Fujitsu LifeBook U7512 review – retro look but surprisingly complete package

Fujitsu is one of the oldest, yet one of the least active players in the laptop market. Regardless of that, they never let us down, which makes us super excited to test the LifeBook U7512.

While it looks 15 years old, this is a brand-new notebook, built around Intel’s Alder Lake processors. It is interesting that Fujitsu has picked both the 15W and the 28W options for its device.

It is loaded with tech, including IR face recognition, a fingerprint reader, Fujitsu’s own PalmSecure sensor, and more. Actually, the whole point of this device is business, security, and privacy.

Regardless if you are an office worker, an enterprise specialist, or a government official, Fujitsu wants you to feel at your 100% with the LifeBook U7512. Now, let’s see what more did the company do to make you buy its latest machine.

You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/fujitsu-lifebook-u7512/

Contents


Specs, Drivers, What’s in the box

Fujitsu LifeBook U7512 - Specs

  • Sharp LQ156M1JW24 (SHP1534)
  • Color accuracy  2.1  0.8
  • HDD/SSD
  • up to 2000GB SSD
  • RAM
  • up to 32GB
  • OS
  • Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 Home
  • Battery
  • 65Wh, 4-cell
  • Body material
  • Magnesium alloy
  • Dimensions
  • 357 x 230 x 19.1 mm (14.06" x 9.06" x 0.75")
  • Weight
  • 1.37 kg (3 lbs)
  • Ports and connectivity
  • 2x USB Type-A
  • 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
  • 1x USB Type-A
  • 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), Sleep and Charge
  • 2x USB Type-C
  • 4.0, Thunderbolt 4, Power Delivery (PD), DisplayPort
  • HDMI
  • 2.0b
  • Card reader
  • microSD (SD/SDHC/SDXC)
  • Ethernet LAN
  • 10, 100, 1000 Mbit/s
  • Wi-Fi
  • 802.11ax
  • Bluetooth
  • 5.2
  • Audio jack
  • 3.5mm Combo Jack
  • Features
  • Fingerprint reader
  • optional
  • Web camera
  • HD with privacy shutter
  • Backlit keyboard
  • optional
  • Microphone
  • Digital Array Microphones
  • Speakers
  • 2x 2W Stereo Speakers
  • Optical drive
  • Security Lock slot
  • Kensington Lock

All Fujitsu LifeBook U7512 configurations

#CommissionsEarned

Drivers

All drivers and utilities for this notebook can be found here: https://support.ts.fujitsu.com/IndexDownload.asp?lng=en&OpenTab=

What’s in the box?

Inside the packaging of this device, we find a 65W USB Type-C charger. In addition, there is an “accessory box” containing one manual booklet, as well as a Windows 11 Pro DVD. This is bundled with a laptop that doesn’t have a DVD reader. Smart.


Design and construction

As we said, Fujitsu isn’t really a design master when it comes to notebooks. The LifeBook U7512 looks dated, especially because of the two-toned color pallet and the shape of the keyboard.

However, the magnesium in the chassis makes its structure extremely solid. This inspires a lot of confidence in the user. What makes it even more impressive, is that the machine weighs only 1.37 kg, while its profile is 19.1mm thick.

Well, the lid is a bit bendy and it can’t be opened with a single hand. However, it comes with slim bezels, an HD Web camera, the tiniest of privacy shutters, and an optional IR face recognition scanner. In addition, the lid comes with two rubber legs in its back, so it lifts the backside of the base ever so slightly from the ground after you open it.

Moving to the base, we see the epitome of 2005 portable computers. A power button which is disconnected from the rest of the keyboard, and paired with an entire array of lights. The keyboard itself is a spill-resistant unit. It features a backlight and a large NumberPad section. We are pretty happy with its comfort, as it has decent key travel and clicky, yet quiet feedback.

Well, the touchpad is not that impressive. It has small size, and its buttons have very shallow key travel. However, it is pretty responsive. To its right, you will find the fingerprint reader, which may be swapped for a PalmSecure scanner. The latter uses your vein patterns to map your palm – quite freaky.

Now, let’s turn the laptop upside down, and talk about the bottom panel. It features two speaker cutouts, which are placed pretty close together. In addition, there you will find the ventilation grill, which is extremely small. The hot air is then exhausted through a vent in between the base and the lid. By the way, we can’t miss the huge docking connector.

Ports

On the left side, there is a LAN port, two Thunderbolt 4 connectors, an HDMI connector, a USB Type-A 3.2 (Gen. 1) port, and a Smart Card reader. Then, on the right, you will locate the security lock slot, two USB Type-A 3.2 (Gen. 1) ports, a MicroSD card slot, and an Audio jack.


Display quality, Health impact (PWM), Sound

Fujitsu LifeBook U7512 is equipped with a Full HD IPS panel, model number Sharp LQ156M1JW24 (SHP1534). It comes with a 60Hz refresh rate. Its diagonal is 15.6″ (39.6 cm), and the resolution – 1920 x 1080p. Additionally, the screen ratio is 16:9, the pixel density – 141 ppi, and their pitch – 0.18 x 0.18 mm. The screen can be considered Retina when viewed from at least 60 cm (from this distance, the average human eye can’t see the individual pixels).

Viewing angles are good. We offer images at different angles to evaluate the quality.

Also, a video with locked focus and exposure.

The maximum measured brightness is 326 nits (cd/m2) in the middle of the screen and 312 nits (cd/m2) average across the surface with a maximum deviation of only 3%. The Correlated Color Temperature on a white screen and at maximum brightness is 6260K (average) – warmer than the 6500K optimum for sRGB.
In the illustration below you can see how the display performs from a uniformity perspective. The illustration below shows how matters are for operational brightness levels (approximately 140 nits) – in this particular case at 42% Brightness (White level = 141 cd/m2, Black level = 0.08 cd/m2).
Values of dE2000 over 4.0 should not occur, and this parameter is one of the first you should check if you intend to use the laptop for color-sensitive work (a maximum tolerance of 2.0 ). The contrast ratio is very good – 1670:1.

To make sure we are on the same page, we would like to give you a little introduction to the sRGB color gamut and the Adobe RGB. To start, there’s the CIE 1976 Uniform Chromaticity Diagram that represents the visible specter of colors by the human eye, giving you a better perception of the color gamut coverage and the color accuracy.

Inside the black triangle, you will see the standard color gamut (sRGB) that is being used by millions of people on HDTV and on the web. As for the Adobe RGB, this is used in professional cameras, monitors, etc for printing. Basically, colors inside the black triangle are used by everyone and this is the essential part of the color quality and color accuracy of a mainstream notebook.

Still, we’ve included other color spaces like the famous DCI-P3 standard used by movie studios, as well as the digital UHD Rec.2020 standard. Rec.2020, however, is still a thing of the future and it’s difficult for today’s displays to cover that well. We’ve also included the so-called Michael Pointer gamut, or Pointer’s gamut, which represents the colors that naturally occur around us every day.

The yellow dotted line shows Fujitsu LifeBook U7512’s color gamut coverage.

Its display covers 99% of the sRGB/ITU-R BT.709 (web/HDTV standard) in CIE1976.

Our “Design and Gaming” profile delivers optimal color temperature (6500K) at 140 cd/m2 luminance and sRGB gamma mode.

We tested the accuracy of the display with 24 commonly used colors like light and dark human skin, blue sky, green grass, orange, etc. You can check out the results at factory condition and also, with the “Design and Gaming” profile.

Below you can compare the scores of the Fujitsu LifeBook U7512 with the default settings (left), and with the “Gaming and Web design” profile (right).

The next figure shows how well the display is able to reproduce really dark parts of an image, which is essential when watching movies or playing games in low ambient light.

The left side of the image represents the display with stock settings, while the right one is with the “Gaming and Web Design” profile activated. On the horizontal axis, you will find the grayscale, and on the vertical axis – the luminance of the display. On the two graphs below you can easily check for yourself how your display handles the darkest nuances but keep in mind that this also depends on the settings of your current display, the calibration, the viewing angle, and the surrounding light conditions.

Response time (Gaming capabilities)

We test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “black-to-white” and “white-to-black” method from 10% to 90% and vice versa.

We recorded Fall Time + Rise Time = 38 ms. This one is rather slow.

After that, we test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “Gray-to-Gray” method from 50% White to 80% White and vice versa between 10% and 90% of the amplitude.

Health Impact: PWM (Screen flickering)

Pulse-width modulation (PWM) is an easy way to control monitor brightness. When you lower the brightness, the light intensity of the backlight is not lowered, but instead turned off and on by the electronics with a frequency indistinguishable to the human eye. In these light impulses, the light/no-light time ratio varies, while brightness remains unchanged, which is harmful to your eyes. You can read more about that in our dedicated article on PWM.

Fujitsu LifeBook U7512’s display doesn’t flicker above 80 nits of luminance (20% of brightness). This makes the screen pretty comfortable for long periods of use.

Health Impact: Blue light emissions

Installing our Health-Guard profile not only eliminates PWM but also reduces the harmful Blue Light emissions while keeping the colors of the screen perceptually accurate. If you’re not familiar with the Blue light, the TL;DR version is – emissions that negatively affect your eyes, skin, and your whole body. You can find more information about that in our dedicated article on Blue Light.

Health Impact: Gloss-level measurement

Glossy-coated displays are sometimes inconvenient in high ambient light conditions. We show the level of reflection on the screen for the respective laptop when the display is turned off and the measurement angle is 60° (in this case, the result is 54.6 GU).

Sound

Fujitsu LifeBook U7512’s speakers produce a sound of decent quality. Its low, mid, and high tones are clear of deviations, but the maximum volume is not very high.


Buy our profiles

Since our profiles are tailored for each individual display model, this article and its respective profile package are meant for Fujitsu LifeBook U7512 configurations with 15.6″ Sharp LQ156M1JW24 (SHP1534) (1920 x 1080) IPS.

*Should you have problems with downloading the purchased file, try using a different browser to open the link you’ll receive via e-mail. If the download target is a .php file instead of an archive, change the file extension to .zip or contact us at [email protected].

Read more about the profiles HERE.

In addition to receiving efficient and health-friendly profiles, by buying LaptopMedia's products you also support the development of our labs, where we test devices in order to produce the most objective reviews possible.

Office Work

Office Work should be used mostly by users who spend most of the time looking at pieces of text, tables or just surfing. This profile aims to deliver better distinctness and clarity by keeping a flat gamma curve (2.20), native color temperature and perceptually accurate colors.

Design and Gaming

This profile is aimed at designers who work with colors professionally, and for games and movies as well. Design and Gaming takes display panels to their limits, making them as accurate as possible in the sRGB IEC61966-2-1 standard for Web and HDTV, at white point D65.

Health-Guard

Health-Guard eliminates the harmful Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) and reduces the negative Blue Light which affects our eyes and body. Since it’s custom tailored for every panel, it manages to keep the colors perceptually accurate. Health-Guard simulates paper so the pressure on the eyes is greatly reduced.

Get all 3 profiles with 33% discount


Performance: CPU, GPU, Gaming Tests

CPU options

This machine can be found with the Core i3-1215U, Core i5-1235U, Core i5-1245U, or Core i7-1255U. In addition, you get some Alder Lake-P options – Core i5-1240P, Core i5-1250P, or Core i7-1270P.

GPU options

Expectedly, the graphics card is integrated into your CPU, so you are free of options in this department.

Gaming tests

cs-go-benchmarks

CS:GOHD 1080p, Low (Check settings)HD 1080p, Medium (Check settings)HD 1080p, MAX (Check settings)
Average FPS79 fps66 fps35 fps

DOTA 2HD 1080p, Low (Check settings)HD 1080p, Normal (Check settings)HD 1080p, High (Check settings)
Average FPS94 fps60 fps32 fps

Temperatures and comfort, Battery Life

Max CPU load

In this test we use 100% on the CPU cores, monitoring their frequencies and chip temperature. The first column shows a computer’s reaction to a short load (2-10 seconds), the second column simulates a serious task (between 15 and 30 seconds), and the third column is a good indicator of how good the laptop is for long loads such as video rendering.

Average P-core frequency; Average E-core frequency; CPU temp.; Package Power

Intel Core i5-1235U (15W TDP)0:02 – 0:10 sec0:15 – 0:30 sec10:00 – 15:00 min
Fujitsu LifeBook U75123.00 GHz @ 2.54 GHz @ 88°C @ 40W2.40 GHz @ 2.14 GHz @ 85°C @ 28W2.31 GHz @ 2.07 GHz @ 83°C @ 26W
HP ProBook 450 G93.44 GHz @ 2.82 GHz @ 80°C @ 47W2.45 GHz @ 2.14 GHz @ 74°C @ 26W2.33 GHz @ 2.09 GHz @ 73°C @ 24W
HP ProBook 440 G93.25 GHz @ 2.74 GHz @ 79°C @ 46W2.49 GHz @ 2.23 GHz @ 87°C @ 30W2.20 GHz @ 2.08 GHz @ 73°C @ 24W
Lenovo ThinkBook 14s Yoga Gen 22.55 GHz @ 2.39 GHz @ 70°C @ 32W2.49 GHz @ 2.38 GHz @ 75°C @ 32W2.20 GHz @ 2.10 GHz @ 71°C @ 24W
Microsoft Surface Pro 93.32 GHz @ 2.78 GHz @ 75°C @ 46W3.06 GHz @ 2.54 GHz @ 82°C @ 42W1.91 GHz @ 1.79 GHz @ 64°C @ 19W
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (13.5″)3.35 GHz @ 2.84 GHz @ 69°C @ 44W3.27 GHz @ 2.78 GHz @ 80°C @ 42W2.24 GHz @ 2.17 GHz @ 71°C @ 22W
ASUS Vivobook 15 (X1502)2.91 GHz @ 2.49 GHz @ 78°C @ 39W2.62 GHz @ 2.37 GHz @ 81°C @ 33W2.30 GHz @ 2.19 GHz @ 68°C @ 27W
Acer TravelMate P2 (TMP215-54)3.67 GHz @ 3.09 GHz @ 90°C @ 55W2.83 GHz @ 2.55 GHz @ 85°C @ 33W2.59 GHz @ 2.44 GHz @ 84°C @ 28W
HP EliteBook 650 G93.26 GHz @ 2.80 GHz @ 89°C @ 45W2.63 GHz @ 2.39 GHz @ 91°C @ 32W2.25 GHz @ 2.15 GHz @ 79°C @ 24W
HP EliteBook 640 G93.27 GHz @ 2.77 GHz @ 90°C @ 45W2.53 GHz @ 2.32 GHz @ 90°C @ 30W2.32 GHz @ 2.17 GHz @ 74°C @ 24W
HP EliteBook 840 G93.09 GHz @ 2.75 GHz @ 83°C @ 46W2.73 GHz @ 2.46 GHz @ 89°C @ 37W1.58 GHz @ 1.67 GHz @ 61°C @ 17W
Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 43.28 GHz @ 2.77 GHz @ 84°C @ 44W3.18 GHz @ 2.77 GHz @ 90°C @ 44W2.49 GHz @ 2.28 GHz @ 77°C @ 28W
HP Pavilion Plus 14 (14-eh0000)2.85 GHz @ 2.43 GHz @ 77°C @ 39W2.34 GHz @ 2.10 GHz @ 75°C @ 29W1.84 GHz @ 1.79 GHz @ 65°C @ 20W
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 (15″, 2022)3.60 GHz @ 3.08 GHz @ 73°C @ 55W3.44 GHz @ 2.95 GHz @ 88°C @ 51W2.80 GHz @ 2.49 GHz @ 69°C @ 35W
Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 33.20 GHz @ 2.77 GHz @ 83°C @ 44W3.10 GHz @ 2.71 GHz @ 94°C @ 43W1.89 GHz @ 1.95 GHz @ 72°C @ 20W
Acer Aspire Vero (AV14-51)3.63 GHz @ 2.87 GHz @ 84°C @ 55W2.73 GHz @ 2.36 GHz @ 81°C @ 33W2.49 GHz @ 2.23 GHz @ 79°C @ 28W
MSI Modern 14 (C12M)3.17 GHz @ 2.69 GHz @ 77°C @ 45W3.10 GHz @ 2.61 GHz @ 81°C @ 45W2.69 GHz @ 2.45 GHz @ 78°C @ 35W
Dell Latitude 15 55303.57 GHz @ 3.02 GHz @ 94°C @ 52W2.03 GHz @ 2.09 GHz @ 76°C @ 21W2.24 GHz @ 2.19 GHz @ 64°C @ 23W

The LifeBook U7512 performs similarly to the HP ProBook 450 G9 in long runs, but worse in short loads. Interestingly, the LifeBook U7512 runs at ever so slightly lower clock speeds but consumes more power, and unsurprisingly – runs warmer.

Comfort during full load

On the bright side, the keyboard is perfectly isolated from the insides, as its external temperatures are really low. The fan noise is also not an issue, despite our initial skepticism when we saw its small diameter.

Battery

Now, we conduct the battery tests with the Windows Better performance setting turned on, screen brightness adjusted to 120 nits, and all other programs turned off except for the one we are testing the notebook with. This device’s 65Wh battery pack lasts for 14 hours and 27 minutes of Web browsing, or 10 hours and 54 minutes of video playback.

In order to simulate real-life conditions, we used our own script for automatic web browsing through over 70 websites.


Disassembly, Upgrade options, and Maintenance

To get inside this machine, you need to undo 14 captive Phillips-head screws. Then, pry the bottom panel with a plastic tool.

Inside, we see a 65Wh battery pack. It got us through 14 hours and 30 minutes of Web browsing, or about 11 hours of video playback on a single charge. To take it out, undo all 6 captive Phillips-head screws and lift it away.

Here, we see a metal cover over the two RAM SODIMM slots. To access the memory, undo the two captive Phillips-head screws and take the cover away. The laptop supports up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM in dual-channel mode. Storage-wise, there is one M.2 PCIe x4 slot.

As for the cooling, there is one small heat pipe, a quite beefy heat sink, and a rather small fan.


Verdict

It is always interesting when a laptop from a less popular brand shows up in our office. Well, this one didn’t “show up” – we bought it. And it lowkey put all of the ThinkPads and Latitudes in its back pocket. After all, Japanese engineering is regarded as one of the best around the globe.

Well, this particular machine is not really pretty. And no, we are not saying it is industrial, like the ThinkPads. It just looks like it was made in 2005. But, what is more important, is that its structure is absolutely fantastic.

The reason for that is its magnesium chassis, which weighs only 1.37 kg, making it one of the lightest business-grade 15-inchers out there. In addition, you can get your LifeBook U7512 with an IR face recognition scanner, and a fingerprint reader (or a PalmSecure sensor).

Fujitsu LifeBook U7512’s IPS panel has a Full HD resolution, comfortable viewing angles, and a very good contrast ratio. It covers 99% of the sRGB color gamut. Pair it with our Gaming and Web design profile for excellent color accuracy. While the panel uses PWM, it has a very high frequency and is cleared out above 80 nits.

Its port selection is also good, thanks to the two Thunderbolt 4 connectors, three fast USB Type-As, the MicroSD card slot, the LAN port, the HDMI connector, and the optional SIM card slot. Yes, the laptop can be found with optional 4G or 5G support. Note that the 4G modem is made by Quectel, while the 5G one is manufactured by Fibocom.

While we’re talking about parts, let’s mention the two SODIMM slots, which fit up to 64GB of DDR4 memory. Storage-wise, there is only one M.2 PCIe x4 slot.

So, what are this notebook’s disadvantages? Well, its touchpad is a bit small, and the dedicated buttons are not very comfortable. We are also not big fans of the design, but this is purely subjective. AH! Yes, and the lid can’t be opened with a single hand.

Overall, there is no particular reason not to get the Fujitsu LifeBook U7512. If you are looking for a secure laptop, for your business needs, this will definitely be the right choice. And, you have the bonus of feeling you live in a world before the 2008 economic crisis.

You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/fujitsu-lifebook-u7512/

Pros

  • Great spill-resistant backlit keyboard
  • Great battery life
  • Optional IR face scanner, fingerprint reader (or PalmSecure sensor)
  • Dual Thunderbolt 4 support
  • Optional 5G card
  • No harmful PWM (Sharp LQ156M1JW24 (SHP1534)
  • 99% sRGB coverage and accurate color representation with our Gaming and Web design profile (Sharp LQ156M1JW24 (SHP1534)
  • Super light and super strong magnesium chassis
  • Decent performance
  • Abundance of ports
  • Up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM


Cons

  • Dated design
  • Uncomfortable touchpad buttons

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Oleg
Oleg
3 months ago

Would you tell a little bit more about fan noise. How much it loud in lite office mode and how on load – for example Excel compilation or youtube 4K playback?

Nick
Nick
2 months ago
Reply to  Oleg

Yes? it’s interesting too! No reviews in net, excl. this.