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| Fujitsu Stylistic ST5112 Slate Tablet PC Review |
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The slate style Tablet is how Tablet PCs were always intended to look and function, today
we take a look at the Fujitsu Stylistic ST5112, a Slate style Tablet PC with all the trimmings.
What is a Slate Tablet PC?
A Slate style Tablet PC is closely related to the ordinary Notebook and Tablet PCs in terms of its internal hardware, it uses the same mobile CPUs, same memory, hard drives etc... They also have the same interactive screen as other tablet PCs on the market. However unlike notebooks and most other Tablet PCs, it does not have a keyboard on the unit itself, it has the screen, and ONLY the screen, where the user can control the unit and input data through the use of a stylus, it’s almost like an oversized and very powerful PDA.
The Fujitsu Stylistic ST5112 Specifications:
- Intel Core Duo U2500, 1.2Ghz ULV, 2MB Cache, 533Mhz FSB
- 12.1” Transmissive TFT Screen – 1024x768 Pixel Resolution
- 1GB DDR2 533Mhz RAM (Max 4GB)
- 100GB SATA-150 Hard Disk Drive (50/50 Partition)
- GigaBit Ethernet
- Bluetooth V2.0
- 56k Modem
- Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG 54Mb/s Wireless Adapter
- SD/MS Card Reader, Smart Card Reader
- 1 x Type II PC Card Slot
- Connectors: USB 2.0 x 2, VGA (external display) x 1, RJ11 (modem), RJ45 (LAN), IEEE1394, IR Keyboard/ Mouse Receiver, Headphone-out, Microphone-in
The ST5112 sells online for just over AU$3000.00 and as you can see from the specs listed above, you aren’t missing out on any features or connectivity options, except for a keyboard of course, but after all, that is the whole point of this Slate Tablet PC. The asking price of the ST5112 is quite high when you look at its basic specs, but with notebooks and tablets you have to remember the smaller and lighter you go - the more you pay, however I still think the asking price is a bit much considering the level of hardware that is included. However with that in mind, this does have the core components AND the screen in the same or less space than an ordinary slim line notebook, and only weighs in at 1.6Kg, so it gets a tick in the win columns for portability and style.
The main feature of the ST5112 is its screen, normally a 12.1” LCD screen with a max resolution of 1024x768 is nothing special, but being a Tablet PC, the screen is not only used to display information, but to input information as well.
The screen is not a touch screen like a PDA, instead it is a standard notebook LCD screen underneath an electromagnetic digitiser, which acts the same way as a graphics tablet, and seeing as it’s made by Wacom who are famous for their market leading graphics tablets it’s going to be good, damn good! The pen doesn’t even need a battery like so many other brands of Tablet PC styluses (styli?) and is pressure sensitive on both ends with two programmable side buttons.
The stylus’s action when handwriting or in freeform movement is nothing short of perfection, even fast, complicated actions such as a signature comes out looking just the same as if done with a pen and paper. Brush strokes within paint programs are precise and the pressure sensitivity is responsive and doesn’t require you to nearly put a hole in the screen for full-pressure, simply a pleasure to use in every way.
The lack of a keyboard is sometimes an inconvenience (how do you press ctrl-alt-del?) when trying to perform ordinary PC tasks, but if you do need to use a keyboard you can either bring one up on the screen and tap away with the stylus, or plug the Tablet into an optional docking station which comes complete with keyboard and an optical drive (as well as other connectivity options) for loading any programs you can’t do in an alternative way (such as over the network, or USB drive). There is also the option of a wireless IR keyboard from Fujitsu, with the ST5112 having a dedicated keyboard IR port in addition to its regular IR port on the opposite side.
You won’t always require the docking station though, at least for simple tasks, as there are several multi-function shortcut buttons on the side of the Tablet to help you do simple tasks like press Enter or Esc, change the screen orientation (from portrait to landscape, or upside down either way), open a browser or email, alt-tab through windows or open task manager. If these functions aren’t appropriate for your needs you can always program in your own. A finger print reader is included to aid in logging in securely, and doubles as a mouse scroll wheel.
The battery life of the ST5112 is quite impressive, up to 6 hours with the standard 5200mAh 6-Cell Lithium-Ion battery (less with high screen brightness or wireless turned on etc...) or up to 9 hours with the optional long life battery. Even with high screen brightness and wireless turned on, the battery life was still over 5 hours with the standard battery, very impressive.
Performance of the ST5112 is adequate for most tasks, full screen XviD video plays with no problem, web browser windows are nice and fast and office applications load and perform as good as you’d ever need them too. We ran PCMark05 of the ST5112 and it achieved a score of 2305, similar to the ultra-thin Fujistu Q2010 notebook we tested a few weeks ago which shares the same CPU, but it’s certainly no powerhouse, however it doesn’t need to be for what its intended use is.
Conclusion:
The ST5112 is a lot of fun to use, the stylus action is brilliant to say the least, and the Tablet has every type of connection you could ever need (even a VGA port to connect to an LCD or projector) and enough extra buttons so simple tasks are not a hassle.
You’re not going to be doing 3D rendering or playing too many games on a system like this, and with that in mind, the performance is easily adequate for most tasks. Our test model used Windows XP Tablet Edition, however Windows Vista Business is also available for no extra cost, XP would still be our choice though on a system with as limited CPU as this one.
It’s not a cheap system by any means, especially considering the speed and level of the hardware included, however you do still get what you pay for, a small, lightweight Tablet PC with a brilliant screen and loads of connections and functionality. If you’re after a Tablet PC, strongly consider ditching the archaic keyboard and go for a Slate model, you’ll love it.
OzHardware Rating – 9/10
This product can be purchased online at www.techbuy.com.au (Direct Link)
