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Fred from NYC
Starting Member
9 Posts |
 Posted - 03/16/2006 : 15:54:40
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| To those who use a P7120, how does the keyboard look like? Does the print on the keys come off? How about other parts of the computer, for example the lid or the area in front of the keyboard, do those look like new or do they show signs of wear? One forum member recently mentioned that he is already on his fourth keyboard (http://www.leog.net/fujp_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9641, second post). |
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govtcheez
Starting Member
USA
41 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2006 : 16:07:10
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There are few different types of keys and different types of users.
One type of keys are the ones that have the letters "cut out" and paint filled with a clearcoat on top. These tend to be very durable.
The other type (much more common) are the ones where the letters are just merely painted on or "stickered" on with a clearcoat over them. This is obviously not nearly as durable but will last long enoug for most users.
Now, onto the users:
There are people who are very gentle typers. These users can make any keyboard last forever.
Then there normal typers who can gernally use their keyboards for a year or two before showing real heavy sign of wear.
Then there are power users and heavy typers. If you use your keyboards to type tens of thousands of words a day, then your keyboard WILL wear much faster than someone who uses it just to surf the web occassionally. Go take a look at authors/reporters/journalists/writers keyboards. The letters, shift, space...all the frequently used keys are shiney with no signs of lettering. This also applies to people who tend to pound on their keys. I call them heavy typers. It's accented when these people also have oily hands.
So to answer your question with a long answer...unless you are going to be typing 10K word essays on these 5-10 times a week...they should be fine. If you're overly concerned...use little stickers that go on your keys that protect them. |
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Fred from NYC
Starting Member
9 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2006 : 17:24:08
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Govtcheez, you are making some good points although you don't say anything about the build quality of the P7120. Your conclusion seems to be that users should be blamed for the consequences of shoddy manufacturing. I don't agree with that assessment. Notebook manufacturers are responsible for the quality of their products and keyboards in particular have to stand up to regular use. This is especially true for a notebook that is sold for upwards of $2000 like the P7120.
Let me give you an example. I am what you might call a heavy typer. I have a five-year-old IBM ThinkPad with a keyboard that looks like new although the computer is used every day, at home and when I travel. Some keys are a bit shiny, say the spot on the space bar where I hit it with my thumb, but none of the printing on the keys is worn off. On the other hand, I also own an Acer TravelMate that is only three years old and that I use less than the ThinkPad but the left Shift key is completely blank and some other keys have similarly heavy signs of use. That's me using two computers with totally different results.
I like the P7120. It has all the features I need in a small package and I find the keyboard very comfortable to type (I have tried it several times at a store). The price is low enough for me to consider this model in lieu of an X series ThinkPad, for example. The only thing that is holding me back is doubts about the quality of the hardware that Fujitsu provides. A generous warranty package that lets me have a new keyboard every month (like forum member gtsbiker) sounds nice but I shouldn't have to ask for a new keyboard in the first place - and what do you do when the warranty runs out? I would like the keyboard and other parts to be of similar quality as those of my ThinkPad.
Given these doubts I think I'll wait a few more months before I buy a new notebook. By that time more models with the latest Intel processors will be available and perhaps Fujitsu will have improved so that I can give their products another look. |
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IceStorm
Starting Member
1 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2006 : 12:52:41
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I've had a P7120 for the past two months. Prior to that, I had a P2040 for just under four years.
I'm a "heavy typer". My P2040 had wear spots on its space bar and a couple of the keys showed half their letters. This was after four years of use.
In the past two months, I've worn a very shiny spot on my new P7120 space bar. The spot is centered along the right edge of the trackpad. The casing just below the space bar also shows significant wear.
The casing shows significant wear where my palms rest, to the left and right of the trackpad and under the arrow keys. The left mouse button also shows wear. Oddly enough, the trackpad doesn't.
My page down key is fading as well, but I can't recall if it was faded when I got it. I've been keeping an eye on it the past two weeks and it hasn't gotten any worse, but I notice that some of my other keys are starting to wear as well (E, R, S, D, A). They're markedly lighter now than the upper left number keys.
The entire P7120 inner casing and keyboard is made of a slightly textured plastic. The texture wears down quickly, as seen above, and what you're left with is a harder feeling plastic like the P2040. While it looks somewhat odd, it doesn't seem like it'll impact functionality over the long term, so long as the key lettering doesn't wear off completely.
I bought it with a three year warranty. If I lose a letter, I'll ask for a replacement keyboard. I'm more concerned with the case warping under the pressure of my palms, but so far, so good. |
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maimaipanda
Junior Member
Japan
108 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2006 : 22:01:58
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my keys are pretty worn - in fact, (for reasons that elude me) my "n" key actually has a massive hole in it.
you can see an image below, but actually it's gottan a lot worse since i took this picture. i have several layers of tape over it so I can type on it, but at some point it's going to need a replacement.
I have no idea how this happened since I'm not hammering on the "n" key or anything (and I don't abuse my keyboards) however i'm a pretty heavy (in amount, not force) typer. the other keys have significant wear most of the lettering is coming off (m, c, h, l and o are completely gone and most others are well on their way) and everything is worns slick. palmrests seem to be holding up okay, strangely enough.
i have had mine for about a year and a half, and use it pretty much everyday. normally I wouldn't have any worries about the build quality fo the keyboard as this level of wear is about normal for me, but I am pretty concerned about the huge hole in my "n" key. sadly it's out of warrany at this point, so if I replace the keyboard it'll be on my dime.
seems sturdy enough but watch your n key!
-kyo mo yoku tareteiru... |
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NigelS
Senior Member Member
Canada
1336 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2006 : 14:04:44
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You know, Fujitsu Marketing would have paid you good money for that photograph! (gtsbiker, however, must be smiling somewhere....)
This is the kind of report that could really kill sales - I suppose they could do some damage control in the meantime. You know - give away a stylish nail-clipper with every replacement keyboard or something. |
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gtsbiker
Junior Member
USA
268 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2006 : 04:44:28
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i am not sure what a power user is. i work about 5 hours a day on my P7120. but here is the typical lie i get really tired of. here is fujitsu response that no one else has this problem but me! i pointed out this site to him. call him and tell him you have the problem. is that maybe why they have no come out with a new case for the P7120?
I am contacting you in regards to the keys wearing off of the keyboard on your P 7120 lifebook computer. This issue has been escalated up to our engineering department. They are telling is that there is not a known issue with this unit and the keyboard. Since there is not a known issue we do not have a resolution at this time.
Regards,
Michael Hall
Fujitsu Computer Systems
Ph: 888-241-4060 opt. # 1
Fax: 408-764-2723
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maimaipanda
Junior Member
Japan
108 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2006 : 06:06:21
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haha, yeah no doubt nigel! I should have tried getting them to pay me to be quiet, heh heh ;)
In all seriousness though, the keyboard overall seems sturdy - i'm not afraid of it physically breaking, and i've not had a key pop off yet (unlike my old toshiba). But this hole in the middle of my "n" key thing is really bizarre and will eventually neccessitate a replacement of the keyboard. It's such a weird problem (and what an odd letter to wear through!!) that I'm willing to believe it was just an anomoly (did I spell that right?). In other words, if you're considering the purchase of a P, then I wouldn't let this stop you.
-kyo mo yoku tareteiru... |
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maimaipanda
Junior Member
Japan
108 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2006 : 06:07:53
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oh and I should add, i keep my fingernails neatly trimmed, I swear! I'm not typing on this thing with claws or anything. (0^-')b
-kyo mo yoku tareteiru... |
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duffy
Junior Member
404 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2006 : 10:49:08
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| Wow! I've never seen a keyboard like that before. I thought shiny marks on the keys (in particular the spacebar) was a bit annoying. I'm trying to figure out how a hole appeared in the key. Barring any abuse on your part it looks like a manufacturing defect. |
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MT
Junior Member
182 Posts |
Posted - 03/31/2006 : 21:01:15
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you know, it seems that with each suceeding P version, it is getting lighter in weight AND less durable. perhaps it is the search for lightness that has led to the lesser durability?
This is where a great warranty comes in play. If there can be a 3 year on site warranty, then that would resolve the problem of having to send a machine in for replacement.
MT |
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gtsbiker
Junior Member
USA
268 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2006 : 23:29:22
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| i will try to photograph my keys so you can see the wear and the shine. |
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rinat
Starting Member
1 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2007 : 22:55:38
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I am an owner of a computer retail company. I sold a Fujitsu P7120 to a client in december of 2006. Last week, it was returned to me with erased letters & a cracked ENTER button. I've had a P5020 since 2004 & the keys are all good. Fujitsu acts like they havent seen anything like it and says it must be the fault of my lady client (rarely uses it, only for travel). This morning another client is looking for a new light weight laptop because she's not satisfied with her less-than-a-year old P7120 because the keys faded & there is a crack on some of the keys. I told her that another client experienced the same thing.
That's why I got into this forum & finally realized it's been going on for most P7120 owners but Fujitsu points the finger at the users. |
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milkmonster
Starting Member
1 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2007 : 09:31:30
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I bought my P7120 in November 2006. Here is what I can say about my P7120 keyboard, front housing (holding the mouse pad) and others:
Nov 2006: purchased P7120
Dec 2006: keypad with clear uncleanable oil stains. Keys showed shinny.
Dec 2006: complained to dealer. Dealer said "put some plastic cover over the keyboard to avoid stains"
Dec 2006: upgraded memory to 1Gb.
Jan 2006: front housing (containing the mouse pad) also with oily marks, where my hand wrist rests.
March 2006: Key "G" came off. I reinstalled.
March 2006: Seldom critical crashes of computer (no new software installed in P7120 just Microsoft Office 2003 in Dec 2006).
April 2006: Disassembled the keyboard for cleaning : DONT DO IT.
July 2006: Water from AC leaked onto P7120. Computer crashed. Short circuit at memory upgrade socket. Keyboard irresponsive, if I press key 1, also key 3 is activated and so on for several keys. Currently looking to purchase a new keyboard.
SUGGESTION: Buy a notebook keyboard plastic protector to use so your keyboard does not get stained with oil marks.
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oion
Advanced Member
USA
2228 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2007 : 15:32:16
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Fujitsu laptop keyboards have never been top-of-the-line, certainly, but (thread necromancy!) rinat's comment, "it's been going on for most P7120 owners," is naively false--(1) complaints are registered more often than satisfied customers, (2) forum membership is an extremely inaccurate indicator of overall machine ownership population, (3) customers don't always give accurate information on what they did with a machine.
This isn't to say, of course, that failures aren't always the OEM/retailer's fault. Clearly, there will always be manufacturing defects. In fact, laptop failure rates are still higher than desktops by industry statistics, and 15%-20% is rather surprising.
Because Fujitsu, it seems, has always used "decal" type lettering on their keyboards, the keycap suggestion is practical (and generally cheap). This is what I did with my old P-2040, and the same applies to all Fujitsu notebooks (or notebooks in general): ftp://oion.net/FujitsuP/P-series_keyboardstickers.jpg
I don't necessarily recommend buying a new keyboard if the letters are simply worn off; you can save money with just good keyboard (keycap) stickers, though not all the keys will be covered due to proprietary size. On the other hand, new keyboards help resale value.
Thus ends this thread necromancy. New users will be looking at the P-7230 as of this writing. |
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blehmann
Average Member
549 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2007 : 00:50:06
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Not to argue with you Oion but I do not recall this much complaining about p5 or p2 keyboards, both of which I own and about which I have no complaints. The 7120 has had more complaints than the 70 and 72, although the latter has not been around for remotely enough time for an assessment. But, as you say, the relevance of 7120 diminishes with each passing day. I will be interested in when (I suppose I should say if) you decide to retire your p2.
bnl |
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oion
Advanced Member
USA
2228 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2007 : 01:31:14
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quote:
Originally posted by blehmann
Not to argue with you Oion but I do not recall this much complaining about p5 or p2 keyboards, both of which I own and about which I have no complaints. The 7120 has had more complaints than the 70 and 72, although the latter has not been around for remotely enough time for an assessment. But, as you say, the relevance of 7120 diminishes with each passing day. I will be interested in when (I suppose I should say if) you decide to retire your p2.
bnl
This is also true.  Relatively speaking, some models do seem to have more "publically aired" problems than other models, but it's best to be more conservative with specific forum statements like "most owners" or "all owners" when it comes to these things.
(Yes... I will be selling my precious P. Likely this year before December, even. And it's in surprisingly good condition, battery notwithstanding. But that's between you and me.  ) |
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