Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Retail Sharp Zaurus Released

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the little-is-better dept.

Arminius writes "It looks like Sharp has finally released the Linux based Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 for retail sale. This thing is so awesome! Other than only being able to listen to mp3's thru my headphones only, this thing blows away my iPaq 3835! It even has Opera as the web browser. "

3 of 307 comments (clear)

  1. I love mine! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    I picked up one of these at Fry's a couple days ago and am very impressed with it so far. The form factor is very nice, and the Linux OS powering the PDA is very peppy (running on a 206 Mhz StrongARM, a very fast chip compared to the competition).

    What I love most about this PDA though is its openness. Need to get a file onto the PDA? Use NFS, scp, ftp, http, etc.. Want to develop an application for the PDA? Use Java, Qt, or C, all with open API's and no NDA nonsense.

    Some good places for more information:
    Zaurus Zone has some nice (but often too busy) forums. And of course the Sourceforge project for Zaurus.

    In short, I love this PDA. I will try to answer any questions people may have here about it.

  2. Their lame Javascript. by thesolo · · Score: 5, Informative

    here is the little piece of code on Sharp's that is preventing Moz from entering. Why they would even do this is beyond me.

    //BROWSER DETECTION for 3
    var threeNum = navigator.appVersion.substring(0,1)
    if (parseInt(threeNum) location.pathname = "/browser.html";
    }


    If you really want to see the Sharp site, turn off Javascript in Moz for Navigator, and you're in.

  3. Z vs iPAQ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Z = $499
    iPAQ = $499, $600, $650

    Z = Linux kernel 2.4.6 plus Qtopia GUI
    iPAQ = Microsoft Pocket PC 2002

    Z = 16 bit color - 65536 colors
    iPAQ = 12 bit color - 4096 colors ($499 model)

    Z = 64MB ram, 206Mhz StrongArm
    iPAQ = 64MB ram, 206Mhz StrongArm

    Z = SD and CF
    iPAQ = SD only
    - Requires expansion pack for CF ($40)
    - Need to use "sleave" with CF cards
    - Other expansion packs are > $100

    Z = Trainable handwriting recognition (Use Palm gestures if you want)
    iPAQ = Not trainable

    Z = Linux based, with SWEET gui (QTopia)
    - Many applications already available
    - Very active user community, mailing lists, wikki
    - bash
    iPAQ = MS Pocket PC
    - You can install Linux, procedure is hard
    - Your purchase still counts as MS sale ups market share

    Z = Very cool and useable built-in keyboard
    iPAQ = 3rd party external keyboard $100

    Z = No built-in speaker, must use headphone and/or mic
    iPAQ = built-in crappy speaker

    Z = Builtin integrated Java
    iPAQ = No Java

    Z = Desktop software for Windows, Mac, Linux
    iPAQ = Desktop software for Windows

    Z = Included browser is Opera, Konqueror available
    iPAQ = Pocket IE