Topic: Has anyone ever recorded with a Fujitsu Lifebook?

[tscales]

Just curious if any has experience with these?  I'm not sure which have PCMCIA slots or even if thats neccessary but I thought I'd ask.

[TNJazz]

Just curious if any has experience with these?  I'm not sure which have PCMCIA slots or even if thats neccessary but I thought I'd ask.

They are the best PC laptops on the planet for recording.  Small form factor, widescreen, excellent battery life.  You can't go wrong with one.  Good prices on repair and good customer service.  They smoke Sony and Dell in every way imaginable.

P2 Series are probably the best for field recording because they're small and can easily do 2-4 tracks of 24/48 (and probably 24/96).  Only knock on them is they're Crusoe processors, not Intel.  So they're a little sluggish, especially compared to a P4 or PM.

P5 are more expensive but are Intel processors (so much faster).  Less battery life, but faster overall.  A big plus:  the P2 and P5 series share a lot of the same accessories, including the extra bay battery!

P7 is the current line.  Great bang for the buck ($1200 or so)

I'm a stalwart Fujitsu supporter (still own 2 of their laptops, although one is for sale at the moment) and if I ever buy another PC based laptop there is no question what brand it will be.

Dirk

[tscales]

+T   - THANKS,

I am considering going this route instead of a PMD-671 or HD-P2, would I require a PCMCIA slot or is there another way in?  some of the newer lifebooks don't have em - i saw your vx 440 in the YS, whats the alternative???

I am looking at the p1120 on ebay - but its a curusoe - can those not keep up with 24/96?  Whats the worst case scenario?

I'll prolly run my UA-5 in front of it - any thoughts would really helpful.

[TNJazz]

+T   - THANKS,

I am considering going this route instead of a PMD-671 or HD-P2, would I require a PCMCIA slot or is there another way in?  some of the newer lifebooks don't have em - i saw your vx 440 in the YS, whats the alternative???

I am looking at the p1120 on ebay - but its a curusoe - can those not keep up with 24/96?  Whats the worst case scenario?

I'll prolly run my UA-5 in front of it - any thoughts would really helpful.

I forgot about the P1 series.  Cool because they're super small, but they have several serious flaws:
max 800ghz Crusoe (approximately as fast as a 400mhz Pentium II)
max 256mb RAM - this is the killer

I don't believe the P1 series has a PCMCIA, but you'd probably want to go USB with a UA5.  The USB is only 1.1.  Probably fast enough for 2 tracks though.  They also don't have the built in optical drive, so you don't have the option of extra battery power.

P2, P5 and P7 all have firewire ports (although not bus powered).  These are much better options.  The P2120, and the P5 and P7 are all USB 2.0 as well, which will be more stable.

The T70G I'm selling in the YS is basically a high powered Japanese P5 with a lot of extra bells and whistles.  It was solid as a rock for 6 channels 24/96.  The 2120 we still own is a 933 crusoe and it does fine with 2 tracks of 24/48 or 4 at 16 bit.

Dirk

[tscales]

I would never be looking to do more than 2 tracks (left and right) at 24/96.

Think a carusoe can handle it. 

Here's what I'm looking at...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290000227442&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

+T

[TNJazz]

2 tracks of 24/48 yes.  2 tracks of 24/96...not sure.  Probably will depend on the interface.  I've never run 24/96 to any of my former Crusoe machines (have had 4 previous Lifebooks) so I can't say.  I've had a few weird glitches running 2 tracks of 24/48 to my optimized Crusoe 867mhz Lifebook in the past.

This notebook will probably be good enough for taping but seriously, if you plan to use it for any "regular" laptop tasks the speed will quite possibly drive you nuts.

Dirk

[tscales]

I was just gonna use the lifebook to tape and to drive my squeezebox from the couch (not-so-poor-mans remote control).  maaaaybe browse the web a little, but thats it.

..but if you think I'll run into problems with 24/96 I may have to go with a 671.  What lifebook would y ou recomend (modest budget) for 24/96 that may be in the same size.   I have an Oade modded UA-5 (wmod+) can I still the USB out on that and USB in on whatever laptop

uhhh, decisions.  Thanks for the awesome info - sounds like you have some serious experience with the lifebooks.

-T

[TNJazz]

Love em.  Never thought I'd be selling mine, but I've got a lot of video editing in my future so I picked up a MacBook.

Best machine for you sounds like either a P2110 or a P2120 if all you're going to do is record on it.  They usually go for a little more than the P1 series - maybe $650 or so.  These give you the added benefit of a hot swappable bay battery (in place of the CD drive) for longer run time.  You can buy the batteries for about $100 or so from Fujitsu too.  Memory is upgradeable to 512mb and it has the PCMCIA slot.  It's only a tiny bit bigger than the P1 model.

IMO, the only benefit to the P1 models is the touchscreen, if you're into that sort of thing.

Of course, if you want a more all-around portable laptop experience (wifi, word processing, graphics, etc), PM me about my T70!   

[hzgone]

just to fluff the fujitsu a little more.  I run the 2110 and love it.  Haven't done 24/96 cause of the vx pocket, but i have not had one problem running 16/44.  If i could find another one at a cheap price i would probably buy it.  Battery power is awesome in this machine.