11-27-2003, 12:00 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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FirstLoox Reviews The Pocket Loox 610
Duncan over at FirstLoox has finished his detailed review of the 610 -- a fast Pocket PC with both WiFi and BT. I don't believe it's available in North America, but for the rest of you, check it out -- he thoroughly covers it and compares it to other Pocket PCs, and comes out liking it.
"If 128 MB memory, dual wireless, dual expansion slots, decent battery life, speed, an excellent third party software bundle, useful OS software add-ons, large user accessible ROM storage and a very usable cursor/button arrangement are all something that you would look for in a Pocket PC - then the Loox 610 should not disappoint."
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11-27-2003, 08:28 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 451
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No one seems to be interested in what's not coming to NorthAm, it seems. =P My only (and superficial) comment about it is: It's too big! After using a 3660 with various sleeves for the past 2.5 years, I think anything larger than that is a no no.. no point having all the features in the world if the PDA is not with you!
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11-27-2003, 09:15 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 300
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It is also very ugly...
I disagree with Duncan that the Loox is better than the iPaq H5550...
The H5550 has a much better design, better Wireless support software and the Fingerprint scanner...
And the best screen in the PPC world...
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11-27-2003, 09:36 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,468
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by petvas
It is also very ugly...
I disagree with Duncan that the Loox is better than the iPaq H5550...
The H5550 has a much better design, better Wireless support software and the Fingerprint scanner...
And the best screen in the PPC world...
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Two of those I give you (though the wireless support software is only marginally better IMO). Better design I dispute - the Loox 610 has no need of a huge expansion pack to provide a CF slot and naked the Loox 610 is easier to hold than the iPAQ with a proper 'scroll/action button' arrangement on the side, superior cursor and button arrangement etc.
Better screen I also dispute. The Loox 610 screen is at least as good.
Of course the Loox is also faster and has superior battery life.
You may not agree with me that the Loox 610 is better than the iPAQ 5550 - but I didn't make the claim without being prepared to back it up! 
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11-27-2003, 11:00 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 652
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Maybe I missed something but when you're benchmarking a device inside another (in this case SD in a PPC). Shouldn't the same card be tested in all the devices and not a different card in each device :?:
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Making use of mobile tech like no other.
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11-27-2003, 11:35 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,468
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Ideally yes - however the benchmarks in question were those stored on the Spb site with only the Loox 610 being tested with my personal SD card. That is why I felt the only thing that could be drawn from that particular comparison was a general idea that the Loox 610 had a reasonable SD speed (the Loox 600 has a fairly slow SD speed) - and nothing more!
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11-27-2003, 11:36 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 300
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Duncan,
As far as the design concerns, it is certainly always a personal taste thing... For me, the Loox 610 is one of the ugliest devices I have ever seen! The CF expansion is of no importance to me since the iPaq H5550 provides built-in WLAN and Bluetooth (as the Loox does), so there is no real need for a CF card. GPS can be used with Bluetooth, Memory can be expanded through the SD Slot...
Regarding Benchmarks: They do not always say the truth; The iPaq H5550 is very fast. The question to make is if the Loox is really faster in real life. Battery Life is also very good with the H5550 except when using WLAN. Removable batteries do provide extended battery life... I agree that both devices have very similar specs, I just cannot use such an ugly device. The iPaq H5550 is also very reliable and utilizes the OS very good and provides the best backup utility... I really see no reason to change it...
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11-27-2003, 11:51 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,468
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Quote:
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As far as the design concerns, it is certainly always a personal taste thing...
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Ah - you mean design as in looks? That is a matter of personal taste I agree (in that I don't believe the Loox 610 to be ugly at all - it is a bit like the iPAQ 2210 - pictures can be quite misleading!) - but if it helps - I do agree that the iPAQ 5xxx is one of the best looking PPCs of all time (and nicer looking than the Loox 610) BUT I still thing that the looks come with a usability penalty...
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so there is no real need for a CF card.
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I will have to disagree - for reasons given in the review!
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Regarding Benchmarks: They do not always say the truth; The iPaq H5550 is very fast. The question to make is if the Loox is really faster in real life.
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Agreed - the Loox is, IMO, noticeably (though only just) faster than the iPAQ 5xxx BUT in terms of 'hard facts' benchmarks are still the best thing we have to test these things I'mn afraid!
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I agree that both devices have very similar specs
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In many ways I agree - but I do feel the Loox 610 has an edge. Is it one that means an iPAQ 5xxx user should change device? Probably not! BUt someone looking at upgrading from a less powerful device, or starting from scratch, or even fed up with a lack of scroll feature/built-in CF etc. - then I would happily recommend the Loox 610 over the competition.
Of course I WOULD say that (!) :wink: (though, seriously, I hope the conclusions of my review show that I am not going to blindly recommend the Loox 610 to everyone...)
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11-28-2003, 12:13 AM
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Mystic
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,639
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Duncan
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I agree that both devices have very similar specs
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In many ways I agree - but I do feel the Loox 610 has an edge. Is it one that means an iPAQ 5xxx user should change device? Probably not! BUt someone looking at upgrading from a less powerful device, or starting from scratch, or even fed up with a lack of scroll feature/built-in CF etc. - then I would happily recommend the Loox 610 over the competition.
Of course I WOULD say that (!) :wink: (though, seriously, I hope the conclusions of my review show that I am not going to blindly recommend the Loox 610 to everyone...) |
I really don't understand how any serious user can get by without a CF card. Is everyone finding 1GB or larger SD cards that I am missing. Maybe all you one-slot guys have Ipods and mobile DVD players so you don't use your PPCs for htis kind of thing.
To me, the Loox 610 is the one that comes closest to my ideal PPC. The only alternative would be a 5550 with CF sleeve, but that's very large and expensive. It's a shame that the designers of the e805 chose not to include BT. With htat one addition, Toshiba would be in first place.
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Cheers!
David
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11-28-2003, 12:18 AM
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Theorist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 300
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Why would I need 1GB CF? I do not play movies or music with my ipaq. I use it mainly for PIM, Email, Internet, Games and Finance apps...
I have a 512SD card....
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