N3510 or 8020D?

I've seen a few N3510 VS 8020D threads but none have had any decision finalizing info for me.

I'm really torn between the two.

One big unanswered issue is the display...

Has anyone seen the N3510's "color enhanced" crystal view vs any other fujitsu regular crystal view? I do a lot of graphic, print media, and web design and quite frankly *accurate* colors are most important to me. I'm not sure if the color enhanced actually gives truer color, is over saturated, is overly contrasty, or what. I'd certainly like to be able to compare a color enhanced crystal view and a regular crystal view side by side but since I can't... I'm wondering if anyone else has.

Assuming the display is indeed better for my needs I'd most likely go with the N3510.

If not, the 8020D has a lot of little things that would possibly put it above the N3510 such as an IR port and bluetooth (I can use either to sync my palmphone, but the N3510 has neither), Super ABG (tho I'm not really sure when having A would benefit me), the 8020D would fit in my current backpack where the widescreen N3510 would require a new one, lower weight, modular bay, etc...

Can anyone comment on the display difference or any other info that might help me decide?

Thanks.

 

I used the N3510 for a short while before getting my current. So I didn't get the chance to do a side by side, but if my observations are accurate they are almost the same, other than the N3510 is pretty much brighter, but then again I use my current at 5/8 brightness so it really isn't a big deal to have a screen brighter than the one I have now.

As for the E8 I haven't seen that to be able to judge.

Is there a Fry's anywhere close to you? ... actually are you in the US?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
N6010: P4M 3.2G, 1GB Dual 400MHz, 60GB 7200RPM, ATI 9700M, 17" WXGA+
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

check out my E8020D review, it should answer most of your questions., click on review and it should be one of the ones on top.

As for colors: Compared to other laptops I've used.. the E8020D has good color representation. Blacks are actually black, not dark grey, and white is actually white, not slightly grey or yellow. However if you continue to insist on accurate colors, it's best you plug your laptop into a CRT monitor.

The E8020 and E8020D are the same price, so one might as well pick up the free Atheros (A) rather than just a B/G card.

Between the E and the N.. both the E and N are rather large, but the E series is slightly thinner and slightly lighter. But it is much more configurable.. you have the option of having a dedicated graphics card or not.. if you need one, the E series ATI Radeon x600 is superior to the N's ATI Radeon x300. It was the deal breaker for me when I had to decide between the two!.

the E8020D fit well in my regular backpack, and it comes with a "weight saver" option, in which you swap the optical bay for some piece of plastic to save some weight. The optical bay is easy to remove, and almost everything you need to upgrade.. RAM, wireless card, Hard Drive, Battery, etc is ALL located on the bottom and easy to access.. this thing is truly convenient to those who like to do their own upgrades.

My only issues with the E8020 series is that there is some slight flex on the palm rest and keyboard. However the case, and especially the lid, is incredibly sturdy. i couldn't produce any flex on the lid. where as when I went to CompUSA, I accidentally broke the LCD on an Averatec notebook on display. Fortunately no one was around and I walked out of there [ )][:I]

As for places to buy, there's NewEgg which is cheaper but has some pretty bad Bad-Pixel return policies, Fujitsu's E-bay store, and Portable One which lets you configure. They have free shipping on any Fujitsu notebook! If you choose that route, tell em David sent you [ ]

 

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

 

Thanks for the replies.

qwester: I actually live in Philly also. I see the closest Fry's is in Indiana. Were you able to find any stores around here that carry Fujitus?

Goren: Funny you should mention plugging into a CRT. I'm already sold on ordering a Fujitsu from P1 and the initial 3 I was trying to decide between were the N3510, E8020D, and the S7010D. I had considered the more portable friendly S7010 thinking I could do most of my work on there but when I do serious graphics stuff (when both color and display size are important to me) I could just plug into a CRT.

Ah yah... indecision.

 

You can see a side by side shot with an older P7000 here

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2222

Brian

www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com

 

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

 

Goren: You mentioned in the "Inside info on new machines" sticky that you would get the 8020 with the non-cv screen in retrospect. Is that becaues of the glare or just because of the higher res?

I still haven't decided between the N3510 and the E8020D. Since I will also be using this at work, I'm slightly concerned about the glare of the CV with all the office lighting.

Speaking of info on new machines... I went to look at the N3510 at the portable one site and see they have the N3511.

 

I have a lot of the same questions and am currently considering both the N3510 and the 8020D.

The biggest question I have is about the keyboard. I was able to test out the N3510's keyboard and I thought it was one of the best laptop keyboards I have ever used. At the same Fry's, I tried out a couple of C series keyboards and thought they were absolutely horrible.

Can anyone give me a comparision between the keyboards on the N3510 and the 8020D?

 

The 8000 is a business machine with a nice keyboard. The C series isn't very popular, maybe you hit on a reason why.

Brian

www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com

 

To answer the questions:

In regards to Crystal View XGA vs Non CV SXGA.. my reason is this:
Neither are as good as good ol CRT monitor.. if I wanted something that has no ghosting and great colors..i'd hook it up to one.. otherwise a screen with a matte finish is more practical as it is not reflective as the glossy CV. Furthermore the SXGA gives you more real estate! I do not believe the N series has that option.

As for the N vs the E... I've played with the latter at Fry's and owned the latter... the N has a better build and a better keyboard. The E's palmrest flexes a little, as well as the keyboard. the N's didn't flex as much. the E however, has a better graphics card (but you loose Azalia), and is somewhat lighter.

And yes, the E series has an IR port, it's in the front! and it has bluetooth..buy it fron Portable One and they'll upgrade it to you for free. Not too sure if N has an IR..