Fujitsu’s decision to continue offering built‑in optical drives — including Blu‑ray/BDXL options — in its new FMV Note A family underscores a striking market divergence: while the West moved on from internal disc trays years ago, a sizeable segment of Japanese buyers still values physical media, and vendors are responding accordingly.
Background
Japan remains one of the last strongholds for optical video and data media in consumer computing. Collectible Blu‑ray anime box sets, music releases, archival habits among photographers and pros, and longstanding distributor behavior mean discs are still practical and culturally significant for many buyers. That context helps explain why Fujitsu has refreshed its FMV lineup with models that either include optical drives as standard or offer Blu‑ray/BDXL drives as a configurable option.The phenomenon was amplified by the formal end of mainstream Windows 10 support in October 2025, a milestone that created an immediate migration catalyst. Retailers in Tokyo’s Akihabara district and several specialty shops reported surging demand for internal BD‑R burners and external optical drives as buyers sought to preserve their disc workflows or install Windows using physical media. International outlets picked up local reporting, and the result was a short but visible spike in drive sales.
Overview of Fujitsu’s FMV Note A / WA3‑K3 offering
What Fujitsu is shipping and how it’s positioned
Fujitsu’s 2025 FMV Note A family includes multiple 16‑inch models and a set of custom‑made WA3‑K3 configurations sold via the company’s WEB MART storefront. The WA3‑K3 — the machine at the center of recent coverage — is offered with an integrated optical drive as standard; a higher‑tier configuration upgrades that drive to a BDXL‑compatible Blu‑ray Disc drive in at least some SKUs, explicitly marketed for long‑term storage and movie playback. Fujitsu’s product literature names BDXL support for select A‑series models and for WA3‑K3 custom builds.Key, advertised hardware highlights for the WA3‑K3 and related FMV Note A models include:
- A 16.0‑inch WUXGA (1,920 × 1,200) panel tuned for media consumption and desktop‑style work.
- Processor options that span Intel Core U‑series choices (Core i3/i5/i7 in the product messaging) and a higher‑end A77 variant that offers AMD Ryzen 7 (Ryzen 7 7735U in some A77‑K3 SKUs).
- Up to 64GB memory and storage choices from 256GB to 2TB SSD on configurable models.
- Modern connectivity including Wi‑Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be), Bluetooth 5.4, multiple USB‑C and USB‑A ports, SD card slot, and HDMI. Fujitsu also bundles a media remote with trackpad in certain configurations to support a living‑room or sofa‑style Blu‑ray playback experience.
Pricing and availability
Fujitsu’s marketing indicates the WA3‑K3 begins at roughly ¥124,800 JPY (base configurations), with the Blu‑ray‑equipped top‑tier model adding a modest premium in Japan’s market. Pricing is presented in local SKUs and Fujitsu’s WEB MART channel; these models are primarily targeted at domestic Japanese buyers rather than global volume retail.Why Fujitsu’s move matters — market rationale
A niche, but persistent, customer base
The built‑in optical drive decision is not an engineering oddity; it’s a market segmentation play. A compact but meaningful group of consumers in Japan:- Own and actively use large disc collections (anime, films, catalogs, special releases).
- Require or prefer offline, physical archives for photos and family video.
- Desire the convenience and perceived reliability of an integrated drive rather than an external USB plug‑in.
Timing and the Windows 10 EOS moment
Product lifecycle events can cascade through related markets. The Windows 10 end‑of‑support deadline produced a natural upgrade trigger: buyers replacing old machines observed that modern Windows 11‑oriented hardware often omits optical bays, so they either had to accept a new workflow (downloads, USB installers) or ensure continuity by buying devices with drives or separate burners. The Akihabara reports — corroborated by multiple trade press stories — show this real‑world friction point at work.Technical clarifications and verification
Several early reports questioned whether Fujitsu’s WA3‑K3 or other A‑series machines truly supported BDXL (triple/quad‑layer 100GB media) or only baseline Blu‑ray formats. That ambiguity is resolvable in Fujitsu’s own product literature: the A77‑K3 and certain WEB MART custom WA3‑K3 configurations are explicitly listed as BDXL™‑compatible, indicating support for larger capacity BD‑R media on those SKUs. Buyers should confirm the exact WA3‑K3 part number and options before purchase, because BDXL capability is tied to a specific drive assembly and is not guaranteed across every SKU in the family.A few other spec clarifications:
- The WA3‑K3 uses contemporary U‑series Intel CPUs in several SKUs (Core i3/i5/i7) while the higher‑end A77 model includes AMD Ryzen 7 7735U in some configurations — these are mainstream, energy‑efficient mobile chips rather than discrete‑class gaming GPUs. The iGPU performance track is comparable to modern integrated solutions and will handle media playback and light graphics workloads but is not a substitute for a dedicated GPU for demanding gaming.
- Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 are advertised across the lineup, reflecting a focus on modern wireless connectivity to pair with external monitors, streaming devices, and Bluetooth remotes.
Strengths: what Fujitsu gets right
- Customer‑led feature engineering. Fujitsu is listening to a defined market segment and shipping hardware that reduces friction for collectors, pros, and buyers who still rely on discs for software installation or archival workflows. The inclusion of a media remote and optional external monitors underscores this intent.
- Clear BDXL option for archival power users. Where BDXL is present, users can archive or write very large datasets to single discs — a legitimate capability for studios or customers who prefer single‑disc long‑term storage. The vendor’s explicit BDXL listing removes some of the ambiguity earlier stories raised.
- Modern platform + legacy function. The combination of current wireless standards, Windows Hello camera options, and modern U‑series CPUs gives buyers a mainstream contemporary laptop that preserves legacy optical capabilities — appealing to households that use PCs for both daily work and living‑room media playback.
Risks and limitations: what buyers should watch out for
1) DRM and Blu‑ray playback realities
Owning a Blu‑ray drive does not guarantee smooth playback of all commercial discs. PC playback can be complicated by DRM (AACS) and UHD/4K titles often require additional hardware or specific DRM support that many modern CPUs and platforms no longer expose. For consumers whose primary goal is watching commercial UHD Blu‑ray discs, a dedicated 4K Blu‑ray player may still be the simpler choice. This is a common caveat and often omitted from breathless headlines.2) Not all SKUs are created equal
Fujitsu’s product literature confirms BDXL compatibility for specific A‑series models and for certain WEB MART WA3‑K3 custom builds, but earlier coverage (and some retailer listings) did not always differentiate SKU‑by‑SKU. Prospective buyers must verify the drive type on the exact SKU they intend to buy; the presence or absence of BDXL may be a differentiator and a small premium can unlock large‑capacity writing.3) Market fragility and price volatility
The optical ecosystem is much smaller than it used to be. When demand concentrates — as it did around an OS end‑of‑support date — shortages or temporary price spikes are plausible. Internal BD‑R burners are now niche products and supply chains may react slowly. That creates a short‑term risk for buyers trying to buy drives or blank media at reasonable prices.4) Environmental and lifecycle concerns
Buying a heavier, less mobile “living‑room laptop” or replacing otherwise functional hardware solely to regain optical capability can raise environmental and cost concerns. External USB Blu‑ray drives are a lower‑impact alternative for occasional use and may align better with sustainability goals for many users.Practical advice: how to decide whether a Blu‑ray‑equipped Fujitsu is right for you
- Confirm the exact SKU and drive spec before purchase — look for explicit BDXL wording if you need 100GB/128GB multi‑layer support.
- If your primary use is playback of commercial discs, compare the software/DRM story: standalone players often provide fewer headaches for UHD playback than PC configurations.
- If you burn discs for archival reasons, plan a multi‑tier strategy: use reputable blank media (archival‑grade where possible), perform verified burns, and keep redundant copies on separate media types. Optical discs are one component of a robust archival plan, not the entire plan.
- Consider an external USB Blu‑ray drive if you only need occasional disc access — many modern externals are plug‑and‑play, cheaper, and keep the laptop slimmer and more portable.
- If you want built‑in convenience (remote control, integrated player experience, single‑box living‑room use), then the WA3‑K3’s bundled media remote and optional external monitor options make it a compelling choice for a dedicated home media workstation.
The broader market outlook: niche persistence, not a revival
The Akihabara drive surge and Fujitsu’s new models illustrate a localized, culturally informed persistence — not a wholesale renaissance of optical media worldwide. The narrative that discs are “back” would be an overstatement; streaming, digital distribution, and USB/online installers remain dominant in most global markets. What’s different in Japan is a sustained collector market, a higher prevalence of physical special editions, and entrenched archival habits. Vendors serving that market rationally include optical drives as configurable options.Manufacturers and specialty distributors will likely continue to serve this niche: boutique supply, targeted SKUs, and custom ordering through Japanese channels (WEB MART and local retailers). Expect intermittent local stock pressures when OS or market events trigger buying frenzies, but not a return to mass‑market optical volumes.
What this means for WindowsForum readers and PC buyers
- For enthusiasts and pros who genuinely need integrated archival capability or frequent disc authoring, Fujitsu’s FMV Note A family — and WA3‑K3 custom models — are a pragmatic option that keeps legacy workflows intact while delivering modern connectivity and reasonable performance. Be meticulous about SKU choices, and factor DRM/playback caveats into expectations.
- For mainstream users who prioritize portability and minimal weight, an external USB Blu‑ray drive or a small media server appliance is a smarter, more sustainable choice. The convenience of a built‑in drive comes at a weight and thickness cost that many laptop buyers no longer accept.
- For archivists and professionals, treat discs as one leg of a multi‑pronged preservation strategy and practice verified burns, climate‑controlled storage, and regular media refresh cycles. BDXL expands single‑disc capacity, but it does not eliminate the need for redundancy and verification.
Conclusion
Fujitsu’s inclusion of built‑in Blu‑ray/BDXL options in the FMV Note A family is a pragmatic, market‑aware choice that respects a distinct set of user needs in Japan. It underscores the reality that hardware decisions still respond to cultural and practical behaviors — even as global trends point toward digital and cloud‑first workflows. Buyers who require optical media support now have a modern laptop option that marries current wireless and CPU standards with legacy disc capability, but they must verify model‑level drive support, understand DRM limits for certain commercial discs, and weigh environmental and portability tradeoffs before committing.This development is a reminder: technology transitions are rarely uniform. In pockets where physical media matters, vendors will keep supporting legacy formats — and Fujitsu has placed a clear bet that those pockets are big enough, and vocal enough, to justify a Blu‑ray drive on a new laptop.
Source: TechSpot Fujitsu is still putting Blu-ray drives in laptops – and people in Japan still want them
