Cameras
Camcorders
Cell Phones
Components
Desktops
HDTV
Home Theater
GPS
Laptops
Monitors
MP3 Players
Networking &
Printers
Storage
Print
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
More…This consumer laptop is pretty to look at and has a unique dual-mode touchpad that you use for writing. And at 6.4 pounds, the unit is light for a notebook wielding a 15.4-inch screen. But awful battery life and so-so speed will knock the Fujitsu LifeBook A3120 out of contention for many frequent travelers, as well as for some serious desk jockeys.
Fujitsu LifeBook A3120
- Spec Navigator
- Processor
- Memory
- Display
- Storage
- Battery
- Dimensions
- Other Features
- Networking
- Multimedia
- Software
- Interface Connections
- Included Devices
Storage
| Total HD Size | 120 GB |
| Optical Drive Type | DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/-RAM |
| Optical Drive Speed | 4 |
| Removable Optical Drive | No |
| Slots |
|
| Number of Media Slots | 3 |
| PC Card Slots | Yes |
Networking
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Included network card | Gigabit ethernet |
| Modem Type | V.90 |
| Wireless LAN Type | 802.11a/g |
Software
| Included Software |
|
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32 bit) |
- Lab Tested
- How We Test Laptops »
Pros
Great screen and keyboard
Luscious case colors
Cons
Disappointing performance
Weak audio
Bottom Line
The price is right, but this consumer notebook's performance scrapes the bottom.
Fujitsu LifeBook A3120
LifeBook A3120 Review, by Carla Thornton May 10, 2007
If you're weary of black-and-silver laptops, the Fujitsu LifeBook A3120's cream-colored exterior, spill-resistant keyboard, and light-gray bottom make for a refreshing change. The touchpad included in our review model's $1299 price (as of 5/9/07) has a special "point and write" mode that lets it double as a small notepad you can use within selected applications to jot notes and draw.
Among the A3120's many features are plenty of ports, including five for USB peripherals alone. A TV tuner is an option with this Vista Home Premium laptop. Also, you can buy a remote control from Fujitsu to use with the Media Center entertainment applications (and you'll probably want it--the notebook has dedicated up and down volume buttons, but you must press them repeatedly to make a change). Otherwise, the system's design is good, featuring ExpressCard and PC Card slots with spring-loaded doors, and audio ports and a wireless communications switch that are conveniently located on the front.
Performance leaves something to be desired, though. Equipped with 2GB of RAM and a 1.8-GHz Turion 64 X2 TL-56 processor, the A3120 managed an unimpressive WorldBench 6 Beta 2 score of 55. The 120GB hard disk's 4200-rpm spin speed and the integrated graphics chip didn't help the performance, especially in 3D games, which were unplayable. That said, the hard disk does work with a software utility to create a hard-disk protection system to guard against data loss due to excessive vibration or shock. Less-demanding tasks such as image editing in Photoshop are a bit slow but doable. Be sure to take along the AC adapter: In our battery tests, the A3120 lasted a mere hour and a half on one charge.
With such poor battery life, the LifeBook A3120 is a less-than-appealing choice for mobile warriors, and its speed is too sluggish to make it work as a desktop replacement. It's a looker, but its beauty is only skin deep.
Carla Thornton
Show Less 
0 Comments | 0 Topics | Print Only This Review
PCWorld Lab Results
- Rating Breakdown
-
53
-
82
-
79
- See Complete Lab Results »
53
67Performance
| Adobe Photoshop CS2 | 887 |
| Autodesk 3ds max 8.0 SP-3 DirectX | 685 |
| Autodesk 3ds max 8.0 SP-3 Rendering | 1063 |
| Battery Life (Video Playback in hh:mm) | 1:31:47 AM |
| Doom 3, 1024 by 768, 32-Bit | 7.9 |
| Far Cry, 1024 by 768, 32-Bit | 19.54 |
| Firefox 2 | 568 |
| Microsoft Office 2003 with SP-1 | 480 |
| Microsoft Windows Media Encoder 9.0 | 384 |
| Multitasking | 695 |
| Nero 7 Ultra Edition | 957 |
| Number of Included Batteries | 1 |
| Roxio VideoWave Movie Creator 1.5 | 319 |
| Winzip Computing WinZip 10.0 | 577 |
| WorldBench 6 Score | 55 |
| WorldBench 6 Word Score | Fair |
User Reviews
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
Shop for the Fujitsu LifeBook A3120
Sorry, the product you requested isn't currently available from any of our sellers.
Laptops similar to the Fujitsu LifeBook A3120
We recommend these Laptops for their similarities to the Fujitsu LifeBook A3120 in features, specs, ratings, and user interest.
- Before you buy
- How to Buy a Laptop
- How to Buy a Netbook
People who looked at the Fujitsu LifeBook A3120 also looked at:
Start New Topic Don't see the answer to your question? Ask it here!
Featured APC Accessories
-
APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
-
APC Smart-UPS Loaded with cutting-edge features, unique battery life predictor, unbeatable on-line efficiencies and software agents allowing remote UPS monitoring. Get 10% off your entire kart purchase!
Popular Laptop Stories
