from Technology & Learning
Fujitsu's LifeBook T2010 is at home on the desk or one-on-one with students.
Company: Fujitsu Computer Systems (www.fujitsu.com)
Price: $1,500
Pros: Light and thin; must-have docking station; inexpensive
Cons: Disappointing performance; no external monitor port on system; no lid latch
The magic of using a convertible tablet PC in the classroom is that it can effortlessly go between a traditional keyboard notebook and a pencentric screen, making it two computers in one. Despite its subpar performance, Fujitsu's LifeBook T2010 delivers an excellent screen and exceptional battery life at an unbeatable price. At 3.6 pounds and 1.3-inches thick, it's smaller and lighter than either Lenovo's ThinkPad X60 or HP's tx1000z, making it the choice for those who roam around the classroom or school. The 12.1-inch touchscreen stays bright even in moderate sunlight and works well for scribbling a diagram or typing a paper. While the display is flush, the surface isn't rough enough to feel like pen on paper. It swivels and folds flat but only when the display is straight up.
With 19-millimeter keys that have a generous 2.3-millimeter depth, the T2010 is just as good as a notebook. While the T2010 has a responsive pointing stick, many will miss the lack of a touchpad. In spite of its slow processor, the T2010 outperformed Toshiba's Portege R400 by 20 percent but lagged behind HP's tx1000z and Lenovo's ThinkPad X60 tablet. Its 5-hour battery life blew them all away and is more than enough for a full school day's worth of lessons, taking attendance, and Web surfing.
The LifeBook T2010 comes with a 1-year warranty, Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005 along with a good assortment of tablet software.
