REVIEW: Fujitsu U810

Specs:

Display: 5.6" WSVGA 1024 x 600 "Crystal View" touch screen with passive digitizer. Intel 945GM integrated graphics with 128 megs shared memory (224 megs under Vista). Comes with dongle adapter with VGA connector for external monitors and projectors. Max external resolution not specified, we successfully tested it with a 19" 1600 x 1200 monitor.

Battery: 4 cell 5200 mAh 7.2v Lithium Ion rechargeable. 37.4 watts/hour, claimed runtime: up to 5.5 hours.

Performance: Intel A110 800MHz processor with 512k level 2 cache and 400MHz FSB. 1 gig DDR2 400MHz RAM (non-upgradable). Intel 945U chipset. 1.8" 40 gig hard drive (4200 rpm) with PATA interface.

Size: 6.73” (W) x 6” (D) x 1.04-1.26” (H). weight: 1.56 pounds.

Camera: Webcam located above the display (works fine with Skype).

Audio: Built in speaker, mic and 3.5mm standard stereo headphone jack. RealTek ALC262 HD audio codec.

Networking: Atheros Super AG WiFi 802.11 a/b/g and Bluetooth 2.0. Realtek 8101L 10/100 Ethernet (requires included dongle adapter).

Software: Windows Vista Home Premium Edition or Windows Vista Business + DVD to downgrade to Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005. MS Works 8.5 is bundled on a CD (not pre-installed) with Home Premium model. OneNote 2007 included with Vista Business model.

Ports and Expansion: 1 SD slot and 1 Compact Flash card slot. 1 USB 2.0 port, 3.5mm stereo out and mic in, port for docking station/dongle adapter which has VGA and Ethernet ports.

Security: Integrated Fingerprint Sensor and embedded TPM. Boot Sector Write Prevention and BIOS passwording. AuthenTec fingerprint scanner and OmniPass software for Windows.

Pro: Great form factor, the mini-notebook is much more usable and carry-able than slate designed UMPCs. Acceptible performance under Vista and good performance under Windows XP. The wide-screen display means dialogs won't be cut off and you can watch a YouTube video with no top/bottom truncation. Very good battery life. Price is right and the size and weight are perfectly portable. WiFi performance is excellent.

Con: This isn't a true notebook replacement. The high resolution display is harder on the eyes than a conventional notebook and the keyboard is barely touch-typable (and large-fingered folk will resort to 2 finger pecking). OmniPass fingerprint scanner software for Vista slows down machine and has few features compared to Protector Suite QL used on Sony's notebooks. The Windows XP version (included with the XP restore CD on the Vista Business model) doesn't slow down the machine as much and has more features.