Vendor of the year > Micro-D (M) S/B

Would like to commend Micro-D (Kuala Lumpur) for superb service. I ordered some stuff for my Fujitsu and the items came with a little extra. Really felt like Christmas again.

Kudos!!!

Fujitsu – Crackling sounds from the speakers

Are you using Windows 7?

Yes?…. okay!

Now, before you think its the fault of the speakers, let me break the news to you that the FAULT LIES WITH THE OPERATION SYSTEM that is in conflict with the audio drivers.

If your Fujitsu comes with the Realtek speakers, then head to the Realtek website and download the new drivers.

What you might want to do first is to uninstall the speakers and then install the new drivers.

The crackling sound should be gone.

* Before I found out the cause and solution i had weeks and weeks of frustration because everything came out noisy. A bit of googling does help.

** Speaking of Win7, its good but not very driver friendly (or rather hardware friendly), I am still having problems installing the new USB modem which works like a dream on my XP thinkpad.

My Fujitsu S-6421 so far

How’s the notebook holding up so far?

Great!

No issues with the new keyboard.

My usage is fairly heavy and the notebook sleeps only when i am asleep, driving or away. As for the fairly hot fan, it doesn’t really bother me as I have got used to it and have adjusted myself to it (avoiding it when i am not in an airconditioned room). Battery life is average although it could be better but all that needs to be done is to plan ahead (look out for a power socket, use less or use it for 3 hours then do something else). Screen hasn’t failed me – really bright and sharp. Windows 7 is good but i made a mistake not stating the version I wanted when i ordered my notebook from the main distributor. I rarely use the fujitsu mouse now, not wrist and finger friendly. Much prefer my logitech.The HDD space of 320GB is good. I can save lots of things on my HDD and not worry about running out of space. I made two copies of the system recovery disk. I think its important to make some recovery CD should something go wrong. I also back up my data weekly.

I have to date three sets of 320GB HDD and one 80GB HDD for the purpose of backing up data. One can never be too careful. All electronics are prone to data failure and after years of  dealing with data lose, i have learnt my lesson.

my requirements: All I want is a work-horse similar to the thinkpads i used to have. I’m quite pleased with this fujitsu. Size is just nice, weight is just nice. And I’m used to the clicky keyboard. Seems to be able to take hard knocks so far.

My laptop keyboard has been replaced

My fault for the delay although Fujitsu had it ready for me weeks back. I was too busy to make the trip.

Service was good. The replacement took only 2-3 hours which was enough time for me to to have lunch with a friend.

The new keyboard’s nice. I am starting to enjoy typing on the Fujitsu keyboards.

No use taking photos of the new keyboard because it looks exactly like the old one. LOL.

REVIEW: Fujitsu S-6421 (part deux)

Okay i’ve done the hardware part and now i’ll do a mini software review.

The good thing about business-class laptops is that they don’t come overloaded with useless softwares. IMHO, I dislike having and paying for softwares I do not use. Brands such as Sony always overload their laptops with softwares that I would never use. Plus you do indirectly pay for those softwares anyway. Plus, when i get laptops like that, I end up spending a lot of time uninstalling those useless softwares that took up too much space. And you would NEED space for all those HUGE windows updates (why are they getting bigger and bigger, can someone tell Uncle Gates that his softwares are getting too big and clumsy?)

Back to Fujitsu. Like the Thinkpad, its got its own thumbprint scanning security software, Omnipass. And I rather like it then the Thinkpad’s because its faster and less fussy. But being less fussy doesn’t mean it works less well. It just seems to recognise the fingerprints better. But you can’t login standing behind the laptop. Doesn’t work that well.

There’s the ubiquitous Roxio that seems to appear on my Dell units and my thinkpads. Useful nonetheless.

Well, the best thing about this laptop is that it has ALL the stuff that I would need – security encryption, recovery and diagnostic softwares etc.

Fujitsu service – keypad replacement

My keypads got worn out after 3 weeks so i wrote to Fujitsu. They offered to replace it at no cost and at a time convenient to me and the unit will be shipped over from SG (it seems like my email got referred to SG).  I have a choice to do it back home or in KL. They seem to prefer me to go to KL to get it done so that I can check the unit etc. I don’t mind as long as they will do it for me. The SC said that they will keep the keypads for me.

The SC promised that the problem will not crop up anymore with the new keypads. Fujitsu’s service is good. Will see if it can match IBM or not. Then again, I think I should not compare it with IBM lah, not very fair. LOL . . .

Okay, I’ve been using this notebook for almost a month and so far I like it (will love it once my keypads are replaced).

Heat-wise its okay and it does come in handy on cold nights. I sometimes warm my hands by the fan and it feels nice (just don’t leave it there and forget about it… hahaha).

I’m getting used to the softer keyboard and its clicky enough for my liking. The full-sized keyboard helps lah, makes typing much easier. I am still waiting for my weight-saver to arrive then my laptop will weigh less (@ 1.9kg).

On a side note – I got my Thinkpad LCD fixed up. I so love my thinkpad but will pass it to mom to use. I tried to get IBM to replace my keyboard but nothing came out of it.

* see other link faded keypads

Fujitsu trackpad

Okay, having left my mouse at home on a few occassions, i’m “forced” to use the trackpad.

Its not those smooth type that goes slippery on the merest hint of dampness. There’s a good finger grip. Its slightly rough, like skin and that gives good control.

All in all, its okay (lah).

Conclusion: Good.

S-6421 keyboard

I dislike using those plastic keyboard protectors AND I believe that keyboards ‘letters’ should not fade out within the first 2 years.

I think I want to make a complain to Fujitsu. The paint should be better then it is now. Maybe white keyboards with black ‘letters’ are more lasting?

Perhaps…. perhaps…

Other then that, I’m mighty happy with this unit. Its the perfect size AND surprisingly hardy (after that box incident).

The fujitsu S-6421 accident

A huge box fell on my laptop (don’t ask how, where and why) and two keys popped out during impact.

But overall, the laptop is in great condition and is working fine.

Yes, this is my Thinkpad replacement and I’m quite happy with it.

REVIEW: Fujitsu S-6421

Here’s a short review on the Fujitsu S-6421. It comes with 4GB RAM, a 6600 processor, 320 Gig HDD and the usual stuff. First impression: Solid and compact. The size of the LCD is a 13.3″ which is not too big, not too small. Keyboard‘s a bit on the soft side, especially in the middle part. But I got used to it. But its really comfortable to use as its a full-sized keyboard. The laptop weighs about 1.9kg with the weightsaver.

I love the thumbprint scanner… so much like my thinkpad but the fujitsu one is easier and more responsive. The shortcut buttons on the top of the keyboard’s very handy. The speakers are alright but come to think of it, its better if its like the Thinkpad (sound from the bottom). Somehow sound reaches the ears better from there.

My grouse is the heat that comes out from the fan. Really hot but you’ll get used to it after a while, just don’t daydream with your fingers placed there unless you want to cook them. Power cable‘s too chunky for my liking. Then again its not easy to find small, portable ones. The bottom of the laptop has some pieces of felt here and there and it provides a very good grip on any surface (even the battery is lightly grooved to give that extra “catch”. The dust filter is something new to me (quite surprised to see it).

Trackpad‘s decent. Not slippery and I would rate it as “okay-to-use”. Not as good as the IBM but better then most. But i miss having 4(four) buttons. 3 USB port’s pretty much the standard but the location of it on the right hand side is a bit cumbersome and in-the-way. Would have preferred it on the left handside.

The laptop closes and latches on very nicely. The on/off button is really good, light and nice to press. The LCD is one of the brightest I’ve seen around. Takes some getting used to but most times I would dim it down more then 50% when not viewing my photos.

This laptop comes in White but I prefer black (you all should know why lah). The mouse that comes with it is quite okay to use but the buttons could have been quieter. Battery lifespan is average. I can clock between 2-3 hours depending on what I’m doing. I like the indicator lights that is at the bottom right of the laptop although at times with everything flashing “on”, it can be distracting. It shows the battery, power, etc

I miss having a bulb at the top of the LCD that can iluminate my keyboard. Oh well… in place of that is the video camera. In-built video camera sucks big time so I’ll be using back my external video camera. DVD writable-rom is good… serves its purpose.

This laptop came pre-loaded with Windows 7. With its current configuration, it runs Windows 7 pretty smoothly. I am very impressed with how fast this machine shuts down. IF you want to see how this machine looks as a whole, please go to Fujitsu’s website.…

Conclusion: I really like this notebook. Its performed up to my expections (baring a few things here and there that’s minor). I really like the size (13.3″) and I think this would be the smallest that I’d use (never minis at all… screen’s too small for my liking). Weight’s good and its great for those two hour sit-ins at Starbucks where I don’t need my power cable. I just noticed that the corners of my LCD screen has some rubber sidings which protects the screen from hard bangs – nice thoughts. Anyway, this unit is a Made in Japan baby.