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Sharp Zaurus SL-C3000 Reviewed

Posted by timothy on Wed Jan 19, 2005 11:39 AM
from the 800-dollar-pda dept.
Handhelds Software Hardware Linux
Bill Kendrick writes "Sharp's hard-drive-packing SL-C3000 model Zaurus (available in the U.S. from Dynamism) has been reviewed by BargainPDA. They cover the differences between this one and earlier, similar models, and even go over some of the stuff interesting to Linux users."
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Sharp Zaurus SL-C3000 Reviewed 50 Comments More /

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  • Autonomy ? (Score:2, Interesting)

    by mirko (198274)
    A year ago I sold my SL-5500 because it couldn't stay on batteries for more than 1h30, how far has it improved, now ?

    • Re:Autonomy ? (Score:4, Informative)

      by tchuladdiass (174342) on Wednesday January 19 2005, @12:15PM (#11409483) Homepage
      The 5600 can more than double that if you can find one on ebay. The review says that the sl-c3000 lasted about 6 hours of article editing before getting a low-battery warning. My experience with my new zaurus 6000 unit seems to confirm this. However, using the wireless card will cut battery life in half -- or it used to on mine -- I've since adapted the diald program to automatically turn on & off the wireless card after 15 seconds of inactivity, which brings the battery life back up to normal.
      Also, it all depends on how bright you make the display. I'm not sure about the c3000, but on the 6000 if I have the brightness set up all the way it hurts my eyes. I have to turn it down a couple of notches, unless I'm outdoors. Even then, the backlight is only needed if your in the shade (i.e., a lot of ambient light), but in direct sunlight the screen seems to be quiet readable.

  • but does it (Score:4, Interesting)

    by minus_273 (174041) <aaaaa AT SPAM DOT yahoo DOT com> on Wednesday January 19 2005, @11:43AM (#11409138) Journal
    run linux? Seriously, anyone know if there is a siginificant difference in performance using the default installation and an open embedded build of linux?

    • Re:but does it (Score:5, Informative)

      by Cyn (50070) <[gro.nyc] [ta] [nyc]> on Wednesday January 19 2005, @11:54AM (#11409268) Homepage
      Performance isn't the most important thing, by far, between ROMs. That said, I would say no there's not a particular performance change between ROMs. The important difference, is the usability.

      An OpenZaurus installation (built by OE) would actually look pleasing and be functional. I have a c700 and a c760, and neither of them dares to touch the Sharp ROM.

      Unless they've made leaps and bounds - the Sharp ROM addressbook is still beyond useless, not to mention a host of other lackings in all things. The only thing Sharp ROM has going for it above OZ is full hardware support (specifically, the ok/cancel buttons on the side of the device - and the 'jogwheel' equivalent).

      However, if you just want to write text notes and read electronic books, sharprom should do you fine.

      • Re:but does it (Score:5, Informative)

        by Lumpy (12016) on Wednesday January 19 2005, @12:29PM (#11409657) Homepage
        how silly.

        I have SEVERAL SL5500's in use and the addressbook is not that bad, and you also gloss over the fact that you can load a different addressbook app on it, but you lose all sync functionality.

        also I do things with my Z's that palm and windows based Owners only dream of doing.

        finally being able to beam contact information to PALM -or- windows pda users is awesome, the salespeople here have discovered that the built in apps are more than useable, the pocket Office compatability apps are extremely useful and the very large selection of free software for all the sharp SL pda's will significantly increase your useability.

        We have barcode scanner cards in the CF slot on ours. The custom software for the sharp devices was 10X easier to write and interface to the master server than any PALM device. (I know I also wrote the app here for our old Palm+barcode scanner devices.)

        coupled with the fact that Z's + the CF card are 1/5th the price of the insanely overpriced PALM or windowsCE or pocket PC units with barcode scanner built in I can keep 5 units in the shelf as emergency replacements when the other units get broken or lost.

        I am looking to upgrade to the C700 series (you can get them for around $300.00 now) when we roll out these devices to all 20 salespeople here in the office.

        so IF 5 sales people and 1 PHB has no problems with the sharp rom apps, I would simply guess you are simply jaded against it because it does not work theway YOU want it.

        and they certianly are doing much more than reading electronic books, and writing text notes.
        • That's funny. I haven't had SharpROM loaded for quite some time, so I can't exactly relate the problem - but it was basically "default list view shows name and phone numbers, and there's no way to enter phone numbers". Essentially, it asked a bunch of DATING information (gender, birth date, job description, etc.), and had a button that opened a large comment field.

          I could beam stuff over from my phone, and it populated the fields, but there was nowhere to change or view the information other than the li
    • but does it run linux? Seriously, anyone know if there is a siginificant difference in performance using the default installation and an open embedded build of linux?

      It already runs embedded linux... so I would guess that there is no significant difference between running linux and running linux on this box?

  • Gotta be better than Palm (Score:3, Informative)

    by doublem (118724) on Wednesday January 19 2005, @11:43AM (#11409142) Homepage Journal
    After all the hardware, software and support issues I've had with the Palm T2, I can't imagine a PDA that's worse.

    I'm never buying another Palm Pilot again. [onlineconfessional.com]

    • And it runs Nethack (Score:5, Informative)

      by doublem (118724) on Wednesday January 19 2005, @11:47AM (#11409194) Homepage Journal
      The sharp runs Nethack, but the Palm does not.

      The project to port nethack to Palm dies. Seems no one could get it to work, since the Palm API is so limited.

      QT Nethack on the Sharp Zaurus though, I hear that works.

      Damn, I can't wait to have the cash to trade in this damn Palm for something that WORKS, even if it doesn't work very well.
      • To be fair, the last update was four years ago, and the Palm API has advanced considerably since then (especially in ways that make it easier to port POSIX style programs to the very different PalmOS).

        If you're interested in Moria, Larn and Rogue on Palm, you do have other options [sourceforge.net].

        --
        Evan

        • I've been playing iRouge for a while now. I still prefer Nethack, but iRouge will do.

          Ironically, until the hardware problems began with my latest Palm Pilot, a T2, I was thinking of doing a Nethack -> Palm port as a project to learn Palm Pilot programming. Sadly, it looks like most of the API changes that would make such a port possible are for the Post 5.x versions of the Palm OS, which means I'd be developing a program I myself wouldn't be able to run.
          • Yup. Until very very recently I was using a Palm IIIc (an *excellent* screen for eBook reading; blocky but crisp is surprisingly good). The API isn't so much limited as different, completely oriented toward a different method of computing. For traditional applications, it is neigh impossible, which makes porting nearly impossible without a major rewrite.

            5.x+ paired with external memory gives you a much more traditional environment (assuming you're used to the Unix/DOS/Windows heritage, which accounts fo

            • So the question is, would it be possible to port Nethack to it?

              Assuming Palm resolves the errors I'm getting now, I might be tempted to give such a port a try. It's been a couple years since I looked into Palm development. Any recommendations on what toolkits to start with, assuming a minimal to no cash investment?
      • this probably has something to do with the fact that palmos6 will be linux-based

  • Lack of WiFi frustrating (Score:3, Interesting)

    by chris09876 (643289) on Wednesday January 19 2005, @11:43AM (#11409148)
    It's too bad it doesn't come with built-in WiFi. That would really increase the usability of the device. WiFi is so prominent now, there should really be WiFi built into *everything*. (Yes, I want to be able to control my oven from work) :)
    • Bluetooth would be more to the point. WiFi only works if you're near a hotspot. With Bluetooth, you can network through your cell phone and control your oven from anwhere you can see a cell phone tower.

      WiFi is fine for laptops. To use a laptop, you at least need a chair, and preferrably a table. Whoever provides you with these conveniences is probably going to go the extra 500 meters and give you a hotspot as well. But for a device you use while standing on a street corner, you want Bluetooth.

    • Not built in means easier upgrading, and you can get a wifi card for it.

      Spent this morning looking at the zauruses, just put in a PO for an SL-C860.

    • Re:Lack of WiFi frustrating (Score:4, Funny)

      by bloggins02 (468782) on Wednesday January 19 2005, @12:47PM (#11409870)
      Yes, I want to be able to control my oven from work

      The fire department called, they want your SSID.
      • But as the article pointed out, if you're using the CF slot for something else, you'd have to constantly swap it out
        • In previous zaurus models this was a concern, since the most likely other use for the CF slot was for a microdrive. But with the built in drive, you most likely aren't going to need to put anything else in that slot, other than maybe a bluetooth adapter (which you probabably won't use at the same time as wifi), or a gps card (which you would want to use with wifi). However, the device does have a usb master port, so you can always use a usb wifi/storage/gps device. But then you've got portability issues.

  • Shipping? (Score:2, Insightful)

    by SuperDJ (809957) *
    The Sharp Zaurus ships direct to you from Japan, arriving in about 3 business days. We do accept returns within 5 days. Well that gives me plenty of time to get it back in those 5 days, eh? Looks awesome, though. If I only wouldn't have bought that camera...Heh
  • Zaurus are nice units, but the battery life seems rather short. I picked up one of those SL 5600s off the home shopping thingamabob, with the $25 discount for first-time buyer, etc. Nice unit, but after using it for a few months the battery would hold a charge for noticibly shorter lenght of time.

    Has anyone a recommendation on a better source of batteries for these puppies?

    I'd have it with me at work, but it's run down again.

    • My suggestion would be to get a palm....

      Seriously. I loved my Zaurus. Used it for over a year. But I just got sick of being a slave to the charger and having to constrain what I used it for during the day because of the battery life.

      If you have to carry a battery charger with you (as I did) there's something wrong with your "PDA". So I went back to Palm. Simple, does the basic things I need it to do. Syncs with Linux.

  • Why's this in the Linux-Corner? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by koi88 (640490) on Wednesday January 19 2005, @11:45AM (#11409180)

    I'm running BSD on my Zaurus [openbsd.org], you insensitive clod!

  • Stuff interesting to Linux users:
    <831 lines deleted>
    c596f000 __insmod_p80211_O/lib/modules.rom/2.4.20/net/p802 1 1.o_M4138646F_V132116[p80211]
    c596f060 __insmod_p80211_S.text_L14776[p80211]
    c5972a18 __insmod_p80211_S.rodata_L2884[p80211]
    c59736fc __insmod_p80211_S.data_L228[p80211]
    c59737e0 __insmod_p80211_S.bss_L20[p80211]
    <359 lines deleted>

    What, no raw memory dump?! As a Linux user who finds this interesting I am appalled!

  • that new zaurus is tasty, but i'm holding out for an oqo [oqo.com] with debian. that would be delicious... anyone working on porting the stylus drivers or the screen sizing with x11 (or any drivers for that matter) for the oqo to deb yet?

    ~fabienne

  • Great product (Score:5, Informative)

    by Realistic_Dragon (655151) on Wednesday January 19 2005, @11:53AM (#11409261) Homepage
    The Zaurus is a fantastic product. It's best use for me is on economy flights (no one has enough air miles to fly decently all the time) where the seat pitch is just too damn small for my powerbook.

    It's got enough power and battery life for me to do a bit of coding (well code review, the keyboard is ok for edits but not writing huge chunks) and with a 4gb CF disk in it (I currently have one ripped from another device - but the new solution is nicer) more than enough movies to keep you going.

    Mine manages ~10 hours or ~5 watching films, but spare batteries are pretty cheap at ~$100 each, and higher capacity than the default one on my model too.

    If you do get one INSTALL VIM FOLDNIG EXTENSIONS! Or the same for emacs if you prefer. Folding editors make life easy on big screens, on a small screen they are invaluable.
    • but spare batteries are pretty cheap at ~$100 each

      uhh $100 for a battery isn't cheap. Thats 1/4 the price of the PDA. Palm,pocketpc batteries are around $40. For $100 I can get a battery for a laptop.

  • That pretty much says it all.

    I need my mobile device to support either imap or ssh (preferably both), and have it support SyncML for calandars, contacts...all the good stuff.

    Without SyncML a mobile device is useless to me. :(
    • I have a Nokia 3650 that has SyncML...

      But so far, the ONLY thing I have found that can work with it is Mobical [mobical.net], which is a great site for saving your contacts.

      I really want to be able to sync my contacts with Mozilla Address Book or Evolution. But so far, MS Outlook (running on my Windows laptop) is the only app I can sync with... and that's without using SyncML. The Nokia PC Suite Software (a Windows) app lets me sync with Outlook, and a few other legacy programs.

      I look forward to the day that Sync

  • This thing is neat-o, and all that, but for 819 bucks?

    So it's, roughly, the size of a Nintendo DS? 4.9x3.4x1.0 inches.

    I'm just wondering, for the price, what would make this a better buy than a really tiny laptop? I've seen ultra-mini laptops that aren't much more than 8" wide.

    It's not small enough to fit in your pocket, but would you really want this zaurus, with it's HDD, bouncing around in your pocket?

    Can this thing be a USB host, (Can't tell from TFA), so you could possibly plug in an external HD

  • Main differences (Score:4, Informative)

    by Cyn (50070) <[gro.nyc] [ta] [nyc]> on Wednesday January 19 2005, @12:02PM (#11409355) Homepage
    The main differences between this model and the older clamshells can be summed up as such:

    * 4gb internal hard drive (3.6gb formatted, 2.9 user)
    * Less internal ROM - 16 instead of 32 or 64 (or 128 for c860? - don't quote me on that)
    * USB Host (poorly supported)

    As most would argue, given that it's a PDA (constantly mobile) and flash memory is pretty damned cheap - AND that the hard drive isn't exactly easily upgraded . . . the hard drive is mostly a non feature. (mostly - the sd driver is a bit of arse, and binary only - so 4 gigs always in your Zaurus with the CF still open does still have advantages... but it has moving parts - so it has disadvantages....)

    So, the main feature of note over the older models is USB host. If you don't need that, you're likely better off enjoying the price cut on older models (where still available).

    Still - it would be nice to have 4gigs + CF open without having to touch that stupid buggy binary SD driver.
    • Sorry, I can't agree with you. The main feature is the hard disk,
      not the usb.

      I've just instaled gcc on my c3000, a full uncompressed install,
      abd next I'll be downloading some software and be compiling
      on the c3000 itself.

      I'v already installed alot of other prepackages software on to
      the hard disk. If this was any other model, I would have had
      to used CF cards - and anyway, my CF slot is occupied
      by a d-link wireless card as I'm posting this from my c3000.

      With around 2.5g free space, that's a massive amount
      • Yes, the SL-6000 has USB host - as well as builtin wifi - what's your point?

        The main differences between this model and the older clamshells can be summed up as such:

        From a clamshell user perspective, I am and was of the opinion that if one difference had to be noted, it would be the USB - for the aforementioned reasons (e.g. you can't reasonably get this with that). You could get a cf usb host adapter card previously, but then you're out your cf for wireless/etc. (although you could then use usb, we'
  • When will companies realize: cool products are great, but they have a hard time selling.

    For that money, I can build a pretty decent PC... buy a Mac Mini... get more than one iPod... by several hundred iTunes....

    you get the idea. It's hard to justify.

    Especially when there are quite a few Windows PDA's, and Palm OS PDA's available.

    Hard to convince the consumer this is good.

    When someone creates the PDA hardware cheap...

    LINUX WILL FLY!

    trust me on that. It's got all the potential. It's just the hardwa
  • I've posted a lot on this but it does seem to me that this hardware would be a very good start for an updated Apple Newton platform.

    Just add Wi-fi, Inkwell, good syncing, and use the BSD port as the base OS.

    I still want something smaller than a 12" powerbook that I can handwrite input.

  • Can anyone really write 120+wpm?

    I type 120+wpm and I probably write 15-30 wpm tops, and it's hardly legible... Who wants handwriting input for a good reason? I'd way rather have some kind of finger tracking non-corporeal natural keyboard.

  • Coincidentally, I had just decided that my next PDA had to be Linux-based. I've been using Palms for years, and always liked them. But I'm not impressed with the latest PalmOne offerings, and they no longer have any real competition for dedicated Palm-based PDAs. (I don't want a smart phone or a game gadget.) Plus my current m515 is showing signs that PalmOne and PalmSource no longer know what they're doing.

    First I got bit by the m5xx USB bug [geek.com] and had to buy a torx tool just to perform the necessary power

  • Incomplete OS translation from Japanese to English (Score:5, Informative)

    by DavonZ (13344) on Wednesday January 19 2005, @12:57PM (#11410025) Homepage
    Please note that the Zaurus C3000 is shipped in a hybrid EnglishJapanese state to allow for the translation software to work. The ability to switch to a pure English translation is done by typing the following two commands into the terminal:

    su
    reconv

    After which the unit will reboot and be in an English only mode (Japanese Inputs remove, Input switching removed, Larger fonts, etc...).

    Typing the two commands again will revert the unit back into hybrid mode to allow for the translation software to work again.

    As well, please see the following forum post at ZaurusUserGroup for more information about the C3000 and its Issues/Solutions:

    http://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=8 84 6

  • Why is only about 70% of the lid used by the screen? It's such a huge waste, both top, and bottom. [left,right in landscape mode]. Especially since the most serious limiting factor with a PDA is screen space.
  • Is it only me, or do other people find it ironic that an $800+ portable computer is reviewed on BARGAINPDA?

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