Fujitsu just announced that it’s putting solid state (flash-based) drives–SSDs–into its LifeBook P1610 and B6210 ultraportables. Read: no more spinning HDD parts to damage when you drop the laptop. Reported SSD advantages also include faster boot-up and data access due to the fact that there are no more spinning platters, seek time, and latency issues. A distinct disadvantage is the markup, which can run in excess of a thousand bucks for an SSD over a regular HDD. The move has Fujitsu following in Samsung’s footsteps, as the latter was first out of the SSD-gate last fall with the announcement of its Q30 notebook. Incidentally, Fujitsu is also rugged-izing the cases of both new LifeBooks. But fortunately for the mobile workforces who’ll use them, the LifeBooks weigh about two and three pounds, respectively. Other companies with rugged systems, like the Dell Latitude ATG I’ve been using for a couple of weeks now, would do well to follow Fujitsu’s examples in the weight arena. Technology Industry