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"Ok, but could some improvements would help" on by dougwf
Pros: Fingerprint security, good battery life, lightweight
Cons: Fujitsu zoom utility is useless. Scroll keys too small. Tablet mode weakens wireless reception
Summary: I bought this device to serve two primary purposes, to store and read e-books, pdfs, and other electronic documents. Also, to have full internet access for browsing and downloading content.
1. It works well as an ebook device. I find the screen size adequate and quite readable. When reading ebooks or other documents, I am finding that battery life is acceptable (seems to be as advertised in the 4 to 5 hr range --- IF wireless adapter is turned off while reading).
2. Functions well to browse the internet because it is a full computer running Windows Vista. I downloaded Firefox and the performance is surprisingly fast, given the resources already in use by Vista.
I chose Vista over XP because of the reported improvements to Tablet features in Vista vs XP Tablet PC. Since I am a new 'tablet' user I cannot verify any difference, it is only what I have read.
A VERY nice unexpected feature for me is the 'Sleep' mode of Vista that is supposedly a combination of Standby and Hibernate in previous Windows versions. This removes the boot process almost entirely, and combined with the fingerprint login, I can simply open the device, swipe my finger, and be back on, usually within 10 to 20 seconds. To me, this is a big advantage over normal login process because of small keyboard that requires looking at the keyboard even as a touch typist.
Unfortunately, I am finding that wireless receptions diminishes when I fold the u810 into tablet mode and hide the keyboard. I have not read of any other complaints of this problem, so maybe it is unique to mine. However, it happens EVERY time...and if I am more than ~50ft from the signal source, I will generally lose my connections. I would be curious to know if others experience the same problem.
The u810 has 2 FN scroll buttons on the upper right. While it was a great idea, I find the 'raised' FN key to get in the way when scrolling down (with the left scroll key). Hitting the left scroll key by itself scrolls one line at a time, hitting the FN key first and then the scroll key creates a page down sequence. Unfortunately, they are so close (and since they are thumb operated) that sometimes my thumb will simultaneously hit the FN key and cause a 'page' down scroll instead of a line by line scroll...forcing me to scroll back up. A thumbwheel scroll on the side of the device would have been VERY nice in comparison. Also, for internet browsing, a hard 'back' and 'forward' key would have made it even better.
I have also found that the machine does heat up after about 20 minutes which can also be annoying.
All in all I am happy with the device, but disappointed with the wireless reception in tablet mode. I enjoy sitting and being able to read (e-books or Internet) while relaxing and watching television at the same time or to lay in bed and read. I always found a full laptop to be too big and cumbersome to do the same. This device works very well for both. -
"Very cool little machine with limitations" on by Mr Bigsby
Pros: Typical Fujitsu quality, flexibility, having access to all PC applications in small form factor
Cons: CF card reader problems
Summary: A very cool device. I’ve had it for about two months now. Primarily bought it for short business trips and hauling around the office to meetings. Having struggled with Vista on my daughter’s new laptop, I ordered it with XP. My primary laptop is a 13” Vaio SZ with a Core 2 processor, 2 mg RAM, and a 160 GB 7200 HD, so I have a good sense of mobile performance. The Fujitsu is fine for typical office applications, watching movies, but you’re not going to do any high performance graphics oriented computing on it. XP load times are slow as you would expect from a 4200 rpm HD. I typically leave the Fujitsu on “standby” when not in use; a quick flip of the lid and it’s up and running in seconds. I can go all day with sporadic use this way; less if the wireless is on, but still good battery life. In fact, I purchased a second battery to take along for cross-country flights, and have yet to use it.
I love it on airplanes (I sit in the cheap seats, so any boneheads who recline their chairs had effectively prevented me from working on my other laptop). You can work with it in a standard laptop configuration (on the table with keyboard and screen), held in your hands, or as a tablet. I find I use all three at different times and different situations, sometimes switching in the middle of a task. I thought I would settle on one preferred style, but having the flexibility is nice.
Another surprise is how often I use the tablet. I’ve never used windows tablet before and my handwriting is terrible, but I’ve found the recognition software to be very robust. (Mind you, I still need to do some post note taking edits). I now use it for note taking in meetings which was an unexpected application for me.
Like dougwf I find the wireless signal deteriorates over intermediate distances that my VAIO handles with aplomb.
I have never been able to consistently use fingerprint readers – I end up swiping my thumb and every other finger multiple times before getting anything readable. The Fujitsu was no exception so I unloaded the software.
The screen is crisp and gorgeous but I am a middle aged guy with reading glasses and trust me, you will need your reading glasses as well. However, this is the price you pay for the form factor. If you haven’t worked with small form machines before, realize that any task will take longer only because keyboard maneuvers are more intricate, and a stylus cannot match the performance of a mouse.
One of the major problems is the CF card reader. Having a built in CF reader was a major selling point for me. My thinking was that a few 16 mb cards in my pocket would readily compensate for the small 40 GB hard drive. But the U810 cannot handle high capacity, high speed cards. Apparently the highest read and write speed are around 2MB/s so it’s really a useless appendage. Even at that speed, I can only access a fraction of the files I have on the card. Very disappointed.
This has been a major issue raised on other forums and from what I gather, Fujitsu is struggling to develop a fix.
see http://www.umpcportal.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=1743&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&start=0
Hard drive runs hot – in the 40-50+ degree C range, depending on amount of HD access.
Build quality is very good. I’ve owned Fujitsu before and they are consistently well built machines. Contrary to one of the other reports about poor service, I’ve found their call centers to be responsive. -
"Finally, a useable UMPC" on by pb125
Pros: Good screen, great keyboard, multiple input devices
Cons: None yet - time will tell
Summary: The U810 just showed up today, and my worries about the screen being "too small" are gone... its very sharp and functional for its purpose. I got XP, not Vista, and although its to early to tell at least boot times are snappy. It is true the extended battery looks odd, but functionally it actually forms a handy ledge to hook your fingers on when holding the device and manipulating the pointing stick. As to the stick, very well placed and very easy to use (and I am not the biggest fan of those devices). I have used Fujitsu slates for several years, and found them bullet-proof and very stable. Hoping this will turn out to be a similar experience.
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"Great mini laptop, loaded value" on by darowh
Pros: Features, usability, size
Cons: Performance
Summary: I got my Fujitsu U810 from MicroCenter in Fairfax Virginia, they only had the Vista version so couldn't get XP as originally planned. Nonetheless, I've found this little device to be quite useful largely due to its high portability factor. I have a full size Dell Latitude D620 for office and home use, but have grown used to carrying the U810 instead for casual trips to the bookstore, library, or a weekend getaway.
The U810 handles basic web browsing, email, MS Office, digital music and media like a champ. Just limit the number of apps open at once, along with some Vista tweaking, and you'll be fine. Had some problems with the power button awakening the U810 from Sleep, but resolved with a quick call to Fujitsu support. Another reason I chose the U810 was to have a portable device for digital audio recording in the field (as a musician), and it works well with the M-Audio MobilePre USB interface.
Suggestion: Get the leather protection case from Fujitsu, $59 and definitely worth it. -
"Forcing me to use vista should be illegal" on by Under_clocker
Pros: Great hardware, good battery life.
Cons: Worst operating system ever!
Summary: When If first decided to fork over the $1000 to get this unit I had to go through 3 boxes before Micro-center gave me one that had not been a repackaged unit…..
Awfull what else can I say. this computer sucks in a big way. I Have had nothing but trouble since I got it. I am feeling ripped off right now and I compare this pc to the 80s hundai of pcs out there. it sucks and peorple need to know that fujitsu is a sack of sh(&%
Always Always Always check your screen for dead pixels! If I had not done that on the way out of the store I would have discovered that they had repackaged the laptop when I got all the way home.... Microcenter had their logons on both units we went through…It took me 45 minutes to get out of the store with a new unit.
The other thing is this. I had to really grind away on the unit to get it where it was fairly serviceable. Windows vista is a flaming piece of garbage that seems to be windows ME reincarnated.
I have had one hell of a time trying to find windows xp tablet edition …and I plan to remove vista as it is the worst os I have ever seen.
What is good is I was able to boot from a cd rom using my own external usb cdrom. That I put together from an external cd rom case I got from fry's …I did how ever change the boot priority in bios to the cd rom device as the first boot device.... To get to the bios just press fn and f2 a couple times during reboot. And you can figure it out from there….
I plan to order tablet edition xp from new egg and I suggest that those of you who hate vista do the same….
With vista on this machine I can not control my telescope or run any of the software that I legally purchased. I can not plug in my telescope’s usb camera or even run my lcars desktop beta without a crash. I cant even plug in my stamp 2 programmer! It wont talk to it.
In short: Microsoft is trying to push vista on everyone. Its is almost impossible to find xp tablet in the stores I have checked the entire dfw area. Nobody has it that I could find. That is stupid. Because more and more people will switch over to MAC or Linux if they keep forcing the issue. I know I will, and I work in IT… NOBODY likes vista except for aolers and dorks.
Here is a tip Fujitsu people. Dump vista, this type of unit appeals to I.t. people and geeks and we don’t like vista the term we use a lot is. UPGRADE TO XP.!
Veronicca
Updated on Feb 2, 2009
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