News Week of April 27, 2008

Fujitsu Announces Availability of Fujitsu LifeBook U810 Mini Convertible and LifeBook T2010 Ultra-Portable Convertible Notebooks With Fastest Wireless Data Connection in North America

Fujitsu First to Offer Built-In AT&T BroadbandConnect High Speed Packet Access

Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation today announced the availability of the LifeBook(R) U810 mini and the ultra-portable LifeBook T2010 convertible notebooks with built-in access to the AT&T BroadbandConnect High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) network, delivering the highest speed data wireless GSM WAN connection available in North America.

The LifeBook U810 mini, the world's smallest convertible notebook* at 1.56 pounds with a 5.6-inch LED backlit touch-screen display, and the 3.5-pound LifeBook T2010 convertible notebook, with a 12.1-inch LED backlit display, are the first notebooks in North America to offer a built-in wireless modem certified to access AT&T's third-generation (3G) High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) BroadbandConnect wireless network. This network provides enhanced 3G performance, with typical download speeds between 600 Kbps and 1,400 Kbps and typical upload speeds between 500 Kbps and 800 Kbps. The faster download speeds provide an optimal wireless Internet-browsing experience, and the faster upload speeds will enhance users' ability to send large files, such as e-mail messages with attachments, videos, photos or business documents.

"Fujitsu has integrated HSUPA access into the LifeBook U810 mini and LifeBook T2010 convertible notebooks to enable users to take advantage of flexibility and productivity gains that are gained through unparalleled data connectivity," said Paul Moore, senior director of mobile product marketing, Fujitsu Computer Systems. "The greater connection speeds integrated into the highly adaptable and highly reliable Fujitsu solutions allow mobile workers to be far more productive regardless of where their travels take them, including international travel through various AT&T roaming agreements."

AT&T has the broadest international wireless footprint of any U.S. carrier. Customers can use the LifeBook 810 mini and LifeBook T2010 convertible notebooks on 3G or EDGE/GPRS networks in more than 145 countries -- including Japan and South Korea. AT&T also gives its customers the ability to use their wireless phones to make or take a phone call in more than 200 countries.

Capable of running all standard applications, the LifeBook U810 mini notebook functions like a traditional notebook with an ultra-slim QWERTY keyboard, or by swiveling the WSVGA Crystal View illuminated screen, as a handheld tablet PC with a touch screen for finger or pen input. The mini convertible, equipped with the energy efficient Ultra Low Power Intel(R) A110 processor, is available with Windows Vista(R) Home Premium, Windows Vista(R) Business, or Windows(R) XP Tablet PC Edition 2005. The system's standard four-cell battery delivers up to 5.5 hours of computing time.(1)

The LifeBook T2010 notebook, the lightest convertible on the market, comes equipped with a slim 1.3-inch chassis and a 12.1-inch WXGA indoor/outdoor LED back-lit display with a bi-directional swivel. The pen-enabled convertible boasts extraordinary battery life of up to 11 hours(1) with the extended battery option, or 9 hours(1) with a standard battery. The LifeBook T2010 notebook, equipped with Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo 7600 ultra low voltage processor, offers a choice of Windows Vista(R) Business or Windows(R) XP Tablet PC Edition 2005.

Both the LifeBook U810 and LifeBook T2010 notebooks comply with the new Energy Star(R) version 4.0 guidelines. The environmentally friendly notebooks are packed with a suite of advanced security features to safeguard information including Trusted Platform Module support and two-level BIO lock, along with a fingerprint sensor for encrypting sensitive files with a finger swipe. The LifeBook T2010 notebook also offers an embedded Smart Card slot.

Price and Availability

The LifeBook U810 notebook with HSPA Wireless WAN, priced starting at $999(2), and the LifeBook T2010 notebook with HSPA Wireless WAN, priced starting at $1,499(2), are available immediately through the Fujitsu direct sales force, website, channel partners and select retail outlets(3). Users can choose from a recommended configuration, or they can customize their system using the Fujitsu Configure To Order (CTO) program. See http://www.computers.us.fujitsu.com/store/index.shtml for further information. (Source: Press Release)

Fujitsu adds integrated HSUPA to U810, T2010

Fujitsu just dropped an integrated 3G radio into both a UMPC and Lifebook Tablet PC for speedy connectivity on AT&T's network. Both the U810 UMPC and the Lifebook T2010 tablet get the option, with MSRPs at $999 and $1,499 respectively. (Note: the 3G option adds $200 to both devices; thanks Dan!) The HSUPA radio will fall back to EDGE or GPRS as needed and should get you speeds around 1.4 Mbps down and 500- to 800 kbps back up when in a coverage area.  (Source: jkOnTheRun)
Posted Friday, May 2, 2008 by ChrisD
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TabletPc2.com 2008 Mothers Day Gift Guide

With an assortment of Tablets PC's, Cutting Edge Laptops, Exciting Accessories and Sweet Treats that include Chilled Champagne, I hope you will find the perfect Mothers day gift for the special woman in your life and in your heart. 
From the technology savvy Mom to the Soccer mom I think you will find items that will delight Mom this mothers day.   (Source: Linda A. Epstein, TabletPC2.com)

HP Taps 'Dirty Jobs' Star For Pavilion Notebook Campaign

HP is using the droll humor of Mike Rowe, star of the Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs," to sell its Pavilion TX2000z Notebook PC in five very funny vignettes that may end up as commercials on the star's cable home.

The campaign is currently using direct email and a microsite at hp.com.   (Source: Nina M. Lentini, MediaPost Publications)

Some Tips to Get More Out of Your Vista Tablet PC

I've often said that it is the applications that you install on your tablet that make it will return the most value.  However, having said that there is a lot that you can do to Vista out of the box that will give you a better pen experience.

Here are my top tips for getting more out of Vista on your tablet.  (Source: Craig Pringle, GottaBeMobile)

Will tablets go the way of the Palm Pilot?

Business Week has followed up on my recent piece about the iPhone with a feature about a host of medical applications for mobile phones.

It’s making me wonder whether tablet PCs, no matter what innovations come from them, might go the way of the Palm Pilot.  (Source: Dana Blankenhorn, ZDNet Healthcare)

Easy to Swallow

Not just for doctors and cops anymore, the new breed of tablet PCs could be the cure for your company’s mobile computing headaches.

From hospital wards to police cruisers, tablet PCs have become a common sight among specialized users without offices and those who need to compute while standing. But as applications and support for tablets improve, even more sedentary office workers could benefit from these devices.

What has changed in the maturing tablet landscape that should have IT managers taking note? Three things.  (Source: David Strom, Baseline Magazine)

Can Toshiba Tip the Tables in Favor of Tablets?

All things considered, the M700 proves to be a decent notebook computer, which can offer tablet features when needed. Ideally, users will use the system mostly in its notebook configuration and then switch to tablet if they so desire. Either way, it combines the best of both worlds without any major downside—certainly a step in the right direction for convertible PCs.  (Source: Frank Ohlhorst, eWeek Channel Insider)
Posted Wednesday, April 30, 2008 by ChrisD
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New Fujitsu Tablet PC Spotted?

It also looks like Fujitsu has jumped on the P-series processor bandwagon from Intel. This is the same line of processors that come in the MacBook Air. This Intel Core 2 Duo design is very small in size, but still maintains the power.

It looks as though it could be a replacement for the T2010 tablets or maybe we are in luck and Fujitsu has a completely new design. No word on pricing yet either, but we hope more information will start trickling out.  (Source: Tiffany Boggs, TabletPCReview.com

Shifting Expectations- Final thoughts on HTC’s X9000 UMPC

I’d like to say that the Shift is a great device for someone out there but it’s hard to determine a usage scenario where the Shift is the best solution. Supposing you love the SnapVUE mode, need a full OS occasionally, and are going to be carrying a phone anyway, the Shift could become your email/mobile productivity system. This is especially true if you don’t like to write extended emails on your BlackBerry. The problem though, is that you probably won’t like to write extended emails on the Shift and you’ll have to deal with the burden of another device and the cost of another mobile broadband connection.

In summary, HTC was late to market with this product and they are paying the price for it. Even a year ago it would have had its shortcomings, but now the market is a lot more competitive then when we first heard about the Shift. Main attraction of the device is still the Sprint mobile broadband service combined with the SnapVUE mode, but the lackluster Vista operation, large size (for a primarily Windows Mobile device), and lack of voice communications often had me wishing I was just using a Tilt. Throw in slow performance, long load times, and about a $1500 price tag and it’s not hard to understand the lack of enthusiasm behind the device’s release.  (Source: Sal Cangeloso, Geek.com)

Buy.com outs Samsung Q1 Ultra Premium Vista model

This isn't a terribly huge surprise, but it appears that Buy.com is now offering a different variation of the Samsung Q1 Ultra Premium. I bought the Q1UP-XP which had Microsoft Windows XP Tablet Edition pre-installed and 1 GB of RAM. The Q1UP-V will of course sport Microsoft Windows Vista, although I can't tell which edition it will have. My guess would be the Home Premium edition, although the Business and Ultimate editions also support Tablet PC functionality.  (Source: jkOnTheRun)
Posted Tuesday, April 29, 2008 by ChrisD
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Toshiba M700 HSDSPA tablet PC laptops

Toshiba has announced four new laptops. One will be an ultraportable model, while the other three are all Tablet PCs.

One of these, the Toshiba M700-3G13B, offers HSDPA wireless connectivity. Prices start at £999 ex VAT.

Each M700 is powered by a 45nm ‘Penryn’ Intel Core 2 Duo processor and features either Windows Vista Business or XP professional. The 12in digitised touch-sensitive display can either be controlled by fingertips or with the digitised pen that is also shipped with the laptop.   (Source: Carrie-Ann Skinner, PC Advisor)

Tablet PCs Being Used by Outpatient Physicians

The survey found that 77 percent of outpatient physicians, working in office and clinic environments, believed tablet PCs were a suitable mobile computing device for accessing multi-function clinical applications at the point of care. The referenced applications enable outpatient physicians to access patient electronic medical records, generate structured patient documentation, initiate medical orders, view radiological images and capture patient billing charges.

"Ninety percent of the nurses said the tablet devices were not appropriate for inpatient bedside nursing because of form-factor issues," Gregg Malkary, managing director of Spyglass Consulting, said. "Hospital-based physicians are raising the same set of issues. They ask where you are going to put the devices down. Form-factor issues are significant within hospitals. But outside of the patient care setting you have more control. You can actually see the benefits of the mobile solutions, provided that one of three things occur: (1) you have the right hardware; (2) you have the right software solution; and (3) you are able to integrate the solution within the physician's workflow. If you don't have these three elements, you are setting yourself up for failure.  (Source: Robert N. Mitchell , Advance for Health Information Executives)