Price as Tested: $1,869.00DirectType: Media, Tablet, Business, Small Business
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Business
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo P8400
Processor Speed: 2.26 GHz
RAM: 1 GBWeight: 4.8 lb
Screen Size: 13.3 inches
Screen Size Type:
Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
Storage Capacity: 80 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW
Only a handful of convertible tablets are worthy of being called complete. Tablet makers typically make sacrifices to manage the weight, like ditching the optical drive, opting for a smaller screen, or including a low-powered processor. In doing so, manufacturers tend to hamper an important part of the convertible—the laptop part. Fujitsu, however, didn't skimp in outfitting the LifeBook T5010 ($1,869 direct). In addition to a 13-inch widescreen and an integrated optical drive, it's equipped with the latest Intel Centrino 2 parts.
The T5010 straddles the line between portable and "maybe I should leave this at home," but a lot can be forgiven when you put in a 13.3-inch widescreen and an optical drive. At 4.8 pounds, it weighs the same as its predecessor, the LifeBook T4210, which has a smaller 12-inch screen. Not everyone needs an optical drive, which is why Fujitsu offers the LifeBook T2010—you can lose over a pound by eliminating the extra spindle. The "heaviest tablet"award belongs to the 5.1-pound HP Pavilion tx2000z. Meanwhile, the Lenovo ThinkPad X61 Tablet is better suited for those who spend more than 25 percent of their time on the road during the year. With an extended battery (but no optical drive), it weighs 4.4 pounds.
System weights aside, you'll find that the T5010 makes for a terrific mainstream laptop. In keeping up with the times, Toshiba has moved from a 12-inch standard screen to a 13.3-inch widescreen. The 1,280-by-800 resolution is standard for this size, yet the bright display allows for editing home videos and photos and watching the occasional movie. But the keyboard, though full size, isn't at all resistant, and the mouse buttons click a little too loudly. The Lenovo tablets still lead the pack in comfort with their superb keyboards and a superior navigating experience.
The T5010 is the result of generations of improvements in writing capabilities. Its digitizer experience and the pen-on-paper feel are nothing short of impressive. When you pair Wacom's digitizer technology with the tablet functions of Windows Vista Business, the results are generally positive. This is also the case with the Toshiba M700-S7002 and the Lenovo X61 Tablet. The hinge that allows the screen to rotate feels rock solid, although the locking mechanism that keeps the screen in its place seems to be flimsier than that on the Toshiba and the Lenovo. Moving to a widescreen format enables longer portrait views, so vertical scrolling is minimized. An orientation button, arrow keys, and an Enter key can be found on the screen itself, along with a 1.3-megapixel webcam and a fingerprint reader.
A rare find on tablets, the built-in dual-layer DVD burner is one reason why many tablet shoppers will consider buying the T5010. Recognizing that an optical drive adds to the weight, Fujitsu had made the drive modular: You can replace it with a weight-saving piece of plastic or pop in an extra battery. The other features are geared more towards business users. The T5010 has a PC Card slot, unusual as many laptops today come with ExpressCard slots instead. It also has a SmartCard reader, which works in concert with the built-in Trusted Platform Module (TPM). The Fujitsu's 80GB hard drive seems insubstantial when the Toshiba M700-S7002 comes standard with 160GB, but you can upgrade to a 250GB drive for $190. Rounding out the features are three USB ports, a FireWire port, and a four-in-one card reader (SD, xD, MS, MS Pro).
The T5010 is the first tablet I've seen to use Intel's new Centrino 2 platform. Fujitsu has moved away from the T-series processors, even though those processors held a performance edge, in favor of the more energy-efficient, 2.26-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor. The P8400 runs cooler because it's a standard-voltage processor, which operates at 25 watts, unlike the T-series processors, which run at 34W. Intel's platform also now supports DDR3 memory, and the T5010 has 2GB worth of it.
Although it didn't quite measure up to the others on SYSmark 2007 tests, it exceeded our expectations in other areas. It was dominant in video encoding, its score besting the Toshiba M700 and the HP tx2000z by 20 percent and 29 percent, respectively. Its CineBench score of 4,296 and a Photoshop CS3 score of 33 seconds were tops among this group, too. (Keep in mind that both the Toshiba and Lenovo tablets have yet to move to the Centrino 2 platform, and the HP tx2000z uses AMD parts.) The battery life score was a little disappointing: Despite a more energy-efficient core, the system managed only 3 hours 7 minutes, less than expected. The small (56-Wh) battery is likely the culprit.
The Fujitsu LifeBook T5010 is the first tablet to get a Centrino 2 makeover. The company's line of convertible tablets has withstood the test of time. The inclusion of an internal optical drive and speedy parts has been Fujitsu's long-standing tradition and will continue to garner Fujitsu a loyal following among tablet users. This time around, however, make sure you buy the modular battery
The T5010 straddles the line between portable and "maybe I should leave this at home," but a lot can be forgiven when you put in a 13.3-inch widescreen and an optical drive. At 4.8 pounds, it weighs the same as its predecessor, the LifeBook T4210, which has a smaller 12-inch screen. Not everyone needs an optical drive, which is why Fujitsu offers the LifeBook T2010—you can lose over a pound by eliminating the extra spindle. The "heaviest tablet"award belongs to the 5.1-pound HP Pavilion tx2000z. Meanwhile, the Lenovo ThinkPad X61 Tablet is better suited for those who spend more than 25 percent of their time on the road during the year. With an extended battery (but no optical drive), it weighs 4.4 pounds.
System weights aside, you'll find that the T5010 makes for a terrific mainstream laptop. In keeping up with the times, Toshiba has moved from a 12-inch standard screen to a 13.3-inch widescreen. The 1,280-by-800 resolution is standard for this size, yet the bright display allows for editing home videos and photos and watching the occasional movie. But the keyboard, though full size, isn't at all resistant, and the mouse buttons click a little too loudly. The Lenovo tablets still lead the pack in comfort with their superb keyboards and a superior navigating experience.
The T5010 is the result of generations of improvements in writing capabilities. Its digitizer experience and the pen-on-paper feel are nothing short of impressive. When you pair Wacom's digitizer technology with the tablet functions of Windows Vista Business, the results are generally positive. This is also the case with the Toshiba M700-S7002 and the Lenovo X61 Tablet. The hinge that allows the screen to rotate feels rock solid, although the locking mechanism that keeps the screen in its place seems to be flimsier than that on the Toshiba and the Lenovo. Moving to a widescreen format enables longer portrait views, so vertical scrolling is minimized. An orientation button, arrow keys, and an Enter key can be found on the screen itself, along with a 1.3-megapixel webcam and a fingerprint reader.
A rare find on tablets, the built-in dual-layer DVD burner is one reason why many tablet shoppers will consider buying the T5010. Recognizing that an optical drive adds to the weight, Fujitsu had made the drive modular: You can replace it with a weight-saving piece of plastic or pop in an extra battery. The other features are geared more towards business users. The T5010 has a PC Card slot, unusual as many laptops today come with ExpressCard slots instead. It also has a SmartCard reader, which works in concert with the built-in Trusted Platform Module (TPM). The Fujitsu's 80GB hard drive seems insubstantial when the Toshiba M700-S7002 comes standard with 160GB, but you can upgrade to a 250GB drive for $190. Rounding out the features are three USB ports, a FireWire port, and a four-in-one card reader (SD, xD, MS, MS Pro).
The T5010 is the first tablet I've seen to use Intel's new Centrino 2 platform. Fujitsu has moved away from the T-series processors, even though those processors held a performance edge, in favor of the more energy-efficient, 2.26-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor. The P8400 runs cooler because it's a standard-voltage processor, which operates at 25 watts, unlike the T-series processors, which run at 34W. Intel's platform also now supports DDR3 memory, and the T5010 has 2GB worth of it.
Although it didn't quite measure up to the others on SYSmark 2007 tests, it exceeded our expectations in other areas. It was dominant in video encoding, its score besting the Toshiba M700 and the HP tx2000z by 20 percent and 29 percent, respectively. Its CineBench score of 4,296 and a Photoshop CS3 score of 33 seconds were tops among this group, too. (Keep in mind that both the Toshiba and Lenovo tablets have yet to move to the Centrino 2 platform, and the HP tx2000z uses AMD parts.) The battery life score was a little disappointing: Despite a more energy-efficient core, the system managed only 3 hours 7 minutes, less than expected. The small (56-Wh) battery is likely the culprit.
The Fujitsu LifeBook T5010 is the first tablet to get a Centrino 2 makeover. The company's line of convertible tablets has withstood the test of time. The inclusion of an internal optical drive and speedy parts has been Fujitsu's long-standing tradition and will continue to garner Fujitsu a loyal following among tablet users. This time around, however, make sure you buy the modular battery
