Fujitsu LifeBook S6311-Core 2 Duo (Core 2 Duo T5600 Processor 1.83GHz, 512MB RAM)

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Performance And Battery Life
The S6311's combination of an Intel 1.83GHz T5600 CPU and a full gigabyte of DDR2 memory is slightly above average spec for a business-focused machine such as this. Generally the tradeoff of using a full wattage part as opposed to an Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) processor is for the sake of battery life. Avid multitaskers will love the performance it offers. This is certainly no gaming powerhouse, though the Intel GMA 950 graphics are enough to run the OS and perhaps the odd older game. Just don't expect blazing frame rates in your favorite graphics-intensive app. Users after more hybrid notebooks for casual gaming and business will want to look elsewhere, but be warned you do so at the compromise of battery performance.

We ran the machine through its paces in PCMark05, a benchmark that makes extensive use of open source and common applications such as virus scanners, spell checkers and the odd geometry calculation to gauge real-world performance. At 3,323 marks, it doesn't represent the upper echelons of the notebook market in terms of performance, but it certainly isn't hugging the bottom rungs of the performance ladder, either.

We ran Battery Eater Pro's classic test, stressing the CPU, graphics and I/O in one go and the unit crumbled at the 84-minute mark. Not a fantastic result, but the strength of this notebook lies in its mobility, not its raw power.

Next we gave it a lighter reader test with the machine at full power; it achieved a much more impressive 293 minutes before giving up the ghost.

Lastly we dipped the power options, dimmed the screen to the lowest brightness setting (although it's still readable) and left it to run. This time it managed a solid 396 mins, enough for you to require only a quick top-up in the arvo at a power point. While it's still behind the 11.5 hours (best case scenario) Sony quotes on its new Vaio G series machine, it's still ample for a machine of this caliber, and if you're really power-hungry, you can always dump the optical drive for a second battery.

Service And Support
Fujitsu LifeBook has a one-year international warranty with second-year and third-year local warranty. At Fujitsu's support Web site, LifeBook owners can register their warranty online as well as download the latest drivers. For simple problems, the company offers a helpline and email address for troubleshooting. Should the unit require further diagnosis or repair, the customer will have to send the unit to any service center worldwide during the first year. Subsequently, Fujitsu will only honor the notebook's warranty for the subsequent two years at the original country of purchase. For users who use their laptops for time-critical work with no margin for downtime, it must be noted that most Fujitsu service centers in Asia Pacific operate only during office hours. There is no option to upgrade the warranty terms.