kilsbo
02-14-2004, 05:14 PM
The Fujitsu Amilo D 1840 15.4" WXGA
After scanning and debating here for awhile I came to the conclusion that desktop hardware fit into a 3.5kg unit with a widescreen TFT screen is the deal for me.
Let me give you the rough specs/configuration:
Intel Pentium 4 2.6GHz HT
256MB Ram
ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 w/ 128MB memory
40GB (4200rpm) Toshiba HDD
DVD/CDRW combo drive
WLAN 11 mbit/s
LAN 10/100 mbit/s
WXGA TFT (1280x800)
And, plans are to upgrade it very soon with an extra 512MB memory and the disk will be replaced with a 7200 rpm 60G. The CPU will probably be there until the current ones cost around $100 or so.
Design
------
This machine got a slightly detailed silver case. It does not remind so much of the powerbooks as it may seem to do, it looks more original somehow. Different tones of silver colors are used. At the edges a brighter silver color is used to make it look a bit more exclusive. I think that the design is very clean and solid, I really like it.
9 out of 10
Ergonomics
----------
Everything is placed in a logical way. The DVD/CDRW is on the right side, two USB ports at the left side (one more in the back). However, the connectors for sound (line in, headphones, mic) is placed in front of the machine which I see as a big minus, cables tend to get in the way. The keyboard could have been a better one, it is pretty standard one (same keyboards as seen in many toshiba satellite models). The size of the whole unit is pretty slim for what it contains, I was expecting a more robust case. The CPU, memory and harddisk are accessable by opening a lid with 9 screws. Personally I like screwed lids here, the flip-open lids tend to get worn out after a year or two. It is very easy to switch CPU and memory circuits. The 15.4" screen is rised an inch above the keyboard level so you don't have to look down as much when you're looking at the screen.
8 out of 10
Mechanics/Functionality
-----------------------
The mechanical parts of this laptop is nothing more or less than usual. The DVD/CDRW unit opens with a manually pull-to-open and push-to-insert mechanism.
The touchpad is very accurate and feels convinient to use. You can scroll a web page using either the touchpad right edge or the scrollbutton in the middle of the left and right mouse buttons, whatever suits you best.
It got the "standard" buttons, email app button, web app button and on/off button. It also got a button to turn on/off the WiFi board. it's possibilities for upgrades raise the grade somewhat.
Furthermore, the screen is one of the best I've seen, viewing angle and sharpness really describes it perfectly. No negative colours when moving around while watching it etc. I would also say that the resolution is perfect for the srceen size but I know that some people would disagree with me here.
Battery life can't be any good at machines like this one. Photoshopping was possible to do 1h35m, Need for speeding was possible for 1h15m. I also watched a movie on 1h43m and a minute later the computer hibernated. However since this beats my old mobile pentium laptop I would say it's pretty good since the weight is only 3.5 kilos.
9 out of 10
Noice/Heat
----------
It got two fans, one for the CPU and one for the GPU. The sound if the one that runs all the time (CPU one) is like a breeze, you can hear it but it isn't annoying as many others. Compared to another laptop I have (Toshiba Satellite P3m-1GHz) it's on a low sound level. When you start using the GPU by playing it statrs after awhile and the sound level is a bit ihgher but then it all disappears with the sound of the games. Considering the circuits in this machine, the soundlevel is above average graded. Also the heat level is lower than on my old mobile pentium laptop. The source for the most heat is the HDD. The fans does a teriffic job here.
8 out of 10
Bench/Prestanda
---------------
The 3dmark03 bench gives a result at 2536 points. This should be considered good since the machine rnus with only 256MB mem and no optimizations to get a better result. The CPU can be upgraded aswell. The hard disk that came with this one is a 4200rpm one and that aswell is something I intend to upgrade shortly (7200rpm). I guess that there are few machines that beats the prestanda on this one but I must stress that gaming on this machine is a beauty! You don't have to turn off that much effects to get it running smoothly. When playing NFSU I just switch the resolution down to 800x600 (yes this game needs stretching if not hacked) and turn all effects on and I'm rockin'!
9 out of 10
Final conclusion
---------------
Considering the price of this machine (in sweden with 25% VAT it is $2000 USD) I consider it to be one of the best purchases on the market. If you want to go more big booming you should choose one of the more expensive 17" models which weigh around 5-6 kilos but since I am going to move around I needed the weight to be what it is on this machine.
I was a former Toshiba fan, but reading the reviews about the p25 series with low 3D gaming prestanda I must say I'm omving towards fujitsu now. Needed to say here is that I cannot access brands as Sager, Alienware or Gateway in my country.
And for you who wonder if it's time to go over to widescreen. After using this one a couple of days, sitting down at a 4:3-screen feels just like sitting down in the 80's again. :)
8.6 out of 10 totally.
If you wonder about any other details, just reply to this post.
After scanning and debating here for awhile I came to the conclusion that desktop hardware fit into a 3.5kg unit with a widescreen TFT screen is the deal for me.
Let me give you the rough specs/configuration:
Intel Pentium 4 2.6GHz HT
256MB Ram
ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 w/ 128MB memory
40GB (4200rpm) Toshiba HDD
DVD/CDRW combo drive
WLAN 11 mbit/s
LAN 10/100 mbit/s
WXGA TFT (1280x800)
And, plans are to upgrade it very soon with an extra 512MB memory and the disk will be replaced with a 7200 rpm 60G. The CPU will probably be there until the current ones cost around $100 or so.
Design
------
This machine got a slightly detailed silver case. It does not remind so much of the powerbooks as it may seem to do, it looks more original somehow. Different tones of silver colors are used. At the edges a brighter silver color is used to make it look a bit more exclusive. I think that the design is very clean and solid, I really like it.
9 out of 10
Ergonomics
----------
Everything is placed in a logical way. The DVD/CDRW is on the right side, two USB ports at the left side (one more in the back). However, the connectors for sound (line in, headphones, mic) is placed in front of the machine which I see as a big minus, cables tend to get in the way. The keyboard could have been a better one, it is pretty standard one (same keyboards as seen in many toshiba satellite models). The size of the whole unit is pretty slim for what it contains, I was expecting a more robust case. The CPU, memory and harddisk are accessable by opening a lid with 9 screws. Personally I like screwed lids here, the flip-open lids tend to get worn out after a year or two. It is very easy to switch CPU and memory circuits. The 15.4" screen is rised an inch above the keyboard level so you don't have to look down as much when you're looking at the screen.
8 out of 10
Mechanics/Functionality
-----------------------
The mechanical parts of this laptop is nothing more or less than usual. The DVD/CDRW unit opens with a manually pull-to-open and push-to-insert mechanism.
The touchpad is very accurate and feels convinient to use. You can scroll a web page using either the touchpad right edge or the scrollbutton in the middle of the left and right mouse buttons, whatever suits you best.
It got the "standard" buttons, email app button, web app button and on/off button. It also got a button to turn on/off the WiFi board. it's possibilities for upgrades raise the grade somewhat.
Furthermore, the screen is one of the best I've seen, viewing angle and sharpness really describes it perfectly. No negative colours when moving around while watching it etc. I would also say that the resolution is perfect for the srceen size but I know that some people would disagree with me here.
Battery life can't be any good at machines like this one. Photoshopping was possible to do 1h35m, Need for speeding was possible for 1h15m. I also watched a movie on 1h43m and a minute later the computer hibernated. However since this beats my old mobile pentium laptop I would say it's pretty good since the weight is only 3.5 kilos.
9 out of 10
Noice/Heat
----------
It got two fans, one for the CPU and one for the GPU. The sound if the one that runs all the time (CPU one) is like a breeze, you can hear it but it isn't annoying as many others. Compared to another laptop I have (Toshiba Satellite P3m-1GHz) it's on a low sound level. When you start using the GPU by playing it statrs after awhile and the sound level is a bit ihgher but then it all disappears with the sound of the games. Considering the circuits in this machine, the soundlevel is above average graded. Also the heat level is lower than on my old mobile pentium laptop. The source for the most heat is the HDD. The fans does a teriffic job here.
8 out of 10
Bench/Prestanda
---------------
The 3dmark03 bench gives a result at 2536 points. This should be considered good since the machine rnus with only 256MB mem and no optimizations to get a better result. The CPU can be upgraded aswell. The hard disk that came with this one is a 4200rpm one and that aswell is something I intend to upgrade shortly (7200rpm). I guess that there are few machines that beats the prestanda on this one but I must stress that gaming on this machine is a beauty! You don't have to turn off that much effects to get it running smoothly. When playing NFSU I just switch the resolution down to 800x600 (yes this game needs stretching if not hacked) and turn all effects on and I'm rockin'!
9 out of 10
Final conclusion
---------------
Considering the price of this machine (in sweden with 25% VAT it is $2000 USD) I consider it to be one of the best purchases on the market. If you want to go more big booming you should choose one of the more expensive 17" models which weigh around 5-6 kilos but since I am going to move around I needed the weight to be what it is on this machine.
I was a former Toshiba fan, but reading the reviews about the p25 series with low 3D gaming prestanda I must say I'm omving towards fujitsu now. Needed to say here is that I cannot access brands as Sager, Alienware or Gateway in my country.
And for you who wonder if it's time to go over to widescreen. After using this one a couple of days, sitting down at a 4:3-screen feels just like sitting down in the 80's again. :)
8.6 out of 10 totally.
If you wonder about any other details, just reply to this post.