First look: Fujitsu Stylistic Q550

Computing was today treated to a look at a prototype of Fujitsu's new touch-screen tablet PC aimed squarely at business users.

The company says the Stylistic Q550 is a business device, not a media tablet, and the specifications of the gadget back up its claims.

Security has been a key area of focus. It runs on Windows 7 Professional, which Fujitsu says provides better security than the iOS and Android platforms.

The tablet also has a self-encrypting solid state drive (SSD) hard disk. This means that it automatically encrypts information as it is saved to the drive.

If that security is bypassed, the hard disk is still encrypted and the only way to access the data is by carrying out a brute force attack, the company says.

The Stylistic Q550 includes a smart card reader, which gives authentication to specified users, and a fingerprint scanner is embedded into the hardware.

The company has also equipped the tablet with an advanced theft protection (ATP) tool, which allows users to remotely erase data and recover information if it is stolen.

The tablet can be used as a zero-client terminal. User data is held on a Micro-USB stick that the user plugs into the tablet to access their own data.

The tablet uses the upcoming Intel Atom processor, codenamed Oak Trail. It weighs around 800g, including the 100g four-cell lithium polymer battery that offers around eight hours of battery life.

There are two cameras – a VGA front-facing camera and a 1.3 megapixel camera on the back.

Fujitsu has attempted to make the Windows 7 interface more user-friendly for a touch-screen device by adding a toolbar to the desktop. By clicking on the toolbar, users can quickly access key business features, such as Microsoft Outlook.

There is no app store available for Windows 7, which many may see as a disadvantage. But Fujitsu argues this limits the amount of insecure and peripheral apps that may compromise the security of the device.

Two versions will be available at launch: 30GB and 62GB, each will likely have 3G connectivity as an optional extra.

They will be priced between £749 and £849 and are likely to be available in mid May.