One Slate, One Convertible, Windows 8-Ready Tablets on the Way From Fujitsu

With or without Windows 8, Fujitsu’s product cycle is moving forward. But worry not, their new Windows 7 tablets are built with the next version of Windows in mind.

Called a “hybrid tablet”, the Fujitsu Stylistic Q702 is a new member of their business line of Stylistic slates. The dual-digitizer pen+touch tablet features a semi-rugged design, wide-viewing angle LED backlit display, and 3rd gen Intel Core i3 or i5 processor backed by 4GB of memory and 64 or 128 GB SSD. There’s a lot of power packed in its 1.88 lbs frame.

In addition, it features a keyboard dock with port expansion and extended battery for added runtime. Another option is onboard WWAN mobile broadband (to be announced later). As an enterprise device it features rock-solid security with a biometric fingerprint sensor, Computrace® support, HDD and BIOS password protection, embedded Trusted Platform Module (TPM), Intel® Anti-Theft Technology, and optional Intel® vPro™ Technology, plus front and rear cameras with dual microphones for video conferencing.

The Q702 ships with Windows 7 Professional but is designed for upgrade to Windows 8 with a broad array of sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and ambient light) to take advantage of some of the new features and functionality.

Along with that slate comes a refresh of the T900 line, the Fujitsu Lifebook T902. Though it retains the modular bay and security features of previous models, the display on this convertible deviates from them in significant ways.

First, the display multi-touch gets a big boost to 10-finger input (T901 topped out at five, while the T900 was two), while keeping the active pen input. Second, that display goes bezel-less with an edge-to-edge screen design that accommodates the edge swipes of Windows 8 (not possible on previous models). Third, according to Engadget, the display resolution is upped to 1600 x 900.

The display resolution is the big change. On hand, it’s a big boost in resolution compared to the 1280 x 800 of previous models. On the other, it means the display (and the entire computer) is actually smaller, more narrow with a 16:9 aspect ratio, not 16:10. This too makes sense as a Windows 8 optimization, for which 16:9 is the preferred ratio. It also adds the same Win8-optimized sensors as the Q702. Again, this tablet ships with Windows 7 Professional and is definitely designed to be upgraded to Windows 8.

If you’re on the fence about buying a Windows tablet now with Windows 8 just around the corner, these Fujitsu models might be for you. The Q702 slate starts at $1099 and the T902 convertible starts at $1899. Press release below.

Fujitsu Debuts New Hardware Design With STYLISTIC Q702 Business Hybrid Tablet

Redesigns High-Performance LIFEBOOK T902 Convertible Tablet PC

Toronto, ONTARIO – Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference – July 9, 2012 – Fujitsu today expanded its mobile portfolio – debuting the versatile STYLISTIC® Q702 business hybrid tablet featuring an 11.6-inch AH-IPS HD, dual digitizer, multi-touch display for pen or touch input – and a productivity-enhancing optional attachable keyboard docking station that turns the sleek tablet into a traditional notebook. For business professionals requiring a tablet with a keyboard attached at all times, Fujitsu has refreshed the LIFEBOOK® T902 convertible tablet PC, featuring a frameless 13.3-inch HD+ anti-glare widescreen display — the largest screen available with touch and pen support. Fujitsu designed the STYLISTIC Q702 hybrid tablet and the LIFEBOOK T902 tablet PC with the goal of being used with Windows® 8.

The STYLISTIC Q702 hybrid tablet is designed to accommodate various work-styles. Ideal for on-your-feet computing, the STYLISTIC Q702 is perfect for use in healthcare, education, retail POS, insurance and anywhere where a tablet is the preferred solution, but it doesn’t end there. Attach the optional keyboard dock and your tablet transforms into a notebook complete with WLAN, USB, and VGA connectivity as well as an additional battery. Complete all your keyboard intensive tasks with the keyboard dock and then, with the flip of a switch, you’re back in tablet mode. You only need to take with you what you need when you need it.

The STYLISTIC Q702 hybrid tablet, powered by a 3^rd Generation Intel® Core™ i3 or i5 processor, weighing approximately 1.88 pounds, offers the perfect balance of mobility and productivity. Business professionals can stay unplugged even longer with an integrated battery in the keyboard docking station that, combined with the standard battery, provides up to an estimated 9 hours¹of operation. Security is iron-clad with a biometric fingerprint sensor, Computrace® support, HDD and BIOS password protection, embedded Trusted Platform Module (TPM), Intel® Anti-Theft Technology, and optional Intel® vPro™ Technology.

The STYLISTIC Q702 hybrid tablet is road-ready with a wide viewing angle LED backlit, AH-IPS anti-glare, ultra-durable display for increased durability.

The STYLISTIC Q702 hybrid tablet also features:

• USB 2.0 and 3.0, HDMI, SD/SDHC expansion ports on the tablet
• Accelerometer, gyrometer, magnetometer, and ambient light sensors for fluid computing experience
• Front-facing and rear-facing webcams with complementing dual microphones for video conferencing
• 64 or 128 GB mSATA SSD
• Intel® HD Graphics 4000
• Onboard 4GB DDR3
• Available with Windows 7 Professional at launch (Windows 8 ready)
• The Keyboard docking station features a removable 4-cell battery and expansion ports including USB, LAN (RJ-45) and external display support (VGA)
• Optional WWAN/3G LTE mobile broadband support available at a later date (support may vary by region)

“Powered by 3rd generation Intel® Core™ vPro™ processors, the STYLISTIC Q702 delivers breakthrough performance and power efficiency with a beautiful slate design and the flexibility of an added keyboard for creation capability needed for business productivity,” said Rick Echevarria, vice president, Intel Architecture Group and general manager, Business Client Platforms Division, Intel Corporation. “3rd generation Intel® Core™ vPro™ platforms enable more secure environments and enhance the experiences of workers and IT to compute with confidence in all areas, including immersive collaboration usages and harnessing big data to gain and share business insights.”

The popular LIFEBOOK T902 convertible tablet PC gets a redesign with an isolation keyboard, and a variety of other enhancements, including a dual digitizer with 10-finger multi-touch support to easily navigate around the edge-to-edge ultra-durable display. Thinner and lighter at 4.1 pounds (without ODD), and powered by the high-performance 3^rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 or i7 processor, LIFEBOOK T902 provides business professionals with a no compromise tablet PC offering best-in-class performance. Combine the 6-cell battery with a modular bay battery for over 11 hours¹ of computing time to get through extended work days without adding much weight or bulk.

The LIFEBOOK T902 convertible tablet PC also features:

• Built-in modular bay with quick release latch for easy interchangeability supports second battery, second HDD, Super multi DVD-RW, BD-writer or weight saver
• Complete suite of security features including dedicated Smart Card Slot, biometric fingerprint sensor, Computrace support, HDD and BIOS password protection, security panel, Intel® Anti-Theft Technology, and optional Intel® vPro™ Technology
• Optional TCG OPAL compliant SED drives
• Accelerometer, gyrometer, magnetometer, and ambient light sensors for fluid computing experience
• Optional WWAN/3G LTE mobile broadband support available at a later date (support may vary by region)
• Anti-microbial, spill resistant keyboard with trackpad
• DDR3 1600 MHz, up to 16 GB
• Bi-directional display hinge, hard drive shock sensor
• Available with Windows 7 Professional at launch

“Fujitsu continues to grow its mobile portfolio with form factors designed for how people work,” said Paul Moore, vice president, PC product marketing and product management, Fujitsu America. “We pay close attention to what the market requires such as delivering a system that isn’t sealed, which is reflected in the design of the STYLISTIC Q702 hybrid tablet. These are the types of distinctions, both subtle and obvious, that continue to set Fujitsu apart.”

“Fujitsu is a valued partner and it’s great to see their continued innovation on Windows tablets,” said Nick Parker, CVP of the OEM Division, Microsoft. “Windows is a great choice for commercial customers looking for devices that enable the flexibility and mobility their businesses need to succeed.”

The STYLISTIC Q702 hybrid tablet is priced starting at $1,099² and the LIFEBOOK T902 convertible tablet PC is priced starting at $1,899². Both systems will be available Q3 2012 through the Fujitsu direct sales force, channel partners, select retail outlets, and the Fujitsu website – https://www.shopfujitsu.com.