Hi all,

I’m a prospective new buyer for a sub laptop and I’ve been a doing a bunch of reviews of both the new Fujitsu T70H (P7k in the US) and the Sony TR3 and TR5.  I was basically hoping some of you could help me decide because I’m asking both of the (respective) forums for their opinions.

Basically, I’ve heard that Sony’s service isn’t so hot, which is a bit of a turn off - whereas the Fujitsu’s service is at least adequate.  Any opinions on this?

Also, I heard that you can’t upgrade the HDD on the Sony and that the optical drive is built-in so you can’t swap it for a DVD-RW if you got a model without one.  Of course, after going over the forums for a bit, it seemed as if there were people who WERE changing the drive out and the HDD as well.  Can someone who owns a TR help clarify for me?

Otherwise, I’d love to hear any opinions, positive and negative of course, to owning a TR.  I hafta say, it looks great and despite a lot of opinions against it - I really loved the keyboard.  Screen was awesome too!  Thanks a lot guys.

Raltyn

Hi,

Yes, the Sony TR can be “upgraded” ( modded ) in many ways, as groovyone and many folks on the TR boards have attempted successfully. I’d like to perform a Bluetooth upgrade on mine when I get the money to and the time.

You can purchase the additional parts through Sony’s Part Center, including the Matsushita DVD-RW drive ( appr. $434 ) that was used on the TR3AP3 as well as the Bluetooth Module ( appr. $102 ), the LED Lens w/ BT logo ( appr. $15 ) as well as the Hdd ( appr. $??? ) and a wireless card that supports 802.11 a/b/g ( appr. $??? ). A topic somewhere in this board also mentioned a Toshiba 1.8” 60 GB HDD in the works ( if it hasn’t been released already? ).

If you love to spend $$ and open up your machine to mod it to the best performance you can, go ahead and get the TR. The Fujitsu sounds like it’s already packed with features ( except no installed Bluetooth? Needs additional cable to connect VGA to monitor? ). That removable DVD-R drive sounds like it’s worth getting, especially with the computer having the same screen size, comparable screen quality, and widescreen 16:9 ratio. I’d love to try out the Fujitsu loox if I ever get the money to, but for now, I’m stuck with my TR3A machine. It’s the best portable I’ve ever owned for its size. And price

-best,
Concura

22 June

My experience with Sony’s service has been very good.  The TR is very modable (is that a word?).  The HDD really isn’t because so far there are no larger 1.8” drives on the market.  The 40GB in the TR is the biggest.  Do you really need more than that?  Maybe an external drive would suit you better.  For most people, just moving your music somewhere else will free up a ton of HDD room. 

Fujitzu seems to be good competition for the TR.  It appears you are making the right comparisons, but in the end it all boils down to what works for you.

Good luck.

[quote author=“Subnotes”]

Sony Advantages - camera,

apart from booting it up the first day you owned a TR, has anyone actually ever used the camera for anything? It seems like a bit of a waste of space/weight to me. I used it twice i think (and only to demonstrate it :? )

[quote author=“japaneseimportscomau”][quote author=“Subnotes”]

Sony Advantages - camera,

apart from booting it up the first day you owned a TR, has anyone actually ever used the camera for anything? It seems like a bit of a waste of space/weight to me. I used it twice i think (and only to demonstrate it :? )

I use it almost every day, on messenger conversing with my ol man and brother in Australia. I love it…..

I also use it to watch what’s going on in my room from other computers on the network, with the help of the powertools timer shot.

I use my camera on some occasions, including MSN video convo and other stuff ( mainly just playing around with it ). Personally, I think the camera compliments the TR’s design; it would be a different “toy” without it.

-best,
Concura

22 June

i often use the camera when i’m in class.  there are sometimes when i simply don’t feel like taking notes, so i’ll just sit in the front of the class and take pictures of the board or videos of the prof. lecturing when i leave to “go to the bathroom” for extended periods of time. 

-quan

Thanks for all the info guys!  :D

But aside from the camera and xbrite (which may or may not be as good as CV - i’ve never seen it), can anyone offer me other good facts about the TR?  So far, it seems as if its just more expensive than the Fujitsu…  whereas the t70h has just a bunch of similar features for a few hundred less…

I’m pretty surprised (but pleased) that there isn’t really such a TR bias.  I’m sure both are great comps, just wanna make sure i get the right one.

thanks again

im a writer and a voyeur. sometimes when i am writing a story at my favorite coffee spot in Kathmandu, Java, i just let flip the camera and let it roll for a bit…lots of good material that way….

about TR vs. Fujitsu, is it correct that the Fujitsu is “lighter” the one they have in the showroom here certiainly is not. 

my favorite thing about the TR is it’s looks. looks more like the mac that i can’t afford.

I don’t like the look and feel of the Fujitsu Loox.  TR looks gorgeous