3. Conclusions

If you haven't seen them yet, be sure to view the slideshows for Fujitsu's Lifebook P7120D laptop and Lenovo's 3000 N100 notebook. They show various features of the computers and discuss components in context.

As I mentioned earlier, my goal here is not to pit Fujitsu's Lifebook P7120D laptop against Lenovo's 3000 N100 notebook. The computers are of different sizes and weights and are designed for different types of buyers, but in comparing and contrasting the two some interesting conclusions emerge.

The P7120D, like most small business-oriented laptops, is expensive (in the $2,000 range at the time of this writing). Some of the cost is due to the small, low power components used in tiny laptops and the research and development costs associated with stuffing lots of stuff into confined spaces. The stronger chassis and outer cases used in business mobile computers add to their cost. The Fujitsu's case is made of a magnesium alloy, not plastic. Higher costs are also related to the need for Fujitsu to keep a supply of parts on-hand, because buyers expect that the computer will be repairable for 18 months or more.

You can buy a 3000 N100 configured similarly to the P7120D for considerably less money than the P7120D, but it will be considerably larger and heavier than the Fujitsu. Like most consumer notebooks, the 3000 N100 is made of less expensive, less rugged materials. For example, the case is all plastic. On the positive side, you can buy a 3000 N100 with much more powerful components than the Fujitsu P7120D for about the price of the P7120D. Will the parts be available to repair that specific notebook in 18 months? Probably not, but that's why the promise to replace an irreparable model with one of similar value and functionality is so important in longer-term consumer computer warranties.

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