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New Sharp Zaurus SL-C760/C750 Linux PDAs

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the get-your-lust-on dept.

i4u writes "Sharp announces new models of their Zaurus PDA line. The new models are the SL-C760 (launch date: June 21, 2003) and the SL-C750 (launch date: May 24, 2003). The new PDAs have a faster CPU, more memory and feature a bigger Screen (VGA 640x480) than the former SLC-700 model. The start speed of applications improved to about twice (compared to the SL-C700) by adopting the Intel XScaleTM PXA255 400MHz CPU. Connectivty is possible via Wireless Lan and FOMA broadband wireless phones. The installed software contains also an MP4 Player for Movies. Nice for business users is the ability to connect the Zaurus to a projector (800x600) and present MS PowerPoint Slides. Photos and English translation of Press-Release available on I4U.com"

7 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. 640 x 480 by moby · · Score: 3, Insightful

    is very good, starting to come around in size finally.

  2. Wow.. by nother_nix_hacker · · Score: 3, Insightful

    ..that thing is really nice! I wonder how many people will buy on of those and not actually use it for anything productive atall. I know thats what would happen if I got one! :)

  3. These things are not PDAs. by fmaxwell · · Score: 1, Insightful

    These devices are not PDAs. They are notebook computers with inadequate screen resolution (640x480), no hard drive, short battery life, and a membrane keyboard that's too small to type on. A PDA is something the size of a calculator that you can put into a shirt pocket. You give up the convenience of a full-sized screen and keyboard and a fast CPU so that it fits in your pocket and runs for days between battery changes/charges.

    This is right up there with 1998 Toshiba technology. Back then, Toshiba introduced the Libretto. It had 640x480 screen resolution, a real (though small) keyboard, and, unlike the new Sharp models mentioned here, had an actual hard drive. They were 8.3"x4.5"x1.3" and 1.8lbs. And Toshiba didn't try to pretend that the Librettos were PDAs.

    I don't care that the Sharp units run Linux either. Being able to fsck the flash disk hardly makes up for the other inadequacies in these devices.

    1. Re:These things are not PDAs. by alienw · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You are an idiot. These are perfect for anyone who needs a truly portable computer. No, laptops aren't really portable. They have to sit on something flat, have a power connection (most have an under-2-hours battery life, thus rendering the battery useless for those of us who actually USE computers) , and not be moved around. They also weigh several pounds, and are very uncomfortable to carry around.

      With one of these PDAs, I can use it an entire day. For example, they are perfect for students (take notes on the touchscreen or the keyboard, put it back in your pocket when you are done). They have some very cool games available. They can do 99% of the things I need to do when I don't have access to a real computer.

      Besides, comparing the Sharp devices to the Libretto is just ludicrous. The Libretto was huge, heavy, and had a short battery life. It had all the shortcomings of a notebook with none of its benefits. You couldn't put it in your pocket, could you?

    2. Re:These things are not PDAs. by finkployd · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I agree with most of what you say, but to be fair every laptop I have ever owned will beat the Zaurus hands down on battery life. With a wireless card in my Thinkpad T23 I get about 2, maybe 2.5 hours. with a wireless card in my Zaurus i get maybe 45-60 minutes.

      Finkployd

  4. Sigh... by claes · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Well these may be excellent, but I refuse to buy a PDA with qwerty keyboard if the keyboard layout can not be changed to accomodate my language. And from the pictures, I doubt it since there is no room for extra keys to the right of 'L'. I wonder how many customers PDA manufacturers lose worldwide because their keyboards can not be localized according to local markets.

    One manufacturer that gets it (the first one?) is Nokia. If you take a look a their 6800 phone you will see that the keyboard layout leaves room for scandinavian characters, and I am sure many others too.

  5. Re:its the software stupid by Minna+Kirai · · Score: 2, Insightful

    OpenZaurus still runs as root with a blank password.

    (It has exactly the same remote vulnerabilities as the normal Zaurus ROM- after all, it has to be compatible with the same desktop sync program)