Most notebook makers love to brag about how big their screens are; Fujitsu has turned that around by making one of the smallest convertible tablet PCs on the market.
The LifeBook U810 weighs in at just 725 grams and measures 17 by 15.25 centimetres and is 2.5 cm thick.
Called an Ultra Portable PC, this machine would easily fit on a drop-down economy-class food table, but the shrunken keyboard and screen are too small for much more than simple document review and Web searching. For those with aging eyes or poor vision, it's a real struggle.
While it comes with Microsoft Vista and runs a full gamut of programs, it has no CD/DVD drive and can't be considered as much more than a work machine intended for e-mail, light editing and messaging. A docking station with a drive is an $80 option.
On a more positive note, the ability to flip the screen around for presentations or drop it flat for handwritten notes can be extremely useful.
As an Internet device, the LifeBook performed well. Since entering search terms is usually a short process, there isn't much typing involved in surfing the Internet. However, you do need to navigate around Web pages with the integrated mouse, and that can be a challenge.
The mouse button - at least the button one uses to direct the on-screen pointer - is located on the right side of the keyboard. The left and right mouse buttons, which you use to activate links or select options, are on the left side. Over all, the mouse proved inaccurate; during tests the pointer often overshot the intended target.
Thankfully, the machine comes with a stylus, which is much easier to operate.
And while it sports a smaller battery, the LifeBook's size means it really doesn't draw a lot of power and runs for five-plus hours - in fact the machine will last longer than you do.
Over all, the Fujitsu LifeBook U810 is more than a PDA and less than a laptop, which makes it truly a niche product. And at $999, you'd have to be the right person with the right reasons to consider buying this machine.
For the full review, go to the Personal Tech section of globetechnology.com
