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PDA Buyer's Guide Reviews The Sharp Zaurus SL-6000
Tong Zhang writes "PDA Buyer's Guide has published an in-depth review of the Sharp Zaurus SL-6000. If you like livin' large, this super-sized Linux PDA may be just the ticket. Sharp targets the enterprise rather than consumers with this Zaurus model, which looks like an SL-5600 on steriods. It has an amazing VGA display, a 400 MHz processor, thumb keyboard, WiFi and more. Read the full review." This adds just a bit more information to the previously mentioned review at BargainPDA.
Yes but, does it run Windows CE?
Rather than the empty link (href="") in the story, this is the correct link to the previous story on the Zaurus SL-6000.
Also, the BargainPDA article, directly, is here.
I'll trade my 2.0ghz pentium4-m Laptop for one of these with a extra USB keyboard and flashcard in a heartbeat (or external USB drive if possible).
The thing that makes it worth it?
Linux OS + decent screen + 10-12 hour battery life.
WTF am I suppose to do with a laptop that can only run for 1.75 hours before needing to be plugged in again? It's not nearly as usefull as I thought it would be.
"the terminal application (it comes on the CD), allows you to issue Linux commands, edit config files and all that great stuff." Yeah, Ok, that's great, but won't it take like a year and a half to enter a command with one of those stupid hand writing recognition things?
The darn thing weighs in at 10.5 ounces and with the plastic screen cover closed, it measures 6.2" x 3.2" x .9". Come on now -- almost an inch thick? You're not carrying this thing in your pocket; not even if it runs Linux! No thanks ... I'll stick to my Compaq 8350.
A really amazing feature of this PDA is that it can act as USB host (since the Linux kernel includes excellent support for USB). This means, presumably, that we can plug pretty much any Linux-supported USB device into it. A USB hard disk, CD-ROM drive, networking adapter, printer? That sounds nice!
Another completely different question - as mentioned in the article, the PDA uses a combination of Flash and SDRAM to mirror the secondary/primary disk/memory model that you see with most normal computers running Linux. This is different to Windows CE, which uses the same memory for both running programs and storing them and their data, although I believe this memory is dynamically divided between memory and storage and programs are still copied across the divide when they're actually run; different again is PalmOS, which as far as I'm aware simply runs a program "in place" since programs are both stored and run in the Flash RAM on a device.
Is there anything that can make Linux work like this? I can imagine a hack involving boot-time RAM disks and loop mounting, but it doesn't sound like an terribly optimal solution.
$699? Ouch...
I think I'd rather have a cheap used laptop for that price. More functionality, about the same weight.
Stop corporate
3-4 hours battery life, tops, according to the review
Try keeping a diary when you have a large number of repeating events every week/month. Entering those in time and time again gets rather tedious, especially if your schedule is changeable (and with a paper-based diary it's quite difficult to drag and drop an event to one hour earlier without judicious use of tipex and biro). PDAs are a lifesaver for students and business people with lots of regular meetings and deadlines.
I have to agree, I looked in depth into PDAs and even the really expensive ones still don't have enough ram to carry big databases or do much heavy lifting. Also, they are a real pain to use with that tiny stylus. They basically are still in beta from my point of view. Short battery life, not enough ram, hard to navigate, no real file system, hard to backup preferences. I won't use one if it's given to me.
I know I've posted this before, but how long will it be until Apple realizes what they're missing? Slap that LCD on a current generation iPod (or iPod mini if you really want to make a lightweight device), port QuickTime video to it, and poof, a pocket sized multimedia device that will put most anything else on the market to shame.
I think it's the logical progression to see PDA's start to take on parts from laptops/desktops. PDA's are really the Laptop's of our generation. A USB host controller is awesome because of all of the USB devices that exist. USB Networking is a definite plus, but most everything is going to Bluetooth/WiFi anyways.
Either way, this is a damned cool PDA, even if hella expensive, and I can't wait to see something like this, but cheaper, or any of the improvements from above are added (micro hd, minus usb host controller, plus wifi AND bluetooth, plus quicktime/some movie player).
"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is." G.W.Bush
and this one's much cheaper, and yes, it runs Linux. Simputer
My Favourite Meme
The Z6000, like all Zaurii before it, has a sliding cover thumb keyboard built in...
The one thing I dont understand is the high cost of certain Linux based PDA's. Given the cost saving on the operating system licensing surely that should be passed onto the consumer. The hardware itself isnt radically different from PocketPC based devices which in general cost less. Sooner or later I'll be in the market for a PDA but i dont think I should have to pay extra for the privelege of not having to use a Microsoft based one.
The real question is out of the newer specification PDA's which ones can be re-flashed with Linux and work as well as the sharp offering ? I suppose a palm based device might be an alternative but i want my bash shell and dev tools to boot .
Electronic Music Made Using Linux http://soundcloud.com/polyp
This really is a Geek dream come true.
Oh, and the geekiest of the geeky things: I've shown it to Ken Coar while he was wisiting Croatia, and guess what - he was jealous!
... for that kinda loot, it needs a built in camera. All kinza cellphones have that now, seems they missed that.
but.. it also looks like maybe something we were discussing with regards wifi, some sort of low power remote relay for doing homebrew line of sight jumps to get wifi to remote areas. Small enough to be stashed someplace out of the way, low enough power that a solar panel and batteries might make it work. Although most likely there is a cheaper pda-like device with even better power management/lower requirements that would do the same, because the screen would be hardly ever used, grey scale would be fine for that.
I keep thinking yikes, that's a lot of loot for this thing. Start to think about it, sheesh. I'm thinking PDAs need to be way closer to the 200$ range all the time, after that, you are heading rapidly towards (used) laptop prices, and at 700$, most likely there's a new one out there someplace close to that.
What they need is a comparison shootout, with computer things being sold as PDAs compared to computer things being sold as telephones, dollar for dollar feature for feature. They are merging fast.
Linux + non-volatile + fits in your hand. I'm pretty sure customizing and tweaking this pda would be alot easier and fun for us geeks.
With that in mind it makes it appearant why it's not targeted for consumers.
Zaurus -> Zauri.
I know that you can quibble about what the plural of 'virus' is as it's derived from an uncountable noun, but as Zaurus is clearly derived from Saurus (=lizard)
1 Saurus -> 2 Sauri
1 Zaurus -> 2 Zauri
'Zaurii' is obviously the plural of 'Zaurius', as 'Triarii' is the plural of 'Triarius'. Now go and write 'romani ite domus' on the wall 100 times.
Is this a case of English vs American English slang?
A "biro" is what most people call ballpoint pens here in the UK (the same most people say "hoover" instead of "vacuum cleaner").
Tipex is an obnoxious white semi-liquid substance than comes in a small pot or a pen or a tape form than you can "paint" over the top of text you've written with most kinds of pens to erase it.
Oh, and it seems it's spelt "Tipp-Ex", not tipex. Here's the official site.
Here is a comparison chart of the SHARP Zaurus Linux PDA series. The survey contains also the internal code names for the PDAs, which are taken from dog races (Collie, Boxer, Poodle, ..).
I have to say that I'm shocked, just shocked, that people are posting the following drivel without reading the article or learning anything about this machine:
... year and half to enter a command with handwriting recognition ...
... given up on PDAs ...
... You're not carrying this thing in your pocket; ... I stick to my [Windows-tax-paying, Linux-fighting] Compaq
... rather have ... laptop for that price. More functionality, about the same weight ...
... hardware itself isnt radically different from PocketPC ... should pass on Linux saving to consumer ... I never took Econ 101 ...
... needs a built-in camera ...
... should be feature for feature like a phone and cost $200 and I am an idiot ...
1.
When I use Konsole (tabbed terminal---better than the default), I do it in one of three ways: (a) built-in keyboard, (b) Happy Hacking Keyboard Lite 2 (with control key in correct position) attached to the USB connector, or (c) ssh from another machine with a full-size keyboard, since the SL-6000L is usually on the network when I'm around other machines.
2.
It's not a pda, it's a small Linux machine I wear on a camera strap around my neck and use while standing up on a totally wifi campus where I need to be mobile.
3.
I previously used a Clie, about the size of your Linux-fighting Compaq, and found it was no fun to carry in a pocket, either. Plus, it didn't do enough to replace my laptop.
4.
If you can find a 10.5 ounce laptop for that price, get it. I dare you to.
5.
The SL-6000L has a VASTLY better screen than any PocketPC. It is VASTLY more ruggedized than any PocketPC. It has VASTLY more features (USB host, 802.11b) than any PocketPC. It's made in VASTLY smaller quantities than any PocketPC.
6.
Thanks to Sharp for NOT including a built-in camera. I need to take it into places where cameras are no longer allowed (thanks Donald Rumsfled, this totally solves the torture problem) for government meetings. I don't want builtin cameras on anything really important.
7.
Well, you got the last part right, but seriously, it's not about features, it's about usability. This thing is usable as a phone, but it's really a laptop replacement for people who want to use a computer in situations other than sitting in one place for long periods.
Finally, I would like to comment that Opera on this machine is the most impressive example of an application fitting a machine I've seen in a very long time. I use http://local.google.com to find services in my new home at Carnegie Mellon, a very wifi campus, for instance, and this is the fulfillment of the promise of mobile computing.
I would agree with you. Escpecially since I own a Zaurus SL-5500, and an IBM X20 whose battery no longer holds any charge whatsoever.
However, I also just bought a Pontiac Vibe (twin to the Toyota Matrix), and it has a passenger seat that converts into a desk and a 115-volt AC outlet in the dash (I think the Honda Element has like features). Suddenly, that laptop with its DVD player is a lot more useful, especially on long hauls with my 2-year-old.
I'd rather have someone respond than be modded up.
I was in the same boat. I bought in to each generation. I had an old Palm IIIxe, a Compaq Aero, and they're running around here with iPaqs and e750s. None of these devices are capable of replacing my trusty, although quite huge, laptop. The PDAs floated around in my pocket for maybe 6-8 months each before realizing I don't know enough people or have enough appointments to waste my time with these devices.
However, I bought a SL-6000L over the weekend. It's amazing what these devices will do. These 2 reviews cover the hardware pretty comprehensively and the included apps ok but they only allude to its true capabilities. It's surely everything my laptop did for me and it fits in my (larger) pockets. I admit, the USB host and VGA screen are what pushed me over the edge. Check out ZUG for a better idea of what people are doing with these machines.
LilMikey.com... I'll stop doing it when you sto
I'm probably going to be modded troll for this, or just ignored, but it's gotta be said.
Compare this: set of pictures of a HP iPAQ 4155/4150
with this (the article) set of pictures.
The 4155 can be obtained from newegg for $400, and the Zaurus has a list price of $700 (almost 2x the price), and the only extra thing the zaurus offers feature-wise is a VGA screen. Also, the 4155 is the 2nd-smallest PocketPC right now (with the 19xx series being 1st), small enough to keep it in my pocket all day without it being annoying.
Yes, i own a 4155.
no comment
LilMikey.com... I'll stop doing it when you sto
The ZUG has great forums and a number of developer resources and there are rumors flying around that Sharp's developer pages will be available again 'real soon now.'
LilMikey.com... I'll stop doing it when you sto
See www.pdaXrom.org, this article on cross-compiling, Gentoo for Zaurus, the Zaurus Software Index, the Zaurus Message Board, Zaurus.spy.org, and last but definitely least the Zaurus User Group (which among much else has active discussion of where to buy the clamshells from).
"with their freedom lost all virtue lose" - Milton