Networking
I never tried the modem. I used the wireless (Integrated 802.11a/b/g Atheros Super AG) quite a bit, and there were no problems there. The same goes for the Ethernet (Integrated 10/100 Base-T/TX). The device has no bluetooth, nor had I any need of that.
Vista Beta 1 on the P1510d
Wanting to experience the P1510 as a Tablet PC, I grabbed my copies of Microsoft Windows Vista Beta 1 and installed it. I tried two different builds. I was aware that Vista makes many more demands of hardware than its predecessor, and I had concerns that the 512mb of RAM wouldn’t suffice, but I found I had no unexpected performance issues whatsoever (there were some device driver problems and application compatibility issues, but this was expected in a beta, and I reported it to Microsoft). I can honestly say that using the Vista Tablet Input Panel on the Fujitsu was a better experience than using the TPCE 2005 TIP on my beloved ViewSonic V1250.
Conclusion
If I hadn’t been using an active digitizer for a year and a half, I’d be sold. For those who are new to penabled computing or who have been using PDAs and wishing for something that can do and show more, I have little doubt that the P1510d will deliver. A way simply needs to be found to make the device run cooler.
Specifications for the P1510d can be found here:
http://www.computers.us.fujitsu.com/www/products_notebooks.shtml?products/notebooks/tech_specs/p1510d_ts
Other reviews:
Laptop Magazine
http://laptopmag.com/Review/Fujitsu-LifeBook-P1510D.htm
Laptop Notebook Review
http://laptop-notebook.blogspot.com/2005/10/fujitsu-siemens-lifebook-p1510-review.html
MobileWhack
http://www.mobilewhack.com/reviews/fujitsu_lifebook_p1500d_notebook.html
Mobility Guru
http://www.mobilityguru.com/2005/10/05/fujitsu/index.html
PC World
http://pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,122261,00.asp
Article comments
1 - Kathy Schrock
FYI...the Tablet PC OS became available on the P1510D just yesterday! (You have to go to the cusomize page on Fujitsu's US site to choose this option.)
Kathy
2 - Jim
Fry's had the 1510 sitting right beside the ultra portable Fujitsu 7120. There was no comparison in screen quality. The 1510 looked like something from the 90's - very dull display. The 7120 was clear, sharp, crisp and brilliant. Could the 1510 display unit have been faulty? Anyone else compare the 1510 to another fujitsu display?
3 - MiniMage
Lisa Glade of Mobile Tech Review had this to say:
"Why don't tablets look as good? Because they must have a tough layer on top that can take repeated contact with the pen, and they have a digitizer layer which works in conjunction with the electromagnetic pen."
Now she was talking about Tablet PCs with active digitizers, but perhaps this applies as well to devices with passive digitizers. Some tablet lovers have actually removed the protective coating to get a brighter and less grainy view; most, it seems, were very happy with their decision. I've been quite tempted to try it, myself.
4 - erick
I got mine from fujitsu auction site - got a refurbished p1510d /xp w/ table pc, 30gb, 512mb memory, ritepen, evernotes. atheros abg wifi, Full warranty.
I haven't touched my ipaq PocketPC since i got it last week! I love it's portability,capabilities. yes there are little cons, and pros at most, but that's w/ most any other gadget i own... And the price i paid for was just a few dollars less than a brand new samsung Q1. I'm happy!