The question to consider with most ultraportables is what the manufacturer had to forgo to hit the target weight. A notable exception is the Fujitsu LifeBook S6510, which offers a glorious 14-inch widescreen in a 4-pound package. It’s a treat to see it accomplish something few laptops can do, even if it comes with a hefty price tag.

LED backlights, instead of fluorescent tubes, are the new wave in mobile computing, allowing for thinner screens and greater power savings. Fujitsu’s Crystal View technology accounts for the sheer brilliance of the matte screen, though you may have to put up with some glare wider fluorescent lighting.

The unit’s Intel dual-core processor, generous for an ultraportable, is the kind you’d find in a desktop replacement laptop and is paired with 2GB of RAM to handle the demands of Vista. The S6510 scored -well on our tests, though its SYSmark 2007 Overall score lagged behind those of systems with discrete graphics. Battery life was good at 3 hours 45 minutes, but you can up that to 6 hours by swapping out the DVD burner for an additional six-cell battery.

Features are generous, though the S6510 lacks cellular broadband; built-in Wi-Fi will have to suffice. The system boasts three USB ports, a FireWire port, an S-Video jack, plus VGA, Ethernet, and modem ports. The built-in dual-layer DVD burner is a treat, and the 1.3-megapixel webcam is handy for videoconferences. The S6510 keeps its 120GB hard drive secure with a fingerprint reader, a smart-card reader, and TPM (Trusted Platform Module).

On the whole, the S6510 offers a comfortable computing experience. The full-size keyboard feels a little mushy, but the mouse buttons and touchpad are plenty responsive. Four additional application keys above the keyboard can be customized to quick-launch any program. The speakers were a little weak, but that’s common in business-focused machines. Fujitsu did a good job with air circulation, too; temperature readings measured only 85° F across the base and palm rests.

Thanks to advances in technology and a magnificent widescreen, the powerful S6510 is a fine choice for any business with deep pockets.

Fujitsu LifeBook S6510 Review
Price range: $2.039 direct
Specs:
- 2.4-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 processor
- 2GB DDR2 SDRAM
- 120GB, 5,400-rpm hard drive
- 358MB Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
- 14-inch, 1,280-by-800 screen
- 4.0-pound system weight (4.9-pound travel weight)
- 63-Wh, 5.8-Ah lithium ion battery
- Windows Vista

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