough good.

Love of the dead does not last,
because the dead will not return.
But love of the living
is in every moment fresher than a bud,
both the inward and the outward eye.
Choose the love of that Living One
who is everlasting, who offers you
the wine that increases life.
Do not say "We have no entrance to that King."
Dealings with the generous are not difficult
Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi (1207-1273)

 

I'd be the first to say it's personal choice, but on the other hand, putting the Tecra M2 and S7010 head to head, the Tecra to me looks the clear winner, so I'd be interested to hear why someone would prefer the S7010.

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com

 

how much did you pay for the terca M2, so far, i have notice it is as much as a IBM thinkpadT42. i think i would rather have that with a 9600vid card then the toshiba. is the screen better then the fuijtsu? then i would have to say you got yourself a real winner. i didnt even know about this model until i read this thread. kind of sucks for me.

i wish stores like bestbuy and circuitcity would carry good laptops.

~RaNDoM

 

I paid £1000 for the Tecra on ebay (new), but elsewhere it was upwards of £200 more expensive. I only had the Fujitsu for a day, but don't remember the screens being any different (I'd read lots of reviews about how great the Fujitsu's screens were).

I would have gone with the T42, described as indestructible, super reliable, with all the gadgets and add-ons you could care for like finger-print access, but vanity played a part as I wanted something that had more style, and I read that wasn't one of the T42's strong points. I went with a Tecra, as I bought Toshiba before and never had any problems. I wanted nothing bigger than a 14" screen, so I read some reviews and narrowed it down to the Tecra. I didn't really think about this before, but those reviews quickly go out of date. One review, from late last year I think, describes the Tecra as not having internal wi-fi, a screen with bad viewing angles and a sagging keyboard, but none of those were an issue with the one I bought.

Comparing the S7010 with the Tecra M2. Just looking at one of the comparitively small features, the touchpad, you see how different the machines are. The Tecra comes shipped with just the right sensitivity. The S7010 would drive me crazy, selecting things on screen I didn't even know I'd selected, as my finger cells hadn't even detected the surface before the S7010 responded. The S7010 also had a 'clickable' touchstick, which I think caused more problems than it was worth. The Tecra lets you slide a finger down or across the touchpad to scroll. You can also assign functions to the corners of the touchpad. It has subtleties that you might not even notice, but they're there, a sign of Toshiba's experience and finesse. None of the above with the S7010. I like to use the touchstick with my thumb resting on the touchpad buttons. The S7010 doesn't make it easy. You strain your fingers trying to reach the buttons. On the Tecra you get two sets of buttons, above and below the touchpad, arranged to be uncluttered, so you can work more naturally. Anyway, that's just the touchpad. The Tecra oozes more finesse to me, looks better and is better built.

Jason

http://wickedmoon.com