N6210 or N6010?

Hi all,

I would like your opinion on whether I should go for the N6210 or N6010.

N6210 – PM 1.86GHz w/2M cache, DDR2 ram (533MHz), x600 128M graphics card,
N6010 – P4 3.2GHz w/1M cache, DDR ram (333MHz), ATI 9700 128M graphics card

All other specs are the same. Is there a real performance difference to justify spending US$260 more for the N6210? This is not a lot of money but definitely sufficient to get a bag, USB mouse…etc. I will be using the notebook for Autocad drawings, MS office, internet surfing, movies and occasional games.

I’ve also looked at the Toshiba M60 with nvidia 6600 GO 128M graphics card which is a more superior than both the x600/9700. The price is about the same as the N6010 however there seems to be issues with Toshiba quality and I like the look of the Fujitsu better. What are your comments? Thanks!

 

When it comes to performance both are about the same. In gaming the X600 is slightly better than 9700.

PMs do run cooler, but the N6010's P4 remains relatively cool, idling in the 45-48 range, which is pretty good. Under continuous heavy loads for a long time, the right side of the laptop does start to get a bit warm, but nothing really bothersome. SO in the heat aspect, the P4 isn't bad in this specific model.

BUT to remain cool the 2 fans never quit, and under heavy usage they do get a bit loud. There is no rattling or anything of that sort, just a strong fan blowing air none stop. The PMs have 1 fan and isn't on all the time.

The only real advantage in my opinion of the 6210 is the ability to install 2 hard drives. the second harddrive goes in place of the 2nd cooling fan on the N6010.

If I were buying again today and wanted to save money, I wouldn't mind picking the N6010 again. I really don't feel like I am missing much since the N6210 came out. I don't play much games, so the graphics means less to me.

But I have 2 questions for you:
1- where did you find the N6010? I thought they were no longer selling them!
2- are you sure you want a wxga+ (1440x900) laptop for your type of work. I use mine for programing, and the low resolution is the only thing that bugs me about it. Personally I could use a wsxga, unfortunetly that's not an option with fujitsu.

 

Thanks for your useful info, qwester.

I live in Hong Kong and there are a few shops selling their backlog of N6010. I was wondering if it's worth it to spend the extra money for the N6210. I would only be using the notebook for minor Autocad work. The rest of the time is for web surfing and leisure activities so I think a wxga is suitable enough. I've been doing this using a desktop P4 1.6GHz on a 15" lcd (1024 x 768) and it's bearable so anything above this is already a step-up.

As I mentioned, I saw the just-released Toshiba M60 and it's got comparable specs to the N6210 plus the the more superior nvidia 6600 128M card but the price is the same as the N6010. However, I feel that the quality, design and the screen on the Fujitsu is much better so I am leaning towards the N-series. I'm just hearing all these complaints about the fans so would like to hear more comments.

Again, thanks for your info.

 

They are both nice, I don't think you'd be dissapointed with either.

 

I think it comes down to battery life and the 2nd HDD. Although I have an external HDD (250GB) I use that solely for backup.

 

Hi Aviator,

How much is the N6010 selling for now? A few months ago when i was in Hong Kong (before the N6210 was out) the top of the line N6010 was around the HKD$13,000 mark. How about now? Is it down to the $10,000 mark now? If it is then its great value. As a desktop replacement, battery life and a 2nd HDD shouldnt be a key factor. You can always get a cheaper and bigger 3.5" external as backup. The main issues relate to fan noise as qwester noted. Plus the pearl white colour scheme on the N6010 is just beautiful.

 

orangeguy,

Unfortunately, the N6010 is still around HK$13000. I've been looking at 17" from HP z8000, Toshiba M60 and Fujitsu. HP looks too clumsy and runs too warm; Toshiba doesn't seem to look so cool; Fujitsu seems the most attractive.
Everytime I look at other brands, I keep coming back to the Fujitsu. If only they made the N6210 in pearl white colour, then without question, that's the one I'd get.

 

Wow the perl white is pretty popular, maybe they should bring it back. I didn't see the N6210 in person but I thought it looked pretty classy from the pictures. I do agree the white pops out, but sometimes I feel its just as if were disconnected from the underscreen panel ... I mean completely different in color.

If I were you I would stay away from the HP, I think heat is a MAJOR downer. Cannot say anything about the M60, never got the chance to play around with one.

 

i don't think you will be dissappointed in the N6210's looks, the pearl white did look pretty good but the N6210 really does look better i think, it just all flows together better ya know? The reflective satin black and silver look great together and i have gotten many compliments from Apple owners and many others.

i'd say go with N6210 unless you really don't like how it looks

 

Hi Qwester,

I suddenly notice your 'signature' indicating you have 1G 400MHz ram. I thought N6010 only has 333MHz ram. Does that mean you can still stick 2X512M 400MHz ram into the computer without damaging it?

And although I won't be carrying a 17" around often, what is the difference in battery life for N6210 and N6010?

Thanks.

 

Ya I just upgraded to 400MHz when I boosted my RAMs to 1GB. I thought I'll test since no one had tried it before and it worked ... I posted benchmarks back when I did the upgrade, there was practically no gain. Look for the benchmarks in the Fujitsu forum (they contain a comparison of 333 and 400, in both single and dual channel modes)

Faster Ram won't damage your laptop if its not supported. It will just down clock.

For me the maximum I ever managed to squeeze out of mine was just under 2hrs. with screen at lowest brightness, and just word processing, wifi on for no more than 30mins of the 2hrs. (I still remember it cause I was in class trying to finish a report and submit it online for that same class before the class ended and was praying for any extra minute of power )

The N6210 users here will know better about their machines.

 

battery life sounds about the same as N6010 like qwester said, i would highly reccommend the 12 cell battery as it is only $20 extra, and apparently adds nearly an extra hour. Fujitsu really should have let you set the screen brightness even lower, even at my lowest setting my screen still looks better than a Powerbook at it's highest if they let you adjust it lower the battery could last alot longer, but battery life isn't very important to me.

 

Hi all,

Just want to let you I'm typing on my new N6010!!! Even though this model has been out for almost a year, I'm ecstatic about it. I was seriously considering between this and the N6210 but the price difference was US$370 plus I got free upgrade to 1G ram. That made my decision a no-brainer!

Anyways, I would like to thank all you guys who offered great honest opinions.

Qwester, is it hard to replace the hard drive? The only weak point I find with this laptop is the 4200rpm 60G hard drive. I would like to install at least an 80G 5400rpm in and use the 4200rpm as a portable usb drive. Could you let me know how I would do that and reinstall the OS? Would it be worth it to install Windows Media Centre and just XP Pro because I have access to both.

Thanks.

 

if you would have got the N6210 you wouldn't have had to reinstall the operating system as it can hold two harddrives but you made a good choice either way. windows media center is basically a prettier version of media applications and has little to no real advantages.

xp pro only changes network configuration and that sort of thing i believe, qwester?

 

I actually never used media center so I have no clue what extras it adds or removes.

As for HDD replacement, couldn't be simpler. Look at the bottom of your laptop. Right where you have the XP serial number sticker, that's where the HDD is. There is one screw holding this panel. Remove it and remove the panel. SLIDE the HDD about 1cm towards the bottom edge of the laptop to get it unpluged. Remove the HDD, you will notice it is siting in a metal cage, replace the cage onto the new drive, and just do the reverse to get it installed.

To install the OS, just do it like you would do with any other computer. There is nothing special here. If you use an OS other than the one that shipped with your laptop, you will need to insert the "apps and drivers" CD to get all your hardware up and running.

Glad you're happy with your decision, the price difference for the practically no performance difference didn't make sense in your case. I would have done the same. Only thing you are loosing is the peace and quiet of one fan spinning only at some time intervals.