Wayne N. Kawamoto
Managing Editor, www.smallbusinesscomputing.com
Fujitsu PC Corporation recently unveiled the latest addition to its “thin and light” LifeBook S Series notebook, incorporating new features that should increase its appeal to mobile business professionals.
The latest LifeBook S Series retains many features and the chassis from recent models, but offers faster overall system performance, incorporating a faster Mobile Intel Pentium III processor-M running at 1GHz and two DIMM slots for up to 1GB of system memory. The notebook also features Intel’s 830MG chipset to increase its processor-to-system speed to 133MHz and deliver up to 48MB of shared memory for low power, high performance 2D and 3D graphics on-demand.
With integrated WiFi-compliant wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11b) capabilities, in addition to its existing modem and Ethernet ports, the LifeBook S Series may offer mobile professionals a level of connectivity in any type of office or computing environment.
The LifeBook S Series retains the same design and dimensions. The notebook’s 13.3-inch XGA TFT display is designed to be easy on users’ eyes and its less than four-pound weight should makes the device fairly easy to carry. The notebook measures 11.5 inches wide by 9.3 inches deep by 1.3 inches high and incorporates a built-in modular bay for a DVD/CD-RW combo drive, DVD, CD-ROM, or second bay battery. For those requiring prolonged battery life, the second bay battery may extend the LifeBook’s computing life to up to eight hours.
It comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000 Professional or Windows 98 Second Edition and comes with either a 40GB, 30GB or 20GB hard drive. In addition, the notebook comes with an IEEE 1394 port for fast digital video and data transfer, two USB ports and one Type I/II PC Card slot.
This thin and light notebook is available in two recommended configurations and can be customized using Fujitsu’s Configure To Order (CTO) program with the price starting at $1,499. It can be purchased through Fujitsu’s retail and reseller channels as well as at www.fujitsupc.com or 877/372-3473.
The LifeBook S Series incorporates the Fujitsu Service Assistant, a Web-based diagnostic and resolution application preloaded on the system. The Fujitsu Service Assistant provides support solutions to the most common problems that may be experienced with a click of the mouse. It was designed to increase customer satisfaction by delivering faster, more effective service, thus avoiding user frustrations usually associated with slower, non-technology-based service programs. Fujitsu’s LifeBook S Series is available with a three-year or one-year International Limited Warranty for U.S. and Canadian customers. The warranty includes technical support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, users can add Fujitsu Premium Care Service Plans, which include an on-site service or a screen protection plan.
