Official word from Toshiba on new e310 model

[Andy Sjostrom]

<a href="http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?bw.042202/221122349">http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?bw.042202/221122349</a><br /><br />Here's what we've been waiting for from Toshiba! In short, the Toshiba Pocket PC e310 is priced at $399, weighs less than five ounces, uses a 3.5-inch diameter 64K color display, and a Secure Digital (SD) slot.<br /><br />Great form factor, fresh design, thin and light. With its price tag, this model is bound to get great reviews and market share.<br /><br />Read the full press release for more information!

[mwab]

:D Sweet! Finally a good PPC 2002 pda for the masses.... and for money-saving technophiliacs....

[Duncan]

At the risk of being lynched... slim - yes, light - yes, cheap - yes BUT ugly (I know that's a subjective opinion, not that there's any other kind, but it IS!!!) and lacking in a CF slot!

Now before anyone goes on about how the SD slot is the slot of the future and makes for a smaller and cheaper device - can I get the first shot in and point out that CF memory and devices are still considerably cheaper (which, considering the market this device is aimed at is a point that matters!) and there is still a paucity of SD based I/O devices (is there ANYTHING other than a BT card?) and will continue to be until more Pocket PCs and other PDAs support SD I/O?

Something else that bothers me. Why is a device coming out at this point with a StrongArm processor? Why not the more energy efficient 200Mhz version of the X-Scale?

Sorry Andy - this release, far from being a 'Great form factor, fresh design' just reeks of being yesterday's news. I suspect the O2 XDA/Wallaby (another device that puzzles me - though I can see some of its appeal) will beat it hands down in its core market.

Obligatory note: The above is opinion, does not need to be backed up by 'facts' and, as such, is allowed to be both prejudiced and biased - obligatory note ends :wink:

[Foo Fighter]

My only gripe with this unit is the display. I just can't go back to another crappy reflective LCD, or a device that lacks a screen protector. The design, specs, and price are excellent though. 8O

[[Cruzer]]

Something else that bothers me. Why is a device coming out at this point with a StrongArm processor? Why not the more energy efficient 200Mhz version of the X-Scale?

Sorry Andy - this release, far from being a 'Great form factor, fresh design' just reeks of being yesterday's news. I suspect the O2 XDA/Wallaby (another device that puzzles me - though I can see some of its appeal) will beat it hands down in its core market.


Duncan, I think they are just trying to get in with a basic unit. A unit that most people can afford and for people who don't need a lot of CF Accessories. Just the unit and go. For people who want more and more and more , As in a previous post " http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=983 " they are coming out with a new version 550G thats should answer the rest.

RC

[Garry [WMA]]

Having held one of these in my hand the thing that worried me was the width. It may be thin but it seemed particularly wide almost uncomfortably so in my hand. Other than that it is a nice low-level entry device and the ability to use i/o sd cards like the Toshiba Bluetooth one is particularly nice.

[Duncan]

A unit that most people can afford and for people who don't need a lot of CF Accessories. Just the unit and go.

Cruzer,

I can partially see your point BUT -

1) The XDA/Wallaby should be available for a low price point as well - and has more to offer out of the box, and

2) very shortly the current crop of more able Pocket PCs (including Toshiba's own E570!) are going to crash in price as an inevitable result of X-Scale and multi-function Pocket PCs becoming available (not so much seeing into the future as remembering the past!). I believe people will have the chance to own so much more for a similar price point in very little time. So why go for this device?

I have a suspicion - perhaps someone who knows (perhaps an MVP who's been under an NDA on this device?) can put me right? Toshiba's 'sudden' production of a unit that has so much in common with the E570, just prior to the release of an X-Scale that will make the E570 harder to sell, is just a little hard to believe.

I'm going to be frank - the E570, and the 550, are both attractive and well designed in their own way. I may have my problems with the 550 but I concede some care has been put into it's design. The e310, however, just looks like a rushed design. I may be way off beam but I would not be surprised to learn that the e310 is nothing more than a mop up operation for the E570. Or am I just being paranoid? 8O It was kept remarkably well under wraps if I'm wrong... and after all - the case is going to be the simplest thing to cobble together!

[Pony99CA]

Is the Audiovox Maestro still available for $299? If so, you get basically the same hardware as the Toshiba e310, plus a Compact Flash slot, for $100 less.

The battery may only be 1000 maH vs. 1100 maH, but for $100 and a Compact Flash slot, I can live with that.

Besides, I think the Maestro is better looking than the e310. :-)

Steve

[mar2k]

Does anyone know where these are being manufactured? Taiwan? Japan?

[Jason Lee]

This thing is the same width and thickness of the palm m515, and just a bit taller. It is a simple device but yet expandable via SDIO. I think maybe someone at Toshiba realized how well those palm things sell based on form factor and simplicity. Maybe they are trying to capture the essence of the palm m5xx but with a device that will actually do something. ;)
I think it is a really cool device. I will never own one because it doesn't do enough, but one of those dense business men would jump all over it. It is cheaper than a m515 and does infinetly more.
I think it is about time someone targeted a PPC at that market.
Yeah I know the audiovox is cheaper and does more but it is not as thin or as "simple". I think they may have a gimmick that sells. Why do you think so many people buy those Sony Clie' things. Simple, flashy, and does more than a regular Palm...

I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

I still want the new toshiba with the 4in. screen. I used to want the Loox but I think that I may like the Toshiba better. I also want to see what Compaq/HP and NEC will have to offer. And of course I will have to fondle each device before actually buying one. :D Just planning ahead. My ipaq 3835 is plenty good for now.

[Pony99CA]

Yeah I know the audiovox is cheaper and does more but it is not as thin or as "simple". I think they may have a gimmick that sells. Why do you think so many people buy those Sony Clie' things. Simple, flashy, and does more than a regular Palm...

What do you mean by saying the Maestro is not as "simple" as the Audiovox? They seem equally simple to me.

As far as I can tell, they are basically the same machine, with the exception of the Maestro having a Compact Flash slot and some cosmetic differences. They're both even made by Toshiba.

Steve

[Daniel]

Maybe they are trying to capture the essence of the palm m5xx but with a device that will actually do something. ;)

This is the impression that I first got from this machine too. I think this is positioned more as a competitor to the Palm m5xx and targeted at consumers rather than (us) nerds or corporates. I can really see this getting some sales in this area. It also has all the SDIO accessories that the Palms have (yes just the BT).

I could see my Wife getting one of these (not because she's a woman!), as Jason Lee said they're simple and my wife just isn't obessed with nerd toys like I am.

Daniel

[Jason Lee]

What do you mean by saying the Maestro is not as "simple" as the Audiovox? They seem equally simple to me.

As far as I can tell, they are basically the same machine, with the exception of the Maestro having a Compact Flash slot and some cosmetic differences. They're both even made by Toshiba.

Steve


I was using the word "simple" as in the "zen of palm" kind of simple. I know the only real diffirence is the CF slot, but I think you would agree that the CF slot opens up a whole new world of possibilities that are not yet available in SD. That maybe too much for some users.

man... no CF.. no wireless ethernet... no huge flash cards.... no micro drive... :( no fun...
But I guess, diffirent strokes for diffirent folks...

I think it would be great if, eventually, we could get those devices in SD. Some day... Provided the next expansion standard doesn't take over first, what ever that might be. :)

[Jason Lee]

I just had a thought... Instead of the Thera build a CDMA cell phone into this new little toy... If they could do it without makeing it much thicker and still have the SDIO slot... Gimme, Gimme!!

[Daniel]

This is really a point release in my opinion. It doesn't do anything much beyond the last round of hardware. I think that the size is a very good thing though.

Daniel