Fujitsu LifeBook Line Sees a Refresh With Natal-Like Features and a Touchscreen

At a press conference in Japan, Fujitsu announced a refresh to their LifeBook line of laptops. The two most notable updates are the new hand motion recognition software on the LifeBook AH series, and the 4″ secondary touch-panel display on the LifeBook NH series.

LifeBook AH Series

First off, Fujitsu has created a new way to control their LifeBook AH700/5A in a similar manner to that of Microsoft’s Project Natal for the Xbox 360. You can see the new method of controlling your notebook in the video below. Notice the individual in the upper left corner of the screen performing actions with his hands.

The new technology enables the user to use hand motions to control functions on the laptop, via the laptop’s webcam. Hand movement can be used to play/resume, stop, and turn the volume up for music, movies, and more. Whether or not this is a practical use for such technology remains to be seen, due to the fact that you must be standing a significant distance away, and have your laptop open at all times. If connected to presentation software like PowerPoint it could at the least make meetings a bit more interesting.

Though this seems to be the first laptop to have this technology integrated right from the factory, there are other such software applications that have been around for a year or so. I have been using a free application called FluidTunes, for my MacBook Pro. It works in a similar manner to Fujitsu’s new technology. However, seeing the demonstration video below and comparing it to my own experiences with FluidTunes, it seems as though Fujitsu’s version is more accurate and easy to use. Also, FluidTunes is limited strictly for use with iTunes.

FluidTunes Demo:

Fujitsu’s LifeBook AH Series Specs:

  • 15.6-inch LCD (1366×768 resolution)
  • Choose either an Intel Core i5-450M or Core i3-350M processor
  • 4GB RAM
  • 500 GB HDD
  • DVD Super Multi Drive

You may also opt for an AMD Athlon II M340 powered LifeBook AH with 2GB RAM and a 320GB HDD.

Lifebook NH Series

Fujitsu designed this new laptop with desktop replacement in mind. The most notable feature on this series is the 4-Inch secondary touch-panel display above the keyboard. This secondary screen has a resolution of 480×272 and can be used in a variety of ways, such as a calculator.

Fujitsu LifeBook NH Series Specs:

  • 18.4-inch Full HD display (4-inch secondary touch-panel display)
  • Intel Core i5-450M processor
  • 4GB RAM
  • 500GB HDD
  • NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M with 1GB Video RAM
  • Blu-ray disc burner
  • Digital TV Tuner
  • USB 3.0
  • HDMI Out

LifeBook LH Series

With the NH being their most powerful and the AH being the most intuitive, Fujitsu also refreshed the LH series, keeping female geeks in mind. The smaller, 14-inch laptop comes in either a Pink or Urban White color scheme.

LifeBook LH Series Specs:

  • 14-inch LCD (1366×768)
  • Intel Core i3-350M processor
  • 4GB RAM
  • 500GB HDD
  • DVD Super Multi Drive

No word on price or availability of these new Fujitsu laptops, at this moment, but we expect prices to be similar to the existing Fujitsu models:

  • AH Series – $749 Core i3, $949 Core i5
  • NH Series – $1,199
  • There is no existing LH Series in the United Sates.

Via Akihabara News, Fujitsu

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