Fujitsu Siemens Computers, the joint venture between Japan-based Fujitsu and Germany-based Siemens, has added anti-theft protection to its business notebook range.

The two security modules, SystemTrack and DataProtect, are based on technologies developed by Intel and Computrace that Fujitsu Siemens will offer as an option in its Esprimo Mobile, Lifebook T5010, and Lifebook E8420 products.

SystemTrack will track stolen hardware in real time and detect its location as soon as the device is connected to the internet or intranet, and DataProtect will save confidential data centrally in the system or if necessary completely delete data.

A survey by the Poneman Institute in June 2008 projected that more than 50% of all business travelers have confidential company data on their notebooks and 65% of them do not take any security precautions against loss or theft.Armin Kumpf, senior director of business mobile at Fujitsu Siemens, said: "Dialog with our customers and our own surveys have shown us that data security is one of the major concerns for company IT managers especially when it comes to implementing a mobility strategy."

"The reliable protection of sensitive data thus tops the list of features that we add to our business notebooks".

Fujitsu Limited and Hitachi Global Storage Technologies have both announced today their latest 500GB 2.5" hard disk drive (HDD) products featuring low power consumption and built-in encryption functions.

Fujitsu MJA2 BH and MJA2 CH series

Fujitsu has developed two new 500 GB 2.5" hard disk drive (HDD) models that feature a rotational speed of 5,400 RPM. The MJA2 BH series will be available from the end of December 2008, and the MJA2 CH series will be available in the first quarter of the 2009 calendar year.

The new models consume only 1.4W of power when recording data, one-third less than previous models. Moreover, these are Fujitsu's first halogen-free HDD models, making them an environmentally friendly products across their lifecycle, from deployment to disposal.

In addition, the MJA2 CH series is equipped with 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption.

By increasing recording density, the new models deliver a maximum of 500 GB in storage capacity. To prevent data leaks for customers handling sensitive information, the MJA2 CH model has a built-in encryption function. This model automatically encrypts data as it is recorded, and all data stored on the HDD can be erased instantly, in less than a second, using the advanced secure erase feature.

Both MJA2 BH and MJA2 CH series target the expanding notebook PC market but also other markets such as desktop PCs.
Basic specifications:

Capacity: Maximum 500 GB
Interface SATA 3.0Gb/s (ATA-8, Serial ATA 2.6)
Rotation speed: 5,400 RPM
Average seek time (typ.): 12ms (read) 14 ms (write)
Data transfer rate: Max 300 MB/s
Buffer size: 8 MB
Shock resistance, during operation: 350 G (2 ms)
Shock resistance, non-operating: 900 G (1 ms)
Voltage: +5 V ± 5%

Power consumption
Read/write (typ.): 1.4 W (3.0 Gb/s) / 1.3 W (1.5 Gb/s)
Idle (typ.): 0.60 W (in slumber mode)
Standby (typ.): 0.13 W (in slumber mode)

Noise at idle (typ.): 2.4 bels
Dimensions: 9.5 x 70 x 100 mm
Weight: 101g or less

Hitachi Travelstar 5K500.B

Hitachi Hitachi GST introduced the Travelstar 5K500.B, a mobile hard drive that also combines advanced data encryption technology with eco-friendly features.
The Travelstar 5K500.B, Hitachi?s second 500GB mobile drive, uses the latest 250GB-per-platter technology to deliver a half terabyte (500GB) of capacity in a standard 9.5mm mobile form factor.

The Travelstar 5K500.B features optional Bulk Data Encryption (BDE) for hard-drive-level data security. The drive also meets the forthcoming Storage Security specification established by the Trusted Computing Group (TCG), an organization focused on developing open industry standards for security hardware and software. The TCG Storage Security specification, targeting consumer and commercial applications, is intended to discourage HDD/system theft, as well as prevent data access after HDD/system disposal.

BDE encrypts data using a private security key as it is written to the disk and then decrypts it with the key as it is retrieved. The TCG Storage Security specification implemented in the Travelstar 5K500.B supports pre-boot authentication in hardware, and up to four separate encrypted data ranges with multiple user and administrative authentication credentials. It also speeds and simplifies the drive re-deployment process. By deleting the encryption key, the data is rendered unreadable, thereby eliminating the need for time-consuming data-overwrite.

The Travelstar 5K500.B also features a read/write power specification of 1.4W, resulting in more energy-efficient notebooks that run cooler and have longer battery life.

Fujitsu PC Asia Pacific, has unveiled the LifeBook U2010, the successor to the the LifeBook U1010 UMPC.The LifeBook U2010 features a high resolution SuperFine 5.6" WXGA 1280 x 800 screen with 300nits brightness and has an integrated GPS module. It has a one-touch Raku Raku zoom button for optimal viewing and a built-in 1.3 Megapixel camera. It also features Microsoft Origami Experience 2.0 application quick touch access to multimedia programs.

The U2010 has a battery life of 7.5 hours and mobile connectivity features include WLAN 11a/g/n and Bluetooth v2.1.This 5.6-inch touch-screen tablet-convertible UMPC runs on Intel Centrino Atom processor Z530 (1.6GHz) and Intel System Controller Hub and can wirelessly connect to any FM radio and its audio output to play music from the notebook's music library, using the car's FM stereo system.YS Ng, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing said, "Last year, Fujitsu made UMPC history with its landmark, feature-rich LifeBook U1010. Continuing in its unique 3-in-1 tablet/notebook/handheld PC tradition, the amazing LifeBook U2010 cements our triumph in this field as it replicates the ingenuity of the U1010 as well as accentuating its lifestyle capabilities with a distinctive GPS navigation feature and wireless music on-demand – all while remaining fashionably small and powerfully compact."

The U2010 features a Fingerprint Sensor which allows encryption of sensitive files with a swipe of the pre-registered fingerprint.

Pricing and availability is unknown at this point.