By Walaika Haskins TechNewsWorld
11/04/08 2:32 PM PT
Fujitsu has unveiled new LifeBook computers of all sizes. The ultra-mobile U820 runs Vista on a unit measuring just 5.6 inches and weighing just over a pound. The full-sized N7010 notebook has an integrated LCD touchscreen to directly launch applications. Running the middle is P1630, weighing 2.2 pounds.
Fujitsu debuted two updated models and an entirely new model in its LifeBook line of notebook computers Tuesday. The new U820 and P1630 are new versions of models the hardware maker released in 2007. The all-new LifeBook N7010 features two screens -- a traditional 16-inch wide display as well as a 4-inch color touchscreen situated near the keyboard.
The 5.6-inch LifeBook U820 weights 1.32 pounds and features an Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) Atom Z-series processor. Fujitsu promises 7.5 hours of life with a four-cell battery and 3.5 hours with a new two-cell unit. The mini-tablet notebook also has integrated support for 1080p video for viewing high-definition content on the WXGA display.
Fujitsu has added an additional row of keys and a new keyboard layout to the U820 to more closely approximate a standard QWERTY keyboard. The system also includes a fingerprint sensor, a BIOS (basic input/output system) lock and a 1.3-megapixel camera. Users can choose either a 120 GB hard drive or up to a 64 GB solid state drive. It also features a zoom utility for easier screen viewing, integrated Bluetooth, and three-way input via keyboard, touch or pen.
Fujitsu has also added a built-in GPS receiver and integrated Garmin (Nasdaq: GRMN) Mobile PC software.
"The GPS is the biggest thing we've added. It's a consumer feature, but anyone who is traveling can use their notebook as a GPS. They wouldn't have to carry another GPS device with them," Jennifer Juwono, product manager for the LifeBook U800 Mini-Notebook, told TechNewsWorld.
With a base price of US$1,049, the U820 ships with Windows Vista Business or Home Premium pre-installed.
Mid-Sized Might
A little larger than the U820, the LifeBook P1630 comes with a 8.9-inch WXGA display and weighs 2.2 pounds. The updated tablet notebook features Intel Centrino 2 technology with an Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 low-voltage processor.
The newly enhanced model provides an additional hour of battery life than its immediate predecessor, the P1620: up to 6.15 hours using Fujitsu's high-capacity battery option. It also features 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi connectivity, an integrated 1.3-megapixel webcam and Bluetooth support.
In early 2009, Fujitsu plans to offer integrated wireless broadband as an option.
The P1630 starts at $2,179.
Fujitsu Dual Screen
The new, full-sized N7010 laptop features a 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor with 3 MB of L2 cache and 1066 GHz FSB. Perhaps the most significant feature on the N7010 is its four-inch touchscreen. Found directly above the keyboard, the Touch Zone display enables users with multiple open windows to view minimized application windows, control media playback, display quick-launch icons or watch a photo slide show.
Fujitsu plans to develop widgets and other mini-applications for use with the Touch Zone display, according to Ifit Anees, senior product manager, Consumer Products at Fujitsu.
Additionally, the 16-inch notebook PC offers an integrated E-SATA port to connect an external hard drive.
"With a USB [port], it takes a long time to connect an external hard drive to transfer large amounts of data. With the E-SATA port you can connect an external hard drive that is 5 times faster than a USB. So large files can be relatively quickly backed up," Anees told TechNewsWorld.
The system also offers a removable dust-filter, a spill resistant keyboard, and a shock mount hard drive. The system features a footprint roughly the same as a standard 15.4-inch notebook, accomplished by minimizing the trim around the display, said Kevin Wrenn, senior vice president of PC business and operations at Fujitsu.
On the multimedia side, the N7010 includes an ATI (Nasdaq: ATYT) Radeon HD 3470 graphics with 256 MB GDDR3 dedicated graphics memory and up to 2 GB of HyperMemory support. There's also a Blu-ray disc drive, integrated 1.3-megapixel webcam, dedicated Memory Stick and SD card slot, as well as an integrated HMDI port to connect to a high-definition screen.
The N7010 is priced at $1,499 for a fixed configuration.
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