Multi-touch capable Tablet PC convertible with Windows 7
(by Kirk Linsky)

On October 19, 2009, Fujitsu introduced the Windows 7-powered LifeBook T4410 Tablet PC as an affordably priced notebook convertible, 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 T4410 is available either with a standard electromagnetic digitizer or with a dual input system that uses both an electromagnetic digitizer and a capacitive multi-touch screen. Starting at just under 4 pounds with the standard 6-cell battery, the T4410 is still light enough to be carried around and used in tablet mode. There are three processor choices, all offering considerable performance while still allowing decent battery life of up to 5.5 hours, and over 9 hours with the optional secondary battery that takes the place of the optical drive in the T4410's drive bay.

The T4410 has a 12.1-inch display with the now almost standard wide aspect ratio 1280 x 800 pixel format. Customers can order the T4410 either with a 200 nit LED backlit LCD, or an optional wide-viewing angle display with 300 nit backlight and viewing angles of over 160 degrees.

On the storage side, you can get 5400rpm SATA 150 drives up to 320GB, a speedy 7,200rpm 160GB drive, or a 64 or 128GB SSD drive. The modular bay can accommodate a dual-layer multi-format DVD Writer.

Connectivity is quite good. There are three USB ports, a IEEE1394 "Firewire" port, gigabit Ethernet, a 54mm ExpressCard slot, an HDMI port for high-definition TV connectivity, and a shared Memory Stick/SD card reader. No more modem port (who needs it?), but you get a 2-megapixel webcam. An optional port replicator adds more USB ports and a DVD-D port.

Unlike most convertibles and leightweight notebooks, the T4410 is reasonably priced. It starts at US$1,199 and dual digitizer versions start at US$1,299. That is less than the lighter Lifebook T2020, but still more than most notebooks in this era of ever-lower laptop prices.