Hands On: Fujitsu Lifebook UH572

Fujitsu is hitting the ultrabook category with both barrels today, with the Lifebook UH572, the consumer counterpart to the business-focused Lifebook U772. The 13.3-inch Lifebook UH572 is lightweight and portable, but it packs a punch thanks to a third-generation Intel Core i5 processor.

The screen is bright and sharp. Though it has the same 1,366-by-768 resolution seen on competing ultrabooks, the glass-covered screen presents richer colors and deeper blacks than the comparable matte-finish screen on the Samsung Series 5 Ultra (NP530U4B-A01US), and it can't match the 1,440-by-900 one on the MacBook Air, or the 1,600-by-900 screen on the Asus Zenbook UX31. The sound quality is pretty good too, but again, it's outclassed by premium systems, like the Zenbook with its Bang and Olufsen speakers.

The keyboard has the same chiclet-style keyboard we've seen on most of the ultrabooks, along with the ultra-shallow key travel. The plastic around the keyboard isn't as sturdy as the magnesium alloy used on its business-oriented sibling, and there was a bit of flexing when used. Much better keyboards can be found on the Lenovo U300s and the Asus Zenbook, but otherwise, it's on par with the rest. The clickpad is smooth to the touch and responsive, with none of the issues seen on the Lifebook U772.

Design issues aside, we were impressed by the UH572's hardware, starting with the 1.7GB, third-generation Intel Core i5-3317U processor with accompanying 4GB of RAM. The low-voltage, dual-core processor preserves battery life while providing processing performance similar to a standard volt Sandy Bridge processor. Security is also included on board, with Intel Anti-Theft technology, Computrace, BIOS and Hard Drive password protection and a Kensington Lock slot.

On the storage front, the UH572 is equipped with a 500GB, 5,400rpm hard drive, with a speedy 32GB flash memory cache providing responsiveness and speed. On either side of the Lifebook UH572 you will find two USB 3.0 ports (one with charging capability), HDMI out port, USB 2.0, and an SD card reader. Inside, the Lifebook UH572 is equipped with 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and WiDi 2.0—a wireless streaming alternative to HDMI that connects through adapters like the or the , which sell for $99.

The Fujitsu Lifebook UH572 is available now through Fujitsu's website and several online retailers, starting at $999.