p7120d: user reviews

here's a core dump on my p7120d.

my previous laptops were a nec versa sx (14"), then a dell c400 (12"). notice the trend to smaller laptops? i place my order (through fujitsu.com) on the 12/13. it was delivered on the 12/21.

a stunning machine. it's loaded (1gb, 60gb, dvdrw, xp pro). i absolutely love it. the no-fan "feature" is completely awesome. i was so sick of the fan on my c400 screaming away.

i've noticed nothing sluggish in the hard drive access; 4200 is just fine (at least compared to the 60gb 5400 i put in my c400).

the screen is crisp and bright. so bright that i normally run it at level 4 or 5 (of 8).

the keyboard is "roomy" (the main keys don't feel squished together to fit in). the hardest thing to get used to is that i need to use two hands to pg-dn, pg-up, home, and end. these are shared with the arrow keys and you need to press the Fn key modifier. there is only one and it's on the left by the microsoft flag key. it would be nice to have one on the right. (they could have put it next to the up-arrow key in fact.)

the simulated wheel mouse, using the fingerprint sensor, is kind of flaky. it's a clever idea and maybe it just takes more getting used to.

i got the port replicator, which i think is a must have. it's pretty inexpensive, light and small enough to take on travel if needed. the replicator is very easy to use with one hand since the laptop just sits on top of it and engages electrically to a port on the underside of the laptop. very nice. previous port replicators i've used were big and bulky and/or had some mechanism to put a death grip on the laptop. if you get the port replicator, you should of course get a second power adaptor; one to use with the replicator; one to keep in the laptop bag. at least that's my approach.

the latch on the underside to disengage the dvd/cd or battery in the bay is rather tiny, so swapping is definately a two-handed, fiddly act. my nec versa sx, which had a similar multi-use bay, was easier to do with one hand. (but it was also a bigger, heavier machine). but this is minor stuff.

about the lid that doesn't latch. i didn't think i'd like it but it's just fine. it snuggly stays closed. so long as the hinges stay tight it'll be fine. (i got the expensive 3yr warranty with this in mind.)

i love the sd slot. i have my mp3s on a 1gb card that i can use in my treo650 or move to the laptop for listening. nice to have the pc card slot so i can continue to use my camera's compactflash card (with adaptor) rather than usb.

someone commented that having the audio ports on the front didn't make sense. i think it's the best place for 'em. my headphone jack has a right angle jack, so when plugged it, it's presents a very low profile and they're out of the way. if you have the straght jack, get a right angle adaptor; they're easy to find.

i love having a physical wireless on/of switch. i wish it had a similar mute switch.

i'm seeing long battery life (at least compared to the c400); 5+ hours on the single battery. the eco switch seems to work as advertised; haven't done much with it though. if i used it religiously, i'll bet i could get major time on the batteries. i bought an extra 6cell and a 4cell (for the bay) battery.

esthetically, the machine is beautiful. the black with dark silver gray is really classy. you feel like you're handling a well made piece of high-tech. nothing is flimsy about it. some won't like the uncovered ports; i have not problem with 'em. i figure the alternative flappy covers would be a pain to use when intact, and eventally break off.

cosmetically, it does show fingerprints, so keep wipes handy. a greasy circle is visible on my trackpad, and the left mousebutton is shiny. it does look like the print on the keys will fade quickly; i see it particularly on the arrow and shift keys and as you can see, i almost never use the shift keys. i'm sure they'll sort this out eventually with a replacement keyboard. the speakers are adequate. better than my c400, but nothing spectacular. what else can you expect when they're each less than the diameter of a quarter. if you want quality sound, use some good headphones. i haven't setup bluetooth nor the fingerprint sensor for authentication. eventually.

thus far, i love this thing and people gush when they see it. it works so smoothly. it's also my first xp machine and that worked a lot better than i expected, once i got used to all the changes from w2k.

the only thing that has completely bombed thus far is installing fedora core 4 (a flavor of linux). i can't get the installer to see the SATA dvd drive. i have a thread here, on other fujitsu forums, and on linux forums. i can get some other flavors of linux see the driver and install and there are others that can't. this is a linux evolution issue, not a fujitsu problem. i'm sure it'll be sorted soon.

i bought the fujitsu slip case. it's a nice little man-purse (murse) for when i need just the laptop, notebook, pen/pencil. i also got the booq mamba xs for when i'm on travel and must carry mouse, power supply, extra batteries, media, maybe the port replicator, etc. it's designed for a 12", but it works fine for the p7120d. i like it. i do think it will be difficult to find the ideal laptop bag to fit a 10" laptop. at 10", we're starting to get down to portable dvd player territory, so maybe one of those bags can work.

final recommendation: if you're in the market for an ultralight machine you really must consider this one.

:fujitsu:

 

Thanks for posting this

 

thought i'd update my review. all in all, i'm still lovin' the machine.

- got the linux install problem sorted; i used FC5 when it was officially released. that all runs; i haven't worked hard enough to sort out wireless.

- some dead pixels have appeared in the lower right; looks like a smear that doesn't wipe off. i have an extended warranty that would cover it, but i'll not exercise it just yet.

- the plastic strip that wraps the right hinge has a hairline crack. this is only cosmetic, for the moment.

- i really need more hard drive space! i'm really hoping bigger 1.8" drives are on the horizon; 80gb or 100gb would be perfect (at least for a year or so).

 

Sweet, thanks for that. My P7120 is being delayed for a month ..can't frick'n wait though



Did you get the replicator from fuj?

 

yep, got my replicator from fujitsu. nice product. the only thing i don't like about it is that the ports are dead unless the laptop is on the replicator. for example, i've got my smartphone cradle on a usb port on the replicator and i have the ac connected to the replicator. however, my phone won't charge unless the laptop is docked. quite a bummer, but i can live with it. maybe 3rd party replicators will work better.

 

I'd say it would be because there is no transformer for the USB ports actually in the replicator, so yeah, you need to replicator... it would be nice though!

 

There is no 3rd party dock though, just USB options.