Fujitsu STYLISTIC Q702 hybrid tablet PC

Fujitsu recently announced a few new mobile computers and the one that caught my attention was the STYLISTIC Q702 hybrid tablet PC. I would describe this as the "ASUS Eee Pad Transformer - like convertible tablet PC running Windows 7 or 8."

If you're familiar with the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, you'll know that this is an Android slate tablet that docks into a keyboard that has a built-in battery. ASUS has not come out with such a tablet running Windows, but it looks like Fujitsu will be the first one to come out with a product using a similar form factor. 


The Fujitsu STYLISTIC Q702 hybrid tablet PC has an 11.6" screen and runs a Core i3 or i5 processor (so won't be slow like the Atom processors) with 4.5 hr battery life. When you dock the slate into the keyboard, you can expect the battery time to jump to over 9 hrs. 


I used to think that I would be a big fan of this type of convertible form factor, but now I'm not so sure anymore. Here's why: I have a Lenovo ThinkPad slate Tablet running Android 4.0 and I also have the corresponding keyboard folio case (dock). I practically never use the keyboard folio because it's heavy and bulky. Perhaps I'd be more inclined to use it if it had a built-in battery and was thinner and lighter. 


In any case, the new Fujitsu STYLISTIC Q702 hybrid tablet PC will appeal to some who are eagerly awaiting a Windows 8 tablet PC that can convert to a laptop. I'm sure that other computer manufacturers will come out with a wide range of new tablets and convertible tablets that will offer consumers all types of different choices. Microsoft has even entered the PC hardware arena with its recent announcement of the Surface tablet with the magnetic keyboard case. That would work fine if you're typing on a desk, but I don't think it would work if you were typing with the device on your lap.