Fujitsu Lifebook A544 - any good?

[gshaw]

We've got a Fujitsu A544 in on trial at the moment as they're one of very few manufacturers willing to spec an SSD from the factory without putting ridiculous margins on it; is anyone on here using them? If so how good \ bad is the:

 

- long term durability

- user feedback

- warranty service

 

Initial thoughts seem that they look reasonable enough but the keyboard seems a bit flimsy and screen has a restricted angle on how far you can push it back.

 

Saw some Wi-Fi issues with some BIOS versions mentioned on here as well, have they been resolved now?

[VeryPC_Colin_M]

It's a fine laptop @gshaw.

 

An SSD upgrade by Fujitsu from the factory can take a while to arrive from Germany but well worth the money as they don't support third party upgrades.

 

I've been providing them under a framework agreement to around 100 schools since it launched (A512 was previous model I was selling) and build quality and durability is great, end users have been happy with the performance / looks / weight, the warranty service levels seem to be heavily dependent on the chosen warranty (standard 1 year return to base = can be out the laptop for up to 9 days, 3 year onsite SLA = will do their best and always aim to get onsite quickly but repairs rarely done onsite, 3 year NBD onsite = can't do enough for the customer) - my customers have differing reports on each, but in the main rather good.

 

Have you considered the VeryPC Thinbook with SSD configured to spec?

 

Ta,

Col

[gshaw]

@VeryPC_Colin_M haven't yet but feel free to quote on similar spec (i5, 4GB RAM, 3yr warranty)

[VeryPC_Colin_M]

Thought you'd never ask! Havering email?

[EvLPhenom]

I have had a batch of them at one of my schools which we are currently building. Have also used around 10 for other schools for staff laptops and seem fine. Only had one of them come back since they have been put into circulation and that was for a cracked screen and the teacher wouldn't admit to a) doing it b) how it could have happened. Replaced the screen and now fine.

 

Speedy machines with standard HD so popping and SSD into them would make them good machines.

[witch]

I have several. Some were fine but three suffer from blue screen issues - supposedly sorted by a wireless driver upgrade - we shall see

Apart from that they seem to be nice bits of kit. The warranty support is good too.

[gshaw]

@witch @EvLPhenom @VeryPC_Colin_M do the keyboards flex while typing on your units? Not sure if I've got a dodgy one but it almost seems like it isn't quite held down properly in some places (seems worse around top right hand side)

[VeryPC_Colin_M]

We've got some A544s in being imaged for a client and they're chiclet style sunk into the tub, so don't flex as far as I can tell. I've given one a quick nibble and it felt solid.

The Thinbooks are sunk in level with the tub so absolutely no flex at all in them.

[witch]

No, no flexing as far as I can see - I did some updates on one this morning and all seems fine

[ccc]

We buy Stone Laptops NT310-H for our teaching staff with i5, 8Gb Ram, 120Gb SSD and 3yr Warranty with Next Day On Site.

 

I do not work for them

Edited November 10, 2014 by ccc

[hallb15]

Our school business manager has a Fujitsu Lifebook A512 (Thanks @VeryPC_Colin_M) and she has no complaints. I think its chunky and bland but performance wise it has been rock solid. I don't normally like Fujitsu as historically they've produced some rubbish, but credit where credit's due, this one has been fine.

 

I've tried a VeryPC Thinbook and out of the two its far nicer looking, well built and performed well but Windows 8 ruined it for me. That's just me being stuck in my ways though.

[VeryPC_Colin_M]

Our school business manager has a Fujitsu Lifebook A512 (Thanks @VeryPC_Colin_M) and she has no complaints. I think its chunky and bland but performance wise it has been rock solid. I don't normally like Fujitsu as historically they've produced some rubbish, but credit where credit's due, this one has been fine.

 

I've tried a VeryPC Thinbook and out of the two its far nicer looking, well built and performed well but Windows 8 ruined it for me. That's just me being stuck in my ways though.

 

Always a pleasure mr @hallb15