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Fujitsu LifeBook T734 Convertible Review

Old-school business. Versatility and mobility are very important aspects of Fujitsu's latest convertible. Digitizer and multi-touch are new input methods and UMTS provides the necessary mobility. But it is not enough for an impressive result.

For the original German review, see here.

The Fujitsu LifeBook T734 is an old-school convertible. The display unit consists of an IPS panel with support for multi-touch and digitizer pen inputs. To improve the digitizer inputs, the display can be turned by 360 degrees and then folded by 180 degrees to put it on the keyboard. Two UMTS antennas and the SIM slot beneath the battery provide Internet on the road. Inside is a powerful Intel Core i5-4200M processor, 4 GB DDR3 memory and a conventional 500 GB hard drive. We will have a look at the other components and maybe some surprises over the course of this review. Our review sample is available for 1,100 Euros (~$1378), but Fujitsu offers several configurations.

During the review, we will compare the T734 with several other devices. First rival for the LifeBook is the 13.3-inch convertible Dell Latitude XT3 with a powerful Intel Core i7-2640M and equivalent port selection. The biggest difference is the price of around 1,600 Euros (~$2005). The ThinkPad Yoga from Lenovo manages to secure a top spot in our Convertible Top 10. Unlike other Dell and Fujitsu devices, it has a 12.5-inch Full HD IPS display and can be folded back by a tilting hinge and not a swivel joint. There are important differences in terms of CPU and storage solution. Lenovo uses an Intel Core i5-4200U CPU and 128 GB flash storage, while the price of 1,200 Euros (~$1504) is similar to the LifeBook. We also list the Fujitsu Stylistic Q704 with an ULV CPU to show an alternative from the same manufacturer. The last device in this comparison is the HP EliteBook Revolve 810 since HP has been a well-known manufacturer of convertibles for years.

Case

Pick the Fujitsu LifeBook T734 up and you will instantly notice that it is no design notebook from the latest generation of convertibles. The large number of corners, edges and bumps suggest a business device with a big potential for maintenance and replaceable components. Because of the large number of closing edges, you can slightly lift the plastic case. According to Fujitsu, the notebook meets the requirements of the MIL-STD-810 specifications, which include a series of environmental influences.

We have already mentioned that you can easily maintain the notebook, replace components or clean the fan thanks to its maintenance covers. However, you will have to live with a chassis height of 3.5 centimeters (~1.38 inches). Like other touch notebooks it has a wide display bezel. We are speaking about a panel of 27.7 cm x 15.6 cm (~10.9 x 6.14 inches) in a 31.6 cm x 22.3 cm (~12.44 x 8.78 inches) frame. The weight of almost 2 kilograms (~4.4 lbs) is comfortable in the hands and should not be a problem. You can upgrade the port variety by an expansion slot. The manufacturer integrated a swivel joint to improve digitizer and touch inputs. The joints showed some issues after longer periods of use in other reviews, but this is not the case for the LifeBook.

In review:
In review:
The Fujitsu
The Fujitsu
LifeBook T734
LifeBook T734
323 mm / 12.7 inch 222 mm / 8.74 inch 31 mm / 1.22 inch 2.2 kg4.87 lbs316 mm / 12.4 inch 233 mm / 9.17 inch 35 mm / 1.378 inch 2 kg4.33 lbs316.5 mm / 12.5 inch 221 mm / 8.7 inch 19.3 mm / 0.76 inch 1.6 kg3.49 lbs309.6 mm / 12.2 inch 199.3 mm / 7.85 inch 20 mm / 0.787 inch 2.1 kg4.72 lbs285 mm / 11.2 inch 212 mm / 8.35 inch 25 mm / 0.984 inch 1.4 kg2.98 lbs297 mm / 11.7 inch 210 mm / 8.27 inch 1 mm / 0.03937 inch 5.7 g0.01257 lbs

Connectivity

Simple chassis of the LifeBook
Simple chassis of the LifeBook

The port layout is sophisticated: Frequently used ports are at the back, and a hot-plugin is supported by a USB 3.0 port at the center of the left side. The 54 mm (~2.12 inches) ExpressCard slot is quite rare, which enables all kinds of ports via adaptors. Fujitsu advertises the optional SmartCard reader, but other possible solutions would be another USB 3.0 port or even several ports with a reduced bandwidth, or the connection for an external graphics card to improve the performance. The latter worked perfectly in our test, more details are available in our review of external graphics cards. The maximum resolution of the integrated HDMI and VGA port is 1920x1080 pixels. The SIM slot is somewhat hidden beneath the battery. The only issue of the port layout is that the two USB ports are above one another, and that you just get one USB 3.0 port. Special features of the connectivity are the UMTS antenna at the display frame, and the digitizer pen, which is attached at the right front.

WLAN switch, SD card slot, 1x Line-in/microphone, 1x Line-out/headphones
WLAN switch, SD card slot, 1x Line-in/microphone, 1x Line-out/headphones
Kensington Lock, VGA-out, 2x USB 2.0, Ethernet
Kensington Lock, VGA-out, 2x USB 2.0, Ethernet
AC power, HDMI-out, 1x USB 3.0
AC power, HDMI-out, 1x USB 3.0
Digitizer, 54 mm ExpressCard slot, Multi-bay DVD drive
Digitizer, 54 mm ExpressCard slot, Multi-bay DVD drive

Communication

The two antennas of the Intel Dual Band Wireless-N 7260 adaptor support a maximum transfer rate of up to 300 Mbps. We test the download speeds in practice with several files of different sizes and measure the average transfer rate. The router is one floor below the review sample in the first test with the competitors Fujitsu LifeBook T734 as well as Apple MacBook Retina 13 (Late 2013). The Fujitsu manages 5.3 MB/s, which is clearly behind the 7.5 MB/s of the MacBook. The difference gets smaller when the router is on the same floor, both notebooks basically manage similar results. The integrated 2 MP webcam takes surprisingly bright and good pictures of the environment with almost authentic colors.

Security

Security is an important topic for Fujitsu. The login can be protected via fingerprint sensor and you can buy the optional SmartCard reader. Furthermore, the device is equipped with the Anti-Theft protection, so you can lock, locate or delete your files at any time. You get a Trusted Platform Module as well as the OPAL encryption for the hard drive. The physical protection is ensured by a Kensington Lock at the back.

Accessories

The box includes a recovery DVD, microfiber cloth, digitizer pen and a strap for the pen. Optional accessories like a docking station or the above mentioned SmartCard reader can be purchased from Fujitsu’s shop. Probably the most interesting accessory is the Port Replicator for 130 Euros (~$163), which provides more ports, including four additional USB 3.0 ports and a DisplayPort with a maximum resolution of 2560x1600 pixels. Further details are available on the product page of the T734.

Maintenance

The Fujitsu LifeBook T734 is more than exemplary with regard to maintainability. Battery and DVD drive can be removed without additional tools, and the DVD drive can be replaced with an optional secondary battery (smaller capacity). Maintenance covers ensure quick access to two additional memory slots, the WLAN module, the hard drive as well as the dust filter. The whole base unit can be removed without any problems, you just have to loosen the surrounding screws. This means it is easy to maintain the device or replace parts if necessary.

Warranty

Fujitsu offers a three-year Collect & Return/Bring-In service for the LifeBook.

Input Devices

Keyboard

The matte black chiclet keyboard has a roughened surface for a favorable typing experience. The keys have a very soft stroke with precise pressure points and do not suffer from flexing. A small issue during intense typing sessions is the audible typing noise, but it is still normal in comparison. There are even some special buttons on the display. All in all a convincing performance.

Touchpad

The situation changes when we look at the touchpad. With dimensions of around 6.7 cm x 4 cm (~2.64 x 1.57 inches), the touchpad is pretty small and as a result multi-touch gestures are not really helpful. The two buttons beneath the touchpad are just as small, but have even pressure points.

Touchscreen / Digitizer

Inputs with the digitizer pen are precise and smooth on the soft display surface. The writing experience is easily sufficient even for longer texts. The digitizer pen itself does not require an additional battery and is made by Wacom. Besides the digitizer pen, you can also use up to 10 fingers for inputs on the multi-touch display. The response is once again very direct and convinces with smooth gestures like scrolling from the sides.

Large keys
Large keys
Good handling of the input devices
Good handling of the input devices
The touchpad is very small
The touchpad is very small

Display

The Fujitsu LifeBook T734 is equipped with a high-quality IPS panel with 1366x768 pixels (aspect ratio 16:9). We can measure an average brightness of 262.8 cd/m², which is a low value within our comparison. Fujitsu’s data sheet promises 300 cd/m², but the device does not reach this value. The Fujitsu Stylistic Q704, for example, has an average brightness of 365.8 cd/m². Unfortunately, there is no optional upgrade for the panel. We can also notice some screen bleeding in the lower part of our matte panel.

266
cd/m²
260
cd/m²
248
cd/m²
268
cd/m²
273
cd/m²
268
cd/m²
262
cd/m²
261
cd/m²
259
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
Fujitsu FUJ5612 tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 273 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 262.8 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 91 %
Center on Battery: 273 cd/m²
Contrast: 1011:1 (Black: 0.27 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 4.03 | 0.5-29.43 Ø5
ΔE Greyscale 2.54 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
Gamma: 2.5
Fujitsu LifeBook T734
HD Graphics 4600, 4200M, Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000LPVX
Fujitsu Stylistic Q704
HD Graphics 4400, 4300U, Samsung MZNTD128HAGM
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga
HD Graphics 4400, 4200U, Samsung PM841 Series MZ7TD128HAFV-000L1
HP EliteBook Revolve 810
HD Graphics 4000, 3437U, Samsung MZ7PC128HBFU
Display
Display P3 Coverage
41.85
43.87
43.9
sRGB Coverage
61.8
65
65.8
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage
43.32
45.55
45.37
Screen
-16%
-37%
-14%
Brightness middle
273
410
50%
400.5
47%
434
59%
Brightness
263
366
39%
370
41%
414
57%
Brightness Distribution
91
82
-10%
85
-7%
91
0%
Black Level *
0.27
0.545
-102%
0.641
-137%
0.6
-122%
Contrast
1011
752
-26%
625
-38%
723
-28%
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
4.03
4.57
-13%
6.19
-54%
4.84
-20%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
2.54
3.74
-47%
5.4
-113%
3.69
-45%
Gamma
2.5 88%
2.61 84%
2.71 81%
2.6 85%
CCT
6631 98%
7108 91%
5829 112%
6547 99%
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998)
39.19
42.96
42
Total Average (Program / Settings)
-16% / -16%
-37% / -37%
-14% / -14%

* ... smaller is better

Now we have a closer look at the picture itself. The contrast of 1,011:1 is much higher than the guaranteed value of 500:1 from the data sheet, which can also be affected by the low luminance. Dark pictures and movie passages look nice, thanks to a low black value of 0.27 cd/m². CalMAN determines a decent grayscale deviation of 2.54, and the result of the colors is just slightly higher with 4.03. Both results can surpass all the mentioned rivals, and suggest a very good color reproduction in comparison to the sRGB color space.

Grayscale pre-calibration
Grayscale pre-calibration
Saturation Sweeps
Saturation Sweeps
ColorChecker pre-calibration
ColorChecker pre-calibration

Outdoor use can be tricky in sunny environments since the anti-glare display creates annoying reflections, in the tablet mode in particular. However, working with the device in the shade and a cloudy sky is not a big problem.

Reduced visibility under the clear sky
Reduced visibility under the clear sky
Working is impossible under direct sunlight
Working is impossible under direct sunlight
A position in the shade is better
A position in the shade is better

The viewing angle stability is a very important feature for a convertible. Fujitsu equips the LifeBook T734 with a high-quality IPS panel. This means there are just small brightness and color distortions with different viewing angles. However, we can notice a milky veil with angles of more than 45 degrees.

Viewing angle stability of the Fujitsu
Viewing angle stability of the Fujitsu

Performance

Our review sample is equipped with an Intel Core i5-4200M, even though we expected a more frugal ULV CPU for this size. Other configurations include i3 and i7 processors, and instead of the conventional 500 GB hard drive you can choose a hybrid hard drive or an SSD. Our LifeBook configuration should be well-suited for most working scenarios, but you can add more options during the purchase if you need to.

Configurations (Extract Fujitsu LifeBook T734 spec sheet)
ProcessorMemoryHard DriveOperating System
Intel Core i7-4600M (2.9 GHz, up to 3.6 GHz, 4 MB)4 GB (1 module 4 GB) DDR3, 1600 MHz, PC3-12800, SO DIMMSSHD, 5,400 rpm, 500 GB / 8 GB SSD cache, 2.5-inch, S.M.A.R.T.Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit
Intel Core i5-4300M (2.6 GHz, up to 3.3 GHz, 3 MB)8 GB (1 module 8 GB) DDR3, 1600 MHz, PC3-12800, SO DIMMSSD SATA III, 256 GB, 2.5-inchWindows 8.1 64 bit
Intel Core i5-4200M (2.5 GHz, up to 3.1 GHz, 3 MB)SSD SATA III, 128 GB, 2.5-inch, Opal TCGWindows 7 Professional 64 bit
Intel Core i3-4000M (2.4 GHz, 3 MB)SSD SATA III, 128 GB, 2.5-inch
SATA, 5,400 rpm, 500 GB, 2.5-inch, S.M.A.R.T.
SATA, 5,400 rpm, 320 GB, 2.5-inch, S.M.A.R.T.
SATA, 5,400 rpm, 320 GB, 2.5-inch, Opal TCG
System information Fujitsu LifeBook T734

Processor

The Intel Core i5-4200M CPU is mainly used for slightly larger notebooks and provides mainstream performance. The two cores have a nominal clock of 2,500 MHz, which can increase up to 3,000 MHz (multi-core) via Turbo Boost. The rival Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga has a ULV CPU with a TDP of just 15 Watts and therefore a lower nominal clock and Turbo clock. Both the Fujitsu Stylistic Q704 and the HP EliteBook Revolve 810 use this type of CPU as well. Dell's Latitude XT3 is similar to the Fujitsu LifeBook T734 and uses an Intel Core i7-2640M from the old Sandy Bridge generation.

This is an interesting comparison between the frugal ULV processors and the more powerful standard voltage systems. Cinebench R11.5 Multi-Core shows that the Dell Latitude XT3 has a small advantage, despite the older Sandy Bridge architecture, but the ULV models are close. The difference to the weakest CPU inside the Fujitsu Stylistic Q704 is noticeable with 64%. Overall, our review unit is slightly below the average of notebooks with an identical CPU. We could not determine any throttling during the test, the CPU was not able to maintain the maximum Turbo clock for the whole time, but leveled off at around 2,750 MHz. Fujitsu limited the clocks in this case, which also explains the low power consumption. Further details on the individual CPUs are available in our benchmark list of notebook processors.

The Turbo Boost is even available on battery power, so the performance of the Fujitsu is not limited when on the road.

Cinebench R11.5
CPU Multi 64Bit (sort by value)
Fujitsu LifeBook T734
HD Graphics 4600, 4200M, Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000LPVX
2.94 Points
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 20CD0038GE
HD Graphics 4400, 4500U, Samsung SSD 840 250GB MZ7TD256HAFV
2.56 Points -13%
Fujitsu Stylistic Q704
HD Graphics 4400, 4300U, Samsung MZNTD128HAGM
1.05 Points -64%
HP EliteBook Revolve 810
HD Graphics 4000, 3437U, Samsung MZ7PC128HBFU
2.67 Points -9%
Dell Latitude XT3
HD Graphics 3000, 2640M, Seagate Momentus Thin ST320LT007-9ZV142
3.15 Points +7%
Fujitsu Lifebook E734
HD Graphics 4600, 4200M, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive
3.25 Points +11%
CPU Single 64Bit (sort by value)
Fujitsu LifeBook T734
HD Graphics 4600, 4200M, Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000LPVX
1.24 Points
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 20CD0038GE
HD Graphics 4400, 4500U, Samsung SSD 840 250GB MZ7TD256HAFV
1.31 Points +6%
Fujitsu Stylistic Q704
HD Graphics 4400, 4300U, Samsung MZNTD128HAGM
0.66 Points -47%
HP EliteBook Revolve 810
HD Graphics 4000, 3437U, Samsung MZ7PC128HBFU
1.19 Points -4%
Dell Latitude XT3
HD Graphics 3000, 2640M, Seagate Momentus Thin ST320LT007-9ZV142
1.36 Points +10%
Fujitsu Lifebook E734
HD Graphics 4600, 4200M, Seagate ST500LM000 Solid State Hybrid Drive
1.36 Points +10%
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64Bit
1.24 Points
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64Bit
2.94 Points
Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64Bit
13.31 fps
Cinebench R15 CPU Single 64Bit
112 Points
Cinebench R15 CPU Multi 64Bit
259 Points
Cinebench R15 Ref. Match 64Bit
63.3 %
Help

System Performance

The first subjective impression suggests quite a responsive and fast system. Experienced users will quickly miss a fast SSD, but this is an optional extra. The lack of flash storage affects the PCMark 7 results as well; all competitors can manage much higher results thanks to the SSD storage.

PCMark 7 - Score (sort by value)
Fujitsu LifeBook T734
HD Graphics 4600, 4200M, Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000LPVX
2745 Points
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga
HD Graphics 4400, 4200U, Samsung PM841 Series MZ7TD128HAFV-000L1
4749 Points +73%
Fujitsu Stylistic Q704
HD Graphics 4400, 4300U, Samsung MZNTD128HAGM
3248 Points +18%
HP EliteBook Revolve 810
HD Graphics 4000, 3437U, Samsung MZ7PC128HBFU
4417 Points +61%
Dell Latitude XT3
HD Graphics 3000, 2640M, Seagate Momentus Thin ST320LT007-9ZV142
2478 Points -10%
PCMark 7 Score
2745 points
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2
2386 points
PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2
2482 points
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2
3155 points
Help

Storage Devices

CrystalDiskMark 3.0
CrystalDiskMark 3.0

The conventional hard drive with 5,400 revolutions per minute manages typical results for this kind of hard drive in CrystalDiskMark. The lowest results within the comparison show the advantages of an SSD. If flash storage is important for a fast workflow, then you can choose between different SSDs at the time of purchase. More detailed hard drive benchmarks are available in our FAQ section.

Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000LPVX
Transfer Rate Minimum: 21.4 MB/s
Transfer Rate Maximum: 107.2 MB/s
Transfer Rate Average: 78.4 MB/s
Access Time: 18.3 ms
Burst Rate: 167.9 MB/s
CPU Usage: 2.5 %

Graphics

The CPU is equipped with the integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600, which is sufficient for simple office and system tasks. Gaming enthusiasts should not consider this notebook, but casual gamers might be able to play some current titles, at least with the lowest settings. Fujitsu does not offer optional dedicated graphics cards.

We analyze the 3DMark 11 results to compare the performance of our review sample with the rivals. The bad result of just 611 points is striking, which is on a level with the Intel HD Graphics 4400. The reason for this can be the single-channel memory configuration combined with the low clock under load. The average result for the Intel HD Graphics 4600 is 911 points, and our comparison devices confirm the bad result. The Intel HD Graphics 4400 inside the Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga reaches significantly more points (815). 

We also test 3DMark 11 on battery power, but there was no noticeable difference, which means you can use the full performance on the road.

3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance (sort by value)
Fujitsu LifeBook T734
HD Graphics 4600, 4200M, Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000LPVX
655 Points
HP EliteBook Revolve 810
HD Graphics 4000, 3437U, Samsung MZ7PC128HBFU
601 Points -8%
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga
HD Graphics 4400, 4200U, Samsung PM841 Series MZ7TD128HAFV-000L1
815 Points +24%
3DMark Vantage P Result
3077 points
3DMark 11 Performance
655 points
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score
38418 points
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score
3322 points
3DMark Fire Strike Score
432 points
Help

Gaming Performance

Similar to the other rivals, potential buyers of the Fujitsu should avoid gaming on the device for the most part. However, you should have no problems if you just want to play older titles, but current 3D titles are most likely going to result in dropped frames. We tested three games from the past year. Tomb Raider can be played smoothly with 33 fps if you reduce all settings to the minimum, but we could not find any decent settings for the BioShock Infinite benchmark. It is nice to see that the notebook does not have any problems with Fifa 14, it still managed 42 fps with high settings.

low med. high ultra
Tomb Raider (2013) 32.9 16.8 10.3
BioShock Infinite (2013) 23 12 10.5
Fifa 14 (2013) 112 64.5 41.9

Emissions

System Noise

The Fujitsu LifeBook is a very quiet notebook. Still, despite the low noise, you can feel that the fan moves quite a lot of air through the vents on the left side. We can measure up to 30.4 dB(A) while idling, which is reasonable when you consider the components and the dimensions. The HP EliteBook Revolve 810 and the Dell Latitude XT3 are even slightly quieter, but the situation changes under load, where the Fujitsu is exemplary quiet with 34.3 – 35.9 dB(A). Its Fujitsu sibling, the Stylistic Q704, is pretty annoying with up to 46 dB(A) in the same scenario, despite the similar hardware components.

Fujitsu LifeBook T734
HD Graphics 4600, 4200M, Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000LPVX
Fujitsu Stylistic Q704
HD Graphics 4400, 4300U, Samsung MZNTD128HAGM
HP EliteBook Revolve 810
HD Graphics 4000, 3437U, Samsung MZ7PC128HBFU
Dell Latitude XT3
HD Graphics 3000, 2640M, Seagate Momentus Thin ST320LT007-9ZV142
Noise
-15%
2%
-4%
Idle Minimum *
30.4
29.6
3%
28
8%
30.8
-1%
Idle Average *
30.4
33.5
-10%
28
8%
30.8
-1%
Idle Maximum *
30.4
33.5
-10%
28
8%
30.8
-1%
Load Average *
35.9
45.8
-28%
37.2
-4%
37.1
-3%
Load Maximum *
35.9
46.5
-30%
40.3
-12%
41.7
-16%

* ... smaller is better

Noise Level

Idle
30.4 / 30.4 / 30.4 dB(A)
HDD
31.2 dB(A)
DVD
36.5 / dB(A)
Load
35.9 / 35.9 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light   Voltcraft sl-320 (15 cm distance)

Temperature

Stress test with
Stress test with
Prime95 and FurMark
Prime95 and FurMark

Thanks to sufficient space inside the case, and the good cooling solution, the Fujitsu LifeBook T734 is conveniently cool, both while idling and under load. We can hardly measure surface temperatures above 33 °C (~91.4 °F), so it is no problem to use the notebook on your lap. The case itself leaves an exemplary impression. The provided power adaptor can reach up to 50 °C (~122 °F) under load, so you should not hide it under a blanket or a cushion.

We use our stress test with the tools Prime95 and FurMark for at least one hour to monitor the temperatures and check for throttling. The components did not get too hot and we could not notice a performance difference in 3DMark 11. We only noticed that the clock immediately dropped to 2,400 MHz after we launched FurMark, which is 100 MHz below the nominal clock.

Max. Load
 30.5 °C
87 F
29.5 °C
85 F
26.8 °C
80 F
 
 32.1 °C
90 F
31 °C
88 F
28.5 °C
83 F
 
 32.1 °C
90 F
34.3 °C
94 F
29.8 °C
86 F
 
Maximum: 34.3 °C = 94 F
Average: 30.5 °C = 87 F
26.6 °C
80 F
30.5 °C
87 F
29.6 °C
85 F
27.2 °C
81 F
33.3 °C
92 F
32.7 °C
91 F
28.2 °C
83 F
33.6 °C
92 F
33.2 °C
92 F
Maximum: 33.6 °C = 92 F
Average: 30.5 °C = 87 F
Power Supply (max.)  48.4 °C = 119 F | Room Temperature 24.2 °C = 76 F | Voltcraft IR-360
(+) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 30.5 °C / 87 F, compared to the average of 30.2 °C / 86 F for the devices in the class Convertible.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 34.3 °C / 94 F, compared to the average of 35.3 °C / 96 F, ranging from 19.6 to 55.7 °C for the class Convertible.
(+) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 33.6 °C / 92 F, compared to the average of 36.7 °C / 98 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 27.9 °C / 82 F, compared to the device average of 30.2 °C / 86 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are reaching skin temperature as a maximum (34.3 °C / 93.7 F) and are therefore not hot.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.1 °C / 82.6 F (-6.2 °C / -11.1 F).

Speakers

One problem of the Fujitsu is the sound quality. The maximum volume is too low, you cannot really hear the individual sound spectrums and the quality is not even sufficient for the occasional music playback. The two speakers should not be used for anything but system sounds, even though the expectations are pretty low to begin with considering the size and the category of the notebook. However, the two microphones left a positive impression (noise reduction). The two stereo jacks can be used to attach external devices.

Energy Management

Power Consumption

The Fujitsu LifeBook T734 only consumes 8.4 Watts when idle, which is around 1 – 2 Watts lower than the competitors. The result of the low consumption could be longer battery runtimes. It is surprising that the device only needs 32.5 Watts under load, so it does not reach the maximum TDP of the CPU. This means the LifeBook consumes more power than the Fujitsu Stylistic Q704 with ULV hardware, but it is more frugal than the rivals from HP and Dell. 

It seems that the power adaptor was not adjusted to the low power consumption of the T734. The 90 Watts module is a standard notebook PSU.

Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0 / 0.2 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 5 / 8.4 / 8.4 Watt
Load midlight 24.8 / 32.7 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        Voltcraft VC 940
Currently we use the Metrahit Energy, a professional single phase power quality and energy measurement digital multimeter, for our measurements. Find out more about it here. All of our test methods can be found here.

Battery Runtime

The Fujitsu is a business device, so the battery should be sufficiently sized. Our review sample is only equipped with one battery, but you can replace the DVD drive with a smaller optional secondary battery to improve the runtimes.

Fujitsu advertises a battery runtime of up to 10.6 hours. Let us have a look at our results.

The idle test simulates the reading of different documents with the minimum display brightness and deactivated wireless modules. The Fujitsu manages a runtime of 12 hours and 46 minutes. This is a good result, all the rivals except for the Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga have to be recharged sooner.

One important scenario is the WLAN test, which simulates web browsing on different websites. Now the situation changes and the Fujitsu is in third place with 6 hours and 25 minutes. The battery runtime is once again not bad and should last a whole business day with a normal workload (combination of web browsing and typing). However, the Lenovo keeps running for another hour and the Fujitsu Stylistic Q704 lasts 25 minutes longer than the LifeBook thanks to its ULV processor. Dell's Latitude XT3 is once again in the last place with only 3 hours and 27 minutes.

We check the runtime under load to conclude our battery tests. The Stylistic Q704, which is also produced by Fujitsu, manages the longest runtime with almost 4 hours. One reason for this result is the frugal CPU architecture. Our review sample, the Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga and the HP EliteBook Revolve 810 are on a similar level with around two hours.

Fujitsu LifeBook T734
HD Graphics 4600, 4200M, Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000LPVX
Fujitsu Stylistic Q704
HD Graphics 4400, 4300U, Samsung MZNTD128HAGM
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga
HD Graphics 4400, 4200U, Samsung PM841 Series MZ7TD128HAFV-000L1
HP EliteBook Revolve 810
HD Graphics 4000, 3437U, Samsung MZ7PC128HBFU
Dell Latitude XT3
HD Graphics 3000, 2640M, Seagate Momentus Thin ST320LT007-9ZV142
Battery Runtime
27%
9%
-17%
-49%
Reader / Idle
766
545
-29%
797
4%
458
-40%
346
-55%
WiFi
385
411
7%
455
18%
315
-18%
207
-46%
Load
115
232
102%
122
6%
124
8%
61
-47%
Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
12h 46min
WiFi Surfing
6h 25min
Load (maximum brightness)
1h 55min

Verdict

Fujitsu LifeBook T734
Fujitsu LifeBook T734

Finally, we want to summarize our results. Right from the start, we were convinced by the reasonable maintainability of the T734. In addition, you get a decent keyboard as well as a good touchscreen. The device is equipped with several security features, so it should be well-suited for business tasks. The number of ports can be expanded via docking port or ExpressCard slot. The integrated IPS panel provides sufficient viewing angles and can even be used outdoors under certain circumstances. We were surprised by the low system noise and the almost non-existent temperature development in particular. You should be able to manage a whole business day on battery power. Drawbacks include the choice of materials, which are neither scratch-proof nor very robust. It is also disappointing that Fujitsu is not able to reach the advertised brightness of 300 cd/m². The speakers are shockingly bad as well. 

All things considered, the T734 is a decent business device. Thanks to its bulky, but maintenance-friendly chassis, it has a certain flair that reminds us of a device for tinkerers, so you can probably see it in some informatics courses. The mobility is always guaranteed thanks to the UMTS module, the tablet functionality and the optional additional battery.

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In Review: Fujitsu LifeBook T734. Test model courtesy of Fujitsu Germany.
In Review: Fujitsu LifeBook T734. Test model courtesy of Fujitsu Germany.

Specifications

Fujitsu LifeBook T734 (LifeBook T Series)
Processor
Intel Core i5-4200M 2 x 2.5 - 3.1 GHz, Haswell
Graphics adapter
Intel HD Graphics 4600, Core: 400 MHz, Memory: 800 MHz, 10.18.10.3316
Memory
4 GB 
, DDR3 Single-Channel onboard, two empty memory slots
Display
12.50 inch 16:9, 1366 x 768 pixel, Multi-touch display with Wacom Feel, Dual-Digitizer, Input pen, Fujitsu FUJ5612, IPS, glossy: no
Mainboard
Intel HM86 (Lynx Point)
Storage
Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000LPVX, 500 GB 
, 5400 rpm, 5400 RPM, 8MB Cache
Soundcard
Intel Lynx Point PCH - High Definition Audio Controller
Connections
1 Express Card 34mm, 1 Express Card 54mm, 2 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 1 Kensington Lock, Audio Connections: 1x Line-in/microphone, 1x Line-out/headphones, 2x microphones for noise reduction, Card Reader: SD, 1 Fingerprint Reader, Sensors: Brightness sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, Docking station port, SIM card
Networking
Intel I217-V (ClarkvilleV) Network Adapter (10/100/1000MBit/s), Intel Dual Band Wireless-N 7260 (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/), Bluetooth Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R) 4.0 + HS-Adapter, UMTS
Optical drive
Matshita DVD-RAM UJ8E2
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 35 x 316 x 233 ( = 1.38 x 12.44 x 9.17 in)
Battery
72 Wh Lithium-Ion, 6 cells, optional: additional 28 Wh battery instead of the DVD drive, Battery runtime (according to manufacturer): 10.6 h
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
Camera
Webcam: 2 MP
Additional features
Speakers: 2x stereo speakers, Keyboard: Chiclet, Keyboard Light: no, Recovery DVD, microfiber cloth, input pen with security strap, 36 Months Warranty
Weight
1.965 kg ( = 69.31 oz / 4.33 pounds), Power Supply: 402 g ( = 14.18 oz / 0.89 pounds)
Price
1100 Euro

 

Two empty memory slots
Two empty memory slots
Tablet mode
Tablet mode
UMTS antenna of the Fujitsu
UMTS antenna of the Fujitsu
Fold-out antenna
Fold-out antenna
Status LEDs, even for the secondary battery.
Status LEDs, even for the secondary battery.
The display can be turned around by 360 degrees.
The display can be turned around by 360 degrees.
The power button is beneath the display.
The power button is beneath the display.
You can remove these parts without any tools.
You can remove these parts without any tools.
The slot for the SIM card is underneath the battery.
The slot for the SIM card is underneath the battery.
Convincing digitizer pen
Convincing digitizer pen
Dust filter can be cleaned
Dust filter can be cleaned
You can expand the port variety
You can expand the port variety
You only have to loosen a couple of screws to disassemble the notebook.
You only have to loosen a couple of screws to disassemble the notebook.

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Links

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Pros

+Easy to maintain
+Many different configurations
+Security features
+Port selection can be expanded
+Typing experience
+Good battery runtimes despite the lack of an ULV CPU
 

Cons

-Case materials
-Speakers
-Frame width of the display
-Only one USB 3.0 port

Shortcut

What we like

It is no problem to replace any component.

What we miss

A sturdy case and better speakers.

What surprises us

You can cover many usage scenarios with different configurations of the LifeBook T734 and optional accessories.

The rivals

A rival in this product category is the popular Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga. The Fujitsu Stylistic Q704 is a good comparison device to show an alternative from Fujitsu. HP produces convertibles for many years now, so we list the HP EliteBook Revolve 810 as well. Fujitsu puts a lot of emphasis on the security, so the Dell Latitude XT3 should also be on this list.

Rating

Fujitsu LifeBook T734 - 09/19/2014 v4(old)
Nino Ricchizzi

Chassis
63 / 98 → 64%
Keyboard
79%
Pointing Device
66%
Connectivity
89 / 80 → 100%
Weight
63 / 35-78 → 65%
Battery
88%
Display
86%
Games Performance
56 / 68 → 82%
Application Performance
69 / 87 → 79%
Temperature
92%
Noise
93%
Audio
31 / 91 → 34%
Camera
71 / 85 → 84%
Average
73%
76%
Convertible - Weighted Average
Nino Ricchizzi, 2014-09-30 (Update: 2018-05-15)