HSDPA-enabled notebooks roundup
Portable computing is not just about being able to carry your work with you. With Internet connection becoming ever more prevalent--from Wireless@SG hotspots to 3.5G HSDPA (High Speed Download Packet Access)--you no longer have to be tethered at home or in the office to download mail or surf the World Wide Web.
However, 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi radios and Bluetooth are no longer the be all and end all of wireless connections. With HSDPA networks rolling out in Asian countries like Hong Kong and Malaysia, wireless hotspots may even give a feeling of being "tethered" to a certain location compared with mobile broadband. In Singapore, all three telcos--M1, SingTel and StarHub--are offering very affordable data plans for their mobile customers. Though still costly compared with conventional wired Internet access, nevertheless, some are more than willing to pay the premium for the accessibility of an HSDPA connection.
Did you know?
HSPA is a mobile protocol that is widely recognized as an enhancement to the current UMTS (3G) platform. Often known as 3.5G, HSPA currently comes in two standards: High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA). HSDPA supports downlink speeds of up to 14.4Mbps, while HSUPA supports uplink speeds of up to 5.76Mbps. If an HSDPA device does not support HSUPA, then the upload speed is capped at the older 3G standard (384Kbps). |
Though quite a number of handphones and PDAs are capable of hopping onto the 3.5G network, nothing beats a proper notebook when it comes to answering long emails or surfing multiple Web pages. With the launch of Fujtsu's latest range of 3.5G-enabled notebook, consumer now have a variety of options when it comes to being untethered yet connected.
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ASUS U6 (Core 2 Duo Processor, 1GB RAM)
Outlook
The ASUS U6 is an ultraportable which not only looks good, it has a wealth of features that throws in everything but the kitchen sink. Connectivity-wise, the U6 includes a 3G HSDPA radio for use with mobile broadband networks, while keeping 802.11n for Wi-Fi connections. Though we did expect to see a fingerprint sensor/TPM security chip combo for this business machine, we were surprised by the inclusion of an integrated optical drive, hybrid harddisk and discrete graphics card. Despite the surfeit, the U6 manages to weigh only 1.57kg with dimensions of 300 x 220 x 31.6mm. Its top cover has a unique glossy paint job with shimmering fiber (don't ask us. We can't see it from the image, either), while the palm rest is covered with leather.
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Fujitsu LifeBook P1610 (Core Solo ULV U1400 Processor 1.2GHz, 512MB RAM)
CNET Asia rating: 7.8 out of 10
The good: One of the most usable and powerful ultraportables; portable and compact; excellent touchscreen; 3G (HSDPA) radio.
The bad: Gets hot during operation; typically small keyboard; low battery life.
The bottom line: Need a convertible tablet that's portable and works well? You can't go past Fujitsu's nifty little P1610.
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Fujitsu LifeBook Q2010 (Core Solo ULV Processor 1.2GHz, 512MB RAM)
CNET Asia rating: 7.6 out of 10
The good: Exceptionally thin and light; good build quality; bundled with docking station and necessary accessories; strong security options; 3G (HSDPA) radio.
The bad: Expensive; poor battery life with standard three-cell pack; VGA and LAN features require the use of an adapter.
The bottom line: The LifeBook Q2010 redefines how thin and gravity-defying a notebook can get. Unfortunately, being at the forefront of mobility requires a significant sacrifice to the feature set as well as to your budget.
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Raon Digital Everun (AMD Geode LX900 processor, 512MB RAM)
CNET Asia rating: 7.6 out of 10
The good: Good multimedia performance for a UMPC; auto-rotating screen; many dedicated control buttons; exceptional battery life; acts as an external harddisk when turned off.
The bad: 512MB RAM cannot be upgraded; flimsy stand; only one USB port for external devices.
The bottom line: With its portable form factor and long battery life, the Everun has thus far come the closest to fulfilling the UMPC concept. Though it cannot run Windows Vista unlike some of the latest range of UMPCs, its Windows XP Home platform is sufficient for the majority of users and runs quite spiffily.
It can be upgraded with a 3G (HSDPA) radio for even greater mobility.
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Fujitsu LifeBook S6510 (Core 2 Duo T7700 Processor 2.4GHz, 1GB RAM) 
Outlook
For those on the move who wants the portability of a 12-inch portable but hate to compromise on the screen size, then this 14.1-inch LifeBook is worth looking at. Weighing under 2kg, the S6510 manages to squeeze in an internal optical drive despite its slim profile. However, be prepared to pay a bundle for this HSDPA-enabled machine as the price tag for this Fujitsu is close to the S$4,000 (US$2,945.01) mark.
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Fujitsu LifeBook P7230 HSDPA (Core Solo U1400 Processor ULV 1.2GHz, 1GB RAM)
Outlook
An exceptionally mobile portable, the P7230 has been given an additional boost to its mobility with the addition of an HSDPA radio. You can check out how the rest of the notebook fares in terms of features and performance in our review of the non-HSDPA model.
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Fujitsu LifeBook U1010 HSDPA (Intel Processor A110 800MHZ, 1GB RAM)
Outlook
The previous version of the LifeBook U1010 looked a little too much like a toy, which is why we are glad to see the new HSDPA variant in a more macho black. Though it is slightly larger than its forebear due to the 3G antenna, it actually adds to the aesthetic appeal and gives a more rugged look. According to a Fujitsu representative, the new version has been tweaked to increase battery life (which was one of the major failings of the pioneering model).
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Fujitsu LifeBook T2010 HSDPA (Core 2 Duo U7600 Processor 1.2GHZ, 1GB RAM)
Outlook
Upgraded from the non-HSDPA-enabled Fujitsu LifeBook T2010, this new version not only adds mobile broadband to the mix, but retains the rugged appeal and affordability of the previous model. However, it still doesn't incorporate an integrated optical drive under the hood or an ExpressCard slot.
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