Super-light laptop packs many features and isn't overly thick either

Oct 5, 2011 06:52 GMT  ·  By

Ultrabooks make a point of being thin enough to actually challenge tablets, so to speak, but Fujitsu decided to not have this as primary focus as long as it could implement more than enough features to make up for it.

Fujitsu Japan developed and revealed two new ultra-light notebooks, one of which is the Lifebook SH76/E.

Though 23.2mm at its thinnest point, it has not only performance benefits over the Ultrabooks seen so far, but does so while being very light as well.

For starters, the configuration is based on an Intel Core i5-2520 central processing unit, whose base clock may be of 2.5 GHz, but which can go to 3.2 GHz via Turbo Boost.

Up to 8 GB of RAM are present (4GB is default), along with the 13.3-inch screen whose native resolution is 1,366 x 768 pixels (Full HD).

Furthermore, Fujitsu threw in a solid state drive (128 GB capacity), an optical drive, HDMI, USB 3.0 (one port), two USB 2.0 ports, an ExpressCard/34 slot, the obligatory Gigabit Ethernet and a D-sub connector.

All of the above, as well as a 60-cell battery pack, are crammed inside a package that measures 1.34 kilograms (47.26 ounces), though the ODD (optical unit) can always be replaced with a lighter one, for as little as 1.22 kg, less than most netbooks.

Considering how the battery is said to be able to last for an amazing 18.2 hours, there is definitely enough here to make the eyebrows of prospective buyers rise.

Unfortunately, the other half of the reason for such a reaction is not exactly of the same, positive nature.

Basically, the Fujitsu Lifebook SH76/E will most definitely raise some issues when it starts shipping in Japan this month, since the price of 180,000 Yen, or $2,345 (about 1,765 Euro, based on exchange rates) is about twice as big as that of the Acer Ultrabook.

Also, keep in mind that US and European prices don't usually reflect exchange rates much either (they often sell for more Euro that what would equal the US price).