Modern lightweight Tablet PC convertible
(by Kirk Linsky)

The Fujitsu LifeBook T2020 Tablet PC, which replaces the almost identical Lifebook T2010, is a modern, super-light implementation of the notebook convertible concept, i.e. a computer that can be used both as a standard laptop but also as a Tablet PC slate. To go from one to the other, you simply rotate the display around its single-point pivot and then fold it flat down on top of the keyboard part of the computer, LCD facing up.

The T2020 does all that while also fulfilling a number of other requirements. First, it is light. Just 3.5 pounds with the standard 6-cell battery. Second, it is quit sturdy thanks to a durable magnesium-alloy housing. Third, it offers a nice combination of computing power and long battery life by using either an ultra-low voltage Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 running at 1.2GHz or the slightly quicker 1.4GHZ SU9400. Speed is improved compared to the predecessor model while battery life remains excellent: the standard 62.6 watt-hour battery yields up to seven hours, an optional 94 watt-hour battery up to 11 hours!

The T2020 is also modern in the display area. Its 12.1-inch display uses the increasingly ubiquitous wide aspect ratio 1280 x 800 pixel format. Customers can order the T2010 either with a very bright (over 220 nits) wide-viewing angle indoor screen, or an outdoor-readable version that has anti-reflective coating and still provides viewing angles of over 160 degrees.

Connectivity is excellent. There are now four USB ports (compared to just two in the 2010), a IEEE1394 "Firewire" port, gigabit Ethernet, a PC Card slot, a Smart Card slot, and a shared Memory Stick/SD card reader. An optional dock adds more USB ports, DVI and an optional optical drive.

Like most convertibles and leightweight notebooks, the T2020 costs a bit more. It starts at US$1,549, and a top-of-the-line machine goes for US$1,849. That is less than the predecessor T2010, but a lot in this climate of ever lower notebook prices.