Fujitsu LifeBook P1510

The tiny Fujitsu LifeBook P1510 convertible tablet delivers a great compromise between a handheld form factor and laptop-quality performance. While its cramped keyboard makes extensive typing challenging, its size makes it extremely portable. And though the tablet runs on Windows XP Professional, included software lets you convert handwritten notes to text with remarkable accuracy. If you're looking for a small tablet -- or an extremely lightweight laptop -- the Fujitsu LifeBook P1510 is a good choice.

About the size of a thick paperback, the LifeBook P1510 measures 232mm wide, 34.5mm deep (37.5mm with the optional extended-life battery), and 167mm thick. At 1 kilogram, it's by far one of the smallest and lightest convertible tablets we've seen; the (also small) ThinkPad X41 weighs 680 grams more. In fact, the LifeBook P1510 is among the smallest laptops we've seen, though the diminutive Toshiba Libretto U100 is smaller. With its 270 gram, two-prong AC adapter, the Fujitsu LifeBook P1510 hits the road at a featherweight 1.27 kilograms.

Of course, with a case this small, you'll sacrifice some creature comforts. Typing lengthy documents on the tablet's 12mm keys will certainly fatigue your hands; however, unlike the Libretto U100's ridiculously small keyboard, the LifeBook P1510's is quite reasonable for typing quick notes or e-mail. The tablet's textured pointing stick proved responsive, and the small mouse buttons and the middle scroll button were adequate.

The LifeBook P1510's small 8.9-inch (diagonal) display, featuring a 1,024x600 native resolution, provides just enough space for basic productivity tasks (for users with good eyesight). While some tablet displays, such as the Toshiba Satellite R15, wobble on their single hinge, the LifeBook P1510's screen stays firmly in place. With the P1510 in tablet mode, the screen space is similar to that of a steno pad. The included passive stylus, made of lightweight plastic, closely resembles a Palm's in length and width. While it was serviceable, we'd prefer a weightier, more penlike stylus. The LifeBook P1510 runs slightly warm, but its temperature is not uncomfortable for extended handheld use.

Despite its small size, the LifeBook P1510 packs in all the basic ports and connections: one VGA and two USB 2.0 ports, headphone and microphone jacks, and both CompactFlash and SD card readers. You can get online via modem, Ethernet, or 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi. There's also a Trusted Platform Module for security and a biometric fingerprint reader that lets you log in keyboard-free. Those features are nearly identical to the ones on the larger ThinkPad X41, which has a PC Card slot but no CompactFlash card reader. Like many convertible tablets, the LifeBook P1510 lacks an optical drive.

Unlike most tablets, the LifeBook P1510 runs Windows XP Professional (a Windows XP Tablet PC Edition version is forthcoming). For now, Fujitsu offers a sufficient software package, including RitePen handwriting-recognition software and the EverNote Plus note-taking app. Some tablet purists will miss Windows XP Tablet's advanced annotation features. An XP Pro bonus: the included DialKeys software lets you choose from six types of onscreen keyboards for entering text with your fingers.

We tested the LifeBook P1510, configured with a 1.2GHz Pentium M processor, 512MB of quick 400MHz RAM, a sluggish 4,200rpm 30GB hard drive, and an integrated Intel graphics chip that uses up to 128MB of system memory. On CNET Labs' mobile benchmarks, those components kept the LifeBook P1510 running at the level of the Toshiba Libretto U100, the ThinkPad X41, the Dell Latitude X1, and the Sony VAIO VGN-TX670. For performing basic business tasks on the road, the LifeBook P1510's performance should be adequate.

The LifeBook P1510 did not excel in our battery-drain tests; its standard battery lasted just 3 hours, 7 minutes -- not terrible, but far from the Libretto U100's 4 hours, 48 minutes and the ThinkPad X41's 5 hours, 25 minutes. Users who want more time between charges can purchase Fujitsu's AU$249 high-capacity battery, which Fujitsu claims will last 7 hours (CNET did not test this battery).

Fujitsu backs the LifeBook P1510 with a one-year warranty, well short of the three-year warranty most manufacturers offer for business systems. You can extend the warranty to three years, and you can add three years of onsite service. In a nod to the likelihood that you'll carry the LifeBook P1510 everywhere, the company also offers an LCD-repair warranty. Fujitsu provides a support Web site that offers live chat with a technician, as well as the expected FAQs, driver downloads and product manuals.

Mobile application performance
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

BAPCo's MobileMark 2002 performance rating

Fujitsu LifeBook P1510

166 

Toshiba Libretto U100

162 

ThinkPad X41

155 

Battery life
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

BAPCo's MobileMark 2002 battery-life minutes

ThinkPad X41

325 

Toshiba Libretto U100

288 

Fujitsu LifeBook P1510

187 

Find out more about how we test Windows notebooks.

System configurations:
Fujitsu LifeBook P1510
Windows XP Professional; 1.2GHz Intel Pentium M 753 ULV; 512MB DDR2 SDRAM PC3200 400MHz; Intel 915GM/GMS, 910GML Express 128MB; Toshiba MK2006GAL 30GB 4,200rpm

Toshiba Libretto U100
Windows XP Professional; 1.2GHz Intel Pentium M 753; 512MB DDR SDRAM PC2700 333MHz; Intel 855GM (up to 64MB); Toshiba MK6006GAH 60GB 4,200rpm

ThinkPad X41
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005; 1.5GHz Intel Pentium M 758 LV; 512MB DDR2 SDRAM PC3200 400MHz; Intel 915GM/GMS, 910GML Express 128MB; Hitachi Travelstar C4K60 40GB 4,200rpm

NOTE: Products in this test are for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily available in the Australian market.

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