Question:
Acer vs Fujitsu (cheaper notebook ok?)
I have posted very long time ago asking help deciding on a notebook. I really need one in a hurry now so please help again. I started off looking at big big brands notebook like Lenovo/IBM, HP, Toshiba, Macbook, etc.
I came to a conclusion of probably not buying any of those not becuase they aren't good or too popular, but less expensive laptops (if you get the right one) can do the job and can be as good. Of couse some cheaper ones are horrible so I need help finding the correct one. I found that similar spec notebook but comparing like lets say Acer to IBM, IBM (Lenovo/ThinkPad) can cost 80% usually or sometimes DOUBLE the price. So I decided to go for cheaper ones. They might last a BIT shorter but not enough to make them not worth half the cost of expensive ones. Please let me know rather I am right about this.
I am currently trying to compare an Acer vs Fujitsu. Reason is I can get this at a shop within 20 mins drive and at a cheap prices.
I can get:
Acer TravelMate 2428AWXCi with the upgrade of total 768MB ram for $722 CDN tax INCLUDED (approx $640 USD)
# Intel Pentium M (Centrino) 735A (1.7GHz/2MB cache) 400 MHZ FSB
# 14.1" WXGA
# UPGRADED to 768MB DDR2 SDRAM
# 40 GB Hard Drive
# DVD/CDRW combo
# 56Kbps Modem, 10/100 Base T LAN
# 802.11 b/g Wireless
# Windows XP Home
Fujitsu LifeBook N3510A $912 CDN tax INCLUDED (approx $800 USD)
Intel Pentium-M 740 (1.73GHz)
15.4" WXGA Crystal View
512MB DDR2
60GB HDD
ATI Mobility RADEON X300
DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
802.11b/g, 10/100 LAN, 56K MDM
Microsoft Windows XP
I was looking at the Fuji C1320 before but reviews on computer-notebook.com says that one doesn't have the Fuji build quality.
I like the Acer because the price is good but concern about the 400 MHz FSB speed. Altho yes I will add the RAM from the stock 256MB to 768MB, is that speed fast enough for now a days computers for RAM & CPU to communicate?
And the gfx card. How bad is those stock Intel ones vs RADEON X300?
1) What is your budget?
- $1200 CDN tax included max for the lower end brands
- When I was thinking about Lenovo & HP, I was willing to spend a bit more but on Acer, NO I don't want a Ferrari. And NO I don't want a high end Fujitsu altho they are VERY GOOD, I can't afford them and they are a BRICK!
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
14.1" - 15.4" must be widescreen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
- surfing, basic gaming, words, students stuff
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
- Yes everyday
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
- Sometimes but nothing extream like Doom 3 or Quake 4. Maybe just NFS...
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
- Asus, Dell, Gateway, eMachine, Compaq
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
- Longer is good but 1.5 at full brightness is min.
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
- I don't usually but I want a notebook FAST!
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
- Widescreen
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
-WXGA
-WSXGA
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
- non glossy perfer
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
- As long as its not too ugly, its fine.
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
- 2 to 3 years
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 160GB?
-40GB+
16) Optical drive?
- DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW
Please help me on this. Thanks
Answer:
Re: Acer vs Fujitsu (cheaper notebook ok?)
My sister bought the first Acer (512MB ram, 60GB, DVD-RW version) for $699CDN (before taxes), and can get up to 4 hours of battery life. It fits her academic and video watching needs. However, you probably won't be able to play much games.
Answer:
Re: Acer vs Fujitsu (cheaper notebook ok?)
Yeah, the Acer is nice. I reviewed one on this site. You should be able to get one for $599 CDN + $50 for 512 MB RAM.
For $699 Futureshop has the 512/DVD-R version.
But it is useless for games. A really old NFS might work.
Answer:
Re: Acer vs Fujitsu (cheaper notebook ok?)
I got the Acer 5112 WLMi (also reviewed on this site) for $1070 at Futureshop - they are discontinued. It has 2 GB RAM, 160 GB HDD and an ATI X1600.
Answer:
Re: Acer vs Fujitsu (cheaper notebook ok?)
I have no experience with any type of Fujitsu products.
I can tell you that I had nothing but good experiences with my Acer laptop. This is my second Acer laptop.
The casing is not the most tough/strudy tho, so you need to treat a Acer nice.
Answer:
Re: Acer vs Fujitsu (cheaper notebook ok?)
Hi lewdvig...
I really don't mind if its dicontinued. After all, the Acer 2428WXCi is discontinued as well. Laptops are for use, not to show off the newest model to me.
I can see that FS has the Acer 2428 with DVD-RW, stock 512MB RAM. It has 20 more gigs on the HD but it really doesn't matter as I have a desktop at home. But $80 more after tax, seems good and so little money. I will really have to think that over.
hmmm....
TM2428AWXMi $796 (512MB, 60GB, DVD-RW)
TM2428WXCi $722 (768MB, 40GB, CD-RW/DVD-R)
What about Fujitsu? No comments?
Btw, that Acer 5112 WLMi is nice. Decent price with good spec notebook w/ that gfx & amount of ram as a start off. But its a brick! Thats the only problem with that one. 7.5 pounds! vs. a T42/a22m of IBM that I used before which is 4.5 lbs w/ 14.1 XGA screen.
Hows the AMD Turion X2 performing on that? I honestly never tried too much with AMD yet. I have a desktop w/ XP 2600+ which is old. But a P4 2.6 GHz seems to out run it a lot. And especially when I think of laptops, I didn't think about AMD as its more for gaming/media where I don't use laptop for that. Sounds ok?
Answer:
Re: Acer vs Fujitsu (cheaper notebook ok?)
this one is nice too - but uses the same chassis (also big).
I reviewed a Fujitsu a year or two ago and it was really nice. Solid and sharp looking. Better quality than the std Acers (the 82xx and Ferrari Acers are well-built but you pay for it).
Answer:
Re: Acer vs Fujitsu (cheaper notebook ok?)
well, i have the fujitsu n3530, and it is a nice notebook....but it has pretty bad battery life, and is pretty heavy.