Fujitsu unveils laptops with integrated pico projectors

Computer giant Fujitsu has launched two new laptops with a difference - both contain built-in pico projectors.

The 13.3-inch LifeBook S761/C and 12.1-inch P771/C fill their optical disc drive slots with an integrated projector.

Optical disc drives in laptops may become virtually obsolete soon so fitting an integrated pico projector into the empty slot is an interesting use of the space.

Although the projector lamp consumes more power than a DVD writer would, this problem is easily overcome by plugging the system in to the mains.

Fujitsu has not yet released specific details of the pico projectors only the make-up of the laptops. Both are equipped with second-generation Core i3 or i5 processors, a 160GB hard drive, and 1GB of RAM. The S761 has a 13.3-inch (1366 by 768 pixel) HD display, while the P771's screen is a 12.1-inch WXGA (1280 by 800 pixel display).

Laptops with pico projectors are primarily aimed at the Japanese market, with the company planning to start selling the notebook in Japan next month. However similar models could arrive in Europe in the next year or so.

Reviewers have suggested these notebooks will appeal to a niche market. For example, sales people who might prefer to have an all-in-one slide out projector in their laptop instead of having to carry around both an external projector and a laptop.