Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

New Laptop...fujitsu/toshiba

Jan 10, 2005 2:19AM PST

I am looking for a laptop with a sharp screen, I use photoshop alot.
I am looking at the Fujitsu line 15" screen, but find any reviews/comments hard to find.
I realize they are heavy, but reliability is very important.
Looking at Lifebook C-2310, C2320, C2330 models and Toshiba M30.
Comments appreciated TIA

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Both of these may only have shared video memory
Jan 10, 2005 4:55AM PST

The main issue with Both Fujitsu notebooks under $2,000 and the Toshiba M30/M35 (at least in the US) is most models now only have shared video memory (not a dedicated video card with ATI or Nvidia).

You can get a Fujitsu with dedicated video over $2,000 but there are many other brands like HP/Compaq and Dell in the $1500 area or even below that with dedicated video memory.

If you can order a Toshiba M30 with the dedicated video memory (at least 64mb) then that is a model to consider. In the US, most of the M35X's at retail only have shared video.

Someone in Europe could order an M30 with the ATI 9700 with 64mb dedicated video which is the best mainstream video card choice in notebooks today (available on Dell 8600 with 128mb dedicated video but that is somewhat thicker and heavier).

If you don't need dedicated video memory than the Toshiba M30 is probably a better value than the Fujitsu but Fujitsu is supposed to have good quality (the ones made in Japan, not the horrid Fujitsu-Siemanns models sold in Europe)

- Collapse -
screen, video card
Jan 11, 2005 12:13AM PST

I do not use any gaming software. I have heard that increasing Ram and a fast processor will do the same thing.
I do play video mpegs in powerpoints and scala...sometimes using an effect to move the video across the screen as it plays.

Is a dedicted video card only necessary for gaming?
I need a solid/reliable built unit...travel with it, however weight is not necessarily an issue.
A sharp screen is important, as I sit for 12 hours sometimes, using photoshop onmy digital photos.

Wish list.. Intel PM 1.7, 512-1G ram, DVD burner, min. 15 inch screen.
Looking at Toshiba, Fujitsu,(Acer no, screen is weak) LG (but no track record yet...hmmm) Sony (no, terrible service) Dell, (hate not being able to put my hands on it first)
FWIW.. I will be shopping in Canada...TIA

- Collapse -
Dedicated video does not use RAM -- improves all video
Jan 11, 2005 3:19AM PST

A dedicated video card takes the video function to itself (with its own dedicated video memory) and it does not use the system RAM or interfere with the cpu (the processor).

Thus, in my experience on a shared video Compaq 2000 series and a Compaq X1000 with 32mb dedicated video using Yahoo streaming video over DSL I had no lag with the video card but did have some pauses and glitches using the shared video (the shared video notebook was a Pentium 4M 2.8 and the dedicated video notebook was a Pentium M 1.4. Both had 512mb PC2700 RAM.

Your RAM's sweet spot is 512mb for Windows XP and more
RAM will help but not be a dramatic improvement (it is needed for Photoshop, etc).

But dedicated video will help your video performance across the board although 64mb dedicated video is essential for gaming and preferable for video editing, etc.

Note that many desktops had video cards for years and it was the move under the $1,000 level that led to shared/integrated video in the first place. You can add your own video card to these desktops yourself but you can't do that later on a notebook so that is why it is so important to get dedicated video upfront.

- Collapse -
Have had my Fujitsu for 2 weeks now..LOVE IT
Jan 11, 2005 5:13PM PST

I am an IT manager who's company orders Dell laptops.
I have had ispiron 4150 and now a Inspiron 8600 from Dell at work.

The Dell 4150 was a lemon under warantee and they keep futzing with it. They replace this and that. But the laptop goes nuts and reboots if you move the screen while the laptop is running. So Dell support is nothing impressive to me.

The 8600 had a nice large screen with 768 RAM but the screen is not sharp at all!!! small fonts on the web look grainy.

Have used one of those shiny bright screen VAIO's and the reflections are too distracting.

I got the Fujitsu E8000 series Centrino 1.8 68 RAM 40GB 5200RPM HD DVD-CDRW(Not DVDRW) 15+ inch screen with 64mb ATI video card, bluetooth. Total $2200 (I got 5% student discount + a free Cannon printer) SD slot, 4 USB 2.0 + mini-Firewire.

I know I could have spent $1500 and compromised on some of the items. I really wanted bluetooth and 5400RPM drive not 4200RPM like lots of other laptops.

The Fujitsu is not too heavy at all. I travel with it.
The boot up is super quick and the screen is very sharp(compared to what I have used).

I have a friend who swears by their service and reliability. So far so good.

If I had to nit pick...cons:


-no case(got one at CompUSA for $30)
-After purchase it took a week to build, but 2 days to get to LA,CA from Japan.
-Bluetooth software a bit too advanced
-software bundle not great just WinXP-Pro and MS Works.
(but others give you trial or "special version" junk you never use.

Good Luck

- Collapse -
Fujitsu dedicated video models confirmed at over $2,000
Jan 12, 2005 3:07AM PST

Thanks to Andre for posting the price of the Fujitsu model with Dedicated memory -- this confirms what I said -- you have to spend over $2,000 to get dedicated video on the Fujitsus which is a lot to pay. But if you like that notebook and don't worry about upgrading to Microsoft Longhorn 64 in 2006-2007 (64 bit) Fujitsus are solid notebooks.

But again, there are many options in the $1200-$1700 range with dedicated video and that price point is better considering a notebook upgrade for 64 bit is now in the 2.5 year time horizon ...

- Collapse -
Narrowed down to...
Jan 12, 2005 3:35AM PST

Fujitsu 2330B
1.7 768 Ram no vid card - 7.7 lbs 60 HD $2050 CDN
Toshiba SatM30
1.7 512 Ram 64 ded.Vid - 6.3 lbs 80 HD $2500
I would love to wait another year, but can not.
Any comments etc appreciated TIA

- Collapse -
New Penitum M Centrino models (Sonoma/Alviso) out very soon
Jan 12, 2005 5:13AM PST

We are getting very close to the Pentium M Centrino update (the 3rd one since its inception) -- coded Sonoma -- new notebooks should be out at least by March or April and possibly even in February.

This will be a RAM speed upgrade likely (PC2700 333mhz on most now), a bus speed increase, an integrated video and audio improvement per Intel (and new PCI-E video card buses are appearing as well) and a new chipset. The core Dothan Pentium M cpus out since June 2004 (Pentium M 715 and above) will remain but they will be modified slightly and coded with a 0 at the end instread of a 5 to be compatible with the new chipsets (Dothan Pentium M's have full 2mb L2 system cache on the chip).

So, saying you don't want to wait another year is not the issue. Are you willing not to wait another month or two and lose out on this ?

If you are going to buy a notebook with integrated/shared video now you may be extremely disappointed when the new notebooks are released.

If you are getting dedicated video now then go ahead but again dedicated video is too pricey on Fujitsu (over $2,000 US)

- Collapse -
Pentium M Sonoma here and now !!!!!!!!
Jan 12, 2005 5:35AM PST

Someone just posted on another link that the Pentium M (Sonoma) notebooks are ready to ship next week so that means you won't even have to wait beyond February for the upgraded Pentium M Centrino specs....

You will kick yourself if you don't wait for that unless you get a spectacular clearance price on the older models but I don't see you getting that with your pricing ............

- Collapse -
getting closer maybe...
Jan 12, 2005 9:50AM PST

First let me thank all those that have replied...especially Ken. Yes our CDN prices are higher...it is especially frustrating when you check the US web site for a price, then the same CDN sites...even with exchange we are paying 30-50% more.

So, this new tech will be out very soon...I wonder how long it will take manufactuers to begin building systems with it?...then how long for Canada to receive them.
I have a major project coming soon....the latest I could wait would be mid Feb....maybe not long enough.
The other option is to rent again...tired of that however, but if this new tech is worth it, maybe I should.
Not being as tech. as most/you are, my basic understanding is this chip will make the proc. faster, reduce the need for a separate. ded. video card, extend battery life....??
Another issue may be the assumed increase price to the laptops, as well as been the 1st on the block "Guinea Pig"...
Anyway I hear what you are saying...

Now re: Toshiba M30 (I may have found it for 2200$)...does anyone have any critics of it?
Any reviews I have seen have been on older models.
I have heard that they run hot (at least older models did) That static elect. may be a problem...that they are not built stongly (a consumer model) like the fujitsu...screen reflects too much, as do all the new "brite" screens do.

Fujitsu, They have a sharp screen, but heavy, I have heard well built (rugged) and good service (i get the impression you like them, EXCEPT for lack of a ded. video card.

TIA

- Collapse -
Decisions, Decisions
Jan 12, 2005 11:35AM PST

TIA:

It does not sound like you necessarily have to wait for the Pentium M Centrino upgrade but you should at least hopefully get a discount on an outgoing model if you don't get a new Pentium M notebook based on the Sonoma upgrade.

There definitely will be a new chipset and supposedly a faster system bus speed and RAM speed.

Intel's promise to improve the integrated/video and audio are promises only -- who knows how much better than will be until they appear.

The static issue as far as I know is with the Toshiba Satelite A75 not the Toshiba M30 -- older models did run a bit hotter relative to the HPZT3000/Compaq X1000 (both with 15.4" widescreen) but that is still a good model to consider (but again, I would want one with dedicated video memory).

I have read some good things about Fujitsu but they are not sold anywhere at retail except Fry's Electronics in the US and the only models with dededicated video are over $2,000 US and I think that is too much to pay.

Toshiba, HP/Compaq and Dell are all larger companies that don't have great service but they are mainstream and they will be around tomorrow.

So, if like a notebook from one of these 3 I would highly consider those as Fujitsu pricing is going to be higher (and IBM is higher as well).

Check out the HPnx7000 series or the HPnx8000 series (HP business) at your Canadian website (one has 15.4" widescreen and the other has 15" square LCD) as those have a 1 year international HP business warranty .........

They should clear out the current stock at retail (Best Buy Canada, etc) and they are starting to do that already in the US so see what discounts you can find at retail in Canada........

- Collapse -
Any reason you want Toshiba?
Jan 12, 2005 1:58PM PST

Yeah check out HP/Compaq and Dell machines. In terms of bang for the buck they are good companies. The Dell Inspiron 8600 is a very competitive notebook.

I just purchased the HP Compaq nc8000 for 2050 dollars (Canadian), this machine has a rating of 8.0 from Cnet and is covered by a 3 year warranty. It basically has everything apart from a DVD Burner.

The HP Compaq nx7010 is also available with a 15.4 inch widescreen at $1949 with a 1 year warranty.

HP Canada does not have as much options though as HP U.S which kinda sucks and they seemed out of stock on a lot of notebooks i checked on.

- Collapse -
Use the latest Fujitsu evolution
Jan 17, 2005 2:09AM PST

See the other post by Fuj in other laptop topic areas.

I have there Fujitsus. They do what they are advertised to do.

Newer models have DVD-RW with CD-RW capabilites. More memory capacity, different "centrino processors" and WI-FI.

Your CPU should be evaluated for its ability to do 3D grahics etc. The CPU's have many functions than can be incorporated according to cpu pricing.

Use BELARK to see what CPU functions are dis-abled before you buy a laptop.