LifeBook U810

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.