Linux-Powered, WiFi Handheld?

rgovostes asks: "I've been looking around for a (hopefully low-cost) Linux-based handheld device with WiFi capabilities for some network testing and security evaluation. I need to be able to ping, list nearby WiFi signals, and run Ettercap. I'd also like it to be Mac OS X compatible without much work. I found handhelds.org (Coralized), which has some information, but I'm not very handheld-savvy, so it isn't too helpful to me. Am I asking for something unrealistic or is something like this possible? Any advice on the matter would be appreciated."

Suggestion number one

[Anonymous Coward]

Sharp Zaurus with CompactFlash WiFi card?

Zaurus

[MazTaim]

You can always check ebay for Zaurus handhelds. SL-5500, SL-5000D, SL-6000, C7xx, C860, etc.. They all run Linux natively.

The SL-6000 and C series handhelds are a little pricey, but you can find cheap SL-5xxx's for around $150 used. Not sure what the current price is for a new SL-5500.

As all Zaurii have CF slots, you can run many different Wireless CF cards.

Have questions, check www.zaurususergroup.com [zaurususergroup.com].

Re:Zaurus

[torpor]

I got my second-hand sl5500 for US$150. This is a fair price for one, if you can find someone willing to sell .. not easy, because a fully tweaked/config'ed sl5500 is sweet computing goodness..

Personalyl, I'm trying to save for/justify a sl6000 ..

How about a Zaurus and a CF WiFi card?

[SeaEye420]

My zaurus [a 5000D :), but you can only get the] is pretty much a handheld linux PC. Slap a WiFi Compact Flash card in and you should be all set. Your only worry is going to be battery life, as even with the "low power" WiFi cards the battery in these things won't last more than a few hours. I guess you can just carry a couple of spare batteries and swap them out when they get low...

Use a battery extender and SLapASS :-)

[kcurrie]

.or you can just get one of those el-cheapo "battery extenders" which are basically a simple external unit that cost about $10 and takes 4 *rechargeable* (only!!) AA batteries and plugs into the power jack. I've got one and it works great! (You have to use rechargeables because they have slightly less voltage than the std AA's, and otherwise you'll blow your Z).

For easy associating of access points or simply switching between multiple configured AP's with handy features like randomly changing your MAC add

Anything is possible.

[FreeLinux]

Anything is possible. In fact there are numerous palmtops and PDAs, that can satisfy your needs and desires, already available today.

However, somethings, though possible, are improbable. The likelihood of finding your dream PDA for cheap is one of those things that falls under the heading of highly improbable. If, on the other hand, you consider $300-$1000 cheap then have a look at the Sharp Zaurus [pdabuyersguide.com], HP iPaq [pdabuyersguide.com] or Dell Axim [pdabuyersguide.com] They are all very nice PDA/palm tops.

As others have mentioned,

[MoOsEb0y]

use a Zaurus Handheld. It works with linux, running a Qt-based GUI. You can get multiple packet sniffing and wireless finding utilities going. I found it to be quite fun for road trips. However, it isn't a substitute for a real laptop if you want to be able to easily run any off the shelf apps (as they either need to be compiled for the zaurus processor).

Sharp Zaurus 5500

[Anonymous Coward]

I purchased a sharp Zaurus 5500 with a D-Link WiFi card and It works great for war walking. I'm writing an article for Linux Journal about Open Zaurus. Open Zaurus is a replacement Linux Distro for the Sharp Zaurus' original Embeded Linux Distro. Anyway, you can probably pick one up at Amazon for $200 bucks.

-Victor

Re:Sharp Zaurus 5500

[Fweeky]

I use pdaXrom [pdaxrom.org] on my Zaurus C860.

Zaurus For Sale

[consolidatedbord]

I have a Zaurus SL5600 with Linksys wifi card. Email me if you are interested...

Zaurus

[gabe]

I used a Zaurus SL-5500 with an Ambicom CF WiFi card for a few months before I got bored with it. It worked great with both my Linksys AP and the Airport APs at work. Be sure to load the OpenZaurus OS [openzaurus.org] on it as there is better, more up-to-date software, and handy features like making the display vertical or horizontal.

Zaurus

[rgovostes]

The Zaurus sounds likely to be what I'm looking for, and I'm glad many of have had good experiences with it. I'll be sure to read more up on it.

Thanks for sharing!

Re:No Mac interop

[Peterl]

I've got a Z-5500. Works pretty well, except that there's basically no way to do synchronization with my Mac. I can turn on Samba on the Z, and then connect to it over WiFi, or SSH/SCP to it, but there is no iCal/Adbk/etc sync.

Well, if you're a REAL nerd...

[Dr.Dubious DDQ]

This is probably not quite what you had in mind, but if you can come up with a display for it, perhaps you could build your own off of one of the gumstix [gumstix.com] computers.

Hmmmm...anyone know if there is anyone making external versions of synaptic's cPad [synaptics.com] unit? Might work as a combo display/input device for a gumstix unit.

Sure, a Sharp Zaurus is probably a better match for what you need (heck, I know *I* want one), but SOMEBODY has to suggest something else in this thread...

Zaurus and Linksys WCF12 WiFi ComapctFlash card

[jotaeleemeese]

It works out of the box.

OPIE?

[stackdump]

Reflash an old i-paq. I did it with nothing more than a CF card. (cant figure out how to get CE back though), but had no problem with CF wifi card or the ipk auto update utility (running over wireless). i've never had to set up the all to complicated ip over serial connection using a linux comp.

Mac Compatible?

[nurb432]

If you mean binary application compatible... i wish you luck..

You wont find such a beast.. And emulation of a PPC machine would be murder on a PDA...

Progear?

[pbulteel73]

It comes with a wifi card already and I'm sure you can find moded ones that are running a different version of linux (newer) than the slackware that comes preinstalled. Not exactly a handheld but battery life is great. Horsepower is a little lacking for doing things like heavy duty word processing in X, but it's quite usable.

Mac-Compatable PDAs

[MacBorg]

I've got a Sharp Zaurus 5500 running OZ 3.2 and a dLink wifi card... works very well and if you want to transfer files, there is always SSH. There are a few OSS projects out there for iCal/address book compatability, but I haven't used them much. If you can swing it, get a 5600... slightly more money for 2x the processor.

The Same

[zmilo]

Also, it's a lot easier to run Wifi-relevant Perl scripts offa the Zaurus, as the console is easily accessible. For battery power, there is also a way to screw the QTD and go to CLUI mode.

Linux based semi rugged handheld

[marklucas]

Cliff, TouchStar (www.touchpc.com) is introducing the new Olympus R1000 semi rugged handheld in the US and Australasia. Qtopia based with Bluetooth available now and wifi coming very soon. To get info send a note to mailto:[e-mail] [mailto]. To find out more, go to the R1000 web site at http://www.olympus-ost.com/ [olympus-ost.com].