A Miniature Fujitsu Notebook With A Twist

Bringing a notebook along during local or overseas trips can be difficult, especially if you are planning to stay connected with friends and business contacts. If you want a device that can act as a tablet, a notebook, and even a handheld, then perhaps the Fujitsu Lifebook U1010 (3.5G) notebook may be worth a look for its versatility.

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The Fujitsu Lifebook U1010 is a multi-function notebook that sports a small profile and can be brought along anywhere. It can easily fit inside a small bag, has a working dimension of 171 x 133mm x 26.5-32.0mm, and weighs 0.63kg. The screen can be rotated 180 degrees, turning the notebook to a portable tablet. But perhaps the best feature of this notebook is its built-in SIM card slot that give users Internet access anytime via any available 3G network.

Users can find the power switch, USB port, and a CF card slot on the right side of the notebook, while a Bluetooth switch, AC port, SD card slot, volume control, headphone jack, and microphone jack can be found on its left. The connection port found on the U1010 is used for the LAN/VGA adaptor, which allows a user to connect the notebook to a display device (VGA connector) and/or to any home or office network (LAN connector). The notebook also has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for complete wireless connectivity.

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On the rear panel, users can find a square glidepad (which allow the user to move the display cursor and mouse-click), Down/Up buttons and Fn button (double-clicking this button starts the tablet menu), a built-in speaker that provides stereo sound, as well as two mouse buttons.

Opening the latchless lid reveals a small and cramped keyboard, with a lot of keys relying on the function (Fn) button. Four LifeBook Application Buttons and a fingerprint reader can be found at the bottom of the screen, while a stylus compartment and 0.3-megapixel camera is located on the top part of the screen. The 5.6-inch SuperFine WSVGA display is rotatable up to 180 degrees and can be converted into a tablet, which give users full access to the U1010’s touchscreen functions.

The Fujitsu U1010 uses an Intel 800Mhz processor, comes with a gigabyte of RAM, and has 40GB of storage. We were quite surprised to find that despite its specifications, the company still opted to install Windows Vista Business on the unit, which resulted to long loading times. However, by installing this OS, users will have access to various applications and can still be connected to any home/office network via 3G access.

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Various office and multimedia programs will run on the U1010, although do not expect multi-tasking to run as smooth as you want it to be. Typing on the keyboard is a chore, with users having to constantly look at the keyboard just to make sure that they are pressing the right buttons. The touchscreen is responsive, making it easy for us to open files and write notes.

Fujitsu has also included various security programs that will protect your files. Enrolling your fingerprint does not only let you easily log on to the OS, it can also encrypt/decrypt your files with a single swipe. A BIOS lock is also present, giving users total control on who can access the U1010. Finally, the notebook’s 2-cell battery lasted about three hours in normal conditions (typing a word document), but won’t last as long if used for multimedia purposes.

Overall, the U1010 is a small notebook that has a lot of connectivity functions, giving it an edge in terms of mobility. And while we have encountered a couple of issues along the way such as poor keyboard layout and size, appalling battery life, and slow processing speed, it is still well-worth a look if you want an alternative to your clunky notebook.

See page over for product specifications and final rating.

Platform: Intel Ultra Mobile platform 2007
– Intel processor A110 (800MHz, 512KB L2 cache, 400MHz FSB)
– Intel 945GU Express Chipset
– Intel ICH7U I/O Controller Hub

Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Business

Display: 5.6-inch SuperFine WSVGA, 1024 x 600 pixels, Passive Touch Panel

Memory: 1GB DDR2 400MHz

Hard Disk: 40GB

High Definition (HD) Audio: RealTek ALC262 HD audio codec with built-in digital microphone

Communication: Bluetooth v2.0, Realtek 8101L 100Base Ethernet, Super AG wireless connection with dual antenna, and Integrated Camera 0.3 Mega Pixel

User Interface:
– Keyboard with Glide Point: 56=key, 14mm key pitch, 1.3mm key stroke
– Fingerprint Sensor with vertical scroll functions

Card Slot: 1 x Type I/II CF Card slot and 1 x Secure Digital (SD) Card Reader

Connector Interface: USB 2.0 x 1, VGA (external display) and RJ45 (LAN) via LAN/VGA adapter connector, Audio-in, Audio-out, Power Adapter DC-in

3.5G: Embedded 3.5G (HSDPA) WWAN connectivity with dual antenna.

Quick Launch Panel: Two programmable application buttons, two programmable up/down key buttons, one rotation button, one CtrlAlt+Del button and one FnKey button

Security: User and supervisor BIOS password, Boot Sector Write Prevention, Fingerprint Sensor, Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Battery: Up to 3.0hrs
Dimensions: 171mm (W) x 133mm (D) x 26.5-32.0mm (H)
Weight: Approx. 0.63kg

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Fujitsu LifeBook U1010 (3.5G) | $1,999 |  | au.fujitsu.com

For: Small and compact design; Touchscreen; Tablet functionality; Programs installed
Against: Slow processing speed; Keyboard layout and buttons; Battery life
Conclusion: A mobile device to keep you connected anytime