Fujitsu laptops with snap-on covers

By Darius Chang
Nov 19, 2008

SINGAPORE--For those of you who have been tinkering with tech toys since the early 1990s, we're sure you'd remember the time when Nokia had those cool snap-on covers for its mobile phones. No matter how many scratches it had, restoring it to pristine condition is a simple matter of changing covers. Now the same concept has been brought to Fujitsu laptops. For its first Netbook and LifeBook A series, the Japanese maker is offering a range of interchangeable designs and patterns. We take a look at what the Japanese maker has in store for its winter notebook collection.

Fujitsu M1010

The M1010 is the first Fujitsu mini-laptop to join the ranks of 8.9-inch Netbooks. Internally, there is nothing new about this Atom-based sub-notebook save for the ExpressCard/34 slot. Though we bemoan the fact that this unit only holds a conventional magnetic platter instead of a solid-state drive, this is possibly the first Netbook to come with a generous three-year warranty. Moreover, individualizing your Netbook is as simple as clipping on a new cover.

Fujitsu LifeBook A series

The Fujitsu LifeBook A1110 is an entry-level machine for students and small business users. Instead of just colors, the A1110 has three patterned snap-on covers--magenta metallic with butterfly patterns, horizon blue with royal art patterns and leaf green with labyrinth patterns--to give it that hip look. Though its Pentium Dual-Core chip is not exactly a performance monster, at least the laptop uses the latest Intel GM45 chipset with the integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X4500MHD processor. The spill-resistant keyboard is a nice touch, though it's a little weighty at 2.75kg for a mid-size portable.

For those with a bigger budget and greater needs, the successor to the Fujitsu LifeBook A6120, the LifeBook A6220, offers discrete graphics performance and an exceptionally bright 300-nit screen. Though it is available in black or white shades, you can further personalize the unit with red, gold or indigo clip-on lids. Heavy at 2.97kg, it can also be decked out with a Blu-ray drive for some high definition entertainment.

Fujitsu LifeBook P series

Updated from the LifeBook P1620, the LifeBook P1630 is the smallest convertible tablet PC currently in the market. Though it sports an 8.9-inch touchscreen, this is no Netbook as it uses a Core 2 Duo processor. We like that fact that despite its small size, the machine not only comes with a spill-proof keyboard but also a HSDPA radio under the hood.

The LifeBook P8010 was one of the first laptops to use the SlimEdge technology, which fits a larger screen by reducing the bezel width. Despite have a chassis meant for 10.6-inch display, the latest LifeBook P8020 not only has a larger 12.1-inch screen but comes with an optical drive. Add in a spill-resistant keyboard and HSDPA radio, this LifeBook tips the scales at only 1.3kg and has a battery life of over 5 hours with the standard six-cell battery.

Fujitsu Tablet PCs

The LifeBook T2010 was one of the sleekest convertible tablet PC, and the updated LifeBook T2020 is no exception. It has enough security features to fend off casual hackers, as well as an HSDPA radio for mobile broadband. Put in the extended nine-cell battery, and this machine has a rated uptime of up to 11 hours.

For those who just need a touchscreen without the cumbersome keyboard, take a look at the Fujitsu Stylistic ST6012 in a slate form factor. Made from magnesium alloy, it has a 12.1-inch screen and a rated battery life of over 5 hours with the six-cell battery.

Tags: Netbook, Laptop Computer, Fujitsu LifeBook, Fujitsu Ltd., Keyboard