| Laptops and Notebooks Reviews : Fujitsu |
 | Fujitsu LifeBook U820 Mini-Notebook
Small and ultraportable -- 2010-02-20
I'm a college student who bought this because my main laptop is too heavy to carry to school and back.
Pros:
-Tiny. It feels almost weightless to carry, which is wonderful if you're toting lots of books around.
-Touch screen is great for writing and note taking. I can write almost completely normally, and comfortably, for extended periods of time using a stylus. I do my homework on it and take written notes, rather than typed, during class.
-Long battery life. Right now, with two batteries and a 91% charge with a balanced mode, I am told I will get 10 hrs and 43 minutes. I've never tested it, but the battery life is very good.
-Voice activation: it's just that cool to be able to tell your computer to open a file instead of actually clicking. Takes some getting used to, thought.
-Has video and audio recording. Excellent for recording meetings, class lectures, etc.
-I like the interface. There are numerous ways to interact with the computer. Like I mentioned earlier, it has voice recognition software, you can write on it with a stylus, even right click with a stylus. There are scroll down buttons, zoom buttons, right and left mouse click buttons as well as the mouse itself (which you can left click with). It comes with an adapter for ethernet and LAN connection to a projector. There's also button to rotate the orientation of the screen if you want to write in portrait or landscape mode.
-Runs quiet: Once I optimized it (see below) and when the fans aren't running, the computer is completely silent, which I like a lot.
Cons:
-Small screen: this is both a good thing and a bad thing. I picked this computer because it was smaller than other Fujitsus I had tried. The larger screens meant your hand rested on the screen and made writing difficult to impossible. With a small screen my fingers are long enough to write across it without touching the screen. I've also found that resting my hand on a book helps. But I did have to adjust some of the settings to make things bigger. I am 22 with 20-20 eyesight and I had to hunch over, zoom in, or crank up the font size on my web browser. 5.6 inches is definitely pushing the limits of human comfort.
-Small keyboard: I can type on it. But I have relatively small hands. Even with smaller hands, the keyboard is tricky because things have been moved around for space's sake. I've had it for about ten days now and only now am I able to get up some speed when typing--like now for instance. It's doable, but if you have big hands or need to type a lot a larger model might be a better fit.
-Stylus: the one that comes with the computer is too small to write with. I bought some styluses from Frys and they work great. I definitely recommend people get their own, thought, unless you don't mind your hand cramping like crazy.
-Optimizing Vista: Vista is not the best operating system for this little computer and it took me several days to get the laptop running at an efficient speed. It will never run as fast as my $3000 Dell laptop, but it runs perfectly fine for note taking, email checking, homework writing, and net surfing. Don't expect to be able to play a lot of hardcore games.
Recommendations:
-Be really gentle with it, especially the swivel screen. It's tiny and can't withstand a lot of force.
-I was happy I got the two batteries, they've served me well.
-Read the users manual and the start up manual. I spent the first few days frustrated because I didn't read it, thinking I was above instruction manual. Some of the features were very new to me (like voice activation) and I needed the tutorials for that.
In summary: I recommended it to all my college friends who need small computers to take notes on that are highly portable and touch screen. This computer was one of the few I found that really combined everything I wanted--touch screen, small, long battery life, records audio/visual. It's perfect for certain subgroups of computer owners like students. In retrospect, I think a 7inch screen would've been perfect, but c'est la vie. I love it and I take it with me everywhere.
The only reason I gave it four stars was because of Vista, but once I switch the operating system to Linex or Windows 7 I think it'll be a definite 5.
Fujitsu is a cut above the others -- 2009-04-28
I have owned 2 LifeBooks and currently have a T4020. Fujitsu is head and shoulders above the other laptop makers in quality, functionality, reliability and above all in tech support. This morning I had a problem with the input panel due to an upgrade of windows, and they competently led me to the correct driver update, even though my tablet is an older model. It's rare to find competent first class tech support these days, but Fujitsu still provides it.
|
 | Fujitsu LifeBook U810 Mini-Notebook - 800 MHz - Ultra Mobile 2007 - RAM 1 GB - HDD 40 GB - WLAN : 802.11 Super AG, 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 - TPM - fingerprint reader - Vista Home Premium - 5.6" Widescreen TFT 1024 x 600 ( WSVGA ) - camera
great streamline pc -- 2009-10-31
Great umpc(ultra mobile pc), very small. Only con is the vista installed slows this otherwise speedy umpc down. Buy the u810 with vista business and downgrade to windows xp, included with the business vista not home premium version. Keyboard is small but can be gotten used to. I was really impressed with this product would highly recommend to anyone looking for a small portable computer.
An Amazing Tiny Notebook, Once You Understand Its Purpose -- 2009-10-18
The Fujitsu U810 is a misunderstood machine. Some here are stating it is a glorified PDA while others think it is a terrible desktop replacement. This little guy is neither. What the Fujitsu really does is provide a full scale computing experience in a package that is less than half the size of current netbooks on the market. If you need a portable computer that you can take anywhere without weighing you down then this is for you, if you want a huge screen with the ability to play the latest games look elsewhere.
*** Positive Points Include: ***
- Extremely compact size that weighs about a pound and a half. This makes the other netbooks on the market look like ordinary laptops.
- Converts to tablet pc mode so you can use its touch screen to take notes instead of typing. The touchscreen alone makes the computing experience completely different than all the other netbooks on the market.
- Unlike other UMPCs the Fujitsu runs either Windows Vista Premium or Business edition. That means it has a real OS and not a linux spin off. Once you update Vista with all of the service packs and other updates it runs very smoothly considering it is only a 800mhz processor.
- Readyboost in Windows Vista really speeds up the OS so that you cannot tell it is sub 1ghz processor running a full blown OS! Without readyboost the computer works fine but the difference is pretty substantial so you should invest in at least a 4gb flash drive to use for Readyboost.
- Well laid out mouse point stick and buttons. They are different than what most people are used to and require a learning curve but once you get used to them they are easy to use.
- Screen is a 5.6 inch high gloss display that provides enough resolution to prevent you from squinting. It may not work for older people with vision problems but most people under 50 will do just fine.
- Battery life is between 4-6 hours... simply amazing to have a machine last as long as most domestic flights!
- Built in Bluetooth works well and allows me to connect to an external mouse and keyboard while at home.
- VGA output dongle works well to connect to an external monitor. I have tried it on a 19 inch LCD display and it works well.
*** Negative Points Include: ***
- 40 GB hard drive gets cut down to 13 Gb once you install all of the service packs and updates in Windows Vista. You can make up for this by buying a 16GB SD card for storage.
- Keyboard does not allow for fast, error free typing. It is simply too small though it is bearable. For home use you may want to invest in a full size bluetooth keyboard to go along with this computer. For travel needs the built in keyboard is bearable.
- Only one USB port. This is a real downer for anyone hoping to connect to mulitple peripherals. A USB hub is the only recourse.
- Windows Vista can take over a full day to install all of the updates and service packs. This is an almost unbearable process but the end result is a system that performs very well so it is worth the wait. Most of the complaints about Vista being slow are due to people not downloading the latest updates and service packs so this is a must if you want to use this computer.
- Ethernet and VGA output for external monitors is accomplished by the included dongle which attaches to the front of the computer. This is a pretty unconventional location.
- No real innovation on the power supply, it is a small brick with 2 long cords, one going to the outlet and the other to the laptop.
OVERALL: This is probably the smallest and lightest tablet PC running Windows Vista. If you need an ultra portable PC and don't mind the puny keyboard this is probably the king of all micro pc's. If you want a desktop like experience stick with a traditional laptop but anyone seeking a true portable machine will not be dissapointed. Just make sure to update Vista and use Readyboost before doing any serious work!
|
|
|
|
|
