14 DAY TRIAL // Last week we found out some spicy details on the new 20.1" display notebook from HP, making it the largest portable device ever released. Today, it's time for another record breaker. This time we look at Fujitsu's latest tiny tablet PC which is to be released soon in Japan.
The Lifebook U notebook weighs as little as 580g, making it the ultimate portable device. This notebook dwarf integrates a 1,024x600 touch screen display that measures 5.6-inches. I'd say far too small compared to HP's Pavilion HDX 20.1" display, but still good enough for typing and performing useful tasks. Being a tablet PC, the display can also be swiveled around 180 degrees to allow a smooth touchscreen interaction. Lifebook U's incredible weight is also determined by its size of only 171?133?26.5-32mm, making it a rival for pocket devices. Hardware configurations for this model are based on the new Intel Ultra Mobile Platform 2007 design, powered by an Intel A110 processor clocked at 800MHz and the Intel 945GU chipset with integrated graphics.
Interesting enough, Fujitsu allows customers to specify hard drive and wireless connectivity options, choosing between Windows XP and Vista as well. However, miniaturization comes at some price. For example, the basic system configuration integrates 512MB of RAM, a 20GB hard drive, Wi-Fi connectivity and pre-installed Windows XP for Tablet PCs, adding it up for about US$1,260, which is a bit far fetched for a supposed basic configuration after all. Other standard features coming with the Lifebook U include a single USB 2.0 port, Compact Flash and SD card slots, a finger print scanner and additional cables for Ethernet connectivity and D-Sub compatibility for external displays. The estimated standard battery life ranges in between 3.5-4h, while the additional battery should last for at least 7-8h. Fujitsu mentioned that the Lifebook U model will first hit the Japanese market in June.