Fujitsu P1620- now that's an Air

What weighs less then 3 pounds, is smaller than the MacBook Air yet has almost all of the same hardware components?  That would be the newly announced Fujitsu P1620, of course.  The P1620 is the update to the P1610 that I used for a long time and while Fujitsu claims it's a different case it sure looks the same to me.  The P1620 is updated over the P1610 in several key areas starting with the processor.  In place of the 1.2 GHz Core Solo processor Fujitsu is now putting up to a 1.2 GHz Core 2 Duo processor which should mean snappy performance on the par of other bigger Tablet PCs out there including the HP 2710p I am using.  Bump the maximum memory to 2 GB and I suspect this new Fuji will be a pretty solid performer.  It should even run Vista pretty well with that processor and memory although Fujitsu seems to recommend XP on their web site.  I would go ahead and order Vista with the P1620 though as it adds $0 to the price and Fujitsu states clearly that in addition to the Vista disks you get a full set of XP recovery disks too.  You can't lose with that.

What is not clear from the specs from Fujitsu nor the photos on their web site is whether the same batteries will work on the new P1620.  They look the same but that doesn't mean they are.  There is still only one memory slot so you either have to get a 512 MB, 1 GB or 2 GB micro-DIMM when you order the P1620 and live with that.  The 2 GB option only adds $150 over the 1 GB option which is well worth it in my opinion.  There are also a few new disk options available including a 100 GB drive (4,200 rpm) and a 32 GB SSD.  The SSD is awfully tiny and adds $300 over the 80 GB drive so if you go that route you'd better stick to XP which is a much smaller install than Vista.

Fujitsu also claims that this new P1620 also has a brighter screen with better viewing angles, something that I never felt lacking on the P1610 so this new screen must be something to see in person.  The digitizer is still the passive variety but I suspect Fujitsu has the same palm-rejection technology from the P1610 which was good for everyday tablet use.  The double swiveling screen is still there too, something I miss on every single convertible Tablet PC I pick up for its usefulness.  The port replicator is still available, a very useful accessory that is only $134 at system purchase time.

The only thing that Fujitsu forgot to put into the P1620 that I would love to see is an integrated web cam.  These are so useful for video conferences that it makes perfect sense to have one in such a mobile workhorse.  I might have to buy one if it did.  :)  All in all the P1620 is a great update to a great mobile device and while it's smaller and lighter than the MacBook Air it's also cheaper.  I priced one at the Fujitsu online store with 2 GB of RAM, a 100 GB hard drive, extended battery and the 1.2 GHz Core 2 Duo processor and it came in at $2474.  Take that, Apple.

Comments

[Aaron J. Walker]

James;

Thanks for commenting on the new P1620, it's always good to hear from an actual user. However, I forgot, why did you give up Miyagi (sp?) again and would the new model bring you back into the fold?

And I'm glad to see (and read) you are feeling better.

[Matthew Miller]

I'm confused James (and playing the devil's advocate here). The MacBook Air also has 2GB of RAM, has a 1.6GHz Intel Core Duo processor (higher than the 1.2GHz you mentioned above), and 80GB hard drive (slightly smaller than the 100GB you speced for the Fuji 1610).

The MBA also has an integrated iSight camera, 13 inch display (vs the 8.9 inch on the Fuji), and is much thinner (0.76" vs 1.36" equals 0.6" thinner). It also sounds like the MBA has a longer runtime battery and is priced $675 less.

Please tell me why the Fuji is a better deal? Is the Tablet PC functionality, slightly less weight, and a couple additional ports worth that much more?

[WLS]

I've seen the street price suggested at around $1500 so yes it is a better deal although a bit rich in comparison to the new crop of sub $600 mini laptops coming out this year.

[Matthew Miller]

Ahh, yes. The street price is a big factor since there never is a street price for Apple products. Thanks WLS.

I think in terms of form factor, the Fuji is MUCH more portable due to the smaller display/footprint of the device and a more mobile computer. Plus, I like the way you can rotate the display, which is very handy for airplane rides.

[James Kendrick]

Good observations all. I gave up the P1610 because with the addition of the HP to my daily arsenal I found I wasn't using the P1610 enough to justify keeping it. The older specs made it a bit sluggish at times too, although not too much alone to have me consider giving it up.

To me the Fuji is a better deal overall because thin does not by itself = more portable, despite what Jobs wants us to believe. The 8.9" size of the Fuji along with a lower weight makes it far more portable than the Air, especially considering you can carry extra batteries with you for true all day portability.

[Pam]

Matthew - when it comes to portable computing, thinness is not the only factor to consider.

The MBA's overall dimensions are 12.8" x 8.94" and the wonderful thinness.

The Fujitsu's 9.13” x 7.32” x 1.36” makes it just a smaller device to carry around.

Obviously, when it comes to subnotebooks and the new MIDs coming out, it largely comes down to what you plan to do with the device.

[Rodfather]

It's funny every device that comes out now will use the Macbook Air as a whipping boy for comparison purposes no matter what form factor or intended use.
The timing of the P1620 couldn't be better though. Proof from the Eee PC, people are fine with 9" wide notebooks.
So those looking for a Eee PC sized device with ooompf and convertible tablet functionality, this is the way to go.

[B]

Thanks for pricing it, James. I was beginning to think that with the new electrovaya tablet, and this new fuji, that my 2710p was the single worst financial decision I've ever made. However, my 2710p has identical specs to the fuji you priced, and it only cost me $1715.

[Scotty]

To me its worth the extra money for the Air because I know that when I close the lid its going to sleep. And when I open the lid its going to wake up. Apple's sleep is like flipping a light switch.

I don't know what to compare WIndows sleep to. Normally, in the real world, anything that unreliable would get fixed or replaced.

[Taxman]

For me the challenge is that I need more Mac than I do PC, because the Mac has to have bigger hard drive to hold Windows, OSX, programs and data, whereas the PC doesn't need the Mac OS. I also want enough RAM and CPU to run Windows and Mac OS together. I'm needing to give up my BlackBook to my daughter for college and I'm not sure whether the Air is going to work for me. I've got 80GB filled on my 120GB drive. I can make the Windows partition smaller than the 32GB I set up on Blackie and run XP instead of Vista, but that's about all I can do to free up drive. Or just don't install Windows and connect to gotomypc at office if I need Windows? I'm not sure that will cover me.

[Cody B]

scotty. i like to sleep myself but i wouldn't buy something, that has so many compromises as the air, just because it sleeps better. i use sleep all the time on windows based systems and love it. takes about 6 seconds (wish i could do that in the morning).

[Rodfather]

IMO, non user-replaceable battery, no SD slot, no ExpressCard/PCMCIA slot, and only 1 USB is too much compromise for something that's only real benefit is looking pretty.
I could imagine the frustration if I had a USB EVDO modem plugged in and realize I'd have to go offline to transfer photos from a SD card.

If there were a better comparison, it would be the Sony TZ like Jobs mentioned in the keynote. I'd still prefer the TZ since it's smaller, lighter, has internal WWAN, and has the option of having a 1.8" HD/SSD and an 2.5" HD or 1.8" HD/SSD and 7mm DVD drive.

I'd probably still grab a normal MacBook instead (if i were to get a Mac in the first place) since it's more functional and costs nearly half as much.

I'm still not clear who the target audience is for the Air.

[Ricky B.]

Wow, they really do ship the Vista version with XP. You know, that's smart of Fuji, but it would be even better of Microsoft to do that to get people to try it out. (Or is this on MS's end?)

It looks like a great mini laptop, but the screen resolution is too low for my tastes -- oh, and there's no "Linux" option. Woe.

[oijhg]

ummm RickyB, then what are you doing here? every laptop under 13" is WXGA.

maybe you outta drag that "portable" 15" 8lbs monster from the living room to the bedroom & spend a few hours trying to install programs on your terribly nonmobile OS Linux?

[B]

Ricky, you must have some superhuman eyes if 1280x768 on an 8.9 inch screen isn't enough for you. Oh, and wishing it ships with linux doesn't even make sense. Isn't the whole point of being a linux person that you're 1337 and able to install your OS on any device from a graphing calculator to a supercomputer, by yourself?

[Duncan Fairfax]

Hey Guys! I have to begin by telling you how much I love your Blog!!!! Have only recently become a Tablet convert and my god all I can say is I wished I'd done it years and years and years ago! And your advice, info, previews etc were absolutely pivotal in my eventual much protracted decision to buy a Fujitsu P1610. I am an academic at the University of London (hence the extensive and protracted research ;)) and have been using my Fuji to take notes (in onenote) etc on just about everything that I am doing! Its completely transformed my working experience! I even bought it from John Hill at Allegiance on your recommendation and had it shipped here and they were amazing. And have completely pimped it out!.... only to find out much to my horror that there is now a P1620 but one month later with 2G of RAM up to 100 Gig HD etc etc etc! Technology! What can you do! Right???... But seriously I just wanted to say thanks... leave a message... and really ask is there anything I can do? What can I upgrade? Is it worth it? Any advice? ps am originally an Aussie and in my home sickness I have even become addicted to Hugo thanks to you guys! Ciao!

[Fernando]

As a previous owner of a P1510 and P1610, I applaud the new processor and 2 GB of RAM. However, I think the P1620 would have been great indeed if it had a finger based touchscreen, instead of a stylus based (or nail based) touchscreen. The stylus on these units is really not very ergonomic so having the finger capability would have made it a real killer. Here's hoping for the next version...

[Korby]

HTC who? Shift what? I'm sold.

[Korby]

HTC who? Shift what? I'm sold.

[Ivan S]

The P1620 is very likeable, and I am happy to see the enhanced memory and processor. It would have been nice if Fujitsu jammed in a slightly larger display for improved legibility; I find the small dot pitch a bit straining.

It is great to see the P1620 receiving extra publicity with comparisons to the MBAir. But with Fujitsu positioning its handy tablet at corporate applications like sales force automation and supply chain planning, the two computers are aimed at very different markets. Perhaps a more direct competitor to the MB Air will be the soon-to-be-released Fujitsu P8010. This <3 lb ultra-portable will have a 12.1" screen and only a slightly larger footprint than the existing 10.6" Fujitsu P7230. It will also sport a chic (read: fingerprint magnet) diamond black exterior similar to the piano black finish on the LG A1/C1.

The MBAir will still be thinner, have a larger display, and a faster processor than the P8010; but the Fuji will provide longer battery life (6.5hr), a replaceable battery, internal DVD drive, a smaller footprint and less weight than the new MacBook. Seems poised for a "less filling/more taste" battle between the uber-sexy MBAir and the more practical charm of the Fuji. It's like comparing Apples to, uhh, different apples.

Fujitsu press release:
http://www.computers.us.fujitsu.com/www/newsdetail.shtml?nf=08345195.nitf

cnet video:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Fujitsu_P8010/4660-13855_7-6826734.html

[hacking]

I have now installed OS X Leopard on my P1620.
Everything works fine apart from the SD card slot, PCMCIA and wireless.

Check out the insanelymac.org forums for more details.

PS: does anyone know if the p1620 has an internal mini-pci connection for the wireless card... hoping to swap it out for a compatible one.