A Lot of Machine for the Money
Written: May 24 '02
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Pros: nice silver case, fast, cheap
Cons: a little heavy, not for someone who travels a ton
The Bottom Line: For a great value, check out this computer, loaded with features and a great look. If you get it refurbished from Fujitsu it's a super deal.
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| emily002's Full Review: Fujitsu Lifebook C-7651 PIII 1.13GHz / 30GB / 256M... |
I bought this computer about a week ago, and so far I have been nothing less than thrilled with it. I got it directing from the Fujitsu website and it is a refurbished model, which means the specs are a little different from those listed. The machine I have (which is still available on the website) has the 1.13mHz PIII processor, 15" screen, 40GB hard drive (not the 30 listed), 512 MB RAM (not the 256 listed), Windows XP, and the CDRW/DVD combo drive.
For the price ($1349 when I bought it, now down to $1249) you can't beat what you get. The most important thing in notebook computers these days is RAM, in my opinion, and it's one thing that a lot of the manufacturers skimp on in their base models to make their prices look low. You should definitely get at least 256MB, and 512MB is ideal. I can run multiple programs with no slow down. On my old laptop (a Dell Inspiron 3800) my mp3s would stop playing for a second when I opened a new program, but this computer can handle it with no interruption to my music.
The chip is really fast, probably more than you need, but it's not as excessive as many of the newer computers around these days. The huge hard drive (just about the biggest you can get on laptops) is great if you have a lot of software programs or a lot of music files.
Also, I really like the Windows XP Home operating system it came with. I had previously used computers with 3.1, 95, and 98SE, and this is really the most user-friendly yet. It also has a cool new look that you can choose that gives your computer a different appearance that I prefer. But, unlike so many updates that don't let you keep things the way you liked, you can still go back to the older Windows appearance if you prefer it.
The main criticism I read about this PC before I bought it was that the screen is not as sharp as it could be, but that must be written by some really picky person, because I think the screen is great. It's really big, so there's no need to use a monitor with it and in addition to being nice and clear and bright, it's quite easy to see from multiple angles, a feature my previous computer didn't have that I wished it did. There's no need to constantly adjust the screen so you can see it, which is really nice.
I haven't needed any service on the computer, but I have heard that Fujitsu's service leaves something to be desired, so if that's really important to you, you might want to think twice. Also, if you travel a lot, you should look at some of the new lighter machines, as this one wouldn't be something you would want to lug around all the time. As a college student just taking it to the library every once in a while, it's perfect. And the sleek silver case is a lot nicer than many of the stodgy looking models out there.
In any case, if you're looking for a cheaper computer, this has all the features of $2000+ machines, for a fraction of the cost. And you can even apply online for financing, which can give you a 90-day no payment period. I would recommend any of the Fujitsu C-series computers, but if you're looking for a great deal with probably more features than you need, check this one out in the Outlet section of Fujitsu's website. From my point of view, you really can't do any better for the money unless you go through eBay, in which case you're taking a major risk. Check out this computer for a machine that can handle your needs and will leave you with plenty of cash left over!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1349
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Processor speed: over 1000
Screen Size: 15
RAM: More than 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 31-40
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Epinions.com ID:
emily002
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Member: Emily
Location: Maine and Connecticut
Reviews written: 57
Trusted by: 12 members
About Me:
I'm a student at Bowdoin College who majors in French and Bioethics, runs, and dances.
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