Fujitsu's T4000 convertible tablet PC

Fujitsu's loosed their new T4000 Tablet PC on us (we're always a little surprised when someone has a new tablet, forgive us). The T4000 runs Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, of course, and has a Pentium-M 725 or 745, Gigabit ethernet, Bluetooth, DVD burner, and an "indoor/outdoor wide-view display" (we're hoping they're referring to a transflective touchscreen display) option, as well as an SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) screen option—which is frankly rather insane for a 12.1-inch display, and a total necessity if you're not the type who cares about looking bug-eyed all the time.

[Via Yahoo]

[Joey Geraci @ Dec 19th 2005 12:52AM]

How in the hell is that a total neccesity to anyone? Really explain that to me, Ryan, cause I would like to know. I find the wsxga resolution on my x1000 to be annoying, and that is at 15.4 inches, I can't imagine how unusable this would be, and you say it could be a "total neccesity". Wow.

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:52AM]

I'm very excited about this one. It seems that this is a nice "upgrade" from the Toshiba M200.

But this time with a faster processor, wide-viewing angle, and an optical drive!

Chris

[Matthew Flook @ Dec 19th 2005 12:52AM]

SXGA resolution is an amazing feature. I never understand how people can complain about it being "too small". Learn how to turn up your font and icon size settings and enjoy crystal clear text and graphics. This is especially important on a tablet pc and actually provides greater precision and clarity when writing/drawing with the pen. The only other tablet with this feature is Toshiba's M200. I want it!

[Romain Pechard @ Dec 19th 2005 12:52AM]

It's a really amazing laptop. I had it for 2 week last month and it really rocks. But the screen sensitive tech has to become more performant to improve the screen quality : it's like sand on the screen...

[Romain Pechard @ Dec 19th 2005 12:52AM]

It's a really amazing laptop. I had it for 2 week last month and it really rocks. But the screen sensitive tech has to become more performant to improve the screen quality : it's like sand on the screen...

[Tim Marman @ Dec 19th 2005 12:52AM]

1) Performant is not a word.

2) Joey, 1400x1050 ROCKS on the 12" screen. Like Matthew said, just turn up the font size if it's too small for you. It'll be the same size but sharper. More pixels is better :) The difference in moving from my Acer to the Toshiba was incredible.

3) Ryan, I still can't understand your collective skepticism about tablets. Every time you guys post on it, there's a comment about how they're not useful except in niche markets. That argument might work for slate models, but when you're dealing with the convertible, it's a superset of a laptop.

As the premium drops, I truly think that in 2-3 years every laptop is going to be a convertible. Why not?

The fact is, I use my tablet in laptop mode probably 75% of the time. The difference is, the 25% I use it in slate mode is when I wouldn't be using a laptop otherwise.

The tablet is extremely useful in the classroom, especially in seminars where you wouldn't be able to use a laptop otherwise. I'm in law school part time, and much of the readings are available digitally. A couple of friends in business school said that ALL readings are digital. So I can download them to my tablet, sit on the couch and take notes/read/highlight. I can use it on a crowded train or plane where I wouldn't have room to type. Etc etc.

[Ryan Block @ Dec 19th 2005 12:52AM]

Joey,

It was a joke--SXGA+ on a 12-inch screen is obviously ludicrous, but imaginably very useful if you can put up with the squint or dealing with how your OS deals with font sizes.

Tim,

We're not skeptical of tablet PCs--we're firm believers in their usefulness. Nowhere in that post did I indicate otherwise. But we're not going to deny that they're expensive, immature, and not selling hardly at all. We're giong to be mighty stoked when tablet PCs come down in price and become a convenient commodity addition to one's PC collection, instead of just an uncommon novelty.

Best,
Ryan

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 12:52AM]

I've been waiting for someone else besides Trashiba to put out some 12" screen with better than lame XGA. The high-res screen was the one and only thing cool about the Portege I had (and later tossed).

I'm definitely going to give this Fujitsu device a look.

[Paul Khuong @ Dec 19th 2005 12:52AM]

Re the "touch sensitivity": It's not touch sensitive. It's a wacom tablet, so it works electromagnetically (EM induction, iirc). The screen texture can probably be removed like on the M200 and replaced with a better, clearer, screen protector.