Fujitsu Lifebook A555 Notebook Review

Typical of TN screens, the user can only enjoy an unaltered image when looking almost straight at the screen. The slightest shift up or down results in colors inverting and a significant loss of contrast. The screen copes better with lateral movements, but remains clearly behind IPS-based models. Consequently, several people simultaneously viewing the LifeBook can only be recommended to a very limited degree. 

While standard voltage processors (TDP: 37 watts) from the Haswell generation were still used in the LifeBook A544, the A555 is equipped with economical ULV models (TDP: 15 watts) from the Broadwell generation. Their considerably lower power dissipation is not only due to the streamlined 14-nanometer process, but also to the reduced core frequencies. While the Core i5-4200M in the precursor still clocked at 2.5 to 3.1 GHz, the new Core i5-5200U  achieves only 2.2 to 2.7 GHz. We will have to wait and see to what extent the higher per-MHz performance of the Broadwells can compensate this disadvantage.

Normally office applications do not have particularly high graphic requirements, and thus the LifeBook has dispensed with a dedicated GPU and all 3D calculations are performed by the integrated HD Graphics 5500 (24 EUs; 300 to 900 MHz). Users who want more can choose the A555G sister model that Fujitsu has equipped with an AMD Radeon R7 M260 and a 2 GB DDR3 memory.

Equipped with only an 8-GB DDR3L-1600 module, the memory controller operates in the slower single-channel mode, which reduces the 3D performance by approximately 20 to 25%. On the other hand, the buyer can simply upgrade the RAM by inserting another 4 or 8 GB SODIMM. The dual-channel mode also functions (with marginal losses) even with an asymmetrical configuration using two different sized modules. A 2.5-inch SSD with a capacity of 128 GB serves as the storage device.

Thanks to the almost perfect utilization of the Turbo Boost headroom specified by the manufacturer, the Core i5-5200U achieves exactly the performance level that we expected. The A555 performs multi-thread benchmarks, such as Cinebench R11.5, at a stable 2.5 GHz; the dual-core CPU maintains a clock of 2.6 to 2.7 GHz in the single thread tests (battery and AC mode). Thus, the performance corresponds to rival models, such as HP's ProBook 450 G2 based on the same CPU, within the frame of measurement tolerance. The Core i5-5300U in the Latitude E5550 calculates almost 10% faster, whereas the ThinkPad E550  lags behind by about 20% with its Core i3-5005U.

Fujitsu is not the first manufacturer that has changed one of its model series from standard to ultra-low voltage processors - and the LifeBook A555 is not the first laptop that is inferior to its direct precursor in terms of CPU power. Approximately 10 to 15% separate the Core i5-5200U from the previous Core i5-4200M. Even if temperature development and battery life benefit from the economical hardware (more about that later), not every buyer will be thrilled about this outcome.

Depending on the configuration, Fujitsu has installed a 2.5-inch HDD, SSHD or SSD (no other mSATA/M.2 slots present) in its A555. Our test model comes with a 128 GB flash storage. To be more precise, it is the THNSNJ128GCSU model from Toshiba's latest HG6 series. Toshiba manufactures the controller and memory chips, and they are considered as quite powerful and reliable to date.

At least we can confirm the good performance after our assessments. With almost 500 Mbps, the SSD comes close to the limit of the SATA III interface in sequential read. The write rate of 366 Mbps is also impressive in relation to the fairly low capacity. The particularly important for routine 4K performance, i.e. the speed of small file transfer, is in the solid midfield of modern SSDs.

Although the HD Graphics 5500 is approximately 20% faster than the former HD Graphics 4400 (Haswell), the Broadwell GPU is situated in the absolute low-end range. 900 points in 3DMark 11 roughly correspond to the performance of a 5 year old mid-range graphics card, such as the Mobility Radeon HD 5650 or GeForce GT 540M. Users who want more should consider installing a second memory module (about 25% higher performance) or opt for the aforementioned LifeBook A555G with a dedicated Radeon R7-M260 GPU (about 100% higher performance).

The HD Graphics 5500 compensates for its lower power with its extensive multimedia features. The video engine even supports the latest H.265/HEVC codec launched by Broadwell, but only specialized fixed function units are sometimes used. The shaders of the HD 5500 have to perform some of the calculations with only moderate efficiency. Furthermore, the GPU load increases to almost 100% in 4K videos already at a low bit rate ("Tears of Steel", 2.7 Mbit/s), and occasional stutters are noticed.

The casing did not heat up excessively in either idle mode or during load despite the difficult test conditions. A minor hot spot of just over 40 °C (~104 °F) developed on the device's left in the area of the vent during the stress test. However, this will hardly affect routine use, and the device can be used on the lap without any hesitation.

The Core i5-5200U's sensors recorded a core temperature of uncritical 70 °C (~158 °F) after one hour of load via Prime95 and FurMark. The CPU throttled lightly to 1.7 GHz because it reached the TDP limit of 15 watts. In such cases, the chip's central PCU (power control unit) prioritizes the GPU, and it can even almost maintain its maximum Turbo frequency at approximately 850 MHz.

A 750 Euros (~$823) office laptop should have more to offer than just up-to-date hardware and silent operation- a requirement that Fujitsu's LifeBook A555 fulfills only in part. Although aspects such as high application performance and the quite decent input devices are on the positive side, there are also some major shortcomings.

Undoubtedly, the laptop's greatest drawback is the overall disappointing screen. While it may be possible to overlook the mediocre color reproduction and weak contrast ratio in view of the target group, the far too low maximum brightness as well as the poor WXGA resolution will prove to be a true disadvantage in everyday use. Although Fujitsu has an optional Full HD screen in its series, it is also only based on a rudimentary TN screen and only available in conjunction with a stronger graphics chip. We would also have expected more from the casing. The impeccable build is impressive, but the chassis is very bulky in relation to the hardware, and it is also slightly pliable in some places. Other manufacturers shine with special upgrade options (mSATA/M.2 slot) or higher-quality light metals in this price range.

All said, the LifeBook A555 does not achieve the coveted purchase recommendation - which could still change should the price drop noticeably in the next few weeks and months. Currently the competition has more attractive offers in the form of the HP ProBook 450 G2, the Lenovo ThinkPad E550, and the somewhat more expensive Dell Latitude E5550.