TV with DVR & Internet: $84.90/mo
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Full user review
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"Fabulous machine, don't be misled by CNET review"
Pros: portability, portability, portability....PLUS functionality
Cons: lack of built-in optical drive, etc - all to be expected in a unit this size. Biggest 'con' is that the unit is vulnerable to misguided criticism for it's very strengths (as in the CNET review)
Summary: I have owned this machine since it first became available in North America in November 2006, having ordered it online, sight unseen, before it's North American release. I had very high expectations and was frankly doubtful the P1610 (or any machine) could live up to all of them, and this machine has exceeded my expectations by far. Though I always research such items before purchase, including reading user reviews (it was available in Asia before it was released here), I have never before written an online review. I felt compelled to submit a review for the P1610 since I feel the US CNET reviewer completely misses the point of this machine, and the 5.7 rating the review gives is simply aburd, and in my opinion reflects the reviewers narrow-mindedness more than anything else.
First of all, we should be clear on the target audience this machine is meant for. It is designed to be extremely portable, and is ideal for those needing to carry a fully functional WinXP tablet pc with them through the day. I'll describe how I use it since for my needs this machine perfectly fits the bill.
I take handwritten notes during meetings, etc, in tablet mode throughout the day (it's absolutely a pleasure to keep handwritten notes electronically, Windows Journal suffices for me, and it's great having them all on hand for reference anytime...I almost never convert to text since I don't need to, keeping them handwritten works fine to replace paper). It has also meant having all my important files (actually my entire My Documents folder and files) with me everywhere I go, plus email, etc, etc. You wouldn't want to write a novel using the keyboard (though you could) but it's perfectly fine for fairly short text entry (including this review, which is being written on the P1610). I have a desktop machine at home that I use for any intense graphics work, the P1610 can run all the software needed if you want to do minor edits to files (eg Adobe Photoshop CS2 etc) without any problems, but given the small screen size you obviously wouldn't get this machine as your primary graphics editing computer. I synchronize My Documents files daily between desktop and P1610 (very easy, '1 click', with the proper software). I no longer have to worry if I have the right version or the right file on my thumb drives, it's all with me on the P1610. I got the regular plus the extended battery, but rarely need to use the extended one (unless for airplane flights etc) since I can usually plug in the P1610 at my office every few hours [the days I can't, I just have both batteries with me and that's more than enough to get through the day].
About the lack of built-in optical drive - I bought a slim external USB dual DVD burner (about 1 pound, but not the Fujitsu model since I do think that one is overpriced), I very rarely need to use it since 90-95% of the time I don't need to read (or write) discs (also, if you do have some programs that 'need' the cd to be present, if you're at all tach savvy you should be able to use daemon tools or similar 'mounting' software to allow you to run an image of the cd off the harddrive). Again, CNET finding fault with this reflects either their lack of understanding of the purpose of the machine, or their unrealistic expectations - for those of us that don't need an optical drive throughout the day, why force us to carry around the extra weight and hardware? (after all, there is a physical limitation to how small any optical drive, with necessary moving mechanical parts, could ever be made).
All the advertised functionality (touch screen, palm rejection technology on the touchscreen, bluetooth & wireless, etc) has functioned seamlessly without any problems whatsoever.
For my needs, the P1610 has been ideal. Obviously this machine is not meant to be a 'desktop replacement', but it is meant to let you carry everything around with you throughout the day and have a fully functional XP machine at your fingertips. If your needs are like mine, and you need something super portable and functional, I simply don't believe there's a better machine (Lenovo included) on the market, or even on the foreseeable horizon. Carrying something around throughout the day, every pound, or even ounce, really can make a big difference (that's why I got both batteries, I didn't even want the slight extra weight and size of the extended battery unless I needed it that day).
This is why I think the CNET reviewer is totally off base....5.7 out of 10, give me a break! For the portability and functionality needs of a true 'road warrior', this machine can't be beat. Of course it is not meant to 'compete' with 'bigger and faster' machines, that's the whole point, bigger is not always better! I really admire Fujitsu for going this route, of developing a remarkably functional, super portable (and seemingly durable) machine for people who need it, without worrying about whether some other models might have faster processors (or even dual processors, for what this machine is for who cares? I can't believe CNET would count that as a negative, that's just ridiculous), etc, etc.
Comparing this to the (overbloated) 'computing power' that manufacturers try to make consumers drool over would be like comparing a refined, energy efficient and solid (probably European!) car that meets all your transportation needs (or maybe even a Vespa scooter?) with a V8 gas-guzzler that has more horsepower. Nice to see that with the P1610 Fujitsu hasn't fueled the folly of 'conspicuous consumption' - now if we could only get CNET editors to see the light!Updated
Forgot one thing, reason I gave it 9/10 instead of 10/10 is that the memory upgrades are very (i.e. prohibitively for most) expensive (I understand it has to do with specific memory type used for power, heat, and size factors). I have the standard 0.5 GB, which is enough for most things but a bit more would have been nice when editing with Adobe CS2, etc.
Also, CNET indicates the machine comes with Win XP Professional 'unlike other tablets' that come with Win XP Tablet Edition. This is misleading, since WinXP Pro is an option, but so is WinXP Tablet Edition (no additional charge), and you should get the Tablet Edition if ordering this machine (I haven't gone to Vista yet and likely won't for a long time [despite having the free upgrade] until all early stability issues are worked out, so I can't comment on Vista on this machine).Updated
Forgot to mention the reason for giving it 9/10 rating instead of 10/10 is the very expensive (prohibitively so for most) memory upgrade option. I understand this has to do with the particular memory type used wrt size, power usage, heat, etc. I got the standard 0.5 GB, which is fine most of the time, but additional memory would have been nice while editing in CS2, etc.
BTW, the CNET review indicates this comes with Windows XP Professional, 'unlike other tablets' that come with WinXP Tablet Edition. This is misleading, since although WinXP Pro is an option, so is WinXP Tablet Edition (for no additional charge). I would recommend getting the Tablet Edition if getting this machine (I haven't gone to Vista yet, despite having free upgrade, since I'm waiting at least 6 months till any initial stability issues are resolved, so can't comment on Vista on this machine).
