WHAT'S HOT: Aside from a slightly faster processor and connections placed in different locations, the latest version of Fujitsu's LifeBook S Series notebook has not changed much from its predecessor, and that's a good thing. A near-perfect thin-and-light, the S Series weighs 5.6 pounds (less than 4 pounds with a weight-saving module in the bay) and includes a 13.3-inch screen, integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b), and a built-in 8X DVD-ROM and 16X/10X/24X CD-RW combination drive. It offers a great keyboard, rare among ultraportables; the keys are firm and laid out well enough for fast touch typing, despite some half-size command keys. And this version costs $1599, $330 less than the last one we reviewed (in October 2002).

WHAT'S NOT: The combo drive must take turns sharing the modular bay with the notebook's floppy drive. (On the bright side, they're hot-swappable.) To connect an older printer directly to the notebook, you'll have to buy a port replicator ($138), which adds the necessary parallel port (plus serial and PS/2 ports). Productivity applications cost extra, too.

WHAT ELSE: This S Series turned in an excellent performance (if only on a par with the last version); it gives some Pentium 4-M notebooks we've tested a run for their money. Equipped with a 1.2-GHz Pentium III-M processor instead of a 1-GHz CPU, the new S Series earned a PC WorldBench 4 score of 95, just edging out the previous model's score of 94. Battery life, meanwhile, remained at about 2.7 hours. That's not bad for an ultraportable, and you can add time by swapping a drive out for a modular second power pack.

In this latest refresh of the S Series, most of the connections have migrated; for instance, the optical drive swapped sides with the audio ports and is now on the right. The modem and network jacks, as well as the second USB 2.0 port, now are all in back. The new locations may please users who prefer to keep cords bunched in back, but they don't change the notebook's overall great design significantly. You still get the convenient side-mounted lever for popping the drive out of the modular bay. Above the keyboard, dual-purpose shortcut buttons launch applications or serve as a password security system. Nearby, an LCD status panel displays remaining battery life. Reaching the notebook's memory and storage is a snap, as they sit behind bottom panels and a few screws. The battery, somewhat difficult to remove before, now comes out easily when you use two end releases.

The notebook's audio quality is poor--which we expect from an ultraportable--but the volume cranks up surprisingly loud. The S Series's least-impressive feature is its documentation: The four-page, 8.5-by-11-inch "Getting Started" brochure and thin user guide both cover basics but lack glossaries or information for beginners.

UPSHOT: Now reduced in price to a tempting $1599, the Fujitsu S Series notebook is a better choice than ever for frequent travelers desiring a slim, wireless-ready portable.