Fujitsu shows off "Fab PC" laptop concept

Fujitsu's already shown its fondness for foldable laptops and e-ink displays, so it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that the company's now put the two together in the form of a new concept device, with a few other uncommon design touches thrown in for good measure. Dubbed the "Fab PC", the laptop apparently uses fabric for much of its construction (hence the name), which is intended to make the device more reminiscent of a traditional folio -- and no doubt prevent the dreaded problem of slippage as well. Of course, there's no indication of specs (or even any evidence that it actually works), although at the rate e-ink production is ramping up, it may not be as far off as it might seem

[Michael @ Jun 8th 2008 5:55PM]

I don't think fabric PCs or e-book readers will catch on, until you can just put them in a washing machine to clean them. Can you imagine how much filth and grime a fabric keyboard would accrue? Putting it in the washing machine isn't quite as stupid as it sounds. There's a model of keyboard that rolls up like a seatbelt, which you can put in a washing machine. Of course, for it to work for a full computer, the hardware would have to be changed to a more malleable form, instead of stiff cards. This would probably result in lower spec hardware, but in an ebook reader, that's not a huge concern.

[sanousy.howari @ May 9th 2009 1:06PM]

Actually I am bored of all of that,

can't any company create the optimal one?

1- e ink paper + touch sensitive in the same time
2- keyboard is a part of the paper (appears upon some ouch or for example the virtual keyborad in linux)
3- the CPU and memory and flash memory storage (instead of hard disk) and battery and WIFI and bluetooth are inside a small passport.
4- 6 USB slots and removing the parallel ports two of them are mini, can be used to charge the batter as well.
5- The preinstalled operating system is a linux
6- the sound can be managed like Nokia 6233 speakers/twitters/Mic.
7- a very small webcam integrated within the passport.
8- can use any charger with mini usb plug.
9- no mouse, can recognize the right click by touching by two fingers instead of one, and recognize the scroll by sliding the finger up down right left.

If I get such a computer, I will buy one for each kid of my 4 sons, and announce the e-learning era!!

Cheers,

Sanousy the dreamer.

[sanousy.howari @ May 9th 2009 1:23PM]

Yes I forgot, 1 bluetooth is not enough, also network plug might be there, that if companies could not create the table local range wireless network, which is something did not get created yet, this is a very small device has a normal network plug, and has a very small circuit generates a very limited wifi interference, so the already infrastructure can be reused, and be secure enough to limit it to the user table (desk) ( I am not talking here about a part of the dream computer, it is a dongle plugable to the network socket to reduce the number of cables to zero, supposing charger is temporar cable).

also such a computer can be operated by a battery of a mobile I think, also the screen (or the epaper here), needs no battery or connection, only a wifi or bluetooh connection with a sych settings, and a solar battery, so it will be a zero maintenance/charging efforts.

such a passport can charge its battery or enhance its level by another solar cell.

because of no harddisk, power will be less required.

but still the processor power supply and bluetooth and wifi and motherboard, I think we need a battery?

such a passport computer is very suitable for business, kids, college students, ... you name it.

if such a computer get popular and cheap, I can make one as a wall clock, and another one as a picture frame beside my bed, another one to by my daily workpaper, another one with a very big screen as a home cinema .. just imagine what can I do with such.

The only thing not suitable is development and authoring, I think we might need a rubber small keyboard to be plugged to the usb and afte finishing, I can tie it and put it back inside my case?

Imagine if the paper is solid like a book cover, and has a small stand like the picture frame stand, or the plate stand optional to be removed from the hoc in the back of the paper?

this is enough, I have to go visit my friend.

Sanousy the dreader.

[paloooz @ May 29th 2007 2:47PM]

Okay, now that's pretty cool. But will it run Doom?

[Rock Stone @ May 29th 2007 3:22PM]

What's really cool about this is, in the background of the 1st picture, you can see that the display has the keyboard on the back. Therefore this folds to thirds. unfold it all the way and you've got a huge widescreen display.

super sick! I love it. please ship.

[hobgoblin @ May 29th 2007 3:23PM]

1, 2 or 3?

[Niranjan @ May 29th 2007 3:43PM]

Its a two fold one. the back of the screen is fabric material .but the concept had the same colored fabric as that of the pic in the e-paper screen.

2 fold e-paper fab pc. thts it

[Tom Gabriele @ May 29th 2007 10:15PM]

foldable laptop? it might just be marketing jazz...have you ever seen a laptop that doesnt fold?

[Air4ce @ May 30th 2007 2:53AM]

Dan's concept of folding screen is much much better
http://www.ideawicket.com/innovation-detail.php?ivnId=419#