Is the P5020 right for me?

I'm graduating high school this year and I have begun the the extensive search for my first laptop. So far I have seen tons of options, but at the moment I've been looking at the Gateway 450X, HP zt3000, and the Fujitsu P5020.

I know what you are all thinking, what am I smoking, lol. I actually just added the P5020 to my list even though it is an ultra portable. I like the image of it and the idea of a really small but powerful/functional laptop really appeals to me. My *MAJOR* concern is the 1 GHz Pentium M processor. This to me seems rather weak compared to others like the 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, and 1.7. What do any owners have to say about this.

Another key to my purchase is that whatever I buy must last me for 5-6 years at least. Not be screaming, but be fast enough. How well do you think this laptop would hold up to the obsoletion factor? Another issue that I plan on investigating soon when I'm out and about is the 10.6" screen. This seems small to me, but this also seems cool provided the screen is usable.

I plan on checking out a Sony with the same sized screen as a comparison at the same time I check out the zt3000 and Gateway 450X (it's nice to have a Gateway Store nearby for this sort of thing...if only I could see a Fujitsu upclose...).

Anyway, what are the thoughts of current Fujitsu owners? Should I just count this one out right now? I don't plan on doing much gaming on whatever laptop I get as I will have a desktop at college as well.

The catch is that if I did get the HP or Gateway, I would orient it more for gaming. But like I said earlier, this is something I can live without. Also, as a side note, I don't care about the 9000 vs. 9200 debate with the zt3000, I have read lots and don't care at all.

Thanks in advance.

-Kyle

 

The 5020D is fast enough for me and that's what you'll hear a lot of. Unless you're doing hard core gaming or graphics you'll be fine with the PM 1.0 and 512MB.

The 5-6 year thing will be the death of the 5020 in your decision making criteria. I challange the ability for almost any notebook to still be competitive in that time range though. I think you need to re-consider. Perhaps go for your college career, and buy something new with your huge signing bonus after 4 years.

It seems to me you need to be looking at the Fujitsu S6020D, that's a better fit and will provide a longer life. Let us know if you have more questions.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

The tell-tale comment is this: "...I will have a desktop at college as well."

If you're looking for portability, it's hard to beat the P5. Since you'll already have a desktop PC for gaming and other demanding functions, I recommend the P5 as your "road warrior."

No sense lugging around an extra pound or four, eh?[ ]

 

And remember, 90% of applications out there that you're likely to use in college - unless you plan on going into computer science, engineering, or a graphics arts related field - will run on a PII-450. Trust me, until I smoked my bios chip last october that's what I was running, and it got me through the last year of high school and 4 1/2 years of college. The only problems I had with it came when I tried to play some games later in its life, but then you're not gonna be doing heavy gaming on this laptop, I assume, so whatever's relevant or close to the latest tech now will do you for college-related apps, ie word processing and web browsing, for many years to come. And as for gaming? Spend your hard earned bucks upgrading that desktop.
Conclusion: if you think the rest of the lappy is right for you (especially that tiny screen) don't let the 1Ghz rating (specially since it's an M, so really equivalent to 1.5) keep you from settling on it.

 

Ok, sorry for not being too clear. Here's the rundown of my college. I am going to RIT in the fall of 2004 to major in Computer Engineering. The program is 5 years, possibly 6 (depending on masters and such). That is the only reason for the long life span. It only needs to be usable at the 5 and 6 year point. After that, I definately plan to buy something better, without a doubt.

I have looked at the S6020D, but I still like the size of the P5020 better. My basic question is do you think it will survive my 5-6 years of college? Do you think I could run some graphics and processor intensive applications? My last question concerning the P5020 is the screen, do you think it's too small? I'm sure this is subjective, but I would like to know your opinions before I go looking at the screen size on other ultra portables (I wish I could go see the Fujitsu).

As far as my desktop goes, I just upgraded it last christmas. It's an Athlon XP 2800+ Barton with 512MB Ram and an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro. That should be plenty for gaming.

Thank you everyone for your help and I look forward to hearing any additional comments. I love this forum!

-Kyle

 

I love my 5020 and the screen is perfect for me. The high res is great, I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't think it will be very strong for you years 4-6 though. That's why I suggested theh 6000 series. You really can't go ultra-port and expect huge lifespans.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Hmmm, I guess I'll have to think a little harder. I really like the size of the P5020, but you have a point about lifespan. It seems that ultra-portables seem to have a faster turnover time than other types. I think I'll still investigate further as I'm not looking to buy right away. Basically I'm trying to wade through all the different types of notebooks and brands. I guess the research will continue... Any other tips you could offer would be great as well. That goes for anyone.

Thanks to Brian for all of his help thus far.

-Kyle

 

Hi Brian,

In what regard do you speak "You really can't go ultra-port and expect huge lifespans." ?

Dou you mean durability and the damage factor due to being in the field, or the obsolescence factor?

Thanks,
Neil

 

I mean the legth of time before the hardware is obsolete. A PM 1.0 GHz processor will not be able to be competitive as long as a PM 1.7 for instence. Also, the limitation to one memory slot is also an issue.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com