Fujitsu Stylistic Q550 tablet will tip up about now

JAPANESE ELECTRONICS FIRM Fujitsu has announced that its Stylistic Q550 tablet will be available at the end of June, despite Amazon having the device listed as 'In Stock'.

Confusion has set in over the tablet, as Fujitsu claimed shipment has started from its Japanese manufacturing facilities. On the contrary, Amazon.co.uk shows that the WiFi only model is in stock.

Fujitsu told The INQUIRER, "The STYLISTIC Q550 tablet (Wi-Fi only) is available in the UK at the end of June, with Wi-Fi and 3G variants arriving in July."

The 3G versions of the Q550 appear on Amazon also but with the statement, "Usually dispatched within 1 to 2 months", and Fujitsu told us, "Amazon shouldn't have it."

The dates of June and July are a considerable delay from Fujitsu's original announcement of April availability. Fujitsu dismissed our questions about this, saying that all had gone to plan with the release of the tablet despite the earthquake in Japan. Clearly, Fujitsu was somewhat economical with the truth there, given its previous announcement, perhaps in order to save face.

We were alerted to the delay by a Fujitsu representative at trade show CeBIT in March, where we were told it would arrive in June. At the time, the tablet on display was just a prototype.

If you're trying to decide on a tablet then the Fujitsu Stylistic Q550 will offer Windows 7 on a 10.1in LED backlit touchscreen. It brings various security features such as a smart card reader, a finger print scanner and a solid state drive with full disk encryption.

Like the HTC Flyer it comes with a stylus pen, with prices starting at £749 for the WiFi only model. µ