M1 to offer HSDPA-enabled LifeBook in stores

Reuben Lee | Dec 05, 2007

With HSDPA (3.5G) now being offered on laptops, it's just a matter of time before mobile carriers offer such notebooks at their retail outlets. And it seems Singapore operator M1 will be the first to do so in the island state, collaborating with Japanese notebook maker Fujitsu to launch its new 3.5G-enabled LifeBook U1010.

According to M1's spokesperson, the 3.5G U1010 UMPC will be the first notebook offering being sold in the company's retail outlets and online store. In fact, it will be sold exclusively at M1 stores during its initial launch on December 7. Retail prices are expected to start from S$1,788 with selected M1 Broadband Plans. Current M1 Broadband users can also enjoy the same offer with a two-year extension of their contracts (subject to M1's terms and conditions). M1 has confirmed it will not be offering the U1010 without mobile subscription plans. Oddly, Fujitsu says you can buy the notebook without plans at S$2,388 but not directly off the shelves. Instead, you have to place an order at authorized Fujitsu outlets and collect the unit when it arrives.

This latest 3.5G version of the U1010 tablet PC comes about five months after the rollout of the original U1010 in June. Its basic specifications include Intel A110 processor (800MHz), 5.6-inch 1,024 x 600-pixel touchscreen, 40GB hard drive and 1GB RAM. It will run on Windows Vista Business OS. You will also find other onboard features such as a fingerprint sensor, Bluetooth v2, Wi-Fi, integrated camera, and CompactFlash and SD card slots.

Fujitsu has confirmed that the 3.5G U1010 will be launched in Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Cambodia fom December 2007. The unit is also expected to be sold in Australia, Malaysia and Taiwan but no release dates have been announced yet.

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