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Fujitsu launches “Slate-beating” 10″ Lifebook T580 Tablet PC

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Fujitsu is rolling out a new convertible Lifebook Tablet PC. The T580 is smaller than their recent releases with a 10.1″ screen, but it’s still able to rotate in either direction to flip to slate mode. And in a different kind of twist, Fujitsu is marketing this thing as a “Slate-beater”.

Old-timers will recall that Fujitsu was a slate-making machine until the past year, particularly with their Stylistic line of Tablet PCs. Indeed, their experience with slates and ability to translate that to convertibles are a reason why their T900 appealed so strongly to me in my recent review. Thus, it’s strange that, in their press release, they’re citing their experience with convertibles as a strength in their “slate-beating” product. I have to wonder if perhaps they’re trying to get ahead of an industry shift from slates to convertibles, much the way it happened to Tablet PCs. Heh, even the possibility of the old slate vs. convertible argument being revived has me feeling nostalgic.

Another interesting tidbit is that the T580 can recognize four points of contact with its dual-digitizer. This signals that it’s using an N-Trig digitizer, which can recognize four points while Wacom is still limited to two (unless that driver upgrade is coming soon). It also offers options for integrated 3G connnectvity and GPS. Product is listed on Fujitsu’s website but not available until November. Press release and brief video preview below.

Via Engadget

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuaebdYRPFs

New Smaller LIFEBOOK T580 Is The Gateway to Fujitsu’s Tablet Line Up

Slate-beating LIFEBOOK tablet PC combines touch screen mobility with the convenience of a keyboard

Munich – Fujitsu today introduces a new smaller fully featured tablet PC, the LIFEBOOK T580, measuring up with a 10.1-inch screen size. Leveraging Fujitsu’s 20 years of convertible PC experience, the slate-beating LIFEBOOK T580 squeezes full-size notebook features and technology into a smaller, lighter and lower-priced package.

Fujitsu’s LIFEBOOK T580 is the flexible alternative mobile working on a slate – removing the frustration of slow responses by packing much more processor power, and delivering convenient practicalities for all-day working, such as a keyboard, two USB slots, SD card and SmartCard readers, a webcam, and outputs for both VGA monitors and high-definition HDMI displays.

Weighing just 1.4kg, the new baby LIFEBOOK T580 converts from a notebook to a touch screen tablet PC with a simple twist of the unique bi-directional rotatable screen. This provides a full touch screen experience including support for four-finger multiple touch, and enables fingertip control for up to 14 different gestures, as well as touch-based double-tapping, scrolling, magnifying and rotating. A Dual Digitizer delivers the highest accuracy and pressure sensitivity when working with a stylus, and the Microsoft Windows® 7 operating system recognizes handwriting in 26 languages, plus voice commands.

Like all Fujitsu LIFEBOOK tablet PC Series models, the LIFEBOOK T580 is designed for mobile life. Even in direct sunlight, the screen display is bright and clear thanks to high-definition LED backlighting with an Ambient Light Sensor that automatically adjusts display brightness, while a smear-proof coating means no distractions from fingerprints.

Working outdoors or on the road no longer means compromising on connectivity as the LIFEBOOK T580 is packed with optional embedded 3G/UMTS (combined with GPS), WLAN and Bluetooth. The latest Intel® Core™ processor technology ensures a responsive and fast processing system. In addition, convenient buttons allow fast access to often used applications and provide an easy way to check remaining battery power. Security features include a biometric fingerprint sensor and Fujitsu’s Advanced Theft Protection solution.

Rajat Kakar, Vice President Workplace Systems at Fujitsu Technology Solutions says: “The new LIFEBOOK T580 is designed to be used primarily on the move – which is why there is no compromise on connectivity or usability. The new smaller size combines the portability of a slate with the added practicality of a tablet PC, giving LIFEBOOK users the best of both worlds.”

Underlining its advantage over slates, the LIFEBOOK T580 packs more disk space, more memory, more connectivity options, more security, and more than double the processing power. The LIFEBOOK T580 is the lowest-priced tablet PC in Fujitsu’s line-up. Exact pricing varies by region.

Fujitsu’s LIFEBOOK T580 will be available for all regions in late November 2010 and can be pre-ordered in the EMEA region from October 1, 2010

20 Comments

20 Comments

  1. ChrisRS

    09/04/2010 at 8:22 pm

    Nice specs. I did nor see the price.

    A slate 10′ WIn 7 slate would be great if priced right.

    I have absolutly no interest in in 10″ WIN 7 Convertable Tablet.

  2. Mike Reilly

    09/04/2010 at 9:02 pm

    This is apparently the successor to the Fujitsu p1630 that I’ve been waiting for. They recently took the p1630 off their site.

    …However; if it doesn’t have a Wacom digitizer, I’ll have to forget it and get an HP 2740p

    Also, I’m not happy that the T580 weighs 3.1 lbs. The p1630 was 2.2 lbs, and 2.5 lbs with the extended battery. The HP 2740p weighs 3.8lbs, but it has a 12.1″ screen. I might accept the T580’s weight, if it comes with a Wacom digitizer.

    • dennivjames

      09/15/2010 at 5:41 am

      That’s too bad. 3+ pounds gets heavy (I have a motion 1600 and an X61 and trust me I know). I also own a 1620 with Win7 and 2+ lbs is just about perfect. I don’t know how many they sold but it was very popular with pilots. I don’t have any problem with the screen – it is rarely too small for me and I can see it outside just fine. With the 6 cell battery and the SSD I get about 6.5 to 7 hours if I’m not a bad boy :-). The palm rejection is the best you can have with this kind of screen. I was hoping they would update it with a wacom (makes for really nice inking) for about $1000. Sigh.

  3. Kenrick

    09/04/2010 at 9:04 pm

    I like it, I’ve been wanting something in the 10″ space with an active digitizer since the TC1100.

  4. Mike Reilly

    09/04/2010 at 9:27 pm

    Please see Fujitus spec sheet link.
    https://globalsp.ts.fujitsu.com/dmsp/docs/ds-lifebook-t580.pdf

    Apparently it’s 3.1bs with a 3 cel battery. They don’t say the weight with the 5 cel battery. I’m guessing that to use it all day, you have to use the 5 cel. Can anyone find out how long it lasts witht the 3 cel?

    Also, I’ve read on some sites that the pen uses a resistive screen. Can anyone confirm that? If true, that doesn’t sound good.

  5. RJ

    09/04/2010 at 9:33 pm

    This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for for a long time, a 10 inch convertible tablet PC with an active digitizer. Although I would prefer Wacom as well, Ntrig at least now supports pressure in photoshop so It should still be quite useful for my needs. And with the Core I5 it should run Photoshop alot better then the Pentium Mobile in the HP TC1100. And I’m glad its 10 inches. While I never had the p1630, my own horrid experiences with the Eee PC t91 scared me off the 8’9 inch format for good. As least with 10 inches I can still use the keyboard to a usable degree.

    One thing though…Does this count as a Netbook or a Notebook? 10 inch screen says netbook but the Core I5 guts say notebook. Still, so long as its under $1000 and has a battery life greater then 3 hours I’m so sold.

  6. RJ

    09/04/2010 at 9:38 pm

    @ Mike

    Well if the 6 cell gets you 8 hours, Ideally the 3 cell would get 4. I just hope the 6 cell isn’t a battery bump.

    But the press release did specifically mention Pressure with the pen, so it should be active.

    • Giacomo

      09/05/2010 at 1:09 am

      The digitizer is officialy N-Trig, the same of Dell XT/XT2 and HP tx2. Fujitsu Ask confirmed it to me via Facebook.

      • ChrisRS

        09/05/2010 at 3:56 am

        I like to see competition so it is good option other thAN WACOM. That siad, you better be sure that the n-trig digitzer wooks for all of your application out of the box. Thay seem to have been spectacularly unresponsive to bug and driver updates.

  7. Steve S

    09/05/2010 at 9:42 am

    N-trig has come a long way in the past year. A while back, they announced a new hardware set, and I believe that they have been demo’ing that and improved software at some of the trade shows. I wouldn’t be too quick to dismiss them yet…

    • ChrisRS

      09/05/2010 at 6:10 pm

      I do not have a tablet that uses N-trig technology. Have they addressed issues with their previous hardware and drivers? IF not, I still say think twice.

  8. Jesse B Andersen

    09/05/2010 at 9:55 pm

    I really like the system. It does remind me a bit of my S10-3T, but I think the stylus input is excellent on this one. I hope the resistive screen is close to the Viliv S10’s which was a resistive but still smooth enough that it felt like a capacitive one.

    They are going to do several things with those 4 multi-touch points. They have some demonstrations with their whitepapers – https://globalsp.ts.fujitsu.com/dmsp/docs/wp-4-finger-multiple-touch.pdf

    This one can be really good. I hope it’s not too expensive.

  9. JohnCz

    09/06/2010 at 7:49 am

    Sounds awesome, I’m interested, but the issue with Fijitsu has always been more about price and availability. This needs to be in the $700-$1000 range to register with consumers. Competition is Lenovo S10-3T $550 2GB Atom Single Core (need capacitive stylus), HP TM2 $830 (on sale) i3 Dual Core (wacom) and Gigabyte T1005 $800 2GB Atom Dual Core (need capacitive stylus).

    One thing I’d like to see all convertible OEMs work on are charging/dock stations that are optimized for the screen rotated around. I think most folks don’t like to use a convertible/notebook keyboard or mousepad when in desktop mode.

  10. WaterCloset

    09/06/2010 at 8:19 am

    This looks like a good viable upgrade from my T2010; although, I was hoping they would update the T2020. I really like the form factor and battery life (hated the fan noise though.

  11. Dale

    09/07/2010 at 1:31 am

    Looks like a nice 10-inch convertible tablet PC. Any word yet on the price? The specs look sharp and so does the unit.

  12. dlr8

    09/07/2010 at 4:17 am

    “New Smaller LIFEBOOK T580 Is The Gateway to Fujitsu’s Tablet Line Up”

    Interesting choice of words. I thought “Gateway” was a brand of computer.

    Just kidding! Anyway, thanks for the review, especially about the screen being readable outdoors. That has always been a concern of mine.

    Specs say the 10″ screen is HD @ 1366×768.

    Nice!

  13. Sara

    09/16/2010 at 12:06 am

    Is there anything special about this new tablet’s hinge? I’ve never seen one like it.

    • Sumocat

      09/16/2010 at 6:04 am

      The hinge (which I didn’t realize was wrong in the thumbnail) is similar to the one they used in the U800 series Lifebook. I haven’t had the chance to try that, but the design looks sturdy and rotation appears to be limited to when the screen is perpendicular to the base. It is also bi-directional (standard for Fujitsu).

  14. JB82

    09/19/2010 at 11:57 pm

    Finally a small tablet with an active digitizer. Looks really good.

    I don’t see what the fuss about the 4 points of multitouch though. Just as long as it has some multitouch is fine.

  15. ansa

    10/18/2010 at 1:00 pm

    Any info about price and availability date yet ?

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