GearWERKZ TechBlog

This week marks the first that I have actually been working on the U820 as my system of choice. This last month I have just been using it as a companion computing device. In the course of applying it to my current set of tasks, there are some additional notes beyond what I wrote yesterday for the initial one month impression.

I am using a 2GB SD card as an add-on to the system's memory, which is my first application of Microsoft's ReadyBoost feature, available in Windows Vista. I have not taken any actual benchmarks, but the performance appeaars to be snappier. In fact so much so that I could not imagine anyone trying to use the device without it. I plan on (eventually) running PC Mark with and without ReadyBoost enabled and see if there is a major diff.

I also like the Compact Flash Reader, and have put it to some use. The Fuji is the only PC I have right now with an embedded Compact Flash-card reader, since most laptops now come with SD card readers. Carrying the Fujitsu when I am armed with my Sony Alpha a350 dSLR means not having to carry a separate card reader to see the photos. The card reader is also good for storing files (up to 32GB worth on my largest flash card) that I want always available, but do not want to take up space on the U820's hard drive.

Battery life on the Fuji is excellent. I have seen as much as 7.5 to 8 hours when in Power Savings mode without any peripherals attached. The only laptop I have that can get anywhere near it in terms of battery life is the Acer Aspire Timeline 4810T.

I really wonder how this device would perform under Windows XP or Windows 7. When I set it up, though, I did not want to lose the "from the ground up" inking and Tablet features built into Vista. I was also pressed for time, so I did not want to strip the UMPC of its pre-configured Vista install in order to load Windows 7. I think that I am due a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it releases. If so, I plan on doing that rollover over the Holiday break.

I've got a lot more thoughts, but I will save those for a later day. Thanks for reading and see ya manana.
- Vr/Z..>>