fujitsu s6231 or s7010?

is there a significant difference between these 2 fujitsu models? i'm looking for something very powerful & portable, with fantastic battery life & a great screen i can use outdoors. i was pretty much all set on the s6231, but am now wondering if i would prefer the 14.1" screen on the 7010 to the 13.3" on the 6231.

however, pc mag doesn't review the 6231, but they give the the 7010 a middling-to-poor review (bad keyboard, so-so battery life, average speed). but just about everyone on this posting loves their 6231.
so: are these 2 models totally different, or basically the same thing with a different size screen size? does the 7010 have the CV display? is it much heavier, or bigger? also, are the 6220 and 6210 significantly different?

finally, does anyone know where i can actually see & touch a fujitsu in NYC before ordering one?

ok. thanks for responding to this monster posting.

 

The differences are that the S6231 has the clear view screen, a bit smaller size and lighter weight, comes standard with a Pentium M 1.6Ghz processor and 512MB RAM. The S7010 doesn't have a clear view screen, comes standard with a Pentium M 1.5Ghz and 256MB RAM, and has an option with an eraser head pointing device and bluetooth integrated. Weight on the S6231 is about 3.6lbs and the S7010 is around 4.5lbs.

There isn't really a big difference in the S6220 and the S6210. The S6220 comes standard with a Pentium M 1.7Ghz with 2MBof L2 cache, Windows Xp Pro, DVD RW drive, and 60GB harddrive. The S6210 comes with a 1.6Ghz with 1MB of L2 cache, Windows Xp Home, DVD-ROM drive, and 40GB harddrive.

Oh and post made earlier has been deleted due to same posting.

Fujitsu S6210: PentiumM 1.6Ghz 1GB DDR333 RAM 7K60 Hard Drive DVD RW Drive...
What more do I need for this thing?

 

there are some other differences between the s6000 and s7000 series...

* the 7000 has significantly ****tier sound (much less volume)
* the 7000 has a line in jack in addition to mic in; 6000 has just mic in (a line in jack can accomodate a higher-level signal [like from a stereo instead of a walkman or passive microphone for example] and unlike mic in, does not force you to use the laptop soundcard's preamp to boost the signal)
* the 7000 has a s-video out jack; the 6000 does not
* the 7000 has 2 pc-card slots; the 6000 has one
* the 7000 has an infrared port; fairly sure 600 does not

 

Oh and add to the S7010 Gigabit ethernet, while the S6231 still uses 100/10. Might be a plus to some people, but lets face it, most laptop users use wireless ethernet!

 

infoanarchy, actually the S6231 has an S-Video. Plug is in the middle of the rear air vent. You plug a 3.5mm adapter in it (included) and viola. On the other hand I think the S7010 doesn't have an S-Video, although I find that weird!!!

 

One of the concerns was outside usage. That's only going to happen with models that have the CV screen. The S621x has it, the S7000 does not.

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

 

thanks, everyone for all the feedback. looks to me like the 6231 is the best outfit for me. wondering, tho, if anyone knows where in new york city i could actaully see one-- my only concerns are whether the screen is too small &/or reflective for my taste, and if the keyboard is as cheap-feeling as pc mag would have me believe.

thanks again.

 

I think that the s62xx series is optimal. The CV screen is great, and it is sooooo light! most thin and lights of this weight and footprint have 12.1" screens. 13.3" is a very comforable size. In addition, the keyboard is fully sized, while in many 12.1" notebooks, they are cramped.

hope this helps!

Fujitsu s6220 1.7 Dothan 7k60 2GB RAM, 2ndary battery for 7hrs life--Booya!

 

Seidmania, J&R will be getting it soon. It's still on preorder now. For address and phone # goto: www.jr.com

 

great. last question(s): how much faster is the 7010's gig ethernet than the 6231's 10/100? is there any way to upgrade the 6231 to a gig? also, is it worth upgrading to the 1.7 Ghz from the 1.6? are either of these differences going to make a practical difference? or are they niceties that look better on paper but don't make a significant difference in terms of actual performance?

thanks again everyone.

 

I doubt you have access to a gigabit switch, so does it really matter? Anyway the gigbit will be 10 times faster than the 10/100.

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

 

a switch is like a hub, or a simple router. to address your second question, they are pretty comparable--the main reason i decided to opt for the 1.7 is because for my model, the 1.6 was Banias (1 MB L2 Cache) while the 1.7 was Dothan (2 MB L2 Cache). There won't be an appreciable increase in performance for just .1 GHz, imo.

hope this helps!

Fujitsu s6220 1.7 Dothan 7k60 2GB RAM, 2ndary battery for 7hrs life--Booya!

 

ok. thanks brian.

uh, by the way, what's a gigabit switch?

and also, what do you recommend re: 1.6 or 1.7 Ghz?

 

I find the upgrade from 1.6 to 1.7 on the S6231, since both are the same core (Dothan), a waste. Especially since on the market the price difference between the 2 CPUs is only $50 while Fujitsu is charging $150 for it. That's more than the price difference between the 1.6 and 1.8 (not that the S6231 has the 1.8 as an option).
+ you wont really notice the difference unless you're using something totally relient on CPU power, and even then the difference is only 6%.

At the end you're the one paying ...

 

all right, thanks ya'll. sounds like not a big difference between the two processors.

i know this may be getting tedious, but can anyone tell me if fujitsu makes another model with a 14.1" besides the 7010? i'm just a little worried that the 13.3" screen might be slightly too small for me. . . i don't have a sense of how small that really is, and apparently don't have a way of seeing one before ordering it (J&R is out of 6220 & 6210 stock, & won't get the 6231 for another few weeks). i'm currently on a 15" screen, which is really bigger than i need--14" screens look about perfect, but maybe 13.3 is just a touch too small. . . i looked at the sony vaio 13.3" widescreen, and that was too small to me, but without the widescreen it might be fine . . . any thoughts? are there any other models you'd recommend? the ibm t41 or t42? do those guys have a crystal view-equivalent screen? or the panasonic toughbook? i'm teetering on the verge of purchasing the 6231 from portable 1, & just want to make sure i exhaust all avenues before i plunk down the cash.

thanks again, again.

 

As far as I know Fujitsu does not make any other 14.1 inch notebook. However, I do believe that a new replacement model is due as the S7011 later this November or maybe this December... It will probably have the CV screen, faster processor and memory, and a finger scanner...

 

I don't think CV is likely. They made the decision to leave CV out of this one to give buyers more options.

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

 

Actually if you go to Fujitsu's or Portableone's website, they now offer either a 14.1 SXGA or a 14.1 Crystal View XGA...

 

thanks-- i saw the 7010 with the CV screen at P1, which is great, and terrible-- because now i need to figure out whether the 7010's extra pound is too much inconvenience, or whether the 13.3" screen is too small . . . does anyone know if battery life/performance between the 6231 and 7010 is vastly different? and how much battery life a secondary battery will add? and whether the fingerprinter on the 7010 is a waste?

 

Look at that, excellent news. Hopefully they'll offer both options in more of their notebooks now. The battery life is similar, the extra battery adds 40% or so. The fingerprint scanner is nice, but hardly a neccesity.

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

 

Where do you get that the S7010 is a pound heavier than the S6231 ???
I get 4.3 pounds for the S7010 with CD drive, and 4.0 for the S6231 with CD drive, which is .3 pounds or about 4.8 ounces more.
Correct???

Andrew
Austin, TX



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

 

aamsel: you may be right, i may be crazy, but it just may be a 6231 i'm looking for. i'm gonna go check out both models at J&R, if they have both in stock. too hard to decide without seeing both options. but if the 7101 really is just a little bit heavier than the 6231, it may be the way i go. i'll let ya'll know, you've certainly been helpful.

 

Not having used a fingerprint scanner, my thoughts on them (sight unseen) would be that they would be really great if they worked first time every time. If they occasionally require rescans or ever give errors, then they would have limited use or possibly be worthless.
Anyone used one that would care to comment???

Andrew
Austin, TX


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

 

So, is this notebook for you, or for Billy Joel??? [ ]
Anyhow, let me know what you decide to get.
I have seen the S6200 and the S7000 series side-by-side at FRY's here, and "I may be crazy", but the S7000 just "feels" much bigger, even though it is barely bigger, and actually thinner than the S6200.
Dunno.

Andrew
Austin, TX



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

 

finger scanner replaces the scroll button. that might be a thing to consider. + I find the position of a scanner under the touchpad a bit weird.

Not that I would care for a finger print scanner or other security features. I never even use log in passwords! [ ]

 

well, folks, the deal is done: went down to J&R, decided, came back home & ordered the 6231 from fujitsu, with memory, HD & optical upgrades, & secondary battery to boot. it's been a long road to hoe, & i just want to thanks everyone for all their info & insight that helped me make up my damned equivocating mind.

now all i need is a port rep or docking station, so i don't have to keep plugging & unplugging those freakin USBs. any recommendation on a good, USB-heavy model? Do I need to get the one fujitsu says is compatible? or is generic/other brand ok? is a docking station better or worse than a port rep, or is that just a matter of preference? if so, what might those preferences be based upon?

thanks again.

 

seidmania what made you decide on the S6XXX rather than the S7XXX. I have never actually seen an S7XXX. And well you got to see them side by side. So what made you prefer the S6XXX?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>now all i need is a port rep or docking station, so i don't have to keep plugging & unplugging those freakin USBs. any recommendation on a good, USB-heavy model? Do I need to get the one fujitsu says is compatible? or is generic/other brand ok? is a docking station better or worse than a port rep, or is that just a matter of preference? if so, what might those preferences be based upon?<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>I'd like at least a 4 port powered usb 2.0 hub. I had a bad experience turning on my notebook with a usb bus powered harddrive attached. Plus all my usb stuff (scanner, mouse, hd, etc) stays on my desk where a plug is handy anyway so why not have the hub supply the power. A 7 port would be better, but I haven't found one yet in the usb 2.0 variety. That way, I could have the digital camera cable handy, an extra usb palm cradle, and so on.

-David

 

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

 

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

 

qwester: i chose the 6231 because when i went to J&R, the 13.3 screen actually looked plently large enough to me, and the whole package was more portable and the design seemed sleek & coherent. The 7010 seemed just slightly too heavy, slightly too large for the peripatetic life of NYC--though it's certainly not "bulky" by any measure--and the design looked a little less cohesive. And if I'm wrong, well, P-1's got that sweet little moneyback grace period. . .

In the meantime. . . anybody else want to weigh in on my last query: the difference between a port replicator and a docking station, and good fujitsu-compatible models of either or each? thanks!

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>
Try DataVis store on 5th Avenue at approx 40th St or 41st St (on the East side of the St). They usually have all the latest laptops in stock and they display all of them. Also they stuff in their store is not always on the website.
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

Seems like there are a lot of NYers here. I'm one of them too. I was able to get my Fujitsu N6000 from them after doing a search on google and their site showing it in stock. However, after reading reviews of that store on www.epinions.com, I have to stress that if you're going to get anything from Datavis, get them in person at the store and don't order online from them. Seems like they're notorious for sending used items as new, delaying orders, and being very rude.

I did visit the store just to see how the N6000 looked though, and the people there seemed pretty nice & honest, but how can you tell anyway?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by betty77

 

hey, i got a question for ya. if you program and code a lot, what size of screen would you buy? I really like the S6231, style and everything, but I'm not sure if that would be bad for my eyes. I've seen the laptop in person but didn't really get to see it up close. So any suggestions would help greatly. Thanks!

 

bump... actually mizzgirl's question is a good one. I suppose neither =P

 

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

 

From a programming perspective I think the S7 would be the best option due to the higher res, but non CV, display.

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

 

So a programmer option shouldn't want a CV display?

 

This is not exactly cut and dry.

The 13" S6xxx CV runs at 1024 x 768.

The 14" S7xxx (non CV) runs at 1280 x 800 I think. More real estate yes, BUT at native resoultio, that pretty much takes the size of you text back on-screen down to what you'd be squinitng at if you had a 12" screen runnning at 1024 x 768.

So IMO the 13" CV is better since it give you the biggest text to look at.

This of course works with the rule of thumb that you should always run a screen at its native resolution ie do not run the 14" at 104 x 768

 

No, not because of the CV, because of the higher res. It's totally personal, but I find most coders want to see more text and will give up text size to see more of it.

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

 

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

 

How is the heat on the S7010? Does it disperse well? If you aren't gaming will the machine get warm?

Also how is the wifi? Specifically the range of the acceptable wifi signal.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Well, that's the trade off you gotta decide on. Each one will have a different priority.<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>Talk about trade-offs, I'm already set on buying a sonoma S6xxx series when it comes out. But on the ibm employee purchase plan web site, I see a thinkpad 50p for $1600 which is $2,000 off the web price of $3,600 as configured. I don't need a laptop that size, but man, for 2k off it's a real incentive.

-David

 

Your shoulder is NOT gonna find that "incentive" interesting or useful if you own the laptop, though.... [ ]

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Your shoulder is NOT gonna find that "incentive" interesting or useful if you own the laptop, though.... []
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>Right, and I will buy the 6231 regardless so instead of saving $2k I'd be spending more overall.


-David