Laptops: Fujitsu S Series vs. Compaq 2800T (What to get?)

[axelfox]

I'm about to buy a laptop for school in a couple of weeks, and I've narrowed it down to the Fujitsu S Series (256MB, combo drive, 40GB, Wireless LAN) or the Compaq Presario 2800T with these specs:

Mobile Intel ® Pentium ® 4 Processor 1.60Ghz-M
256MB 266MHz DDR SDRAM (2 DIMMs)
20.0 GB UDMA Hard Drive
8X DVD/CD-RW (8X8X24X) Combo Drive MultiBay
15.0" TFT XGA Display
6 Months of AOL for FREE!
Microsoft Productivity Suite
Integrated 56K v.92 PCI Modem and 10/100 NIC
32MB Dedicated DDR Video Memory
AC Adapter Included
8 cell LiIon Battery 66 WHr
JBL Pro Audio System with Bass Reflex
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
1yr Parts / 1 yr labor/1yr mail-in
90-day Software Technical Support

I get a free wireless network card with the Presario (mail in offer). The 15 inch screen is only 50 bux more than the 14.1, and the Compaq has dedicated video memory. I don't know if I should spend the extra 75 bux for XP pro (do I get a license, or just a recovery disk?).

The somethings the Fujitsu has going for it is that it is about 1.5 lbs lighter and longer battery life.

The main thing I'll be doing is lugging this between class and home. I've heard that after awhile, a 6 lbs notebook is just a PITA to carry around, even after a long day and with books.

I'm looking for suggestions for either side; I would like to go with Compaq, but if its a hassle to carry around all day, I'll just get the lighter (albiet less powerful) laptop. They are about the same price (~$1750)

thanks.

 

[dpm]

I just helped my girlfriend pick out a laptop for med school - we went with the 2800T with the same specs except for a 14" screen (money was an issue). Its been here a couple of weeks now, and its pretty nice. I've not picked up the fujitsu, so I can't compare their weights, but the compaq isnt that bad at all. With a decent bag it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Of course, if you have to carry tons of huge textbooks then maybe you'll be thankful for every pound saved after a few months...

other points on the compaq... we saved $80 by ordering it with 128 mb ram and getting another 128mb stick from crucial (got it for $23 shipped with the coupons floating around.) We also got the wireless card seperately, since this was much cheaper.
apart from that - the battery life is decent but not amazing, the dedicated vid mem is nice for games, the keyboard is pretty good for a lappy and all in all it feels quite well built. So far i'm impressed. make sure you check around for offers before you buy- some organisations (inc some student orgs) offer discounts on compaq stuff if you are a member. we saved another $100 with this and ended up paying $1500 for it.

basically its been a good investment. But i've also heard good things about fujitsus... i've just never used one.

 

[axelfox]

thanks

 

[BDawg]

Another thing to notice is the 2800T uses a Radeon Mobility 7500 adapter, IIRC.

The extra screen size is well worth it. I have a 15" 2700T and the screen is great!

 

[axelfox]

lunch crowd

 

[axelfox]

did i mention that you get 128MB of memory free (normally you'd get 128 mb), a 100 dollar off e coupon (If I could get it work), and a mail in coupon for a free wireless module?

 

[RGN]

We just got one at work. Its nice. I've got a Dell 2600, both are based on the same chipset.

The S-series is soooooo light. Its ok to carry around, I hate taking my Dell everywhere. The butner is good, no coasters. The W-Lan is not a lucent or Cisco, so if you have any apps that require one of those you out of luck.

The screen is crisp, but could be brighter in bright enviroments (the only negitive, but my dell is the same way).

The keys are a good size for such a small unit.

If I was buying now, I'd buy the S before I bought the Dell again. I haven't had any problems, but the S is soooo small....

 

[axelfox]

i was leaning towards the 2800, but if the S Series is dope......man, decisions, decisions....

 

[RGN]

Originally posted by: axelfox
i was leaning towards the 2800, but if the S Series is dope......man, decisions, decisions....

Dude, think about this: 4 lbs, 6lbs.



The S -series does manage to play quake3....

 

[axelfox]

dude, i can't make out your tone

 

[anthrax]

Got a lifebook S-sieries....compared to the Compaq......The S series is targeted at a different segment of the market.......Its defeinately much smaller than the compaq.......the old S series was around the same size as the sony PCG Z/R 505 series.......the S 6XXX series is just as slimp but most is slightly wider than due to the larger 13.3 inch screen.......

If you don't need to play games on it......but need to carry it it around..get the S sieries.......
if you intend to play games..get the compaq for sure..

 

[axelfox]

I don't even play games on my main rig, so I guess I don't need all the bells for the compaq.

But I wonder if the S Series will run GTA3

 

[anthrax]

the S won't run it very well if at all...
just one question...have you actually seen the actual notebook themselves at a shop ?


..I would get a PS2 for GTA3.........

 

[axelfox]

no I haven't seen any of the S series in person, b/c none of the shops around SoCal carry it. I've seen the Compaq, and it looks pretty cool.

 

[anthrax]

you ever seen a sony VAIO Z505 or R505 Series before?....the Fujitsu S series is that type of product........


Fujitsu offer similar specs to the Compaq 2800 with their E-series of notebooks......hope you haven't mixed the product lines up..

 

[axelfox]

do you think i could run games like starcraft/warcraft on the s series?

 

[anthrax]

Yea, I can be pretty sure that Starcraft will work...so would CnC RA2......
WCIII should work...

 

[axelfox]

Sweet. Looks like I'm going with the Fujitsu S Series. Does anyone know if there is anymore slots to upgrade the RAM? I was thinking of dumping some more memory in it from Crucial (or some other place).

thanks