John, a reader, is asking a great question that I thought I would throw out to rest of the readers:
I’m guessing there are others who may also be considering the Motion CL900 or the Fujitsu Q550. Do you think that may be the case? The issue is, the CL900 I might purchase costs in the range of $1225.00 and the Q550 costs about $850.00, a difference of about $375.00. So, what to do?
The two units are in many ways very similar tablet pcs. Both are: 10.1″, capacitive touch and active pen-based N-trig digitizers, 62 gb SSD, 2gb ram, Atom z670 processor, 8 hour battery life, both rugged spec at MIL-STD-810G, etc. However there are some differences.
Here was my response
John – the main differences I can tell are:
1) CL900 has a pen silo for the pen
2) CL900 has gorilla glass
3) Q550 has removable battery
4) Q550 has programmable application hardware buttons
5) Q550 is $375 lessUpdate: Mark, a reader, correctly pointed out that both tablets are rugged as they both meet the same MIL-STD-810G spec. Similarity noted above and list corrected.
With some other minor differences here and there, in most other areas, they are equal tablets. Given the above and my own needs, I would likely opt for the Q550, save the money, gain application hardware buttons, as well as a removable battery.
How would you advise John? What other differences should John consider that I didn’t note above? Which one would you purchase?
I have seen a number of articles on the Q550 that indicates that it is ruggedized to military specs too – including drop survivability. Not sure what makes it military spec, but the screen must be pretty durable to meet it.
One major difference he should consider is readability in sunlight. If this is important to John than the Q550 is not the way to go. Otherwise, if it were me, I’d opt for the Fujitsu.
good eye, Mark
Were the concerns in some postings I’ve read elsewhere regarding heat with the Q550 overstated? This seems like a significant point of differentiation that merits consideration. I’m weighing the same decision as John.
From what I read between the reviews of Steven (Q550) and Rob (CL) I’ve got this little preference for the Motion.
I just read a little more negative things about the Q (heat, dead twice, sounds issues, …) which I didn’t read on the CL.
I just hoped to get a video review of inking on the Q550, just because I want to hear the clicking sound on that device while inking. Steven, is that sound similar on the Q as Rob posted on the CL? Less or more?
Thanks.
I found the Q550 to be very quiet. Almost felt like the Wacom on the EP121. I think the matte display really helps muffle te sound. It looks like the CL900 screen is more glossy and might be just a touch louder than the Fuji. I had two Q550′s that were returned. Both had defects, but aside from those it was just too sluggish for me to justify the purchase price and even though the screen was bright, i could not use it outside. I might order a Motion after I see some more reviews.
The Q550 also has a 16:10 IPS screen while the CL900 has a 16:9. That means the Q550 is slightly wider in portrait orientation, something I prefer over the narrower CL900.
What I am concerned about is how much better Rob’s review of the CL900 is over reviews of the Q550. Since both have nearly the same internals it is confusing why this may be.
Also, just to note, Steve pointed out the audio issues and over at TPCR today he noted that reinstalling the drivers corrected the issue. A poll at that site shows only two early owners had the audio issue and one of them is now resolved.
Other than that, I am concerned about the inability to find a Q550 to buy! It is almost 6 weeks now since ‘preorders’ started and 4 weeks since deliveries were supposedly starting. Many suppliers are showing no stock until late July or early August. The suppliers that do have them seem to have very few. Unless this is due to the earthquake, it is unlike Fujitsu to have a supply issue like this.
Dan
I’m also torn between the Q550 and CL900. But I’ll eat peanut butter jelly sandwich for dinner for a few weeks and fork out $350 more for the CL900. Here are a few reasons:
1. I always have the pen with me due to the pen silo.
2. The SIM card slot is on the side. (I assume the battery must be removed to access the SIM card slot in Q550.) This is useful when I travel overseas.
3. Durability. Returns, repairs, exchanges, etc all take time.
4. Tablet case. I prefer Motion’s case, rather than the folio from Fujitsu.
James..you are absolutely correct. that pen silo advantage can’t be overlooked. It is very important. Whoever thought that tether strings were a good idea should be shot.
I read somewhere that the Q550 has “chemically strengthen glass”. Isn’t Gorilla Glass a popular brand of the same technology?
joe…I do not know enough to answer that question
I have returned my Q550. There were several reasons, but those that are relevant for someone who is already committed to a Windows Slate are:
1) The unit is too hot.
2) Something is wrong with the way the glass is fitted; there is a “non-uniform” gap (i.e. on the side of the camera the gap is wider). I would guess that a companie with a better quality control would consider the unit defective.
3) No volume button.
That said, inking works very well.
Actually, the glasses are quite different. Gorilla glass is the strongest out there. The Q550 claims it uses chemically strengthened glass, but fails to provide more detail on this. The reason that most companies who design tablets have not used gorilla glass is because it is extremely thick and makes using the touch inputs extremely difficult. However, Motion spent years testing ways to balance the rigidity of Gorilla glass so as not to ruin the touch input. Their work really paid off. I have played with both, and while both touch screens seem to work fine, I feel the CL900 is more vibrant, and reduces glare, which is extremely important to me. I also feel that the screen on the CL900 seems stronger, but this is just from feeling the pressure on the screens.
John: After having given your question some thought, here’s my response…
While I haven’t yet been able to test drive the CL900, I have to believe that it and the Q must be fairly similar in overall performance. After all, they both have the same core hardware architecture. Rob has already identified a significant number of differences between the two platforms, and I assume that you will factor these differences into your eventual decision.
The only other thing that I can comment on is my current experience with the Q.
If I had written this a week or two ago, I probably would have recommended that you wait for the CL900. However, a few significant things have changed in just the last 10 days or so.
What I will say is that I’m liking my Q better all the time.
I finally had the time to get on the telephone with Fujitsu Tech Support, and we decided to try reinstalling the audio driver. That seems to have fixed about 99% of the “crackle” and “pop” issues that I was having, and on that basis, I now withdraw my comments about flawed audio. Of course, the single speaker still remains, so audio volume could be better, but that’s something that I can live with.
I’ve also turned off Aero, and the Q now seems a bit snappier. I’m still in Balanced power management, but I’m going to try Performance mode again. To be honest, Balanced mode isn’t bad at all, and I value the longer battery life that it provides (versus Performance).
The point here is that getting the Q adjusted for best performance is likely to take a bit more time. But the point here is also that things are improving…
Finally, yes, my intended use case for the Q is as a secondary computing platform. I have 6 or 7 tablets (starting to lose count…), and between my XT2 which I think has matured into an excellent machine, and my EP121, I have plenty of serious computing power. I had always intended that the Q be my ultra-mobile platform. I think that with a few more tweaks, it’ll just about be there…!
So my bottom line to you is this: The Q started off at something of a disadvantage (and shame on Fujitsu for not providing better initial adjustments of the OS!). But with the combined resources of the user community, matters are now greatly improved. Having lived with the Q, and having confidence in Rob’s excellent reporting, I think you can probably choose either slate with a reasonable expectation that it will fulfill your mobile computing needs once you have tailored the adjustments to your personal preferences…
Some other comments:
“…that pen silo advantage can’t be overlooked…”
…However, I wouldn’t reject a tablet solely on this feature. Interestingly, I seldom use the pen in the silo, preferring to keep it as a back-up. I almost always carry another pen separately and use it, instead. Curiously, I have never lost a pen… ever.
“…The SIM card slot is on the side…”
…I wouldn’t be swapping sim cards often enough to make this an issue. And I think that a protected SIM card slot is an advantage, not a handicap…?!??
“…the Q550 has “chemically strengthen glass”. Isn’t Gorilla Glass…the same technology?..”
…Yes, it is. Bear in mind, however, that Corning may have combined chemical toughening with some other feature, like an anti-reflection coating, so that another toughened glass might not be considered a one-for-one replacement.
With that said, I would consider Gorilla glass and any other toughened glass as being essentially equal.
“…The unit is too hot…”
…All I can say is that my Q has always exhibited a reasonable (warm) temperature…
Steve
Thank you for your feedback on all this items.
What I really want to know: is the inking noice of the same volume as that of the Motion as we could hear in the vid of Rob ‘s Motion?
I think this is for many readers a main item in their decision for what slate they will buy. This for using a slate during lectures, class, meetings,…
Is it possible to put this on video? Last week I had a presentation of the Q550 but to my surprise ihe digitizer was defect so I couldn’t hear the inking sound or ticking.
Thanks for info.
Rob, Steve, et al., thanks for the all the tips, suggestons and thoughts.
Today, I gave my iPad, an early Windows 7 slate device to my son/daughter-in-law (for their children) and the Toshiba Protege M200 Windows XP Tablet PC to my daughter/son-in-law (and their daughter) … easier and more satisfying then selling on E-Bay!
So, it is now decision time for mobile devices to complement the Amazon Kindle 3 and the Galaxy Tab! (Workstations, servers and new laptop aren’t part of this discussion.) That is to say, we need a Windows Slate device to be used primarily for mobile tasks and inking. I’ll worry about a new Kindle device later…
Ok, for the Windows slate device, which one… the Q550 or the CL900?
I’m sure Fujitsu and Motion have worked diligently to get their devices to market, and both are more than reputable organizations. Considering all aspects, the two units are very close to being equal.
So, first … all buyers are not the same, that is, what is important to me may not be important to another buyer.
The important factors for me…
– the Q550 does not have a pen silo, the CL900 does. (The Toshiba tablet given to my daughter still has the original pen, still working great, but there is a pen silo on that device!)
– the docking stations for each device are not equal. (the Q550 docking station is more suitable for my needs.)
– the pen noise may or may not be an issue for me. (won’t know until I try the device for myself.)
For Tuur: “Is it possible to put this(inking for the Q550) on video?”
Techgeek32 Says: “I found the Q550 to be very quiet. Almost felt like the Wacom on the EP121″
Oh, I sure do hope so!
Audio and 1080 video, not so much.
Speed? I still have a Samsung Q1 and anything is faster that that! (which is now “in the ‘museum’ with so many other devices from the last almost 40 years”)
AND THE DECISION IS!!! I’m still working on that…
By the way, I still like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Thanks to all, especially Rob and Steve!
“…is the inking noice of the same volume as that of the Motion as we could hear in the vid of Rob ‘s Motion?…”
Tuur: Yes, it is essentially the same.
Another key point is that the CL900 has a 1366 x 768 resolution with a more glossy display and the Fuji has a 1280 x 800 resolution with a matte display. I had 2 Q550′s and both had the offset display with a huge gap on the left side. The displays were so off center that they partially covered the front camera. After reading about a number of these displays being like this it sounds like a manufacturing issue. I would imagine that Fujitsu will get this fixed at some point, but it was a real pain to return both of my units. Even after cancelling the accessories before they shipped, they sent them anyway. I had to make several trips to FedEx to return the items. I still have not received refunds on the $2500 they charged me and the received all items back over three weeks ago. I have not been impressed with Fujitsu service at all!
techgeek32, you are right about the resolution and I failed to mention it, wonder if that is noticable and if so, to what extent? I’m also wondering about the matte and glossy display differences and how users feel about that.
Be nice to buy both, work thru the ‘the best one process’ then decide which one to keep and send the other one back – I’m to miserly for that. Besides, this is so much more fun!!!
I’m thinking about the old saying, “When you don’t know what to do, don’t do anything!”
Another difference might be Windows 8 suitability. According to Wikipedia:
“The new interface is primarily designed for 16:9 screen resolution, with 1366×768 and larger screens able to display two Windows 8 applications using “Snap”. 1024×768 screens can display one Windows 8 application in full-screen.”
not sure where the resolution of the Q550 fits in and whether that is really a major downside
Is it just me, or are there others? I’m getting weary of the pre-announced product, pre-production product distribution and testing, beta-production product distribution and testing.
It wasn’t soooo long ago when the product was announced and ready for market at the same time.
Not that way any more.
Maybe Amazon is following the old school with their “kindle tablet”. Only Amazon knows for sure.
Am not saying the CL900 or the Q550 are following that cycle. But, I am wondering “out loud”.
I am ammending the old saying, “When you don’t know what to do, don’t do anything. Just Wait!!!”
I have been using the Q for about 3 weeks. I had to send it back with a pen tracking issue. I have not gotten it back yet. While I had it I was very pleased with it. I am unsure how others are using it but I do field work on Houston and frequently use it in the bright sun. I have to turn up the screen brightness but have no problem filling out forms or sketching in the sun when I need to. It is far better than the Fujitsu T2020 I normally use and much lighter. Battery was an issue until I got the 4 cell. I could still use it all day if I charged it between clients.
Edward, thanks for your response. I was beginning to wonder if we would hear from current users. Just to know that there are success stories being told helps those of us ‘on-the-fence’ become more bold!
Sorry about the pen tracking issue. From what Steve has said, Fujitsu support seems concerned about their product. That helps also. Maybe Steve will post a supporting comment.
“…Maybe Steve will post a supporting comment…”
…Not sure what I’m supporting. I have always had good experiences with Fujitsu Tech Support, stretching back to my first Fujitsu slate, a Stylistic ST-4120.
I agree with Edward’s assessment of the Q’s screen visibility in daylight. It is excellent in shade, very good in indirect sunlight and is only washed out when directly reflecting sunlight. I don’t think you can ask for more than that.
I have not experienced any pen tracking issues, but I am realistic about tracking quality as you approach the screen edges. If you read widely, you will discover that Wacom (Cintiq) has similar problems. Fancy that…
I played with CL900 today and am seriously considering buying it. Just wanted to let people know if they are thinking about pen noise, IMHO it is non-issue. I barely noticed. Must be more pronounced in the videos than real life. Performance seemed quite OK when inking.
That dock is not good, though. No video outlet and non-adjustable angle?
I’m testing the Motion at this moment. Not my own but from the Belgian reseller who lend me the device for a week to test it out.
Brand new, no Office installed on it yet, but it is a fact that W7 is running slow on the system.
Also the MeeGo UI app is looking nice but I’ve got a feeling that it slows down the already sluggish system.
Pen input is pretty solid I must say and important for me: the ticking and noice of the pen isn’t bad at all.
Regards
After I posted I started having very serious issues with the pen tracking. If you divide the screen into 4 quadrants with the fujitsu logo on the right the tracking skips in the lower left quadrant. Does it a little other places, but very badly there. (try writing squiggly lines as if writing about half way across the screen and I see skips). Tried this at a local Fry’s store and it had the same problem. Sent my Q back to fujitsu and after 2 weeks they sent it back after a software update. Told me to use only the auto mode, but was not realistic and not effective. this makes me believe they know it is a problem and have no solution. I suspect it is either a processor to slow to handle the screen input or a driver error with no update. The tables is a bit slow, but for my specific use I can live with it for the light weight and form factor. I cannot live with the inability to write naturally on it. Anyone else registering this problem.
Edward and Others…
For the sole purpose of using MS ONENOTE and taking notes for approx. 30 lectures a month, is this a deal-breaker or would you still recommend the Q?
Sorry, I have not worked out my problems yet. I run a business and just don’t have time to sit on the phone and run through the multi-level support from Fujitsu, YET. Their support has been there, but with no answers. They just keep bumping me up the chain. Now they want me to work with somebody one on one. My problem is they are only there 9-5 and I am working in the field those hours. Our business is good and has not let up, so I have no time to call them. They act as if there is no problem but there is. I am sure they will address it, fix it? Who knows.
I firmly believe it is the N-Trig product and that it is substandard.
Edward, I also agree that the N Trig device was a mistake. Obviously if you are purchasing one of these slate with touch devices you have the use for it. Be that in healthcare like myself, engineering, real estate…The pen on my CL900 has been somewhat poor performance compared to my wacom pen convertible tablet (now 4 years old going strong).
Has anyone had trouble with a non-functioning SD card? Tried the software update but no luck. Its on its way to motion australia to get a warranty review.
Still in my opinion i like being able ot access the entire suite of microsoft office on a portable device.
Hi Chris,
my Q550 also does not seem to recognize any SD cards. Did you find a way to fix the problem?
Regards,
René
Hi All-
Last week I was lucky enough to have a chance to briefly played with the CL900 (a manager at our company owns it) and the Q550 (Micro Center). Both were sluggish with pinch and zoom, way far behind an Eee Pad Transformer or the Galaxy Tab 10. But the nice thing about the LC900 and Q550 is that they have inking, a feature that is essential to former/current Windows Tablet owners. it works well enough for inking but the pens make clicking noise though it didn’t bother me at all and I’d say that the Q is adequate for 30 lectures a month. For me, the Q runs cool (not to say that the CL runs hot) and the Q feels nice to hold and much lighter and thinner than the CL, which is thick and more industrialized. Between the two devices, I’d choose the Q over the CL if I were to purchase it with my own money and I’d buy a folio to keep the pen for the Q, since it does not have pen silo. There is a lot to say of a removable battery for the Q. Also, the Q has better palm rejection in my brief test, though palm rejection sensitivity could be calibrated, I think.
Just to say that I’ve been a long time WinsTab user. I started with the Newton 2100, then the HP CT1100 & CT4200, Fujitsu ST6012, the Stylistic U820 (still have it at home), The HP Slate 500 (sent it back to HP after two weeks- didn’t like it). Now I am waiting for the delivery of the Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet http://shop.lenovo.com/us/products/tablets/thinkpad. Yes, the ThinkPad tablet also uses N-trig digitizer so the clicking pen noise might still be there.
What I want to say is that inking is important to me, the same for SD card and USB port, otherwise I’d have ordered an iPad already. And personally, I think the Q is a better buy. This is a comprehensive review of the Q. http://www.trustedreview.com/fujitsu-q550_Laptop_review
well ‘m just going to assume that none of you are from the US. The CL900 offers boadband. The Q500 still does not. Isn’t the whole reason for having a mobile device is to stay connected? As far as I’m concerned, the Q500 is a non-product. Tired of waiting will most likely order a cl900 by monday.
TomP
Well, I gave up on the Q550 and ordered the CL900. The selling feature was the 3G that the CL900 has and the Q550 does not. I just couldn’t hold out any longer waiting to see if Fujitsu would miss another deadline. For me, the reason I want a slate is to be mobile. The lack of a broadband connection ruled out the Q550.
Tom