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Handhelds Hardware

Zaurus SL-C860 Review 115

Posted by michael from the nihongo-wa-wakarimasen dept.
Mark wrote in with a review of the Zaurus SL-C860, which is only available in a Japanese version currently. We mentioned it last year.
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

Zaurus SL-C860 Review More

Zaurus SL-C860 Review

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  • The US? (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Neon Crossing ( 744179 )
    Cool. When/is it coming to the States?

    • Re:The US? (Score:5, Informative)

      by DiGrassi ( 674218 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @05:16PM (#8282095)
      Sharp's marketing seems to be broken in that despite the thriving user community and demand for a zaurus model with that form factor in us/europe they seem reluctant to actually release it over here. Companies such as dynamism [dynamism.com]or shirtpocket [shirtpocket.co.uk] import them or better still get someone visiting japan to bring you one back. They can be easily re-flashed to remove the japanese software and instead start speaking english which I for one find a whole lot easier to deal with ;-) There is an iminent (nobody knows quite when due to the brokenness of sharp's marketing dept.) launch of a model in the states called the Sl-6000 which is a similar (well slightly improved) set of innards and screen to the sl-c860 but in a more conventional pda form factor, very like the sl-5600 as released in the US.

      • Re:The US? (Score:5, Informative)

        by Tet ( 2721 ) * <`ku.oc.enydartsa' `ta' `todhsals'> on Saturday February 14, 2004 @05:54PM (#8282280) Homepage Journal
        Companies such as dynamismor shirtpocket import them or better still get someone visiting japan to bring you one back.

        Yep, I got my SL-C860 from Shirtpocket, and have been very happy with it. It is far and away the best PDA available for my needs, and the screen really does have to be seen to be believed. It really is that good. My only gripe is the lack of integrated Bluetooth. They've fixed that with the Zarus SL-6000, but for some strange reason, they've reverted back to the SL-5500 form factor. I have both, and trust me, the clamshell design is much, much better. Bluetooth via a CF card works well enough, I'd just prefer to have it built in. But I'd recommend anyone thinking of a PDA to take a look.

      • Re:The US? (Score:2, Informative)

        by jrl2 ( 306840 ) *
        Looks like Amazon think the SL-6000 is iminent, they've just knocked the SL-5600 [amazon.com] down to $289.88 (42% off)
    • fo' real. I hate hearing about all these great PDA's that I can't buy. AFAIK, if I don't have the opportunity to buy it, stop telling me about it.
    • If you are looking for the best price on US versions, check dealsites.net [dealsites.net].

      Here is an example search: Click to search [dealsites.net].

      At dealsites.net you can:

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      - Customize the front page with deals from sites you select.
      - Search the deals from *many* different dealsites within the last 30 days
      - Find the Top Ten deals and dealsites based on other user's choices
      - Easily surf the deal sites from

    • Re:The US? (Score:5, Informative)

      by javab0y ( 708376 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @09:54PM (#8283576)
      To all naysayers...I own a Palm, a PocketPC (iPaq 5555), Zaurus 5600, and...ding-ding...Zaurus C760 (basically the exact same thing as a C860 with a different color). Yeah...Sharp is real stupid for not marketing these bad boys in USA. For you Clie wannabe lovers, here is what you can do with a Zaurus C760: Opera 7 browser...I mean a real browser with Java and Javascript. Not a "I wish I was a real IE on IPAQ" or Pal. This is the real deal...full 100% browser. Bash shell/terminal. ssh into your favorite box. GCC. Bored? Compile your favorite software and run it in that lamo meeting you are in. VPNC - Need access to your corporate Cisco VPN? Use vpnc...its the freeware Cisco VPN client. Gets you right into your company. Yeah try that on a Palm or pay some $$ on the iPaq for that. Email - All flavors...pop, IMAP, jeez...even notes. Sniff? Wanna see who is using wireless? Use Kismet or Wellenreiter.. Talk about Warwalking/driving...this is the shit. Do Windows? rdesktop baby! Pull your Windblowz box on this puppy. Yeah I know iPaq/PocketPC can do this...but can your Palm? Apache/PHP/MySQL - Yeah this is not shit. Run a full web app on this PDA...yeah PDA. Get iPaq/PocketPC and Palm to play that game. Good luck. This is just the beginning folks. All of this on a PDA. I invite any other PDA to do the above. mplayer...yes...I said mplayer. I constantly carry around 2-3 full length feature films on my CF card plugged into the C760. I can watch a full movie with mplayer..this includes DIVX, MPEG4, OGG...you name it. Its the same proggy you use on your home Linux box. Do that with your CLIE ;-)

  • Its small for a laptop, but HUGE for a PDA (Score:3, Troll)

    by rufusdufus ( 450462 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @04:59PM (#8281991)
    Look at the size of that thing! Its huge! Nobody I know who actually uses their PDA would carry around something so big.

    • Re:Its small for a laptop, but HUGE for a PDA (Score:4, Funny)

      by October_30th ( 531777 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @05:06PM (#8282038) Homepage Journal
      Look at the size of that thing!

      You're right! "That's no a moon, it's a PDA!"

    • For 850 bucks, you better get something as big as a laptop!

    • Re:Its small for a laptop, but HUGE for a PDA (Score:1, Funny)

      by Anonymous Coward
      is that a pda in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

    • Re:Its small for a laptop, but HUGE for a PDA (Score:5, Insightful)

      by Serious Simon ( 701084 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @05:12PM (#8282083)
      Look at the size of that thing! Its huge!

      You're nuts.

      Given the VGA screen and the full keyboard it's amazing that it is only a bit thicker than a normal PDA.

      It's 4.25" x 3.25" x 1.0" compared to e.g. Dell Axim X5: 5.04 x 3.21 x 0.71

      • it's amazing that it is only a bit thicker than a normal PDA.

        Sorry, I just found it kind of funny that we refer to the Dell as a normal PDA, like there's some universal PDA standard set in stone that the Zaurus defies by running Linux and the Dell matches completely.

        But hey, here's hoping that people will soon see Linux PDAs as normal PDAs just as easily :).
      • The C860 is the same size as the C700 I've been carrying around in my pocket for the past year. Usually I'm carrying it with the network card sticking out the top, and I haven't had anything bad happen to the extra bit of plastic that sticks out. There's a noticable Zaurus-shaped rectangular outline where my pocket is, but nothing sticks out the top of my pocket and nothing gets bent or sheared off. Nobody notices my pocket -- I think that qualifies the Zaurus as pocket-sized. :) I think "small" or "HUGE" aren't really precise enough. Let's talk about whether it's too big for something or too small for something. Those statements are *useful* statements. My C700 is small enough to carry around in your pocket, everywhere you go. The AC adapter folds its prongs into the body and it's small enough to carry around in your other pocket.

        The 640x480 screen apparently has led people to mistakenly conclude the screen is large. It's not -- it's just got unusually high dots-per-inch.

        The screen is still pretty readable though. People always comment on how small the text is, but when they hold the unit closer (which is normal and natural with a small hand-held device) they can read it clearly. I've found people who need reading glasses to read small print on paper are the only people who have trouble with this screen.

        I suppose some people are fashion-conscious enough that how small something looks matters. To me, it just needs to be small enough to comfortably hold in one hand, light enough to not tire that hand out, and small enough to carry in my pocket everywhere I go. That's precisely what it's been for me, for the past year.

    • Re:Its small for a laptop, but HUGE for a PDA (Score:5, Informative)

      by neonstz ( 79215 ) * on Saturday February 14, 2004 @07:20PM (#8282813) Homepage
      Look at the size of that thing!

      Check here [darkside.no] for a picture of the Zaurus in use (big thanks to Tom for letting me use his Zaurus while on vacation in Japan). I'm not sure which model it is.

      (Notice the Air-H CF card on the side of the Zaurus, I was SSH'ing to my machine in Norway.

  • $849?? (Score:4, Insightful)

    by PHlLlPY ( 670556 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @05:06PM (#8282035)
    Sure this thing looks fairly nice and linux on a PDA would be nice. But after playing with a Sony UX50 for a little over $600 with integrated 802.11b and a little webcam, I just could never picture myself or any other mainstream business-type buying this thing. my Visor Edge is up for replacement with a non-MS PDA, and so Sony is going to get my $$ thing time around.

    • Re:$849?? (Score:2, Interesting)

      by UWC ( 664779 )
      Isn't the Sony's resolution a mere 320x240? I know that's standard for PDAs now, but it's worth noting that this Zaurus has a 640x480 screen. I've also heard complaints that the Sony PDAs of this form factor have unreasonably small screens. If I had the money to blow, I'd certainly pick this Zaurus over the Sony.

      • Re:$849?? (Score:2, Informative)

        by Michalson ( 638911 )
        No. In fact you would have a very, very hard time finding a Sony PDA with a 320x240 screen. 320x240 is the defacto standard on Windows PDAs at the moment, though Windows CE can actually support other resolutions quite easily, its just that most of the 3rd party software is hardcoded for that size. Sony makes Palm OS PDAs, which can use 160x160 (from the 1996 Palm Pilot 1000), the high resolution 320x320 first used by Sony (low res apps are easily scaled up, so no compatible problems) and also pioneered by S
    • *Businesses* have no problem forking out over $500 for Blackberrys. When I say business I mean the execs who never hear the word *NO* when requesting their gadgets. All you'd have to do it raffle a handful of things away when enough suits are around and companies in the US will be signing support agreements in no time.
    • Well, if that's too much, and all you are interested in is a PDA running Linux, take a look at this auction. [ebay.com] $194.95 buy it now for an sl-5500.

      Note that's for a new in box, $19.95 ship/hand, +$4 if you want insurance. (I presume that's in the US) 8.65% tax to NY residents.

      Note I have not bought either of my zauri from this vendor, so I can't vouch for his or her credibility. Looks like a good deal though.

  • Tablet PC, anyone? (Score:4, Insightful)

    by sbennett ( 448295 ) <spb@gentoo.o3.1415926rg minus pi> on Saturday February 14, 2004 @05:07PM (#8282040)
    Is it just me, or does this look like some wierd hybrid of a traditional PDA (a la Palm V) and Microsoft's Tablet PC idea? It's a PDA in size and processing power, but then it opens out into a laptop shape and has a qwerty keyboard. And then there's the screen. 640x480 is the largest screen resolution I've seen on a PDA, unless I'm missing something.

  • Killer app for Zaurus (Score:5, Informative)

    by Andreas(R) ( 448328 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @05:07PM (#8282043) Homepage
    My favorite use of this device is this [robfisher.net] :)
    • By the way, the project's progress seems to have slowed down lately. This might be a good time to request help from developers to sync with current CVS and finish the project. That would be nice :)
  • Has never been its hardware: this version looks great. The problem is always the software: nothing on the Zaurus comes close to the integration and ease of Palm software. While the Kompany has done a good job of coming up with some replacement PIM applications, they still seem clunky.

    Also, unless you back up/sync your Zaurus religiously, when the battery power is gone, so is all your data, programs, etc.

    It isn't a very user-friendly device, but I still love mine. Nothing beats running a web server with PH

    • Re:The Problem with the Zaurus (Score:5, Informative)

      by Makenai ( 223604 ) * on Saturday February 14, 2004 @05:22PM (#8282118) Homepage
      Also, unless you back up/sync your Zaurus religiously, when the battery power is gone, so is all your data, programs, etc. Um.. sorry. That's absolutely wrong. NAND memory does not go away when you let the battery drain. It even mentions it in the review.

    • Re:The Problem with the Zaurus (Score:5, Informative)

      by terzyva ( 154478 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @05:27PM (#8282142)
      Did you read the article? One of the main improvements in current models is that the user filesystem is in non-volatile flash ROM. This started with the SL-C700 and SL-5600 models, which were released about a year ago.

      Only the old SL-5500 model used a RAM disk for storage.

      -Klaus
      • Even on my 5500, I don't have that problem. I did a bit of work on the rom image so that it uses the SD card as a direct replacement for the internal volital ramdisk. Then I shrunk down the ramdisk size so that I have nearly the full 64meg of memory available for system ram.

        Lately, I've even set up a dual-boot system, where I can boot up normally, or boot up using the SD card mounted on /home (instead of the ramdisk), or use the SD as root -- which lets me run things like OpenZaurus and Debian completely
    • Also, unless you back up/sync your Zaurus religiously, when the battery power is gone, so is all your data, programs, etc.

      RTFA. It uses non-volative memory so your apps stay when the power drains.

  • Is it really worth it? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by dancedance ( 600701 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @05:13PM (#8282086)
    I have always liked the look and power of the zaurus line, and I really want a linux pda, however I don't think the cost of the imported zaurus is really worth it. For $850 you can get a laptop and install linux on that. I understand that there are size and usage differences, however if I were to choose between a zaurus, or a 12inch ibook (say off of ebay) I think I would have to go with the ibook. It seems that the laptop is much more useful than the pda for a similar price.

    • Re:Is it really worth it? (Score:4, Informative)

      by terzyva ( 154478 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @05:48PM (#8282238)
      Keep in mind that Dynamism charges a hefty premium for the English conversion. If you're willing to do the conversion yourself, just get the Japanese version. Conics.net [conics.net] sells the SL-C860 for $725.

      Also, one of the main features of the C860 is the fancy Japanese dictionary, and if you don't need that I recommend getting one of the older models which have the same screen, keyboard, RAM and CPU, but less flash ROM and a smaller battery. The SL-C750 is excellent (I own one), and IMHO a much better value than the C860. Just stick in a SD/MMC card if you need more storage, and get the larger battery separately if you want that (I prefer the smaller form factor).

      A laptop computer is obviously the better choice for getting real work done, but there are other uses for a powerful PDA. It's shirt pocket sized, and suitable for taking almost everywhere without needing to lug around a notebook. I've gotten used to having an Internet connection available wherever I go when I need it (i.e. to research products while shopping).

      -Klaus

      • "Keep in mind that Dynamism charges a hefty premium for the English conversion."

        No kidding man, I almost ate my tongue looking at that $849 tag. Now, in Yodobashi-kamera in Osaka you'll get the thing (in japanese) for 69800JPY (=about 516EUR/662USD). Don't know japanese? Get a new rom from the net for free!

        Seriously, what does Dynamism do to warrant 28% addition to the price?

    • Re:Is it really worth it? (Score:3, Informative)

      by jwr ( 20994 )
      There is a very notable difference between a laptop (any size) and a Zaurus. You can take the Zaurus out of your pocket and be taking notes in about two seconds. Plus, you don't have to sit down. Try that with a laptop.

      I have the SL-760 and I am very happy with it. I use it mostly for running XEmacs in a terminal window, though -- and taking notes. But it is unbelievably practical for this purpose. The built-in keyboard is surprisingly useful and you can take reasonable notes with it. And it is usable whil
  • can it handle central european languages? can it write in unicode or in iso latin-2? i would love an linux based pda like this but i need suipport for my native language (at least writing texts in it)
    • At this point, I would suggest checking to see if OpenZaurus provided that support.

      None of the SL-Cxxx line is currently officially available even in the US. Much less an official ROM from Sharp. Asking about languages beyond that is probably asking a bit much for direct support.

      On the other hand OpenZaurus should install to this system, and by it's nature very well may have support for more languages than the official roms. That's not to say that it has any 'specific' language support, but I suspect it's
      • Of course it has. You may look at the discussions in country Zaurus usergroups (http://www.zaurususergroup.com). I'm from Poland and all Polish national characters are supported (fonts and keyboard). Poland ZUG: http://www.zaurususergroup.com/index.php?name=PNp h pBB2&file=viewforum&f=71 Slovakia ZUG: http://www.zaurususergroup.com/index.php?name=PNph pBB2&file=viewforum&f=83&sid=d02307f05ed33c9927186 0307e714d75 You're presumably from Czech Republic, so you shouldn't have trouble rea

  • "best keyboard"? (Score:4, Insightful)

    by tverbeek ( 457094 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @05:27PM (#8282141) Homepage
    "It also has the best keyboard I've used on a PDA."

    Perhaps the author needs to get out more. OK, so maybe it's better than it looks, and I'm sure it's better than the buttons on the Treo my employer issued to me. But I can't imagine it being better than the keyboards on the Psion Series5, Revo, or even the old Series3.

    • The keyboard isn't much to look at and is essentially a membrane with lumps to define the keys, doesn't sound great but works better than it sounds. It isn't as good as say the psion 5mx and is more in line with the psion 3 series (although it is a few years since I last saw one) but despite that is actually pretty usable and more practical than the keyboard on the treo 600 (being bigger). I can touch type on mine *just* although prefer either a one handed action if it is on a surface or a 2 thumb techniq

  • PDA, Schmeeee-Deee-A (Score:3, Interesting)

    by l0ungeb0y ( 442022 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @05:32PM (#8282161) Homepage Journal
    The last PDA I bought was a ,a href="http://shop.store.yahoo.com/letterfolders-of fice-equipment/palwitac.html">PalmVIIx in early 2001. I used it for maybe 6 months before it became too much of a hassle for me to deal with. It's been sitting in my closet collecting dust ever since August 2001.

    While PDA's are handy, I'm not big on carrying around a whole bunch of gadgets. And besides, being a very mobile person who is often on foot (downtown SF), having to lug around a PDA on a sunny day can be a bit of a problem. And the Zaurus in the article looks gigantic! I already have a titanium powerbook, so some hybrid PDA/Palmtop has -5 appeal to me.

    For those like me that are always looking for the smallest, most functional and utilitarian gadget to lighten the load with, check out the Kyocera 7100 series smartphone [kyocera-wireless.com] it's a Palm OS PDA with a color display, takes compact flash and is freakin tiny! Ohhh and yeah, it's a phone too.
    • I'm on my second Kyocera Smart phone.
      I had the larger, monochrome display 6035. Just bought the color, flip style, smaller 7135 6 months ago. Couldn't live without it. Not much bigger than a standard flip cell phone.

      All the palm data stored on pc from the 6035 (large addressbook, memos, shopping lists, etc) uploaded onto the 7135 no problemo. I upgraded a couple of the apps to color versions and they imported the old data fine.

      Not cheap (I paid about $500.00), but worth every penny.
      Sturdy too - I dropped

  • This vs UX50 (Score:3, Interesting)

    by stibles ( 708899 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @05:59PM (#8282311)
    For a lot less ($200-300), with a UX50, you get a US-waranteed system with wifi & bluetooth built-in. It'll run any PalmOS app under the sun and it's significantly smaller/lighter. Is the Zaurus cool? Sure it is. Is its utility great enough that it outweighs the negatives? I just don't think so.

    • Re:This vs UX50 (Score:2, Insightful)

      by DiGrassi ( 674218 )
      I'd say it's horses for courses. I'll bet the ux50 makes a far better PDA (I admit I haven't seen one), but the Zaurus (I have a C760) makes a far better linux pc for your pocket.
      I find the PDA apps pretty weak and syncing can be a bit random too (that'll be the entertainment of japanese drivers/pc software!). If you start to look at it as a very small notebook running linux then it makes a lot more sense. Some very clever folks [cacko.biz] have got X windows running on it which opens up a whole different world o

  • Sharp is missing it... (Score:4, Insightful)

    by Bodhammer ( 559311 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @06:07PM (#8282364)
    Sharp has missed the US boat. Though there was clearly a demand to release these clamshell units in the US, Sharp has had a cronic case of cranial-rectal insertion and has declined.

    I thought I wanted one of these and I was willing to pay about $500 for it but I think now I will pass. Sony is now releaseing a new Clie that I think will serve most of my needs though it is not Linux. Check out the PEG TH-55 - big screen, WiFi, decent PIM apps and ~$320 street price.

    Too bad Sharp that you couldn't figure out how to sell your hardware...

  • Wow. I am impressed. A new PDA. There are only thousands of them out there now, already. This is so fucking exciting. I hear that Frigidaire has a new freezer out. It's bigger than other freezers. Why not post an article about that? It's just as exciting.

  • Too expensive? To thick? (Score:4, Informative)

    by Realistic_Dragon ( 655151 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @06:52PM (#8282608) Homepage
    Then get a C750 model. It has half the memory (just throw in a $20 64mb SD card to even it out) but it's 20mm not 25mm (1 in ~= 25mm) and it's only $600.

    Vastly more usable than the Sony models, with a better screen and more power.

    As for battery life, I get 5 hours out of mine or ~4 hrs with Bluetooth and ~2.5 hrs with WiFi. Spare batteries are about $100 for the high capacity (8.5 hour) ones.

  • old news, the Zaurus 6000 is the hot thing now (Score:3, Informative)

    by fuck_this_shit ( 727749 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @06:53PM (#8282612)
    The 860 is not the latest and greatest. As far as Zaurus' goes the SL 6000 is the newest addition supposedly to be released shortly including models with Wifi and BLuetooth integrated. It's also back to the old formfactor with slideout keyboard. I want one. http://www.bargainpda.com/default.asp?newsID=1749

  • Sharp's inexplicable regional marketing (Score:5, Interesting)

    by \/\/ ( 49485 ) on Saturday February 14, 2004 @07:05PM (#8282707)

    I'd love to get a Zaurus, but Sharp's regional distribution policies have me really puzzled. It might simply boil down to "only sells good enough in Japan", but it sure looks more like Sharp is randomly releasing/not releasing certain Sharp models in certain countries: no clamshell models in the US, but the new SL-6000 (with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth) apparently to be released there real soon. Old SL-5000 models discontinued in Europe (but still available in stores in e.g. Germany) and no new models planned for release there, either. No Zaurus at all in Canada. Does anybody have an insight on why they are doing this?

    Also, before I ask some Japanese friends to bring me a Zaurus from Japan, I'd rather hold out for a clamshell model with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth. Given that the new SL-6000 has both (*and* the VGA screen), does anybody know if that means they are switching away from the clamshell idea for future models, or are they planning to release an updated clamshell model as well?

  • Screenshot (Score:5, Informative)

    by neonstz ( 79215 ) * on Saturday February 14, 2004 @10:15PM (#8283643) Homepage

    Here [darkside.no] is a photo of the screen of the C700 model running ssh (to a computer running irssi).

  • You may get an international survey of Linux Laptop and PDA resellers [tuxmobil.org] at TuxMobil. For example there is an entry for Xtops.DE - Linux, Laptops, PDAs [xtops.de], which is located in Germany but sells to France, Italy, the United Kingdom and other European countries. Xtops.DE provides an English GUI and a German or English manual for the SHARP Zaurus Linux PDAs.

  • some additional things (Score:5, Informative)

    by gullevek ( 174152 ) on Sunday February 15, 2004 @04:20AM (#8284569) Homepage Journal
    well I also own a C860, but there are some things which should be noticed:

    - display: thought it is amazing, and 640x480 is something you never want to trade away, especially if you read and write japanese, the display itself is horrible in daylight. You can't read anything unless you have at least 50-60% backlight running, and still it looks dark.

    - weight. Something you should never underestimate for a PDA. It it is at least 2/3s more heave then the Toshiba PDA Pocket PC eGenious. If you hold the Zaurus only in one hand, eg in train rides, it can get a little bit heavy.

    - no built in WLAN. Thought this is dismissable, there are a lot of CF WLAN cards, but they stick out a bit and then are a little bit blocky when typing on the keyborad.

    - western on screen writing is a bit bad in recognition. Yeah, but it is developted for japanese ;) so its okay. and with the keyboard you are 10 times faster anyway.

    - the PIM software is nice, but might not kick ass for business people. Especially that the ToDos are not completly included into the Calendar is a mystery to me ... but at the end, for me it is enought.

    - actually no games, except Mah Jong (2 versions, the "real" Mah Jong, and the Solitair Mah Jong) and both are "shareware"

    But enought negavite, this thing rocks.

    - login via ssh to servers and fix things :) This is just WOW and yeah if you can do this on a train ride (geek thing perhaps)

    - easy to install other distros.

    - SD & CF slot and they work great.

    - The Display, thought I ranted about it, it still rocks, because if you watch you digital camera pictures on that display, it is just wow, especially because the image viewer software can fullscreen & slideshow.

    - Battery life. Even if you use the WLAN/dialupcard and have 40% backlight on, you can use it quite long, at least two days. I use it most time in the morning and evening on my train ride to office and back. Takes me one hour each, and then during day, but then without WLAN most.

    - Keyboard. It is really very good and you can type extremly fast with only two fingers. The only thing that comes to my mind is a missing Alt-key ... but might be that the terminal is not transmitting the Alt key or so ... (another geek thing).

    - supergreat dictionary and japanese translator. For me as a japanese learner I love that dictionary and ...

    - great kanji writing system. Yeah thats another cool thing, when you can write the kanji right on the display and they get recognized. helps me a lot if I see something but can't read it.

    - easy to connect in linux. Just plugin USB, have the Zaurus net connect in USB part compiled in and set up the usb network, bingo, thats it and you can login via ssh (if sshd is running on the zaurus) or mount the zaurus via samba ...

    - the browser. Hey it has TABBED views. Okay, even IE on windows doesn't get that. Did I mention TABBED views. Yeah :) and it views frame pages very well. Zoom in and Out, etc. This is a powerful little browser: NetFront 3.0

    - the Hancom Word and Spreadsheet programs are really great. They work very well, thought the word sometimes feels a bit sluggiesh, but hey, this aint no P4 3Ghz ...

    - very small Charger, can easily be taken anywhere.

    - smart placemnt of outside "scrollwheel". Very usefull to scroll through webpages if you have to hold the Zaurus with only one hand.

    Well, thats all. I hope I didn't miss anything...
    • Couple of things:

      - actually no games, except Mah Jong (2 versions, the "real" Mah Jong, and the Solitair Mah Jong) and both are "shareware"

      Not many zaurus-specific games (certainly more than two though!) Full speed SNES/GB/C64/NES emulators add a shocking amount of games. And MAME and UAE are usable, and then there are the marvellous ScummVM and similar adventure interpreters (hooray for SDL!). The Megadrive/Genesis emulator is too slow though.

      - western on screen writing is a bit bad in recognition

      • @games

        yeah sdl hooray, but I havent found a build that would let me run scummvm in landscape mode. but i also havent tried to build anything myself like frozen bubble to test out if only my scummvm build is b0rked. i dont know about snes, etc emus. I havent checked in detail, nor have I checked various japanese hp if there is eg a more better libsdl version.

        @input

        yeah i know you can setup the input fields to varous types (number, western, etc). but still, eg the a has to be written like print a not like
  • They also have a disclaimer that Sharp USA won't support it. $849.95 Mobile Planet [mobileplanet.com]
  • I've said it before on Slashdot, and I'll say it again: Sharp absolutely, positively needs to have Palm-quality, easily-syncable PIM software on its products before I, a eight-year 100% Linux-at-home user, will buy one to use as my primary PDA. The lack of same is the main reason why I chose to go for a Sony Clie UX50 as my fourth Palm OS PDA in seven years.

    My Clie has, thanks to Palm OS's consistent data formats, the entirety of my life for those seven years--college, my first job, and now my second, in t
    • I wrote earlier:
      > The lack of same is the main reason why I chose to
      > go for a Sony Clie UX50 as my fourth Palm OS PDA
      > in seven years.

      That picture linked elsewhere of the guy sshing away on his Zaurus reminded me that there are decent ssh apps for Palm OS nowadays, namely pssh [sealiesoftware.com], which is open source, and TuSSH [deltatee.com], which is not.

      Each has advantages and disadvantages, and both certainly are quite inferior in terms of functionality and the underlying OS versus real OpenSSH on a Zaurus, but the bottom li

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