infoSync Reviews ASUS MyPal A620

[Jason Dunn]

http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/n/3843.html

"The latest, Windows Mobile 2003-powered offering from ASUS is not only the world's smallest CompactFlash-fitted Pocket PC - it's also a slick powerhouse with a stunning display. Despite being fairly unknown in Western Pocket PC circles, ASUSTeK Computer - or ASUS, as the company frequently goes by - has a reputation for delivering high-quality hardware. This is also the case with the company's most recent Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC-powered offering (breathe here), the MyPal A620. And, although having only one former Pocket PC - the MyPal A600 - under its belt, the A620 comes off as a solid Pocket PC."

Jorgen Sundgot takes a look at the A620, but there aren't any hard benchmarks in the review on performance or battery life, which is critical for me when choosing a device, and the one thing that the OEM will never be able to provide on their specs page. I've seen some unofficial Spb Benchmark scores on the A620, and it blew the doors off of every other Pocket PC on the market by a huge number (it was so drastic we thought we had a bug in Spb Benchmark), so it's disappointing to see a lack of detail on the performance. I'm itching to get my hands on an A620, but don't know anyone at ASUS. :roll:

I'm also surprised to see how heavily the lack of bundled software factors into the final score - how important is it for you to have bundled software with your device? For me, if it's not in ROM, I'll probably just ignore it. What about you?

[Jason Dunn]

http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/n/3843.html

"The latest, Windows Mobile 2003-powered offering from ASUS is not only the world's smallest CompactFlash-fitted Pocket PC - it's also a slick powerhouse with a stunning display. Despite being fairly unknown in Western Pocket PC circles, ASUSTeK Computer - or ASUS, as the company frequently goes by - has a reputation for delivering high-quality hardware. This is also the case with the company's most recent Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC-powered offering (breathe here), the MyPal A620. And, although having only one former Pocket PC - the MyPal A600 - under its belt, the A620 comes off as a solid Pocket PC."

Jorgen Sundgot takes a look at the A620, but there aren't any hard benchmarks in the review on performance or battery life, which is critical for me when choosing a device, and the one thing that the OEM will never be able to provide on their specs page. I've seen some unofficial Spb Benchmark scores on the A620, and it blew the doors off of every other Pocket PC on the market by a huge number (it was so drastic we thought we had a bug in Spb Benchmark), so it's disappointing to see a lack of detail on the performance. I'm itching to get my hands on an A620, but don't know anyone at ASUS. :roll:

I'm also surprised to see how heavily the lack of bundled software factors into the final score - how important is it for you to have bundled software with your device? For me, if it's not in ROM, I'll probably just ignore it. What about you?

[nz0eBoy]

If software is not important then why do we long for upgrades to the OS so much. I see poeple updating their PPC each time a new version of the OS comes out, but in some cases the hardware requirements are no different.

Of course bundled software makes a difference, even the third party stuff.

[mar2k]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

"Jorgen Sundgot takes a look at the A620, but there aren't any hard benchmarks in the review on performance or battery life, which is critical for me when choosing a device, and the one thing that the OEM will never be able to provide on their specs page. I've seen some unofficial Spb Benchmark scores on the A620, and it blew the doors off of every other Pocket PC on the market by a huge number (it was so drastic we thought we had a bug in Spb Benchmark), so it's disappointing to see a lack of detail on the performance. I'm itching to get my hands on an A620, but don't know anyone at ASUS. :roll:

Jason,

I am getting in on the first batch of these being shipped out in the US. Its funny you should post this article because my A620 is supposed to be delivered to my home by UPS sometime tomorrow :mrgreen: I'm even in the process of setting up a little web page dedicated it and plan to post a full review. I'll be glad to run plenty of benchmarks, battery tests as I plan to do this for my full review anyway. I just may not be able to post much on it until next week as I have a major project and final next week (grad school).

I'll come back here tomorrow and at least post pictures of the box, if nothing else! :wink:

[Reza]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

I've seen some unofficial Spb Benchmark scores on the A620, and it blew the doors off of every other Pocket PC on the market by a huge number (it was so drastic we thought we had a bug in Spb Benchmark)

So what was that number (the overall Spb Benchmark index)?

[Ed Hansberry]

I rarely even stick the OEM CD in unless I need to install ActiveSync again with their specific device drivers.

[David Prahl]

I pay for the Pocket PC, not the software library.

I may be bitter because Dell included NOTHING with the Axim. A few demos, ActiveStink, and Outlook 2000. :evil:

Maybe that's why there's so cheap!

[Jeff Rutledge]

Hardware all the way. Software comes and goes. Or more accurately: my tastes change all too often. I want to have the gear to run whatever tickles my fancy today! 0X

[dh]

To me, all that matters is the hardware.
I want to be able to install the software I choose, not what the OEM has a special deal with the publisher.

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by nz0eBoy

If software is not important then why do we long for upgrades to the OS so much.

Because that's a core functionality improvement - and it's always a lot of improvements, even if we can't see them all.

I suppose is the software in ROM or on the CD is "best of breed", I'd be happy to see it, but so often the software they pick isn't terribly good...

[ctmagnus]

I'll play with the stuff on the CD but I usually end up doing a hard-reset to clear the cr@p out of the system.