Review Fujitsu Lifebook E781 Notebook

The Lifebook E781 is available in a variety of configurations ranging between 900 to 1400 Euros ($1100 to $1800 USD). The test model on hand for this review retails for 1100 Euros ($1400 USD) and is one of the more popular configuration (E781MPCN2DE) options available for the Lifebook E781. In the following review, we will take a close look at the hardware and construction of the unit. Asus a32-u31

The base configuration of the Lifebook E781 is fitting for a business notebook: anti-glare 15.6 inch display, extensive connectivity, a modular slot and a UMTS module. The laptop uses a dual-core CPU: the 2.4GHz Core i5-2430M commonly found in many other business notebooks. Hyperthreading allows the CPU to work on up to 4 threads simultaneously.

The previously reviewed "sister model" (Fujitsu E751) passed with a great score. Can Fujitsu strike it twice with the E781? Asus a42-u31

Case

The Lifebook E781 has a plain design, which is perfect for its business-oriented target group. The notebook has a good combination of matte black and silver-grey. The matte display cover is made of magnesium and with a high-quality feel. The sturdy hinges work in concert with the display cover to hold the panel securely in place and we are pleased to note that the screen neither wobbles nor does it open and close while being carried. The hinges provide an ideal opening angle of 180 degrees. Asus U41JF-A1 Battery

The workmanship is near perfect, although the loosely seated optical drive can clatter slightly. Fortunately, this minor issue is all but overshadowed by its ability to be swapped in and out. The modular slot gives the user freedom to insert additional modules such as hard disks or a second battery.

The notebook has ports on all sides and only a single interface is covered with a flap. Asus n82j Battery

At 2.5 kg (5.5 pounds), the Lifebook E781 is certainly a mobile business notebook and the power adapter only adds an extra ~300 grams (0.66 pounds) to the total weight. The test model measures 372x245x35 mm - perfectly normal for a 15.6 inch laptop, but it could have been slimmer.

Connectivity

Asus U31SD-A1 Battery The Fujitsu Lifebook E781 has extensive connectivity options. In fact, our test model has a few interfaces that have disappeared from the notebook world altogether. Fujitsu has placed the power outlet, a 56k modem interface and two USB 2.0 ports on the back and on the right. The 2 USB ports are placed over one another which may cause some problems: for example, a thick USB stick could block the neighboring USB interface. The left side has another USB 2.0 port and a USB 3.0 port. The combination of the USB 2.0 and eSATA interfaces is a welcomed feature. ASUS U36S Battery

External monitors can be connected via the digital or analogue interface of the Fujtsu Lifebook E781. The classic VGA interface is placed further towards the back while the digital port is a DisplayPort interface, which is positioned on the left side. An adapter must be used to connect monitors with a DVI or HDMI interface and must be bought separately.

The obligatory Gigabit LAN interface is placed at the level of the left display hinge on the back of the test model.

The useful SmartCard reader and ExpressCard slot are not a common sight in laptops. Thankfully, the E781 has both. Both ExpressCard 34 and 54 are supported. The slot is ideal for useful modules such as a TV card or for additional ports. ASUS U36SD Battery

The card reader is placed on the front and can read SD/XC cards and MemoryStick/MemoryStick Pro cards. Two 3.5 mm audio jacks (for headphones and microphone, respectively) are also placed on the front. The slider, placed next to the audio jacks, allows the user to easily switch on or off the communication modules.

Asus P52F Battery Last but not least, the docking interface lies on the bottom of the laptop which allows the user to connect a docking station if available. The docking station makes life easier: the notebook can be used as a stationary PC at the office without creating a spaghetti of cables. The appropriate docking station can be found at the Fujitsu store, and we round off this section by noting that the laptop has great connectivity that business users can absolutely appreciate.

Performance

Asus F8Sa Battery Fujitsu offers 8 different CPUs for the Lifebook E781 from the Intel Core i series. These processors are all dual-core CPUs. Our test model is in the lower third of the E781 series as it is equipped with a standard Intel Core i5-2430M. The dual-core CPU runs at 2.4 GHz and represents the middle-class of mobile processors from Intel. Turbo Boost allows both cores to speed up to 2.7 GHz and a single core can be overclocked to 3.0 GHz.

ASUS U35JC battery In our test model, we have 4 GB DDR3-1333 RAM and the model supports a maximum 8 GB. The test model has a single 4 GB module installed which makes upgrading easy.

Processor
The Intel Core i5-2430M provides no surprises - positive or negative. The performance of the Fujitsu Lifebook E781 is exactly at the level expected and is close to other laptops with similar specifications. The results may not be stunning, but this was clear from the specifications.

Asus U3S Battery The Turbo Boost function works flawlessly and delivers full performance. Even after multiple hours of stress testing, the cores did not throttle down. Another worthy note is that the full performance is possible even while running on battery.

System Performance
The system performance of the Fujitsu Lifebook E781 notebook is average as expected of the middle-class internal hardware. Windows gives the laptop a low performance index of 4.7 points due to the graphics card, but the laptop can still hold its own compared the competition. In fact, it can even compete with laptops with stronger processors as the system performance is not determined by the CPU alone. Asus G70sg Battery

Gaming Performance
We would not describe the Intel HD Graphics HD 3000 as a gaming graphics card - at least not for the latest, demanding 3D games. Still, neither the Lifebook E781 nor the IGP is designed to make gamers happy. The IGP provides sufficient performance for older and less demanding 3D games, but even modern games like Anno 2070 can run fluidly at low settings. Simulation games such as Fifa 2012 can be playable of medium settings. Asus K43SJ Battery

Battery Life

The Lifebook E781 is quite conservative when it comes to power consumption. The 15.6 inch model consumes no more than 15.6 watts at maximum brightness. Overall, the power consumption hovers around 13 watts. At full load, the power consumption can rise up to 68.8 W, but this is only achievable while the battery is charging simultaneously. While the notebook is off, it consumes only 0.2 watts and in Standby mode use up to 0.7 watts. Asus G51V Battery

The moderate power consumption means that the Fujitsu Lifebook E781 has a good battery life, which is especially important for a business notebook. Although the laptop cannot last an entire workday even under ideal conditions, it has a good run time of more than 7 hours. In everyday use, the laptop lasts between 4 to 5 hours. The laptop is great for DVD playback as it can last up to 4 hours while playing a movie at maximum brightness. Even long movies, such as "Dances with the Wolves", will not be a problem on this model. At full load, the laptop goes into Standby mode after one and a half hours. ASUS ZenBook UX31 battery

Verdict

The Fujitsu Lifebook E781 is a full-blooded business notebook and it has our recommendation. The biggest strength of the well-configured model is the display and its size and resolution are perfect for business users. In addition, the matte display is bright and offers a lovely contrast and great viewing angles. The good keyboard, reliable touchpad and fast mouse buttons all make the laptop very ergonomic. Let us not forget: the multitude of interfaces offered on the model are absolutely necessary for business users. Laptop maintenance is very easy and the modular slot will help users customize their notebook. ASUS UL50VT battery

The Lifebook E781 has great mobility thanks to its low weight, UMTS module, and long battery life.

The review model lands at an expected level in terms of performance: all office tasks are accomplished with ease. However, gamers and video editors will find this laptop too slow for their needs as the E781 lacks a discrete graphics card. Of course, not installing a discrete graphics card, drops the price of the laptop considerably and increases the battery life. Asus W3J battery

We have to mention the flaws of the Fujitsu Lifebook E781 as well: the high temperatures on the bottom of the laptop and the audible hard disk noise emissions. The HDD emits an annoying high-frequency buzzing noise at full load and the speakers are poor. ASUS G73SW-TZ083V Battery

Overall, we found the Fujitsu Lifebook E781 notebook to be a satisfying business laptop. The model has weaknesses in areas which, most importantly, do not affect the business use. We believe the laptop offers a good price-to-performance ratio for a price starting at 900 Euros (about $1100 USD). This means that business users can get a reliable work laptop with extensive connectivity options for relatively little money.

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