Is this normal for an S7010D?

I just got my new S7010D! There are a lot of things I like about this computer, but some things that I find disappointing. I bought this sight unseen, so I'm not sure if it's normal. Also, I've never had experience before with a super lightweight computer and don't know what is normal for them. A lot of the cons have not been mentioned in other reviews, so I thought there might be something wrong with my computer.

First, the good. This computer is SO light and portable. Everything is light, including the AC adapter and the battery. The computer is also very quiet, generates little heat, and has a long-lasting battery. There are also no dead pixels. I couldn't be happier about those aspects.

Now, for the cons.

1) The bottom inch of the screen is much brighter than the rest of the screen. It appears this way from practically every angle. It's not that big a deal, as the bottom of the screen usually isn't that important, but it's very noticeable. I tried adjusting the screen brightness, but each time the bottom of the screen was still brighter than the rest of the screen.

2) The keyboard has a lot of flex compared to a Toshiba Satellite and Dell Inspiron that I've used. I've read great things about Fujitsu's keyboard, so this surprised me. The flex is noticeable just in the course of normal typing. (I've always pressed on keys pretty hard while typing.) It's especially bad on the bottom row of letters in the middle (the B, N, M keys). There, it feels like there's empty space between the platform of the keyboard and whatever's underneath it, and when you press those keys, the board depresses a little into the empty space. The keys are also a little slippery, but I think that will just be a matter of getting used to.

3) The case itself has a lot of flex, if that's the correct term for it. When you close the lid and press on it, it can bounce down quite a bit. And when you press on the bottom, you can also see the case going in. I should mention, however, that you don't see ripples on the LCD screen after pressing on the lid.

4) The CD/DVD drive appears really really flimsy. Like REALLY flimsy. It's perfectly functional though. Is this due to the fact that you're supposed to be able to easily swap things in and out of that bay?

5) The mouse buttons require a lot more to depress than those of other computers I've used. It's not that big a deal, but it is annoying in the context of the scroll button, which is pretty much not worth using because it's really awkward to push down.

6) The speakers sound like the noise is coming through a tin can.

I understand that no computer is perfect, and I was told that some of these cons are inevitable in such a lightweight computer because they can't afford to build such a sturdy case and still be lightweight. If this is the case, then I'm willing to pay them as a price for lightness. What I'm not willing to do is to settle for a computer that's built worse than other computers of the same model because of a random error in the manufacturing process or something. I have a few more weeks to exchange the computer for another of the same model. Should I, or is the other one bound to be the same?

Thanks!

 

I just got my S7010 last week, and it's my first notebook ever.

I've had many of the same curiousities, as I'm not really sure what's normal and acceptable for most notebooks.

Right now, the only thing that bothers me about my S7010 is the brightness issue you mentioned. The bottom of the screen is noticeably brighter than the rest, and no amount of playing with angles can make it go away entirely.

From what I've read, this is a pretty common issue with notebook screens. Also, it's really not so annoying that I would go as far as shipping it back to Japan and waiting God-knows-how-long for a replacement to arrive. And I really like everything else about my S7010, so I can definitely overlook this one little thing.

 

I have had my 7010 for a couple of months now. Yes, the bottom of my screen is also brighter than the rest. I wouldn't say that the screen is uneven, because it is much better than my desktop screen which is brighter in the corners and washed out otherwise - that is bothersome.

The speakers are pretty sad, but I don't think anyone who buys a sub 6lb notebook expects anything more. When I want to watch a movie at home, I hook up external speakers.

I have not had the same experience with flex. I can make the keyboard flex, but I don't think it happens under normal typing. I have the Multi Drive, so it may be different than yours. The drive feels very solid to me. If you are talking about the carrier that holds the CD/DVD then that is pretty thin as it is on all laptops.

The mouse buttons are stiff, but not unusable. The center scroll button is unusable. I have programmed the touchpad to where I don't use the buttons at all. I do this not because the buttons are stiff but because I find this more efficient.

FYI, I had a problem and had to have a unit replaced. They had to build a new one for me and ship from Japan. It took a couple of weeks. For me, they had it built and shipped to Fujitsu in the states before they asked that I send my old unit back to them. That way I was without a notebook for only a few days.

Terry

 

Thanks for your responses! I guess the brightness at the bottom of the screen is pretty common. The flexing keyboard is starting to really annoy me now. I mean, I can still type, but the whole bottom row of letters, plus the space bar, goes down whenever a letter is touched. Also, the letters toward the top are really quiet, but the M key in particular is at least 4 times as loud as the other keys.

There's no problem with the functioning though--all the keys still respond. Is this sufficient grounds for an exchange or for them to replace the keyboard?

 

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FYI, I had a problem and had to have a unit replaced. They had to build a new one for me and ship from Japan. It took a couple of weeks. For me, they had it built and shipped to Fujitsu in the states before they asked that I send my old unit back to them. That way I was without a notebook for only a few days.

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Just out of curiousity, what problem did you have that required the unit to be replaced?