Fujitsu Introduces Lightest, Fastest Tablet PC Featuring Desktop Power and Performance

October 10, 1994 — In a move designed to set a new industry agenda for light-weight mobile computing, Fujitsu Personal Systems Inc. (FPSI) Monday introduced the Stylistic 500, a 2.6-pound “tablet” PC powered by an Intel 486DX2-50 CPU, the fastest microprocessor ever designed into a tablet computer.

The Stylistic 500 combines high performance computing capabilities in a small form factor ideally suited for markets such as insurance, transportation, utilities, consumer packaged goods, pharmaceuticals and health care.

“With its blazing speed, feather weight and standard architecture, the Stylistic 500 sets a standard for industrial-strength computing in a tablet-size package,” said Lou Panetta, executive vice president of Fujitsu Personal Systems. “It has the power and expandability of a high-end PC, but its size and communications capabilities provide vertical market users the freedom of true mobile computing.”

The Stylistic 500 features two expansion slots. One is an ATA slot for a Type III PCMCIA-ATA hard disk card or a Type II solid state flash card. The other accepts either one Type III PCMCIA card or two Type I/II PCMCIA cards. The system features 4MB of random access memory (RAM) expandable to 20 MB. The tablet comes with two standard Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery packs.

It also features an infrared serial interface. The base computer features parallel, serial, keyboard and floppy disk drive ports, and support for an external VGA monitor. The Stylistic 500 comes with an 8-inch transmissive backlit, 64-level VGA screen featuring the sharpest clarity in a dual monochrome display. The table supports MS-DOS 6.2, Windows for Pen Computing, PenDOS and PenRight operating systems.

“Our customers told us they needed desktop processing power in a form factor small enough to be easily carried in the field,” said Fujitsu’s Panetta. “The Stylistic 500 is the long-awaited answer to that need, because it enables powerful mobile computing without the bulkiness of laptop computers.”

Measuring 7.2″ x 10.7″ x 1.5″, the Stylistic 500 tablet computer weighs just 2.6 pounds with the standard Li-Ion battery packs installed. It is the only tablet to come with standard low-cost batteries that can be purchased at most consumer retail outlets. Fujitsu also offers an extensive list of accessories for the Stylistic 500, including a keyboard, desk stand, slipcase, harsh environment slipcase, and an in-vehicle cradle mount.

Three Year Warranty

The Stylistic 500 is covered by Fujitsu’s three-year warranty. At any time during the three-year warranty period, Fujitsu will repair or replace defective parts to the customers’ base system at no charge. Fujitsu also offers an unmatched warranty for its system displays. The No-Fault Display plan covers the LCD display and digitizer for damage of any type, regardless of cause, for up to three years at a cost of $150.

Pricing and Availability

The Fujitsu Stylistic 500 tablet computer will be available beginning in November 1994, and is priced at $2,795, including a 105MB PCMCIA hard drive, MS-DOS 6.2 and Windows for Pen Computing. The system may be purchases without the hard drive and operating system for $2,285.

Fujitsu Personal Systems Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, is a leader in providing solutions for data collection and decision support applications through the development of super portable palmtop, pen-based and communicating computers. Its solutions are designed to meet the needs of applications where lightweight, small form factor and long battery life are essential.

The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Ltd. Fujitsu Personal Systems has North American offices in Santa Clara; Irvine, Calif.; Chicago; Atlanta; Houston; Dallas; Philadelphia; New Jersey; Rhode Island; Toronto and international offices in England; France; Germany; and Italy.

Product information can be obtained by calling 800/831-3183. Fujitsu Personal Systems Inc. corporate headquarters can be reached at 408/982-9500.

CONTACT:
Fujitsu Personal Systems Inc.
Jeff Tingley, 408/982-9500
Walt & Sommerhauser Communications Inc.
Stephanie Edwards/Cynthia Lempert, 408/496-0900