P5020D?

I am going back and forth with what brand to go with. I am a student and mostly would use computer for email, writing papers, surfing the web, burning cds. I like the small size of the P5020, does it cause any eye straining problems while typing papers, or reading? I am comparing this to the Dell 600m/300m, and Toshiba models. I am scared of Dell, by all the negative feedbacks I've read. I have also been steered away from Sony, because not so reliable. How does Fujitsu compare in reliability. I want this machine to last at least 6 years. I have read many complaints about sony's screen font when set a comfortable viewing area (1024 x 768). Have fujitsu been around for a long while? Know anything about toshiba comparable models?

Thanks so much for your time!

 

I have not found out about the S6120D model? Has anyone purchased this one? Any detailed review on it. Would you say it is exactly the same as the P5020D, just bigger and bit more powerful?
Thanks!

 

Thanks for the post...there's a lot to cover here, so forgive me if I get a bit fragmented.

I own and love the 5020D. It's a great machine for my way of life and doesn't cause me any eye pain. I could see how some people would have trouble with it though, especially older eyes [8D] The res is actually 1280 though, not 1024.

The 5020D is a two spindle machine, that is, it has a hard drive and optical drive. The 300m doesn't have the integrated optical drive, something you need to consider. As for reliability, Fujitsu is very strong, better than Dell in my view, but get the extended warranty for either one.

As for the last concern, a 6 year life span. That's not going to happen. Your target should be 3-4 years at the most. If this is a huge concern, the 5020 won't be a good choice. The slower PM 1g processor is fine today and is great for mobility, but the long term viability is not good.

I'm sure you'll have more questions, post away.

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

 

Thanks for your quick reply. I checked out the review for the S6120 and only major differences from P5020 is a missing SD slot, size, and processor. Am I on target?
So, do you think the machine has a good chance of 'dying' after 4 years?

 

[ ]Mmmm...hmmmm...Brian. And where is that review of the P5020D? Gee, I can't find it![} ][ ]

 

We have a review of the 6120D here

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.aspx?newsID=1704

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

 

It's not so much dying as being overtaxed by that time. Speaking from experience, my Apple Powermac G3/300 is almost five years old, now. It has been limping along for the past year and a half. Mainly due to new applications that ask more of its processor. What Brian is saying is that with what the P5020 has right now, heck with what any piece of technology has right now, in six years time it will be way, way obsolete. Figure on about two or three years, four tops. If you've managed to keep it that long, then the price has amortized to a bargain figure. $2000 over four years? $500 a year. You do the math. Or, in a couple years, you can sell the unit and upgrade to a new one. If the desireability of the previous models is any indication, you should not have a problem recouping a major portion of your initial investment back!

Good luck![ ]

 

Your assesment of the 6120 is accurate and to nobbie's point, it won't be dead, it just won't be effective given competiting technology in 4 years. The 6120 will be much better positioned though, than the 5020, which has a much slower processor.

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

 

[} ]But, I predict it will be looked upon as a big, fat honkin' pig of a laptop by then. It will most likely be considered a DTR. Today's DTRs, these seven to twelve pound "all-in-ones" masquerading as laptops, will be seen as absolute dinosaurs by then.

Then again, the P5020D may be looked upon as a Palm III or, worse yet, a (gulp) Sharp Wizard!?!?![:0]

Somebody stop me!!![B)]