Lifebook S7110

I need a laptop for law school this fall, and the S7110's combination of price,features and size seems perfect. Fujitsu isn't one of the best-known manufacturers (at least to me), and that leaves me a little worried. How are Fujitsus known in terms of reliability and build quality? I can't seem to find a review, so does anyone have impressions of the S7110?
Also, how is the keyboard? I know Thinkpads are supposed to be the industry's best, but I'll being doing a lot of typing, so how does the S7110compare in terms of size and build?

 

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2417

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2297

 

i have heard Fujitus are fairly good quality but that is all i have heard.

 

I didn't comment on the quality, becuase things might vary a bit from one model to another. I am VERY happy with my N6010 even after 1.5 years. BUT the S7000 series has had a bit of people displeased with the screen. According to them its not on par with other Fujitsu screens, which are considered amongst the best.

 

I had the misfortune of having purchased an S7020D for my daughter for law school this past fall, after having done tons of research here and elsewhere. Because weight was a big factor I opted for this lighter weight 14" screen (the S7110 is the replacement model). I found out the hard way that lighter weight = more plastic; the unit was niether durable or reliable. Fujitsu made numerous repairs to the unit to try to correct the intermittent BSOD and, to make a long story short, after 3 1/2 months I was issued a full refund. At that point, there wasn't one part that didn't creak when pressed; a key had popped off, there were 2 stress cracks, the speaker was popping up, the hinges were loose, etc.. The unit was placed in a messenger bag in a padded sleeve.

When it came to a mid-semester final my daughter had to use another laptop because she couldn't rely on this one not to crash during her exam (her school uses Securexam) while we awaited a replacement unit.

We opted for Portableone's UX, which is a 12" machine which weighs 4 pounds with the extended life battery. She has had it since October and, aside from the sheen on the keyboard from constant use, it looks as good as the day we unwrapped it. Portableone's units are extremely reliable and durable; their customer service is unparalleled. They used to be a Fujitsu distributor, which is why I was satisfied by the company after an extended period of frustration.

I don't know if the new ones are any better, but I can tell you that the last thing you need when starting law school is to have the aggravation my daughter did. I would think long and hard before buying it. One more thing- since you will have the same use as my daughter I'm sure- you will be staring at this screen for many hours, generally with overhead lighting. The glossy, CV screens on Fujitsus (and many other top units) is gorgeous wrt color clarity and richness. However, glossy screens have the problem of reflectivity, which can get tiresome especially when you're working late. Matte screens are more comfortable to the eyes for word processing and the like. The best compromise is the transreflective screen that Portableone offers- it has a polarizing filter and has the color richness of glossy screens without the glare. It really is an amazong screen.

If you are interested in Portableone- they have a new 14" widescreen (the MX) which is a really good unit, although it is in the 5.25 pound range. They haven't come out with a duo-core UX, but I am sure that will be forthcoming, They are also about to release a 13" widescreen- an SX- which should be around the 4 pound range which might interest you as well. I would really suggest giving them a call- they are wonderful to deal with and, as I said, the last thing you need next year is computer hassles. Good luck!

 

Although this is in the wrong forum, but I have to correct something in m61376's post concerning the upcoming P1 models.

There will be no core duo UX (12"), the core duo SX (13.3") is the replacement for that line. Asus seem to have abandoned the barebone 12"ers for now.

 

sorry- I just assumed since Asus (I thought) has or was coming out with a new 12" that there would be an upgrade from Portableone as well.

 

I have a B3010D that has given me several years of trouble free service. It has a magnesium alloy case, so it is very sturdy (and at 3.3 lbs and 5+ hours battery life, perfect for portability).

The B6110 is the successor and while I haven't seen many reviews of it, it also has a magnesium alloy screen and a bigger 12" screen than my 10" screen. Battery life is reported at 6 hrs which is probably pretty close to accurate.

BTW...good luck in law school. It is a bear! (Got my JD in 95)