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by Kevin (Kilmo) Kang, Korea

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Fujitsu LifeBook U2010W is ready to launch in Korea

Feb 8, 2009 21:40

It looks like Fujitsu's started to integrate 3G modules to support WWAN in its LifeBook series and Fujitsu Korea has also prepared the U2010W, which is a U2010 with integrated HSDPA module, and chosen KTF as the network provider.

I'm not sure that Fujitsu Korea had sterling sales with the U2010 since it's quite a high tier-priced mini-laptop compared with other Intel Atom-based Netbooks. It is a mini-tablet PC with a 5.6-inch touchscreen. Also, I tried this out myself, but Windows Vista is too heavy to run well over the Atom CPUs. Fujitsu has started to provide Win XP drivers from late 2008.

The U2010 is available in three colors: Ocean Black and Cool Silver for the 120GB HDD edition and Pink Gold for the 64GB SSD version. The 120GB HDD version costs about US$1,090, while the 64GB SSD one retails for about US$1,800.

If the 3G modem is integrated, this means the cost goes up, but it could also mean that the U2010W will get subsidized by KTF. Usually, mobile devices cost about US$200-$300 less than its launch price due to the network provider subsidy, so I assume the U2010W may available at US$800 or US$1,500-$1,600 in Korea.

However, the most important point we are concerned about is what kind of 3G data plans will be available on the KTF network.

KTF also also offering a 3G USB modem called iPlug and its data plans are available as listed below.

1. iPlug Slim: US$14.16, 500MB limited data usage.
2. iPlug Light: US$17.80, 1GB limited data usage.
3. iPlug Basic: US$21.40, 2GB limited data usage.
4. iPlug Special: US$32.32, 4GB limited data usage.

I think 4GB data usage isn't enough for heavy users and some business executives. If Fujitsu wants to succeed with its U2010W, it should negotiate with KTF to offer an unlimited data plan for heavy users. Otherwise, the U2010W may not sell well in Korea since those 3G USB stick are not very popular here in Korea for those 3G data plans.

Here is a picture of the Fujitsu U2010W. It follows the basic design of other Fujitsu LifeBook series that have integrated 3G modules.

Credit: aving.net

Release date and pricing are out yet.

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About Kevin (Kilmo) Kang

Kevin (Kilmo) Kang is a self-professed IT-savvy guy who's been having the time of his life making tech deals with new business partners in the Asia-Pacific areas. Like every Korean, he's gadget-crazy and is glad he lives in a country with one of the fastest-growing tech markets in the world. His taste for international work, however, arose from a nine-year stay in New Zealand where he fortunately made more friends than there are sheep.