Fujitsu LifeBook P7230 (Core Solo U1400 Processor ULV 1.2GHz, 1GB RAM)

By Dan Ackerman, CNET.com , CNET Asia
Mar 20, 2007

With so much engineering going into cramming high-powered components into ever smaller packages, a byproduct of this effort is that ultraportable laptops generally get extra design attention. Consequently, they're among the most attractive laptops available. Fujitsu's new LifeBook P7230 is sure to be a status symbol in airports and coffee shops with its compact angular design and matte-white finish. Using an Intel Core Solo CPU, it won't win any speed races, but for basic Web surfing and office work, this reasonably priced S$3,688 (US$2,468.05) Vista Business system will do the job and turn heads at the same time.

Editors' note : This review is based on tests done by our sister site CNET.com. As such, please note that there may be slight differences in the testing procedure and ratings system. For more information on the actual tests conducted on the product, please inquire directly at the site where the article was originally published. References made to some of other products in this review may not be available or applicable in Asia. Please check directly with your local distributor for details.

Design
Measuring 272.9mm wide, 200.9mm deep, and 29.9mm high, the Fujitsu LifeBook P7230 is tiny even for an ultraportable laptop. It weighs 1.33kg (1.68kg with the AC adapter), which is perfect or throwing in a shoulder bag or carry-on luggage. It's small enough to carry around all day; we never grew tired of toting it around during the course of this review. It's also worth noting that this is one of the smallest ultraportable systems to include an optical drive.

	The LifeBook P7230 is one of the smallest ultraportables with an integrated DVD drive. (Click for larger image)

The 10.6-inch LCD display is among the smallest we've seen (most ultraportable laptops offer a 12.1-inch screen), and its resolution is slightly lower, at 1,280 x 768, than the 1,280 x 800 resolution found on most 12.1-inch laptops. You'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference, however, and the display is crisp and bright. Fujitsu calls its screen technology Crystal View, but it's actually an LED-backlit display. Our one complaint about the display is the unusually thick screen bezel surrounding it. We're used to ultraportable screens that extend nearly to the edge of the lid, such as the Sony Vaio TX, and anything that falls short looks dated.

The smallish keyboard and touch pad are comfortable to use, although the left and right mouse buttons are too tiny to hit reliably. Two quick-launch buttons sit above the keyboard: One launches a Web browser, but the other is unusual in that it will switch you into the system's Eco mode, instantly resetting several system options to cut power consumption and extend battery life. It's clever, but make sure before you press it that you don't need any of the devices (FireWire port, media card reader, optical drive) that are automatically disabled in this mode.

Features
The system has a standard set of connections, including two USB 2.0 jacks, a mini FireWire jack, one Type I/II PCMCIA slot, headphone and mic jacks, a media card reader, and a VGA output for hooking up an external monitor, especially useful given the small screen. Unless you have a lot of USB devices, the two USB ports should be sufficient. Networking connections include a modem and Gigabit Ethernet jacks, and integrated 802.11a/b/g wireless. Bluetooth and a built-in Webcam are also available.

Components in our review unit include a 1.2GHz Intel Core Solo U1400 CPU, 1GB of RAM, integrated Intel 950 graphics, a DVD burner, and a 60GB 4,200rpm hard drive. Business-friendly extras include TPM (Trusted Platform Module), a fingerprint reader, and a shock sensor to stop the hard drive in case of a fall or sudden shock. The system is available in three colors: Leather White and Leather Black cost S$3,688 (US$2,468.05), while the red model adds an additional S$100 (US$66.92) to the tag.

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