Why the choice fell on this laptop? It was purely a price decision! At the time of purchase the Fujitsu Lifebook AH530 was by far the cheapest notebook with a 39.6-cm monitor. The notebook I bought not for me (power users), but for my wife (casual Licensees). She previously worked with a six year old desktop PC and was satisfied. Thus, it was clear that any current Notebok (and be it ever so sparsely populated) is used to date their computers surpass many times.
Soon after I had made the decision to purchase, (a 17-inch notebook) announced at my main computer, a hard disk crash on, so I had to give this in the warranty repair. Then the little Fujitsu Lifebook AH530 has become a daily workhorse for the downtime of about two weeks. I have it so exposed to the same requirements as my main computer.
First impressions: The notebook makes a very sophisticated look despite its low price. The gaps are even everywhere, not crack, not crunches. Also see "the little black dress" in its simplicity really class. The only disappointment in the Klitzeklein-optics is the piano lacquer, which really shows every fingerprint. Therefore, a lens cleaning cloth is always next to the LifeBook. After using once drübergewischt and everything is OK.
Operating System Installation: As OS runs on the Fujitsu Lifebook AH530 with me Windows 7 Professional 64bit version. (64bit is usually only from more than 2 GB of RAM required, but since I plan eventually to treat the computer another RAM module, I wanted to choose right from the start the right OS.) The installation went off without a hitch. I do not even have to insert the driver CD. All hardware components were detected by Windows 7 with "standard tools" and run!
Other Software: Since my main computer in the maintenance was, but I really needed a computer for work (I am a freelance graphic and web designer), I have the "little ones" with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign and other programs of this type fitted. Since I still have a soft spot for private video editing, Magix Video Deluxe 16 was added. And then the whole rest as usual Office and Web productivity tools etc. What I have not installed, games of all kinds are.
User experience: To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised. So even surprised that I almost a little annoyed, usually to use a high-end notebook for a lot of money, even though it makes the Fujitsu Lifebook AH530 almost equally. Of course: Both in Photoshop and InDesign, the computer reacts slightly slower than I am used to it. But it really involves only minor differences, which are mainly due to the 2 GB RAM and in the 5400 series HDD. I have cut with the notebook also videos, dubbed, edited - everything worked to my complete satisfaction! Of course it comes with my main PC slightly faster, but - hey! - This box was also three times as expensive!
I want to generally tidy up once with a big prejudice here. It is said that a computer is suitable for "Office applications and Internet". This implies that a computer only create Word documents and can send e-mails. That is absolute nonsense! The term "suitable for office applications" simply means that the computer for current games (eg first person shooters) should not be used. In these games, the graphics chip several thousand 3D calculations per second are necessary. Everything else can a computer, the "suitable for office applications is" almost as good as a high-end PC. And by "anything" I mean the most demanding image editing, video editing, video output to the TV etc. pp. I often find that "normal user" PC's can turn on, where every hardcore gamers would envy. This is as if you equip a garden lawn mower with a 350-horsepower engine, so you could also challenge a Formula 1 race with him, although one really wants to mow the lawn only. I therefore advise anyone who wants to use a computer normally and not always the most current 3D games installed to not to be of the term "suitable for office applications" scare.
To Hardware:
The P6200 processor from Intel is weaker than the current i-generation (ie, i3, i5, i7). It is also slower than a i3-330M (the slightly stripped down mobile version of this chip series). The clock speed of the dual-core processor is 2.13GHz. The L3 cache is dimensioned with 3 MB. All this is neat - of course not outstanding - but given the speed at which chips have developed in recent years, to be regarded as equivalent to a high-end CPU from 2009. I was even very pleasantly surprised by the performance of the P6200. For further details and benchmarks should simply try Google.
The graphics card (onboard, of course) is capable of playing HD movies. The 3D games support, however, is underground. In Windows 7 benchmark the graphics card reached only 3.9 by 7.9 points, making it by far the weakest component of the computer. All other components landed at about 5.8 by 7.9. If one bears in mind that 7.9 is currently the top of the bar, that is remarkable!
The monitor is OK. By default, it is much too bright and you have to potter about a few minutes to find the correct brightness / contrast ratio, but it's bearable. The 1366x768 resolution is quite contemporary.
The built-in speakers are on duty, however, are not suited to long (game) to watch movies or listen to music. The sound is very "flat" (no bass, treble only) and very quiet. This is, however, only to the built-up flat speakers. If you connect external speakers or a headset, everything is great again!
The keyboard feels very good. The pressure point is appropriate, the buttons are big enough and even a full num pad still fit into the layout. Here I can absolutely say anything negative.
Network card, WIFI, Bluetooth function all without restrictions.
The built-in webcam and microphone are perfectly adequate for Skype.
The HDMI output on a TV works without any defect.
The combined CD / DVD R / W / burning drive performs its duties.
The touchpad with a slightly roughened surface and the two mouse buttons govern very precisely.
The notebook offers all the usual slots for all standard memory cards. The three USB ports running at USB 2.0. The connectors for external microphone and external speakers located on the front, diagonally offset below the touchpad. I think that's a bit unfortunate for the daily commute. (Skype Connect, Notebook to the music system) for spontaneous short inserts however, it is ideal.
One of the few annoyances: The fan, which starts from unmotivated and could be a little quieter.
Conclusion: A surprisingly good laptop for a sensational low price. Although I myself refer to as "power users", I get along very well with the device. And I am pleased with all my heart that I bought this fine notebook for my wife.
The five-star rating receive the Lifebook due to the sensational price / performance ratio. As I said this review referred to the smallest and most cost-effective variant!
Conclusion: Games Freaks = Hands off! Normal users = good conscience for you!
