The LifeBook C-2210 may be a little bulky but it offers a strong balance between price and features, making it a good desktop replacement option for business and home users alike.
With most desktop replacements, you would generally expect a top-of-the-line processor and graphics chip. The fastest Fujitsu LifeBook C-2210, however, comes with only a Pentium 4-M 2GHz processor and integrated ATI Radeon graphics (using 32MB of shared memory). That said, the new LifeBook impresses with a good set of features, which includes a DVD-rewritable drive and integrated wireless LAN. And it costs almost AU$1,000 less than other notebook offerings with DVD burners such as the Sony VAIO PCG-GRV7P and Toshiba Satellite 5200.
Dubbed an "all-in-one" machine by Fujitsu, the LifeBook C-2210 comes with almost all the features you can expect to find on a regular desktop computer. In addition to the DVD-RW optical drive, the standard configuration includes a built-in floppy disk drive and a PCMCIA slot (that can accommodate two Type II PC cards or one Type III PC card). An integrated Secure Digital/Memory Stick reader/writer allows data to be transferred to and from digital cameras, PDAs and MP3 players without having to connect the devices to the notebook.
There's no lack of connectivity options, either. The C-2210 offers four USB2.0, FireWire, infrared, VGA out, S-video out, serial and parallel ports, plus network connectivity via the 56K modem and 10/100 Ethernet. Wireless 802.11b is offered for the top-of-the-line LifeBook C series but Bluetooth is available only as a PCMCIA option.
While most notebooks offer shortcut buttons on top of the keyboard for easy access to common functions such as the browser or email client, the C-2210 has its one-touch application keys located in the extended portion of the front edge just below the touchpad. Each of the four buttons available performs double duty between normal applications and CD playback and this is selectable by a toggle button on the left. An eye-catching (and sometimes distracting) blue backlit LED panel in the middle acts as a display for the various functions.
For the LifeBook C-2210, one of its caveats is its size. Weighing a hefty 3.64kg (not including the 0.44kg power adapter), it is clearly designed more for desktop use than for traveling, unless, of course, you intend to build up your upper torso strength at the same time. Its 326 x 282 x 39 mm footprint also means it will take up more than half the space in your notebook bag, leaving you with much less room for other things.
However, the larger dimensions of the C-2210 somehow enhance its function as a desktop replacement notebook. Its slick magnesium alloy case combined with the heavy weight makes it feel extremely sturdy. This difference is notable, especially when burning or playing CDs which can cause lighter notebooks to vibrate quite vigorously at times. The use of a wide keyboard layout also makes it comfortable to type, a feature most desktop users are likely to appreciate.
Our test unit came with a bright 15-inch LCD panel that can display up to a 1,400 x 1,050 resolution. The higher resolution is great for those who want to run multiple Windows on one screen, but the smaller fonts can be an eye strain for others.
With the given hardware components which also include 256MB RAM and a 40GB hard drive, it is not surprising that the C-2210 didn't impress in the MobileMark benchmarks. While its 124 score puts it 23 points above the Sony VAIO PCG-GRV7P which uses a 2.6GHz desktop chip, the C-2210t is comparatively slow compared to the Pentium 4-M 2.4GHz Dell Inspiron 8500 which clocked in at 159 points.
The C-2210 did not score in battery life tests as well, lasting slightly more than 2.5 hours on the 14.4V 3600mAh Lithium-ion battery. Again, while this is longer compared to the Sony GRV7P and just a tad less than the Dell 8500, the short battery life essentially still means you need to bring your AC power adapter with you if you intend to use the notebook outdoors.
The unit loaned to us for testing came pre-installed with Windows XP Professional but users can choose to install Windows 2000 or XP Home Edition instead. Other bundled software you can expect include Cyberlink's PowerDVD, Norman's Virus Control and Personal Firewall.
As with most notebooks, the LifeBook C-2210 comes with a standard one-year warranty on parts and services. This can be upgraded to a three-year onsite package for an extra fee which is advisable if you tend to be rather careless with your notebook. On the Web site, you can find the warranty information and driver downloads. What's impressive with the Fujitsu support package is its preloaded Service Assistant software which can help to diagnose and repair simple problems on the notebook.
Clearly, the C-2210 lags behind in the performance department but it does provide a good feature set at a competitive price. Those looking for good 3D performance and a faster processor may want to consider the Toshiba Satellite 5200 (AU$6,499) which comes with a 2GHz mobile Pentium 4 chip, 512MB RAM and a 64MB GeForce graphics.
Fujitsu LifeBook C-2210B
Company: Fujitsu
Price: AU$4,699
Distributor: Selected resellers
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