While the unit seems to be constructed well and offers excellent performance, there are still some nits to pick. First off, a WXGA (1,280 by 800) just doesn’t cut it anymore for a business notebook. The company should offer a resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 in a 16-by-9 format—that would allow the system to natively support 1080p resolution for HDTV or Blue Ray hi-def video, an important consideration as the popularity of HD video grows.

Although the current screen is sharp and bright, off-angle viewing is not as good as some of the other systems on the market. While that may not be so important for the “lone” user, put this system in front of a group for a presentation, and those viewers on the edge are bound to complain.  

Another issue is the keyboard and touch pad, both of which lack a solid or quality feel. The keyboard flexes quite a bit and does not offer the tactile feel that some of the higher-end competitors’ notebooks do. The touch pad doesn’t seem to offer a high enough dpi resolution to be effective with the wide-screen display, and those relying heavily on the pointer to perform operations should consider using an external mouse.

For solution providers looking to partner with Fujitsu, the company operates a single-level channel program, where partners are required to do at least $250,000 annually in sales and have a Fujitsu-trained sales and support staff. To join, partners will need to secure $100,000 in credit and purchase a demo unit. Partner benefits include different MDF percentages, rebates and growth incentives. Revenue opportunities come from unspecified margins, integration and support services, along with the sale of accessories.