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.
Snap-on covers are so cool.
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.
New products
| Model name | In a nutshell |
Fujitsu M1010
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Wow factor: Though internally it differs little from other Netbooks, the M1010's claim to fame is its snap-on covers, ExpressCard slot and three-year warranty.
Notable features:
- Intel Atom N270 processor 1.6GHz
- 8.9-inch display
- Integrated graphics card
- 1GB RAM
- 60GB HDD
- ExpressCard/34 slot
- 802.11b/g and Bluetooth
- Windows XP Home Edition
- 1kg weight
Expected: End-November 2008
Price: S$888
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Fujitsu LifeBook A1110
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Wow factor: Targeting students as well as SOHO (Small Office, Home Office) users, this entry-level machine can be decorated with a range of three snap-on covers.
Notable features:
- Pentium Dual-Core T3400 processor 2.16GHz
- 15.4-inch display
- Integrated graphics card
- 160GB HHD
- DVD writer
- Windows Vista Home Premium
- 2.75kg weight
Expected: Q1 2009
Price: TBC
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Fujitsu LifeBook A6220
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Wow factor: For users with a larger pocket, the high-end LifeBook A6220 comes with discrete graphics performance hidden under bold snap-on covers.
Notable features:
- Core 2 Duo processor
- 15.4-inch display
- ATI Mobility Radeon HD3470 graphics card
- 250GB HDD
- Blu-ray drive or DVD writer
- Windows Vista Home Premium
- 2.97g weight
Expected: Q1 2009
Price: TBC
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Fujitsu LifeBook P1630
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Wow factor: Still one of the lightest convertible tablet PCs in the market, this LifeBook also comes with an HSDPA radio for mobile broadband signals.
Notable features:
- Core 2 Duo SU9300 processor 1.2GHz
- 8.9-inch touchscreen display
- Integrated graphics card
- 120GB HDD
- 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth and HSDPA radios
- Windows Vista Business
- 1kg weight
Expected: Q1 2009
Price: TBC
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Fujitsu LifeBook P8020
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Wow factor: Squeezing a 12.1-inch display in a chassis meant for a 10.6-inch screen, Fujitsu somehow also managed to squeeze in an optical drive as well.
Notable features:
- Core 2 Duo SU9400 processor 1.4GHz
- 12.1-inch display
- Integrated graphics card
- 320GB HDD
- DVD writer
- 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth and HSDPA radios
- Windows Vista Business
- 1.3kg weight
Expected: November 27
Price: S$3,388
|
Fujitsu LifeBook T2020
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Wow factor: A full-featured convertible tablet PC with 3.5G connectivity.
Notable features:
- Core 2 Duo SU9300 processor 1.2GHz
- 12.1-inch display
- Integrated graphics card
- 320GB HDD
- DVD writer
- 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth and HSDPA radios
- Windows Vista Business
- 1.64kg weight
Expected: Q1 2009
Price: TBC
|
Fujitsu Stylistic ST6012
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Wow factor: A sturdy slate tablet PC with a long uptime of over 5 hours with the standard cell.
Notable features:
- Core 2 Duo SU9400 processor 1.4GHz
- 12.1-inch display
- Integrated graphics card
- 320GB HDD
- Windows Vista Business
- 1.61kg weight
Expected: Q1 2009
Price: S$4,688
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