Fujitsu showed off two new laptops that it claims are the first to include built-in wireless HSUPA access at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The laptops will let users connect to AT&T's HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access) network, which offers wireless upload speeds of around 500K bps. Most of the other cellular data networks offer fast download speeds but slower upload data rates.

Fujitsu's LifeBook U810, a very small notebook that weighs just over 1.5 pounds, was released previously in a similar form but without the HSUPA wireless connectivity. Retailing at US$999, it will ship with software that lets users subscribe to AT&T's wireless service over the air.

The wireless connection should make the ultramobile PC more attractive to many users, said Paul Moore, senior director of mobile product marketing for Fujitsu. When the LifeBook U810 first came out, lots of reviewers cited the lack of wireless wide area networking as one of the drawbacks to the computer, he said.

"You need wireless to make this practical," he said. The capability also may make some users more accepting of some of the downsides to a smaller device, like the reduced screen and keyboard size, he said.

Fujitsu also showed off the 3.5-pound LifeBook T2010, another computer that was previously available but now includes AT&T's HSUPA wireless connectivity. Both devices, which also support HSDPA (High Speed Download Packet Access) high-speed download capabilities, will hit shelves in March.