NOTEBOOK REVIEW

Fujitsu Siemens Stylistic ST5010 review

7.7

Editors' Rating

Stephanie Bruzzese CNET

Published: 07 May 2004

Fujitsu Siemens' new Stylistic ST501x range of Tablet PCs – there are four models -- features a similar smart design to the older ST4110 model, with a few impressive improvements. These include a 12.1in. transmissive display (in the ST5010 and ST5010D), a fast 1GHz Pentium M processor, and a sleek silver bezel. Two models (the ST5011 and ST5011D) retain the older range's 10.4in. screen size, using a reflective TFT display for better outdoor viewing. Wireless networking is available in 802.11b, b/g or a/b/g formats (b and b/g from Intel, a/b/g from Atheros). These new specifications help the Stylistic ST501x range emerge as one of the best slate-style Tablet PCs.

The £1,511 (ex. VAT) Stylistic ST5010 reviewed here is slightly bigger than the ST4110, but it's still one of the thinnest and lightest slate-style tablets. The new model measures 32.4cm by 22cm by 2.23cm and tips the scales at an easy-to-carry 1.54kg. The Stylistic ST5010's bigger display makes for a smaller bezel around the screen. As a result, Fujitsu Siemens has made the six application buttons on the bezel slightly smaller, which might annoy those with big fingers. There's still no four-way cursor navigation pad, either, as you find on other tablets. Instead, the Stylistic ST5010 offers the same funky right-left controls beneath the application buttons. These quirks aside, this tablet retains many features we love, including a smooth pen-input experience when writing on the screen and comfortable ultrasuede patches on its underside for more secure handling.

A healthy mix of ports and slots line the Fujitsu Stylistic ST5010's edges. Highlights include two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire, Gigabit Ethernet and dedicated slots for both smart cards -- which store passwords and other sensitive data -- and tiny Secure Digital/Memory Stick storage cards. A handy on/off switch for the integrated 802.11b/g wireless lies somewhat surreptitiously on the system's underside. The whole thing snaps into an easy-to-use docking station with a swappable DVD/CD-RW drive that, in concert with the wireless keyboard, turns the Stylistic ST5010 into a pseudo-desktop system, although the screen will seem small compared to a big LCD. Unfortunately, the optional docking station and the keyboard will set you back £227 (ex. VAT) and £60 (ex. VAT), respectively.

The Stylistic ST5010 did well in our benchmark tests, using its ultra-low-voltage 1GHz Pentium M processor and 512MB of 333MHz SDRAM to clock the fastest score we've seen among 1GHz Pentium M portables. This is an especially impressive feat given its mundane Intel 855GME graphics chip, which commandeers up to 64MB of video RAM from main memory. The tablet's 10.8V, 4,400mAh battery proved no slouch either, lasting nearly four hours in our tests.

Built primarily for business, the Stylistic ST5010 ships with little software, save for Microsoft's OneNote 2003 and a few utilities. The warranty provides three years' coverage (international courier collect and return).