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Battery Life
Buy new FUJITSU LifeBook S792 Laptop Battery,11.1V 79Wh 7200mAh computer batteries
The LifeBook's primary power storage (lithium ion) has a capacity of 72 Wh, which is to enable a runtime of up to 12 hours according to the specifications. This is even supposed to be increased to a maximum of 18 hours via a secondary battery, which we unfortunately did not have for this test.
Although we cannot quite confirm these times, the FUJITSU LifeBook S752 proved to be a very enduring companion. 9 hours and 37 minutes in BatteryEater's Reader's test (energy saving mode, minimum brightness, wireless modules off) surpass the LENOVO ThinkPad L430 (57 Wh battery) by over two hours.
Our test device also did a good job with Wi-Fi surfing (brightness 150 cd/m²). The FPCBP325 battery's reserves were first drained after decent 6 hours and 27 minutes and that although the laptop shuts down when it reaches a charge state of 10 percent at latest. This spares the battery from excessive wear but it also reduces the battery runtime a few minutes.
With 1 hour and 51 minutes, the LifeBook just falls short of 2 hours in BatteryEater's Classic test (high-performance, maximum brightness, wireless modules on). Somewhat better runtimes could be expected if a more energy-efficient Ivy Bridge CPU were installed. Owing to a fast charging process, the laptop is ready for its next mission after roughly two and a half hours.
Case
Fujitsu Lifebook S752 comes with a balanced, yet rather unspectacular design. It is an overall decent machine, which leaves little room for complains and disappointments. Although Fujitsu doesn’t use metal materials, the chassis feels really rigid. The conventional keyboard design features ergonomic-shaped keys and the company seems to emphasize more on delivering a low-noise solution. The LifeBook is not exactly the most portable 14 inch laptop on the market with approximately 2.3 kilograms and 3.5 centimeters of height. However, it is on a similar level as the immediate competition. (FMVNBP210 batteries)
The massive build pays off: Although the manufacturer largely waived on light metals, such as aluminum, the entire chassis conveys an extremely rigid, almost indestructible impression. Even extremely high force does not cause the case to warp or dent. Merely the display lid steps out of line a bit here. However, we would not say this is a real point of criticism. In return, the excellent display hinges compensate that with virtually perfect stability, minimum rocking and an enormous opening angle of over 180 degrees.
Fujitsu tops all this with an equally compelling workmanship. Even gaps and the casing's perfectly flush edges exhibit just that quality that we expect from a business laptop. Thus, the LifeBook is in no way inferior to a similarly priced Lenovo ThinkPad or Dell Vostro - quite the opposite.
The Fujitsu Lifebook S752 is treated with a high-resolution full HD camera, which should delight users with low-noise video calls. The Intel HD Graphics 3000 should cope well with basic multimedia tasks, such as 1080p video playback. Gaming performance is mediocre, with Diablo III scoring only at 24fps at high detail settings. The notebook supports more than 6 hours of continuous web browsing through WiFi and nearly 5 hours of non-stop DVD playback.
Connectivity
In contrast to the prior model, the manufacturer has only revised the connectivity marginally. There are still 4 USB ports, but now two support the fast USB 3.0 standard. One of the ports has been implemented as an eSATA combination even if this interface has largely been replaced by USB. Additional ports can be supplemented via a docking station or ExpressCard 34/54 mm. The full-sized DisplayPort is also noteworthy since many modern laptops only provide a mini socket that needs a special cable or adapter.
With exception of the LAN port at the rear and the audio jacks and the card reader on the front, all interfaces are located at the casing's sides. Fujitsu has done a satisfactory job with the positioning; only the narrow gap between the USB ports could prove to be a problem under certain circumstances.
Keyboard
The input device's quality belongs to the most important characteristics of a business laptop. While contenders like Dell and Lenovo now rely on chiclet-style keyboards, the LifeBook uses a classic layout with directly abutting 19 x 19 millimeter keys. Along with the keys' lightly curved surface, this is to ensure high accuracy and facilitate changing from a desktop keyboard.
In fact, we could adapt to the keyboard right away. The unusually generous key drop of 2.7 millimeters deserves a special mention because it results in an accurate yet not too firm pressure point. This positive impression is unfortunately marred slightly by the middling stability. Particularly the center area coils when typing vigorously. Apart from this complaint and the omitted backlight, the spill-proof keyboard earns a good rating. Beyond that, the additional hot keys and a dedicated button for Wi-Fi connections facilitate everyday use. (FPCBP281 batteries)
Touchpad
Unlike Lenovo's ThinkPad series, a TrackPoint is only optionally available for the FUJITSU LifeBook S752. Our test model did not feature one and we had to content ourselves with the small 6.5 x 5.5 centimeter touchpad. It comes from Synaptics and supports various multi-touch gestures, but only with a maximum of two fingers. On the other hand, the input excels with a pleasantly textured surface and outstanding precision.
Both mouse keys are located on the fingerprint reader's left and right. The crisp pressure point needs quite a bit of force, but they make a solid and long-lasting impression in return.
Display
The LifeBook S752 comes with a classic, professional size of 14 inches. However, it can only reproduce the modest WXGA resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels (WXGA++ optional). This might be acceptable in view of the fairly low price. However, we would have appreciated a somewhat higher pixel density (112 dpi) and consequently more desktop.
The same is true for the screen's brightness. With mere 184 cd/m², the LifeBook is hardly any better than Dell Vostro 3460 (150 cd/m²), while the ThinkPad L430 takes the lead with good 270 cd/m². The LED backlight of our test device is nevertheless generally sufficient for normal indoor lighting conditions.
The screen used in the FUJITSU LifeBook S752 come from Fujitsu's own production (Fujitsu FUJ5612) and is based on TN technology. Our measurements confirm our subjective impression: The black value of 0.67 cd/m² and contrast ratio of 287:1 is only adequate at most. Really good, and usually also expensive screens such as in the ThinkPad X230's IPS, can partly clearly outperform these rates.
The LifeBook has primarily been designed for Office use. CAD or image editing were not listed on the spec sheet. Consequently, little focus was placed on the screen's color reproduction which can only cover 57 percent of the sRGB standard. Like in many direct contenders that show similar weaknesses in this field, it does not significantly restrict everyday suitability.
Despite its non-glare surface, the S752 can only be used outdoors with restrictions. Again, it is due to the low brightness - Fujitsu should definitely make improvements here. At least the content remains legible when not used in direct sunlight. The laptop would be suitable for such scenarios with a stronger backlight of at least 250 cd/m².
Like known from most TN screens, the picture quality quickly deteriorates in slanted viewing angles. The slightest up or downward deviations are enough to falsify colors and contrasts which can result in absolute illegibility. The user has a bit more elbowroom horizontally. Like the comparably expensive contenders, the laptop is not recommendable for simultaneous viewing with several people.
Finally, we would like to praise Fujitsu for the analog VGA output's excellent signal quality. The output compels with high focus and minimum flickering even in a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. A difference to the digital transmission via the DisplayPort is hardly visible.
Speakers
The integrated stereo speakers are only average quality like in many other business laptops. Although trebles and mids are rendered quite clearly, there is absolutely no bass and the maximum volume is very low. The audio signal can also be transmitted via DisplayPort or the 3.5 mm jack to an external AV receiver or headphones, which is particularly advisable for movies and music.
Verdict
If Fujitsu's LifeBook S752 had to be summarized in only one word, "unspectacular" might come to mind. However, this is not at all meant in a negative sense, but rather the balanced manner that the LifeBook rushed through our test course. Only a few details mar the compelling overall impression and prevented an even better rating. However, a look at the single details:
There is not much room for complaint in the decisive exercises, i.e. casing, input devices and emissions. The chassis is manufactured well and it is very rigid although the manufacturer does not use light metals. However, the slightly yielding keyboard center should be improved. Many customers will be pleased that Fujitsu did not use the new-fangled chiclet style and opted for a conventional design that features a generous key drop and ergonomic-shaped keys. We can emphasize the low noise and temperature development just as positively.
In terms of performance, it is not as much the Core i3 2328M as the tight memory configuration that slows the laptop. Why the manufacturer offers a version with only 2 GB of RAM and such a slow hard disk remains a mystery. At least the user can upgrade both components in a few steps. In return, the somewhat too dark screen that makes outdoor use difficult is even more aggravating. That is too bad since the LifeBook has the best requirements for this with an impressive runtime of over 6 hours including enabled Wi-Fi - and even longer with the additional battery.
But this is basically our only real criticism. Apart from the screen and the irrelevant gaming performance in this case, the FUJITSU LifeBook S752 manages over 80 percent in the other ratings and achieves the same final grade as Lenovo's ThinkPad L430: 85 percent. Therefore, the LifeBook has honestly earned its purchase recommendation.
More info: laptop-batteries.com.au , laptop-battery.org.uk, battery-store.eu
