Intel Video driver for P1610

Fujitsu’s Laptops, UMPCs and Tablet PCs are one of the best in the market, no questions about it, but at the same time Fujitsu’s Drivers Support is the worse I have seen in a long time. To give you an idea, the Intel video driver for the P1610 listed at Fujitsu web site is from early 2007 and the latest Intel Driver for the 945GM is from June 2008. But wait a minute. That latest driver from Intel does not work well in Fujitsu’s P series. It causes a processor overload every time you turn on the unit or when you rotate the screen. That overload cost you around a minute of your time waiting for getting control of your tablet.

Anyway… I found yesterday that there is a newer video driver at Fujitsu Siemens support web site if you look under P1620. The version number is 7.14.10.1329. I installed and I find it working a little better than the latest one listed under the P1610 which is version 7.14.10.1147.

Oh… I updated the list of drivers installed on my P1610, in case anyone wants to compare.

P1610: The latest driver is not always the best

Drivers play a very important role in the performance of any device. I often have seen people reporting that it takes up to 5 minutes and even more to boot Vista and I always though it was just exaggerations of these persons because in my Samsung Q1 with a Celeron at 900 MHz I was booting in about 2 mins. But all that changed when I got my Fujitsu P1610.

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Biocert for P1610, part 2.

I recently posted about Biocert Intelligent Identity Manager,  a very good program to have installed in any Fujitsu P1610. James Childers President and CEO of ASG Global, maker of this program read our short article and left us the following comment that I would like to share here because it helps to clarity few things that probably were not too clear in my notes:

As the President and CEO of Artemis Solutions Group (ASG Global) - the owner of the BioCert trademark - I wish to thank you for your kind article about the BioCert Identity Manager. We are very proud of this program and the feedback we are getting from customers.

I must point out a few facts about our version of this software. While, yes, you are correct that our version (BioCert IDentity) and HP’s product are based upon the same original software “codebase”, there are some major differences between the versions.

Our version of the software is more full-featured and offers the additional capabilities of file or folder encryption, multiple user login, network and VPN login, multi-factor authentication capabilities and an administrative control panel which offers a finer detail of the settings available to the user.

The version from HP is a “lite” version that only supports single user login and sso for the operating system that ships with the PC. So, if a customer orders a PC with VISTA and changes the OS to XP or Vista Business, HP has to this point not been willing to give the customer the version for any other version of the operating system than was shipped with the system from the factory.

The integration of the advanced encryption capabilities is only one of the principle reasons we do not offer a “demo” of this application. If someone were to encrypt their files using a “demo” application with a 30 day time-lock on it, when the time ran out, they would lose the ability to recover any encrypted files (whether on the local device or on removable storage) stored with the demo. Additionally, we sort-of consider the limited versions being shipped by the PC manufacturers as a trial demo of our full featured version.

We are very pleased that we are able to offer the BioCert IDentity software as an upgrade from the basic HP software or for any computer that has the Authentec 1610 or 2501 integrated within. We believe for our price of $29.95 the customer is receiving a tremendous value over and above what is provided by the PC manufacturers.

Thank you again for your kind words and your informative article.

Sincerely,
James Childers
CEO
Artemis Solutions Group
ASG-Global
http://www.mybiocert.com

Thanks again James for reading my article and leave this comment. I really liked your product and I’m recommending it to all our readers.

Biocert for your P1610

I upgraded my P1610 to Vista and as result Omnipass, the program distributed by Fujitsu to manage the security with the help of the integrated Authetec fingerprint reader, was not working any more. One of my readers at todoUMPC  recommended me Biocert Intelligent Identity Manager, a program distributed with a different name and in a lite version version by HP.

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P1610 Vista Drivers List, help is needed

I have been using a Fujitsu P1610 for a few weeks and I’m not so happy with how Vista Drivers are working on it. So I wonder if others are using a different set of drivers. I compiled a list of what I’m using here. Please compare it with what you are using and point me to any newest driver.

If you are a web master please post at your site about this quest. This will help your readers and me.

P1610 Vista Drivers List, help is needed

I have been using a Fujitsu P1610 for a few weeks and I’m not so happy with how Vista Drivers are working on it. So I wonder if others are using a different set of drivers. I compiled a list of what I’m using here. Please compare it with what you are using and point me to any newest driver.

If you are a web master please post at your site about this quest. This will help your readers and me.

Review: Boxwave P1610 Screen Protector

As some of you already know a recently bought a Fujitsu P1610. And I’m not different than anyone of you, once I got it I went looking around for accessories. My first stop was Boxwave  (Affiliated Link), the reason: a good screen protector.

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New Intel Atom-based UMPC is coming from Fujitsu

While some of the press still posting articles talking about the a supposedly UMPC Fiasco we have companies like Fujitsu announcing a new UMPC coming soon according to news posted at Digitimes.

Fujitsu has showcased its second generation 5.6-inch UMPC U2010 with Intel’s 45nm Atom processor. The UMPC will focus on the high-end market with a price of NT$40,000 (US$1295.34) and will be launched in Taiwan in July.

The U2010 will have a 6-row keyboard (compared to five rows in previous generation models) and have built-in 3.5G and GPS modules. The device will weight 610g and features a rotatable screen.

This one looks to me like a renovation of the old Fujitsu U800 or U1010. They still using the super slow Atom processor and on top of that Vista. Come on Fujitsu… Vista and Atom are bad partners!

MWC: New Fujitsu Siemens Computers LIFEBOOK professional notebooks offer mobile broadband connectivity from Sierra Wireless

Continued collaboration between Sierra Wireless and Fujitsu Siemens Computers to deliver new AirCard Enabled(TM) platforms and GPS support for highly-regarded LIFEBOOK product line

Sierra Wireless today announced that Fujitsu Siemens Computers has once again selected Sierra Wireless embedded modules to provide HSPA network connectivity to selected models in the LIFEBOOK product line of professional notebook computers. New platforms incorporating Sierra Wireless modules are expected to roll out over the course of 2008, including the new LIFEBOOK P8010, which is scheduled for commercial launch in March. The LIFEBOOK P8010 notebook is featured this week in the Sierra Wireless pavilion at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona (located at AV99, on the Avenue).

 

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Fujitsu has a new LifeBook just for you!

Looking for a NEW way to make your ability to Experience Mobility a little easier?  The NEW Fujitsu LifeBook P1620 may just be what you are looking for.  Combining the familiarity of a notebook with the versatility of a tablet, the LifeBook P1620 features an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor running Genuine Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, Genuine Windows Vista Business, or Genuine Windows XP Professional operating systems, an optional integrated wireless LAN, and a suite of security features including embedded TPM, Fingerprint Sensor, Security Application Panel, and security lock slot.

This is definitely worth looking at if you are ready to increase you productivity while on the go.  Check out the LifeBook P1620 Notebook here

CES 2008: Fujitsu LifeBook U810 Mini Convertible and LifeBook T2010 Ultra Portable Convertible Notebooks

First to Offer Built-In AT&T BroadbandConnect High-Speed Uplink Packet Access

Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation today announced that the LifeBook U810 mini and the ultra-portable LifeBook T2010 convertible notebooks will be the first systems to offer an embedded cellular modem certified to access AT&T’s BroadbandConnect High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) network delivering the highest speed data wireless GSM WAN connection available in North America. The 1.56 pound LifeBook U810 mini, the world’s smallest convertible notebook* with a 5.6 inch LED back-lit touch screen display, and the 3.5 pound LifeBook T2010 convertible notebook with a 12.1 inch LED back-lit display both available with HSUPA wireless WAN in March, will be shown for the first time at Digital Experience, then on display at 2008 International CES in Fujitsu Booth #13244 in the Las Vegas Convention Center Central Hall.

“Today, ultimate mobility means more than ‘easy to carry around’ — it means a small, lightweight, highly reliable device that offers wireless connectivity at broadband speeds,” said Paul Moore, senior director of mobile product marketing, Fujitsu Computer Systems. “With HSUPA access integrated into the LifeBook U810 mini and LifeBook T2010 convertible notebooks, Fujitsu combines extreme mobility with unequaled data connectivity for an outstanding consumer experience.”

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CES 2008: Fujitsu LifeBook P8010 Ultra-Portable Notebook

Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation today introduced the LifeBook P8010 ultra-portable notebook featuring a sophisticated, glossy black cover that houses a 12.1-inch Crystal View LED widescreen display in a smaller form factor. The LifeBook P8010 notebook, available in February, will debut at the Digital Experience and be featured at 2008 International CES in Fujitsu Booth #13244, Las Vegas Convention Center Central Hall.

The LifeBook P8010 notebook’s unique design and LED-based display enables Fujitsu to deliver the larger screen in a sub three-pound system that has almost the same footprint as its predecessor, the LifeBook P7230 notebook with a 10.6-inch display. On-the-move consumers and mobile professionals will appreciate the 6.5 hours of battery life(1) delivered by the LifeBook P8010 notebook, which is equipped with an Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo processor. With overall dimensions of 11.2 inches x 8.26 inches x 1.37 inches, the LifeBook P8010 notebook is designed for maximum portability.

 

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Fujitsu Debuts LifeBook S6510 and S7210 Notebooks

New Fujitsu S7210 14-Inch Widescreen Notebook Is the Perfect Corporate Mainstream Thin-and-Light System

Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation today introduced the LifeBook S6510 notebook, a 14-inch widescreen system weighing just four pounds, nearly a full pound lighter than other same sized notebooks. Designed with thinner, lighter components throughout, the LifeBook S6510 notebook is ideal for professionals who spend a lot of their time out of the office, delivering the perfect mix of security, reliability and mobility with the full-sized screen of a desktop replacement.

Fujitsu also introduced the 5.2-pound LifeBook S7210 thin-and-light corporate mainstream notebook, a 14-inch wide workhorse with a modular bay and a rich array of security features that are easy to use yet hard to defeat.

 

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Fujitsu U810 Review

I have waited about a week since I returned back the Fujitsu U810 to Alltp.com  to write this review. And the reason is simple, I want to write a fair review.  I have been fortunately enough to have reviewed the latest two Tablet PCs from Fujitsu, the P1610 and the T2010. These two Tablet PCs left a very good impression on me because of their build quality and performance. But the Fujitsu U810 was different. For the first time I was  on front of a UMPC that I thought that I would like and it was all the contrary.

But what were my issues with this machine? In two words: Performance and Design.

Performance

The unit checked had a processor A110 running at 800 MHz with a graphic chipset 945, 1 Gb of RAM and Vista Installed. And this is the first disappointment, in my opinion, this processor is not good enough for Vista. While it has a chipset capable of handling Aero, the inclusion of these processors in UMPCs that use just 1Gb of RAM and super slow hard driver at 4800 RPM makes a hardware combination that results in a very poor Vista performance. And that’s what I found in the U810, a very poor Vista Performance compared to my Q1 with a Celeron at 900 MHz and 2 Gb of RAM.

The use of a A110 processor could have brought to the U810 one advantage: a better Battery Life than if Fujitsu has used a Pentium or Celeron on this unit.  But here is a problem, to make this UMPC smaller Fujitsu used on it a Lithium ion; 4-cells, 7.2V, 5200mAh extended battery with a battery life of a little more than 4 hours. The same battery life that I’m getting in my Q1 using a hungry Celeron M at 900 MHz with a display technology less advanced than the one used in the Fujitsu. So, the only advantage on using a A110 processor in the Fujitsu U810 was gone in favor of trying to keep the unit smaller. If you try to buy the U810 today with its original 2 cell battery you wont find it anywhere because that battery has a battery life of around 2 hours. And that battery life was big time criticized in the first generation of UMPC.

The battery life under Windows XP should be around 20 minutes more. And the performance a lot better. If your are planning to buy this device I would recommend to get one with XP. If the unit that I tested would have had XP, everything that I have wrote in this article  so far won’t have any sense. According to some news, Fujitsu is shipping a Windows XP CD in the units loaded with Vista Business. That will give you the chance to go back to XP if you find your experience as disappointed as mine was.

I can post the numbers from my benchmarks tests in this point but I do not feel that those are needed. I’m sure that by now you have heard thousand times that Vista runs better in 2 Gb of RAM or greater so even with a better processor still the performance would not be that good. So… Get it with XP and you will have a really good experience -from the point of view of performance - with this machine.

Design

Lets start saying that when I opened the Fujitsu U810 box I was really surprised to see how small this device was.

But with a little bit of research I found that in fact, the U810 is the biggest at the smallest UMPC available at this moment.

This size makes impossible to fit the device in any jacket pocket. But what’s a disadvantage for some could be an advantage, in that bigger body a keyboard could have easily became a touch type keyboard, one that could have been used with all the fingers. But that was not the case, Fujitsu lost this boat for just half of a inch.

The above picture shows the Fujitsu U810 close to a Jornada 720, the smallest device where I have been able to use the keyboard efficiently with all my fingers. Now you can see why I said that Fujitsu missed this opportunity for just half of an inch.

But I found another problem with the Fujitsu U810 Keyboard, the keys location.

To put a keyboard in that reduced space, Fujitsu combined some of the keys functionalities. This has been done before many times and by many companies. But this is the first time that I have found the Tab Key paired to the Space Key. To use the Tab you have to hold the Function key down and then tap in the space key. If you are using the U810 filling a database you will find this uncomfortable. Another combination of keys that extremely bothered me was with the Arrows keys. The same thing, to use them you have to use the Fn key held down.

Other than that, the keyboard was evidently designed for "Thumb typing". A guy like me used to "Touch Typing" will find the device hard to use. Younger generations that are used to "Thumb Type" text messages in their phones will find the device perfect. But to me, to have designed a device like a convertible to use it for "Thumb Typing" does not make too much sense and for that use I find the OQO 02 design better.

The Sound on this device was poor and coming from just one speaker.

The processor fan was a little bit noisy and the unit ran warm. The Samsung Q1 runs a lot cooler while the Amtek T700 runs a lot hotter.

What did I like from the Fujitsu U810?

I liked the screen, it was brighter than the one in the oldest generation of UMPC. To have a SD card reader is a big plus too. The inclusion of a finger reader could be a very good security  feature for some. The fact that the device is a convertible that could be used in Tablet PC mode is something that in my opinion saves some of the inefficiencies in the keyboard.

While The Fujitsu P1610 and the Fujitsu T2010 have a score in my ratings of 9 out of 10, the Fujitsu U810 gets a 7.

Fujitsu introduces the LifeBook S7211 notebook

Thin-and-Light 14-Inch Widescreen LifeBook S7211 Notebook Delivers the Latest Mobile Technology With Fujitsu Reliability Starting at $899

Fujitsu today introduced the LifeBook S7211 notebook, a 5.2 pound powerhouse with a modular bay, offering cost-conscious small and medium size businesses an easy way to stay on budget without compromising performance or reliability.

Priced starting at $899, the LifeBook S7211 notebook equipped with a 14-inch widescreen WXGA Crystal View display offers the latest mobile technology including the high-speed Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 processor delivering the computing power for the most demanding business applications.

The LifeBook S7211 notebook offers a variety of features generally not offered at the sub-$900 price point including a modular bay that fits a variety of devices including optical drives, and an additional battery for up to 6.5 hours(1) of computing time or a weight-saver insert.

“With the LifeBook S7211 notebook, Fujitsu delivers a high-quality thin-and-light notebook at a reasonable price,” said Paul Moore, senior director of mobile product marketing, Fujitsu Computer Systems. “For small and medium businesses with a close eye on budget, the LifeBook S7211 notebook provides the performance they desire, a feature set that meets their business requirements and the reliability that is essential.”

Fujitsu has established itself as the clear Wintel laptop leader for reliability and customer satisfaction, according to PC Magazine’s 20th annual Reader Satisfaction Survey. For the fourth year in a row, Fujitsu scored significantly better than average in overall satisfaction, reliability, and likelihood of recommending, and this year received the highest scores in these categories of any Wintel notebook manufacturer.

With a spill-resistant keyboard, the LifeBook S7211 notebook keeps productivity up and failures down. An integrated webcam centered above the display and stereo microphones provide quality videoconferencing for distance learning or training. Connectivity is superior with the Atheros Super AG(R) 802.11a/b/g WLAN offering up to 108 Mbps transfer rate when connected with Super AG-routers or gateways.

The LifeBook S7211 notebook, priced starting at $899(2) is immediately available through the Fujitsu direct sales force, website, and channel partners. See http://www.computers.us.fujitsu.com/store/index.shtml for further information.

Source: Fujitsu press release