Please Advise: S6231 and S7010D Owners

Ok I am going to try and keep this brief:

Now, before you say that this has already been discussed in previous strings, yes I know it has and I have read them all, BUT I have questions that have not been fully addressed by these previous strings. And since I am going to spend 2k on a laptop I would like to get some hard facts. So please give this a read through and see if you can help me out.

I need to decide between the S6231 and the S7010D.

First you should know that I am going to get them both with the very similar configurations:

S7010D: 1.8 745 CPU, 1GB RAM, 7K60 HD, DVD Burn, CV 14.1, Atheros/Bluetooth, fingerprint scanner

S6231: 1.7 735 CPU, 1GB RAM, 7K60 HD, DVD Burn, CV 13.3

They both price out about the same. And the fingerprint/atheros/bluetooth don't really matter to me.

The real reason I want the S7010D is screen size. I spend a lot of time in front of my laptop(6-7 hours per day) and would PREFER a bigger screen for obvious reasons. The weight difference does not matter to me, .3lbs is inconsequential. So the bigger screen for a small weight increase is a no brainer for me.

BUT, from what I have read the S7010D suffers from a few build quality issues(gets really hot, loud fan, keyboard problems, along with feeling not quite as sturdy and solid as the S6231). These problems seem to be an issue with some people.

My question is this:

I want to get the S7010D because I prefer a bigger screen BUT I don't want to sacrifice significant build quality issues at the expense of .8 of an inch screen size difference. So I would really like to know from someone who has handled/used these computers. Are these build quality issues significant and noticable? In which case I should pass up the screen size for a better build? OR should I just go with the bigger screen because there is no noticable difference between the build quality.

I am so concerned because I am about to spend 2k on a laptop and I would prefer not buy something with inferior build quality just for a slightly bigger screen.

BUT I do PREFER a bigger screen and don't mind the extra weight, so I need some hard facts about whether these build quality issues exist with the S7010D and to what degree they exist.

So anyone that knows and has used both of these computers please let me know what you think.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Thank You







[ ]

 

You may want to look into the N3510, then. You get a 15.4" widescreen. And I've read that there will be a review on this website soon.

 

The thing is I want a low weight laptop, because I will be carrying it often as well. The N3510 weighs 7.5 pounds. I don't mind the difference between 4 and 4.3 but I would like to stay in that range. That is why I had it narrowed down to the S6231 and the S7010D.

Thanks for the help though!

 

Have you considered a IBM Thinkpad? I have the S6231 and i would not recommend it for working all the time. IMO the keyboard is not that great. It is quiet but has alot of flex.

I also dont think the screen size difference is even noticeable.

My S6231 fan never turns on when using battery and when plugged in it only turns on when i am doing something 100% CPU.

I dont have the 7000 series, but i really believe it is exaclty the same as the S6000 expect it has more options and maybe a fan that comes on more. I am pretty sure the keyboard flex is the same.

~RaNDoM

 

Yeah, the N3510 is heavy, but it's a great unit. That aside...where are you using the notebook all day? Would it be viable for you to use an external monitor? That's what I do 75% of the time with my P7000.

Brian

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

 

Your right about the external monitor, and I do keep one at home, but unfortunately a great deal of my work is done on the road as well, and right now I am lugging around an old Dell clunker weighing almost 8 pounds. I am looking for something light, but with solid build quality.

I have looked at the IBM's and despite all the great reviews I find them overpriced and very bland looking. They just don't rub me the right way. This Fujitsu seems to meet all my needs(light, durable, fast, looks great), I just want to confirm the build quality issues. As I said before I PREFER a bigger screen but don't want to get the S7010D if it is an inferior model.

Basically, if someone can tell me that the S7010D is really the same exact thing as the S6231 with a bigger monitor(.8 inches) and heavier weight(.3lbs) and a few extras thrown in I will jump on the S7010D.

BUT from reading all these strings concerning the S7 I get the impression that it has build issues. Are these issues significant enough to effect my decision or are they a few random complaints by people who have received lemons and/or people that have never used both of these machines???

Note: I have not heard any of these complaints about the S6231

 

There are not significant build concerns, not sure where you saw that. The S7 and S6 both suffer from keyboard flex issues in some people's minds, but not others. It's inconsistent at best.

Brian

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

 

Thanks for being so helpful with this Brian and others.

So you are telling me that they are the exact same build quality/sturdiness, they just have a few different features?

If this is the case then my decision is an easy one.

Please confirm this.

And thanks again for all the help, it is greatly appreciated.

[ ]

 

I have no experience with the S7010, but have been able to bang on the 6231 on a couple of occations. I can say for me there was no noticible flex unless you were clealy trying to force some flex out of the otherwise very sturdy keyboard. If what Brian says is true, then I would not have a concern about the 7010 flex.

 

I own a S6231 and use it daily for hours and there really is keyboard flex for sure.

The keyboard on the toshiba lappy i just got at CC for 600 has a better keyboard then this one, but there is one thing i like, the keys are placed way better on the fujitsu then the toshiba.

The only concern i have with the S7010 is that it may run hotter and thus have the fan turn on more.

My S6231 never has the fan on and really does only turn on when i do something cpu intense. even then it shuts off right when it is cool again.

Have you considered a toshiba terca M2?

~RaNDoM

 

The refresh will be the new Sonoma chipset, enhanced integrated graphics and maybe ExpressCard. At this point, it's all speculation. I imagine we'll know something within the next month or so.

 

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

 

The S7 is solid. Just be sure you're aware that they are refreshing this product soon...

Brian

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

 

Thanks for the keyboard info. The keyboard isn't as important to me(as long as it isn't horrible), I do a lot more clicking than typing.

Can anyone who owns a s7010 confirm the heat/fan issue? It seems it is secondhand information from everyone. If someone could let me know I would appreciate it.

 

New guy here. Happy to hear there are other Fujitsu lovers. I just ordered an S6231 from Portable One and I can't wait until it arrives.

1.6 725, 512 RAM (1 DIMM), 40GB HD (5400), XP Pro. I checked it out this weekend at Fry's and decided that I had to have it. My 2 year old Dell 600m just wasn't cutting it any more. I wanted XP Pro and the 5400 RPM hard drive but couldn't find any that were already configured this way so I'll have to wait a couple of weeks for direct ship from the manufacturer.

I strongly considered both the S7010D and the S6231 but settled on the S6231 because I think the XGA looked much better in the 13.3 screen. I did consider the S7010D with the SXGA but that option did not come with the Crystal View screen which, in my opinion, is what makes these displays so beautiful. Both units are very light and portable and both seemed to have very nice, responsive keyboards. My 600m has serious keyboard flex issues like many Dells do but I typed away pretty hard on these units and they were solid like a rock.

I paid $1629 and that included an upgrade to a 3 year Fujitsu International Warranty and since I paid using my American Express Card, I got an extra year for a total of 4 years! I certainly hope to never have to use the warranty but I have some peace of mind and reassurance if I need to I guess.

I hope to share some comments and give a review once I receive it. Stay tuned.

 

Sonoma is supposed to come in March. As for battery life, I'm running tests on the N3510 right now and just got 3 hours on an average use metric, so I don't think Sonoma means poor battery.

Brian

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

 

You will not find any build quality issues with a Fujitsu, either S6231 or S7010D. The quality is there, without a doubt. The keyboard on my S6231 is as nice as any notebook I've had. No issue at all, except some folks seem to imagine a flex problem that really isn't a problem at all. There's nothing wrong with checking out a product thoroughly before purchase. I certainly recommend that everyone do that. Just don't let paranoia overwhelm you. Either notebook would make a fine addition to anyone's "collection". I love my S6231 for it's sharp, bright screen, light weight and excellent features. I just acquired a bluetooth card for it so I could sync up with my PDA. I get many ohhhs and ahhhs every time I show it to someone. Regards, Ace [8D]

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by ams4

 

Thanks Ace I appreciate the help!

Looks like I will be going with the S7010D.

Thanks for everyone's advice. I just really needed to make sure the S7 didn't have any "issues" because it seemed like everyone was getting the S6 despite the S7 having a bigger screen and more features.

Thanks Again.

 

Good choice. I think from the looks of this thread, I'll be going with the 7000D too.