New Sharp Zaurus SL-C760/C750 Linux PDAs

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"

Comments

Linux Journal (June '03) Review

[The Oddity]

Check out this month's Linux Journal for a review of this. It's currently only available online to subscribers

Also, check out this site to buy one.

I own a Zaurus 5500

[rkuris]

I can assure you these are no desktop computers. Here's what they do GREAT:

- Play MP3's, ogg files, and even video -- particularly with OpenZaurus (OZ).
- Let you reference your contacts, appointments, to-do lists

Here's what they're GOOD at:

- Enter new appointments, to-do list items. Data entry is slower than on a laptop or desktop.
- Synchronize with your desktop. Setup is tricky on these units, especially if you go with a pure Linux solution, but doable.

And here's where mine is not-so-good:
- Trying to store any good size software package (like a compiler). Yes you CAN add a 256MB SD card or a 1G hard disk, but the hard disk eats your battery..
- Trying to do software development. Data entry is too slow without a full size keyboard (yes, I know you CAN hook one up, but that's difficult too). You have to build on a PC and deploy to the Zaurus. QT development is nice, though!
- Surfing the web. It works, but the small screen size and zooming and whatnot makes it tricky.
- Entering a long document. Without a full sized keyboard, it's slow.

And, the impossible:
- Trying to do something requiring a lot of CPU. You can try running xmame, for example, but most of the games won't work because the CPU is not good enough.

Sounds like a typical PDA if you ask me.