InfosyncWorld Review Fujitsu-Siemens LOOX 720

[Jonathon Watkins]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/n/5559.html' target='_blank'>http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/n/5559.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The LOOX 720 is unarguably good-looking and slender in its two-tone grey plastic casing. Measuring in at 122 x 72 x 15 mm and 170 g, ones attention is immediately drawn to the glorious 3.6" display with VGA resolution, which is a pleasure to behold in all its crisp- and brightness. Complete with excellent ClearType performance, it is the second smallest display of VGA Pocket PCs available at the time of writing, but nevertheless remains perfectly viewable."</i> <br /> <br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/fujitsu_siemens_pocket_loox_700_m00.jpg" /> <br /><br />InfosyncWorld have done a two-page review of the Fujitsu-Siemens LOOX 720 and they seem to quite like it, apart from the price. It does indeed look like a decent unit, if you overlook the onboard camera. ;-) Having just made the move over to VGA myself, I have to say that it really does make a huge difference. I’ve shown folks my new X50v and they say that because of the clarity and readability of the screen, they would actually consider a Pocket PC. Now all we need is a VGA Pocket PC with a built-in phone. ;-)

[Duncan]

they seem to quite like it, apart from the price.

Bizarrely the price they have the Loox 720 listed at (and thus they mark it down for) is $700 - (http://www.infosyncworld.com/hardware/handhelds/) considerably more then it is being sold for in the US (Expansys have it for c. $600) - http://www.expansys-usa.com/product.asp?code=LOOX_720&amp;asource=FUJSI

Kind of makes part of the conclusion: yet there is one thing that mars the LOOX 720, and that is its price tag. Better featured Pocket PCs can easily be gotten for less look rather odd.

[Fishie]

Quote:It does indeed look like a decent unit, if you overlook the onboard camera.

So the unit would magically get better if you work the lens with a screwdriver?

[surur]

I've ordered mine. Should have it by friday.

Best VGA pocketpc currently.

Surur

[Joff]

I bought mine for £356.55 inc. VAT on Technoworld

http://www.technoworld.com/productdisplay.asp?ProductID=230-420-0720

I love the device, still exerimenting with it.

The only drawback with these new VGA PPC is that many applications written for previous PPC don't work or are not properly working anymore. But I guess the OS (or application) is to blame, not the hardware :roll:

[Jonathon Watkins]

So the unit would magically get better if you work the lens with a screwdriver?

Not good enough. You can't *prove* it does not work. If the Loox 720 did not have a camera, I may well have bought one. Seriously, I do like the device, but I now have a Dell X50v I am very happy with.

[mr_Ray]

Well remember that the 718 - a camera-less 720 appears to be coming soon. :)

Quite how a bad camera is worse than no camera though... :) To be fair though, it's not going to be replacing any Kodaks any time soon the same can be said for every other integrated camera out there.

I really do like my Loox. 8) 8)

[Jonathon Watkins]

Well remember that the 718 - a camera-less 720 appears to be coming soon. :)

True - I did overlook that.

I really do like my Loox. 8) 8 )

Good, I'm glad. :D So far I like my X50v as well. Anyone for a group hug? :grouphug:

:mrgreen:

[ctmagnus]

I really do like my Loox. 8) 8 )

Good, I'm glad. :D So far I like my X50v as well. Anyone for a group hug? :grouphug:

:mrgreen:

I'm in! I :ppclove: my iPaq 5550!

Until the next glitch comes up that makes me want to throw it through a wall, that is...

But It's been working perfectly for a few weeks now, since I got the latest replacement. (crosses fingers, toes and earlobes)

[baralong]

Anyone got a set of side by side photos for the VGA PPCs? So far the only one I've seen in person is the ipaq, it wasn't nearly as bulky as I thought, just a bit long. Also I'm bad with visualising the devices based on numbers. (a photo comparing to the size of the 4150 would be ideal)

[Doug Raeburn]

Anyone got a set of side by side photos for the VGA PPCs? So far the only one I've seen in person is the ipaq, it wasn't nearly as bulky as I thought, just a bit long. Also I'm bad with visualising the devices based on numbers. (a photo comparing to the size of the 4150 would be ideal)

I don't own a 4150, but if you're familiar with the 2215, the Loox 720 is slightly longer, slightly narrower and slightly thinner. For all practical purposes, the size feels essentially identical to the 2215, which I think is remarkable considering all of its features.

And I love my 720 as well... maybe Duncan, Mr. Ray and I can have our own group hug! :grouphug:

[gibson042]

Now all we need is a VGA Pocket PC with a built-in phone. ;-)
Ooooh, stop teasing me Mr. Watkins! And in an article about the Pocket PC with built-in VoIP hardware, no less. C'mon manufacturers, take the next step and make our wish a reality!

[ricksfiona]

Bummer it doesn't have built-in Bluetooth. It's also too expensive.

[Duncan]

Bummer it doesn't have built-in Bluetooth. It's also too expensive.

Eh? It most certainly does have Bluetooth built-in!

And you can buy it in the States for less than $600 (cheaper than the iPAQ hx4700 and about the same as the Asus a730).

[Jonathon Watkins]

Now all we need is a VGA Pocket PC with a built-in phone. ;-)
Ooooh, stop teasing me Mr. Watkins! And in an article about the Pocket PC with built-in VoIP hardware, no less. C'mon manufacturers, take the next step and make our wish a reality!

Mr Gibson, it is not I that is teasing you sir, but the manufacturers. I too eagerly desire such an item as a VGA PPC with built-in phone. These things aren't phone with PPCs, but vice versa. Lets get our priorities straight!. :wink:

[djbasse]

http://www.pdagold.com/articles/detail.asp?r=50&amp;a=211

http://www.tekguru.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4439&amp;postdays=0&amp;postorder=asc&amp;&amp;start=0

http://www.tekguru.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4524&amp;postdays=0&amp;postorder=asc&amp;&amp;start=0

http://www.tekguru.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4595&amp;postdays=0&amp;postorder=asc&amp;&amp;start=0

http://www.handystore.co.il/fs720e.htm

http://www.clieuk.co.uk/loox720.shtml

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,33456&amp;sid=dbdcaa0eea5f9a97dcd40f566fd2f31a

[Jonathon Watkins]

Many welcomes and thanks for that handy roundup of Loox 720 reviews Djbasse. 8)

You getting one yourself?

[juni]

If I understand it correctly, then most people seem to say the 4700 has a better screen? It is difficult to say from the one side-by-side picture in one of the reviews since the reviewer is using a different theme on the devices.

[Menneisyys]

Also worth checking out FirstLoox's topic http://www.firstloox.org//forums/showthread.php?t=2473 on the same article.

[Menneisyys]

If I understand it correctly, then most people seem to say the 4700 has a better screen? It is difficult to say from the one side-by-side picture in one of the reviews since the reviewer is using a different theme on the devices.

The 720's screen may be a bit worse than that of the 4700 (but not as much as the Dell x50v, which is definitely inferior to all the other VGA screens), but it's still orders of magnitude better in both color reproduction and even outdoor visibility than the best QVGA/Hi-Res Palm transmissive/transflective screens so far (Casio's e-1xx PPC line, palmOne's new transflective screens, 39xx, 1910). It's absolutely gorgeous and leaves my palmOne Zire71's really good screen in dust.

It's not as vivid as Sony's new OLED screen - but neither is 4700's :)