Fujitsu's checkered LifeBook A6220

Fujitsu continued its trend toward colorful laptops this week with the introduction of the tartan-lidded LifeBook A6220. Like the LifeBook A1110 announced earlier this month, the midsize LifeBook A6220 incorporates a swappable exterior panel so you can replace the default indigo lid with a red or gold one to suit your tastes.

All the standard features for a midsize system are here: a 15.4-inch, WXGA screen; integrated Webcam and microphone; fingerprint reader and spill-resistant keyboard; and DVD burner. Around the case, there are the expected four USB ports, expansion and memory card slots, and a mini-FireWire jack, plus such extras as HDMI-out and eSATA connections. In addition to Gigabit Ethernet and Draft N wireless, the LifeBook A6220 offers both Bluetooth and wireless USB connections. In a nice touch, the laptop now includes Fujitsu's gesture-enabled touch pad.

You can configure the LifeBook A6220 to order on Fujitsu's Web site; the $1,299 base configuration includes a 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8400, 4GB of 1,066MHz RAM (plus 64-bit Vista to take advantage of it), ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 graphics, and a 250GB, 5,400rpm hard drive.

This week also saw a Centrino 2 refresh of the company's 12.1-inch P-series ultraportable and T-series tablet. Find more information on the LifeBook P8020 and LifeBook T2020 on Fujitsu's Web site.