gdpayne
01-02-2006, 07:48 AM
OK, prior to buying this laptop I did a little research. These may be of use to some people.
The laptop is essentially the same machine as was sold as the Fujitsu-Siemans Amilo A1630. That means that most of what's said applies to this laptop as well.
A dissection, with a large number of useful comments at the bottom.
http://www.laptopshowcase.co.uk/reviews.php?id=45
Search here for 1630 for experiences of the Fujitsu
http://support.fujitsu-siemens.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=20&sid=68db6fcf841039b2eec5bef8dfc1d385
Fujistu downloads are available here (http://download.fujitsu-siemens.com/Download/UserSelect.asp?lng=EN&intlevel2=141&strIDNR=&strProdukt=AMILO%20A1630&strHardwareGUID=0312E7F9-FA11-47FA-A600-7D2005E3ABD3&intFehlercode=0). Be careful, the machine is not exactly the same. Their manual is at http://manuals.fujitsu-siemens.com/nbdocs/440-n50203-uk.pdf
Uniwill (the real makers of the machine) have downloads at http://www.uniwill.com/UserDownload/258KA0/N258KA0.htm
Getting current drivers for the Mobility 9700 isn't easy. The Omega tweaks of the ATI desktop drivers can work on mobile chipset OK. Get them from http://omegadrivers.net/
And finally some other pointers.
:arrow: The second button in from the edge stops the wi-fi transmitter, which is useful when you are using the wired network and the wireless keeps beeping as it discovers access points just out of range. :arrow: At least on my one, when the machine has been running on mains power, and then you try to start it on battery, at least for the first attempt WinXP fails to load. :arrow: Lots of people seem to complain at GPU overheating, but its not something I've seen. Maybe if you really hit the games it will fail, but in day to day use its not a problem. :arrow: Be sure to turn on the best battery management options if you want the battery meter not to visibly fall whilst you are on batteries :arrow: Its a heavy beast, all the more because of the brick of a PSU. Woolies are selling off £9.99 backpacks at the moment that may be kinder to your shoulders than a conventional briefcase bag.
Hope some of this helps. Its a good laptop that can act as a desktop replacement. Worth the money.
The laptop is essentially the same machine as was sold as the Fujitsu-Siemans Amilo A1630. That means that most of what's said applies to this laptop as well.
A dissection, with a large number of useful comments at the bottom.
http://www.laptopshowcase.co.uk/reviews.php?id=45
Search here for 1630 for experiences of the Fujitsu
http://support.fujitsu-siemens.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=20&sid=68db6fcf841039b2eec5bef8dfc1d385
Fujistu downloads are available here (http://download.fujitsu-siemens.com/Download/UserSelect.asp?lng=EN&intlevel2=141&strIDNR=&strProdukt=AMILO%20A1630&strHardwareGUID=0312E7F9-FA11-47FA-A600-7D2005E3ABD3&intFehlercode=0). Be careful, the machine is not exactly the same. Their manual is at http://manuals.fujitsu-siemens.com/nbdocs/440-n50203-uk.pdf
Uniwill (the real makers of the machine) have downloads at http://www.uniwill.com/UserDownload/258KA0/N258KA0.htm
Getting current drivers for the Mobility 9700 isn't easy. The Omega tweaks of the ATI desktop drivers can work on mobile chipset OK. Get them from http://omegadrivers.net/
And finally some other pointers.
:arrow: The second button in from the edge stops the wi-fi transmitter, which is useful when you are using the wired network and the wireless keeps beeping as it discovers access points just out of range. :arrow: At least on my one, when the machine has been running on mains power, and then you try to start it on battery, at least for the first attempt WinXP fails to load. :arrow: Lots of people seem to complain at GPU overheating, but its not something I've seen. Maybe if you really hit the games it will fail, but in day to day use its not a problem. :arrow: Be sure to turn on the best battery management options if you want the battery meter not to visibly fall whilst you are on batteries :arrow: Its a heavy beast, all the more because of the brick of a PSU. Woolies are selling off £9.99 backpacks at the moment that may be kinder to your shoulders than a conventional briefcase bag.
Hope some of this helps. Its a good laptop that can act as a desktop replacement. Worth the money.