WHAT'S HOT: Armed with Intel's new low-voltage Pentium III-750/600 processor, Fujitsu's latest ultraslim LifeBook S Series model more than holds it own against full-size notebooks, in terms of performance. In our speed tests it earned a PC WorldBench 2000 score of 138, a hair above average for a Pentium III-750.

The petite, magnesium-clad LifeBook S Series reigns as the lightest laptop we've seen with a modular bay built into the case. Our $2599 review unit came with a removable 8X DVD-ROM and 8X/4X/24X CD-RW combination drive. You can swap that out for any one of six other devices--such as a second battery, a small digital camera, or a SuperDisk drive--or you can insert the included weight-saver module for the lightest configuration, a mere 3.8 pounds. Like most ultraslims, the LifeBook S is missing a few legacy connections, including the parallel port. However, Fujitsu goes the extra mile by providing the missing ports on a bundled docking foot that snaps on to the bottom of the notebook in a jiffy. With the combination drive in the bay, the included USB floppy drive, the docking foot, and the AC adapter, the LifeBook weighs a still-reasonable 6.5 pounds.

WHAT'S NOT: The LifeBook's battery life of 2 hours, 26 minutes falls about a half hour short of average. The keyboard, despite being described by Fujitsu as "full travel," has Chiclet-size keys and feels a little shallow.

WHAT ELSE: Overall, the LifeBook S Series is well designed for an ultraslim notebook. The power button sits on the back, an unusual location, but with a little practice you can find it by touch. The notebook includes Fujitsu's "application panel" of dual-purpose buttons. When you first turn on the unit, the buttons can serve as part of the password system; while you work, they act as dedicated shortcut buttons for launching files, applications, or Web sites. Nearby, an LCD status panel built in at the bottom of the screen displays the remaining battery life.

With a small Phillips screwdriver and some dexterity, you can access the memory and storage yourself, which will save you the trouble and expense of sending the notebook to a service center. However, like most thin and light laptops, the LifeBook S Series is not a multimedia or heavy-duty graphics machine by any stretch of the imagination. Although you get three audio ports, including two input ports (unusual for an ultralight) the LifeBook S Series offers only 4MB of video RAM and raspy stereo speakers. Fujitsu also eliminated the volume thumbwheel on this model in favor of an extra line-in port, a feature some users may not find as useful.

You don't get any electronic documentation, which is an especially welcome extra with an ultralight, but Fujitsu does bundle a thorough print manual.

UPSHOT: The LifeBook S Series would make a good traveling companion for corporate nomads who use mainstream office applications and who don't mind a small screen and keyboard. It weighs less than 4 pounds, yet it carries a powerful processor, comes with loads of storage, and conveniently holds a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combination drive in its internal bay.

SUMMARY

Fujitsu Lifebook S Series PC WorldBench 2000 score of 138, Pentium III-750/600 CPU, 256MB of RAM, 256KB L2 cache, Windows 98 SE, 12.1-inch active-matrix screen, ATI Rage Mobility P/M graphics chip with 4MB of VRAM, 30GB hard drive, 8X DVD-ROM and 8X/4X/24X CD-RW combination drive, built-in V.90 modem and ethernet connection, touchpad pointing device, 6.5 pounds (including AC adapter and phone cord); Microsoft Works 2000. One-year parts and labor warranty; free unlimited 24-hour toll-call tech support. $2599 877/372-3473 www.fujitsupc.com