Asus MyPal A632 and A636 Available Next Week

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=2126' target='_blank'>http://www.trustedreviews.com/artic...e.aspx?art=2126</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20051112-A636.jpg" /><br /><br />TrustedReviews has a bit of juicy info on the upcoming Asus MyPal A632 and A636. We last posted on the A636 back in June (<a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40486">here</a> and <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40595">here</a>) - obviously, news of the device has been pretty dry as of late.<br /><br />Both devices feature an Intel XScale 416MHz processor, 64MB RAM, 128MB Flash ROM (85MB usable), a 3.5" 240 x 320 (QVGA) screen, an SD slot, Bluetooth, and Windows Mobile 5.0. The A636 includes 802.11b Wi-Fi, while the A632 has an additional miniSD slot to make up for its lack of Wi-Fi. They measure in at 122mm x 73mm x 18.8mm and weigh 186g. Amazingly, off a single charge, Asus is quoting a battery life of 44 hours of standard usage, up to 18 hours of media playback, and 7.5 hours of GPS usage. The device also includes an in-car mounting kit and charger, a 128MB memory card, and all your standard accessories (stylus, synchronisation cables, AC adapter, and case). Available from next week, the A632 should retail at £299 (inc. VAT) with the A636 coming in at £349 (inc. VAT).

[stevelam]

Wow now thats battery life. What sort of ampage have they got in that thing?

[ADBrown]

They're probably thinking battery life with the screen's backlight off. Either that, or they're running it on a car battery.

[stevelam]

They're probably thinking battery life with the screen's backlight off. Either that, or they're running it on a car battery.

:rotfl:

It's to early in the morning to think straight.

[surur]

Its only with persistent storage that I believe these devices have matured as proper GPS devices, suitable for the general population. Unfortunately the single purpose removable devices, such as tomtom Go have also come down dramatically in price. They better start adding extra easy to use utility to compete against those devices. The new tomtom go for example can be used as a bluetooth speaker phone with caller ID.

GPS has been very good for stand alone PDA's recently, but that time may be over pretty soon.

Surur

[fierywater]

Decent button arrangement for gaming. Probably the best since the old Casios.

[KTamas]

Decent button arrangement for gaming. Probably the best since the old Casios.
Yes, this can be the second gaming Asus PDA... (The first one was the A620(BT)...man, I miss that awesome D-pad and buttons). If Asus would only have a support... :roll:

[kaitanium]

how come gps integrated devices never have the top spec processor?

[digitalfreeze]

The battery life is b******t. Just like the A730 was specified to have 15 hour battery life, when in reality it's about 1.5 - 2hrs.

Edited by mod JR for content.

[Darius Wey]

how come gps integrated devices never have the top spec processor?

They're not really media-focused devices. Using GPS, you can usually get by on 312-416MHz.

[1BADRIDE]

I would not take any claims ASUS makes seriously. Their specs are always inflated (sometimes EXTREMELY). ASUS constantly insults and slaps their customers in the face with poor or non-existent service/support, yet people still remain loyal to ASUS. NOT ME ANYMORE!

Wow, look at the game that is included with the A730W: http://usa.asus.com/products4.aspx?modelmenu=13&amp;model=469&amp;l1=8&amp;l2=0&amp;l3=0

"Dung Cleaner"

ASUS can clean my dung from now on.

I have an A716, and an A730W.

ASUS won't release WM5 for the A730W because then the A632/A636 will be junk compared to the A730W (feature-wise, less the GPS). Also, it will be fairly costly for ASUS to license WM5 for all the A730W's out there on the market, and ASUS doesn't want to spend any money on thier loyal customers who have been suckered into buying their product.

ASUS did also claim approx 15 hours of battery life in max power savings mode on the A730W - which was and still is clearly a FRAUDULENT statement. To obtain 15 hours, I had to significantly modify the battery on my A730W (and I get 15 hours w/Wifi ON in turbo mode now!). When I first bought the A730W, I got approx. 30-60 mins battery life.

Anyways, do NOT buy anything from ASUS until you actually see MANY (at least 50) reviews from other REAL customers (not people working at/for ASUS posting BS reviews like all the previous ones were). If you do, you'll mostly likely be sorry you did - just like many other ASUS customers.

If you're looking for a GPS solution, there are much better (and less expensive) GPS devices out there.

[healingbreeze]

Shipping delays mean that the first consignment of these PDA's will not be in the UK until next week. We these in stock now! http://www.healingbreeze.net/acatalog/PDA.html

There is no other product out there to compete with the current features of the A636. With Windows Mobile 5 which we are using on our XDA Exec phones it will be brilliant!

Whilst it may not have the fastest processor it really is a self conatined unit, no fiddly cables or plug ins to navigate, just switch on and go, far more than its nearest competitor the Acer n35.

Coupled with a blutooth phone with GPRS/3G you have all you need for a total mobile solution.

Inevitablly there are some compromises with a product that does so much, however judging by the technical reviews the battery life is awesome, so no compromise there and with Destinator GPS software it is among the best.