Fujitsu N6410 mini pre-review ^_^

Let me just start by saying, the screen on the Fujitsu Lifebook N6410 is actually better than the screen on the N6210!!!!! which is not an easy task.

It really looks amazing!! my girlfriend likes my N6210 styling better but i must say that i love the looks of the N6410, the silver really looks great, this is the best looking 17" laptop i have ever seen in my opinion, i'm including any i have just seen a photo of as well. the way it is designed with edges that taper off makes it look very thin even though it is the same thickness as the my N6210.

They sent me the top of the line model with Dual 160gb hdd's! this thing has 320GB of storage space, although i believe each drive is only 4200rpm's i will check into this for my full review.

wow this thing is beautiful! the media control is so nice to look at with the mirror see through finish.

the keyboard is identical to my N6210 which is a fantastic thing as the keyboard on the N6210 is great.

ahh, sorry no pics yet but there is so little time and so much to do!!!!
i will post back with pics before tomorrow.

so keep checking back.

 

Er, don't you need to upgrade your .sig? ;-)

 

He has to give it back though Just a loaner...

 

haha sig updated ^_^

here are some really quick pictures of both of them.

i will post much better one's soon

 

hahaha! noooo!!! did you get a chance to look at one of these Brian? the screen! is fantastico! amazing amazing.

what is Fujitsu's policy on trading up? ^_^ haha.

 

wow it is a beauty! and that display IS AWESOME...even in your quick pictures. i'm sad - very, very sad...

 

The new application's button panel area is so much nicer than the older one. I am just going to convince myself that my white N6010 is special because it is white

Are those drives finally configurable into raid?
the new speakers design is much nicer!

My white N6010 is nicer. My white N6010 is nicer. My white N6010 is nicer. ... It's not working

I bet someone is going to have to pry it away from your grip once the loan period ends

 

these pictures are crap, it looks so much better in person, i just installed Half-Life 2 and am going to run some comparisons between the 2, you have no idea how bad ass it is to have 2 17" notebooks on your desk .

 

I can imagine, 2 N6000s will take more space than a full desktop.

Nah, my N6010 is better. I just thought of something that I like about it that none other of the N6000 series has, the hind retractable legs. See without them typing will be much more annoying ... how is that for a lame reason?

On a more serious note, I wish they offered it with at least a 1.83GHz, or at least make it optional. The upgrade from 1.66 to 1.83 is only $50 (newegg cpu prices) there was no reason not to have it as an option. 2.0 is expensive so I would understand them not wanting to increase the price too much. I don't know why, but it always seems to me that Fujitsu are very conservative with their CPU speed options!

 

I have to agree on the screen. When I first turned it on, I was blown away. No pictures can do this screen justice. It has to be seen in person to really appreciate it.

I've had this computer for a week now and I can find no major flaws or issues.

 

qwester my N6210 has the hind legs too. ^_^ but this N6410 is soooo nice! one thing i can say as a negative is that when the screen is closed it isn't secure compared to my N6210, maybe just on this unit but who knows

 

Oh ya, my bad. The N6210 has the same case with different color and different cover over the CPU/GFX/RAM.

BTW those are 4200RPM drives. I never knew there was 4200RPM SATA drives ... who would want that!!!

 

judging by those pictures, the screen must be as good as it gets...

 

those pictures are terrible, the screen is soo nice! i can't believe it looks even better than the N6210!

 

i'm glad that this is a great machine and that barks rig from newegg.com appears to be a fluke/lemon. can't wait to see your full review! question: did this rig come with RAID for the dual drives? even if it didn't it can be an aftermarket upgrade. huge performance gains with RAID 0 !!!

oh yes, i'm still sad....

 

no, it doesn't use RAID, whichi kind of prefer, even if the performance is boosted, makes everything easier to keep track of for me.

I really like the Application panel button, so well integrated and it just looks nice, and it is easy to adjust the functions of it aswell, just go through control panel.

i'm downloading 3dmark05 and unfortunately it is taking forever. I ran superpi and hdtune already and the numbers are definitely an improvement. 1 24 i believe for superpi and hdtune was what could be expected of 2 160GB 4200rpm drives,

let me just say, i am almost considering selling my N6210 to get a N6410.

 

So we're still waiting with much anticipation for the full review......

 

yes i have run some more tests and hopefully will have a full review up in less than a week.

3dmark05-it managed 2273 with original drivers out of the box, which is a very nice improvement over the X600 in my N6210 which managed 1660 with latest drivers.

Half-Life 2 performs better as well, I need to install FEAR and give that a test.

There are certain things i like better on my N6210 though, the N6410 is very slightly thicker, the screen is thicker, and the most annoying thing about the N6410 is Windows Media Center Edition. i haven`t used it for watching TV yet but it just seems like a waste of space. If i ordered this machine i dont think i would get it with the TV tuner, I talked to the Fujitsu people about using a PS2 on the screen through the tuner and they told me there would definitely be lag between the two, and setting it up with WMC is a complete pain in the ass.

One thing i discovered that doesnt have to do with the N6410 at all is that with Vista Inspirat 1.1, there are some definent issues, i installed it and uninstalled it because i dont like the icons i just like the theme, (taskbar, etc.) and I realized it actually moved my volume control and paint and sound recorder etc. from my Windows/System32 folder. so i had to move them all back.

 

i just realized that i had some pretty nice photos of the N6410 and my N6210
here's another little teaser before the big show

 

Having just got a n6220 I'm fairly happy I'm looking forward to your review though... hard to believe the screens could get any better!

 

some other little things i would like to quickly mention about the N6410.

the placement of the ports is again excellent as it was on all N6000's, it has 4USB ports on the back which is fantastic for a desktop replacement, you don't have cords hanging out the sides for things like a mouse, Ipod cord, etc. and they always have one on the right for easy acces for USB drives or whatever else. Card reader works fantastically and you no longer have to put Memory Sticks in upside down, which was the case on the N6210, not really a problem but just odd.

The speakers sound exactly the same as the N6210 even thought the subwoofer is in a different location it is moved to the bottom right of the laptop instead of the center on the N6210. I just watched the long opening sequence of Ghost in the Shell 2 at full volume on both machines with the N6210 about 10 seconds ahead and they sounded honestly dead even, both at full volume and both sounded very good.

the Media Buttons do not work with Media Center Edition as they expect you to use the remote control instead, which makes sense, but for me it is just another good reason not to get Media Center Edition. the N6410 has good DVD creation software but i prefer the N6210's Intervideo WinDVD software to the PowerDVD software the N6410 with media center edition has, WinDVD has better adjustments for fitting the video image to the screen, I use WINDVD to play all my avi files etc. on my laptop because of these features, and has ability to adjust colors etc. But i think this depends on what OS you get, i believe the Media buttons will control the DVD player if you don't have Media Center Edition.

the screen on the N6410 may not actually be brighter than the N6210 but the colors are noticeably different, dare i say slightly better, maybe the color contrast is just slightly higher. This may be due to a different coating over the screen, the N6410 screen seems to be smoother while cleaning it with a microfiber cloth. But! the N6410 does have slight backlight leakage on both sides, I'm thinking this isn't common among N6410's however, so i would like some more N6410 owners to comment on this if possible, it is not very noticeable but i don't think this could be common for most of these machines. As my N6210 has absolutely no backlight leakage whatsoever, none.
but the colors are definitely phenomenal on this screen. as you can hopefully see form some of those pictures.

windows media center seems to look better with DVD's than PowerDVD however, the colors seem much more accurate on Media Center Edition but not as good as WinDVD as you can adjust color to your liking.. and maybe there is a slight advantage with AVIVO technology in the X1400, but it is very hard to see any difference, if any.

 

it is extremely hard to see much difference between these two screens. however, i'm really beginning to believe that the only difference between the two is very slight color contrast, but this might be due to them have slightly different viewing angles (vertical)

but this N6410 does have backlight leakage which is very slight but i didn't expect to see any. because my N6210 has none. does your N6220 have any light leakage when showing the Fujitsu Screen etc.? multiple input is always helpful.

 

i just attempted to take a look inside the N6410 but to no avail. in order to remove the casing to see the CPU and GPU you have to remove both of the harddrives which are now sideby side, with the ram also easy to acces, not that people need to see the CPU and GPU but i wanted to take a look, but i don't want to damage a very expensive laptop either.

here are picks of the underside of the N6410, and then with the HDD's cover removed, and the RAM cover removed, you can see the X1400 GPU through the right vent and the cpu through the left vent, one thing that is very nice about the case of the N6410 is that it has quite a few more vents than the other N6000's.

Another thing i forgot to mention about the N6410 is that the fan is dead quiet!! The fan on the N6210 doesn't bother me at all but the N6410 is even quieter.

 

I'll check and post when I get home... I didn't notice any, but I'll have another look and let you know.

 

Circa; I hae noticed some small leakage, on both the right and left side of the screen, but nothing to really write home about.

 

yeah that is what I am seeing irishrover, doesn't bother anything really but I just need to make sure this is relevent to other peoples machines they might purchase as well.

 

hey circa86! when's this full review of yours coming hmmmmmmmmmmmm? ... just in case i want to return the HP (if i ever get the bloody thing!!!!! ) it's supposed to be the 22nd now --- what it would have been if i stuck with the N6410!!!!!

 

I will try to get it done over my spring break, at least by the end of next week, when i get back from Chicago.

 

woo-hoo! perfect! plenty of time for me to put the HP through a good 'shake-down' before making a decision...

thanks for the mini-reviews/updates BTW

 

wow... that screen... possibly the best in any notebook computer.

 

hey everyone,

i've just seen the pc mag review for the n6410

i think they really don't like it

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1938258,00.asp

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1938282,00.asp

 

Seems their main beef was with size/weight. I think that it's other more favorable features kind of negate that issue, or does for some people. I really don't see what their big deal was as this notebook is a desktop replacement after all, meaning if you buy one probably don't intend to lug it around much anyway. I also noticed they had no trouble bashing it performance-wise when comparing it with two other notebooks which had 2.0GHz Core Duo processors and a 7800GTX(both CTO options and not even available on the Fujitsu), but didn't bother doing a comparison on the others battery life (what the heck were they expecting from a 17" DTR anyway?) or the quality of their screens. Seems a little unfair. Of course all these mainstream magazines/websites (CNET anyone?) always seem pretty biased towards Dell so I'm not really surprised.

 

I don't understand it...Has Dell got some sort of stranglehold on someone? Really, if someone writes a bad review of Dell are the banished or blacklisted? Honestly, I can't tell the lastime I saw a bad write up on a Dell. IMHO, Dell is not the end all, be all, of the notebook world.

For one I have owned Dell and Gateway computers (in a previous life mind you) and I can tell you that I wasn't very impressed. The Dell had issue right out the gate...bad screen and MB replacement within the first month...and the Gateway...well, let’s leave that one alone.

Look a little further in the second article and there is a link to the Acer 8204, which PC Mag gave a stunning review on. Go the Acer forum and look at all the complaints/issues regarding the Acer and then go back and read PC Mags review again....it left me scratching my head.

Yeah the N6410 is bulky, it’s a DTR isn't it...had I wanted a slim 7lb notebook then I would have got one. In the short time I have owned the N6410 I have been more than impressed with the quality, screen and speed the of the computer. It does everything that I need it do.

As with these reviews, sure I read them, but you have to read them carefully, as in this case. PC Mag pitted a 2.0Ghz Duo Core against a 1.66Ghz Duo Core...of course the 2.0 is going to outperform the 1.66...really not a fair comparison. As far as the battery life is concerned, we all know that there is an issue between the USB 2.0/Duo Core/Windows that can cause excessive battery drain...but of course not major magazine has touched on this issue.

These reviews are worth nothing more than the paper that they are written on, and it’s up to you to decide white notebook is best for you.

 

hi guys,

I have just ordered an n6410 but the configuration doesn't tell you
if the graphic card is the X1400 with 256MB RAM.
However the part number on the order is FPCM60802. I looked
on Fujitsu website and saw that this configuration does have the
X1400 256MB.


the rest of ths config is

Core Duo T2300 (1.66 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 667 MHz FSB)

Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005 with
Microsoft® Works

17" Color-Enhanced Crystal View wide XGA+ display

1 GB DDR2 667 MHz SDRAM memory
(512 MB x 2)

160 GB (4200 rpm) hard drive3

Dual-Layer Multi-Format DVD Writer

Multinational4 56K5 V.90 modem and 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN

Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection (Tri-mode 802.11a/b/g)

5 USB 2.0, IEEE 1394, Memory Stick®/SD/xD slot, PC Card slot, ExpressCard™ slot

Main battery: Lithium ion (6-cell, 10.8V, 4000 mAh, 43 WHr)

One-year International Limited Warranty

price $1587.61

Please let me know your opinions...and if it does have the right graphics

How long does it take to ship from Japan?

 

Yes, you have the right graphics card. I also believe the 256MB X1400 is 128MB dedicated and another 128MB via hypermemory (please correct me if I'm wrong circa).

My understanding, as I'm waiting for my N3530, is that once your machine is actually built it takes 2-3 days to ship from Japan to here. Just as a reference for you my timeline has been like this so far:

Ordered notebook - 3/10
Order received/processed - 3/13
Estimated build completion/ship date - 3/30
Estimated arrival date - 4/4 (?)

 

ohhh i'm sorry for you, that's too long!!!

I've just spoken to them on the phone and they said the estimated delivery date is march 28th

they said it takes a week to receive it from Japan. may be it's different for each store or maybe n6410 is more available or because mine was a pre-configured

i'll let you know when i get it

 

I think you're probably absolutely right on that count. Mine was configured to order, so that most likely accounts for the extended wait time. But I think it will be worth it.

 

Yeah, mine took longer to, since mine was not a preconfigured. Also it took two days to receive mine from Japan.

 

Exactly what they told me. Two, three days at the most. Here's the kicker, though. 30 March is on a Thursday. If it ships out that day I highly doubt it will reach me by Friday afternoon. And since I live in such a rural area Saturday delivery is not even an option. So most likely I get at least a couple of extra days to gnaw my arm off waiting.

I will be patient, I will be patient, I will be patient.......

 

Totti,

Did you configure your purchase on the Fujitsu USA website? I configured one the same as your specs, and the price was about $1899. How did you get a price of $1587? I'm jealous......

 

Hi hsamadeus,

i went on pricegrabber.com and chose the model of the notebook and then looked at the prices in the stores selling the n6410. the seller is pcsuperdeals. click on the price and it will take you to their website.


it really is a good deal but i didn't receive it yet so let's be cautious.
also shipping is free

however their website is a mess so i had to call them to order
the computer

i hope that helps

let me know

 

they sent me an email saying the shipping will be delayed, I talked to them on the phone and I'm very upset now as they have added another week. I told them I need the computer before that for my research and requested to cancel the order. Then they said they'll check again and call back.
Everyone I talk to says something different. It doesn't seem right for me. I do not recommand you guys to buy from them. I'll keep you posted

 

the only choice is to just get it from www.portableone.com it is worth paying more for the best service in the world, trust me. and with portable one they give you the Dual Layer DVD writer and HDD upgrade for free and free shipping, and the service is seriously unbeatable. i would cancel your order and just pay a little more from portableone

 

i second the P1 plug ... Ivan and the rest of the PortableOne staff are simply amazing. all-hours access and answers via email ... many, many emails ... is worth the additional $. they really care about your new machine and you!!! tops in customer service if you ask me...

 

thank you guys...
unfortunately, i'm limited by the price factor. my max now is $1600.

if i cancel the order, i'll have to wait a bit or buy something else

i was considering the n3530 but i really want the 17''. also the n6220 is
a good choice but i want the duo core too

ahhh!! it's soooo difficult to buy a notebook

 

i would recommend just waiting. and getting what you want. you will be much happier if you do i think.

And yes the N6220 would be excellent also, you just don't have core duo.

 

i'm with you on the 'difficulty factor' making a notebook purchase decision right now. i couldn't wait because of a dying/dead machine. if i could, i would have definitely waited...

you could look at a Dell with those crazy coupons ... i'm not a fan though.

 

Actually mine shipped sooner than I was originally told...albeit 3 days, but still sooner. Be patient, good things come to those that wait...and believe me the N6410 is a good thing.

 

Couldn't have said it better, circa. My philosophy has always been be patient and get what you really want. Otherwise you usually end up regretting it in the end and asking yourself "What if?".

I feel your pain, totti. You've already seen the projected time line for my 3530. But at least P1 was up front about it and warned it would take a while, maybe even longer than expected. If it makes you feel any better, I'm willing to bet that it's not so much pcsuperdeals fault for the delay as it is Fujitsu's. At least that's the vibe I've been getting about mine.