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7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
4.0 stars
"A lot of bang for a lot of bucks"
Pros: High end innards, customizable, light and portable
Cons: Costs as much as two or three more mediocre systems
Summary: I ordered a customized version of Fuji's T4215 direct from the web site, so my configuration is slightly different from CNet's review. Most notably, I have a drive bay battery that can swap out with the DVD writer to extend battery life, and I have the higher resolution 1400x1050 screen--which on the one hand reduces text to ants, but is an unavoidable compromise if you're wanting to pack in this much screen into this little space. I also have Windows Vista Business rather than XP Tablet PC Edition. Note that as of March 2007, either OS is available. I've got a 2 GHz core 2 duo processor, 2 Gigs of RAM, and a 100 Gig hard drive.
Fujitsu delivered pretty rapidly. When configuring on the Fujitsu Direct online store, I was given an estimate shipping date of 3/9, which was promptly changed to 3/14 when I checked my email. However, that was the only delay; it indeed shipped out close to midnight that night and arrived at my house some 36 hours later--pretty amazing since it came direct from the factory in Japan and I live in Texas.
Upon powering up for the first time, Vista was loaded but not installed, so the computer took about thirty minutes to ponder and meditate on itself and the meaning of life before I could use it. It included an offer for Norton Internet Security 2007, which I took, since I already have it and one license to spare, thus simplifying my setup a little bit. The T4215 automatically updated Windows and was up and running some 30 minutes into the setup process. This was no MacIntosh out-of-the-box quickie.
There was fairly moderate crapware burden, most of which is pretty unobtrusive. It came preloaded with and running Google Desktop, and it took a little figuring to turn it off, as I felt its features redundant with Vista's. Once deactivated, I had to figure out how to make Vista's sideboard work. The T4215 also by default deactivates the DVD drive in tablet mode. There's a way to bypass this safety feature, though I would still recommend only using the drive in tablet mode if the computer is sitting on a table, not in your hands. Haven't yet installed the fingerprint reader, but the hardware is there, and it already doubles as a scroll wheel. The 100 Gig hard drive shows itself as 90 GB with a little over 70 free. There's also a second partition visible, about one Gig, mostly free, plus hidden content. No idea what it's for. Thankfully, unlike my older Gateway suffering from overheating issues, the T4215 uses recovery DVDs rather than a space-occupying recovery partition.
I agree with the other user reviewer that the "cheap feel of the keyboard" is over-rated; it does not feel that bad. Granted, it doesn't have a particularly solid or heavy feel either, but it's likely again an engineering trade-off to help keep the unit light.
The tablet uses Wacom-based technology--again vastly superior to my Gateway, which uses Finepoint. Graphics programs like Photoshop support Wacom's pressure sensitivity, whereas Finepoint lacks support except in limited circles. The sensors also have better quality overall. Still, I am having problems getting pressure sensitivity to work with Photoshop Elements 4--but, this may be part of the Vista compatability issues. With Paint.NET, I get a much cleaner and better draw than I did with the Finepoint pen. Note also that Wacom pens don't rely on batteries and thus don't have to be replaced every six months or so.
All in all, it's a good start for my first two days of use. I'll post updates if I run into problems or need to add anything.Updated
I visited Wacom's web site and found an expanded driver for any tablet PC branded as Wacom "Penabled," which includes this model along with most others. It seems that many come out of the factory with a more basic driver. The site gives you a more complete one, including pressure sensitivity in Photoshop Elements. (Note that only 32-bit Vista is supported, not the 64-bit. Not an issue for the T4215, but worth mentioning.)
Battery life is about 3 hours in balanced management mode, or 5 and a half with the second battery in the drive bay. That's almost half the maximum theoretically touted by Fujitsu. Note that Fuji's math is based on everything optimized for battery life, whereas mine is use in the real world. Still, I'll have to call Fujitsu on this one.
In every other respect, it's performing on par with expectations, which were pretty high. Vista gives the T4215 as I've configured it a 3.1 experience rating, and the Aero theme runs smoothly. Note that Aero was temporarily turned off while the computer installed itself, but could be reset as the theme manually after restarting.Updated
To those purchasing the models with Bluetooth and Windows Vista, be warned of a significant issue. The Bluetooth drivers are licensed from Toshiba, and as included are written for Windows XP! An update is available from Toshiba, and I'm installing it now. So far, I've been unable to sync a new Treo PDA phone with this computer by Bluetooth, though I can using USB without significant problems (took about 20 minutes of basic troubleshooting before Vista downloaded on its own a neccessary update.) Since Toshiba has released an update, I expect that Fujitsu will apply this update soon, if they haven't already addressed this with models shipping today.
Still, there's something screwy about a computer out of the box that includes third party drivers that expect ActiveSync to be there when it isn't. I can hear the "I'm a Mac, and I'm a PC" routine...
In all other respects save for battery life, this computer has continued to perform well. Battery life can get marginal improvements by deactivating transparency in Vista's Aero theme, but anyone intending to be on the go and mobile, I'd recommend the swappable drive bay second battery; I'm really glad I got it.
Another thing Vista has in its favor; this is the first laptop I've ever had that doesn't freeze up indefinitely when going into hibernation or sleep modes; being actually able to use these modes more than makes up for the increased battery drain that Vista appears to represent.Updated
To those purchasing the models with Bluetooth and Windows Vista, be warned of a significant issue. The Bluetooth drivers are licensed from Toshiba, and as included are written for Windows XP! An update is available from Toshiba, and I'm installing it now. So far, I've been unable to sync a new Treo PDA phone with this computer by Bluetooth, though I can using USB without significant problems (took about 20 minutes of basic troubleshooting before Vista downloaded on its own a neccessary update.) Since Toshiba has released an update, I expect that Fujitsu will apply this update soon, if they haven't already addressed this with models shipping today.
Still, there's something screwy about a computer out of the box that includes third party drivers that expect ActiveSync to be there when it isn't. I can hear the "I'm a Mac, and I'm a PC" routine...
In all other respects save for battery life, this computer has continued to perform well. Battery life can get marginal improvements by deactivating transparency in Vista's Aero theme, but anyone intending to be on the go and mobile, I'd recommend the swappable drive bay second battery; I'm really glad I got it.
Another thing Vista has in its favor; this is the first laptop I've ever had that doesn't freeze up indefinitely when going into hibernation or sleep modes; being actually able to use these modes more than makes up for the increased battery drain that Vista appears to represent.
- 2 replies to this review
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Thanks so much for the review. I was debating between the Lenovo X60 and the Fujitsu t4215 for a few weeks. I eventually decided on the t4215, because thier processors are so much faster, I could only find a X60 with a MAX of a 1.5 core duo 2 (for $1900). (This was from thier own website).
I have the same configuration from the Cnet review coming to me. I actually bought from EBAY, FROM the Fujitsu store! I guess they sell thier refurbished computers on EBAY. I got this same configuration for under $1500. (meaning the core duo 2 2ghz, 1 gb ram, 100 gb 5400 rpm hard drive, bluetooth, and wirless, dual layer burner). All this for CHEAPER the X60, with a configuration of only a 1.5 core duo 2, 1 gb ram, and a 80 gb 7200 rpm drive. I would have had to shell out another $300- $400 for the ultrabase and optical drive.
I am expecting my unit the middle of next week. I'll keep you updated on how it runs. I am very excited! -
Thanks for the help. This review is pushing me more towards the Fujitsu. Excellent review! so, thanks for spending your time keeping us informed.
