Fujitsu LifeBook U820 Review and Specs
The Fujitsu LifeBook U820 is probably a dying breed. The handheld PC is really handheld these days. Blackberrys, iPhones and PDAs can all run full operating systems and compete with laptops as on-the-go devices. But for now, Fujitsu is going to keep moving with the handheld PC market.
These days, $1,199 will get you a tablet-style U820 with specs on par with a number of truly handheld devices. Unfortunately, most agree with the PC Magazine review, saying that the day for handheld PCs is over. As pointed out by Gadget Venue, the small display is a pretty big con for the tiny tablet.
There are some strong points to the U820, especially the novelty of the device itself. The stylus-sensitive tablet is a slick looking frame, and the up-to-date specs make it competitive with a number of low-price Dell notebooks.
The short list of Specs:
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
- Processor: Intel Atom Z530
- Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
- RAM: 1 GB
- Weight: 1.5 lb
- Screen Size: 5.6 inches
- Graphics: Intel GMA 500
- Storage Capacity: 60 GB
- Networking Options: 802.11 g
- Primary Optical Drive:External
Find more info on the U820 at Fujitsu’s website.
Tags: fujitsu lifebook, gma 500, intel, microsoft windows vista home premium, tablet notebook
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November 10th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
A dying breed? I beg to disagree. Although this Fujitsu may be dying due to its price, it’s certainly not due to its form or size. Netbooks are becoming more popular than ever. In fact, I have an Eee PC with an 8 inch screen (though there are smaller models) and they’re outrageously handy.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:12 am
But in an age when more and more people have a WiFi enabled phone or Blackberry and a conventional Laptop, is there a need for netbooks? I assume a netbook is nice for the consumer with a “normal” cell phone and a desktop at home. But for a laptop and Internet phone user, is the netbook worth the price?
What do you think? When do you use yours? Do you know others that share your view? If so, what is their computing setup?
December 8th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
I have a lot of devices (Nokia N810, Eee PCs, HP 2133 and Mini 1000, Fujitsu U820, etc.) and this Fujitsu is probably THE most versatile form factor I’ve used. It provides an almost perfect balance between size and capability.
It provides a full OS (I use Ubuntu Intrepid 8.10 on it), so I have access to all 20,000 apps in the Synaptic repository. I also run Windows applications like ArtRage under WINE, which is one of the nicest drawing/painting packages going. I can run full versions of OpenOffice 3.0, instead of crippled or downsized versions of AbiWord or browsers “based on” Mozilla or Firefox. No limitations — runs the full version of Firefox complete with all add-ons.
At half the size of the typical netbook, it fits in my coat pocket or a leather portfolio that’s half the size of a letter-size sheet of paper — I can pretty much take it anywhere.
Furthermore, the tablet mode transforms the unit into the perfect e-book reader (Adobe Reader, FBReader, etc.) and note taker (using Xournal, Journal, etc.). Unlike the tiny OQO Model 02 with it’s thumb-board, the Fujitsu allows a form of touch-typing (not 100% optimal, but still much, much faster than the thumb keyboards on the Nokia or OQO) and the clamshell design allows the screen to be placed at any angle when watching movies, browsing, etc. (unlike the Nokia or OQO that have to be held at the optimal angle causing your hand to cramp-up after a few minutes).
I’ve found performance to be good (of course, I wiped Vista off of it within minutes after opening the box and installed Ubuntu). Also, battery life is excellent (even with the 2-cell battery and that much more so with the 4-cell).
December 9th, 2008 at 8:07 am
+1 to sadata… the most useful devices ive owned are those reviewers “dont get” as they laud their iphone and macbook air.
the pc mag review was ridiculous. cisco hated the u810, yet reviews the u820. all reviewers agree netookss are the future simply because their commercial success proved it before they even noticed them.
the vast majority of sites have just zero credibility on mobility. insisting that “all u need” is a smartphone as small laptops and now net pcs becomee increasingly popular.
fact is, if u dont USE these devices as paart of your lifestyle and u cant put yourself in the shoess of someone who does, u shouldnt really “review” them.
i mean what kind of help is it when an entire review is a list of reasons why the entire form factor is useless and other devices “make more sense”? thats a review of mobility at a macro lvl, not of a device.
anyone who really can totally live on an iphone or BB simply doesnt do that much on the road.
a umpc isnt a smartphone replacer…. its a laptop replacer. when you travel a lot, you find yourself endlessly in search of the smallest workable solution.