Dell contracts with Acer for Pocket PC - $299

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=4685">http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=4685</a><br /><br />The rumors are over. Dell has contracted with Wistron, a subsidiary of Acer, for a Pocket PC. Wistron has agreed to produce 1.1 to 1.5 million units in time for the Christmas season. There is <a href="http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/Article.asp?datePublish=2002/07/31&pages=01&seq=1">more information here</a>. Little is known about the device specifications. At $299 for the end consumer, I'd have to guess 32MB and a single expansion slot. But then again, you should not underestimate what Dell will get in the device for that price. Source: Brentnyc.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2002/20020621-delldude.jpg" /><br /><br />Regardless of what this device comes with, it will have certain minimum specs, so count on audio, voice recording, an ARM processor, etc. This will really drive prices down from other vendors. I also doubt Palm is looking forward to a $299 competitor from the Pocket PC camp this Christmas.<br /><br />"Steven, are you going to say it?"<br />"No... he knows!" <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif" />

[ipaq-PHD]

Price War !!! :D

[Timothy Rapson]

Great job breaking this story in the broader press (compared to Digitimes insider only reporting)

We already have reports that the new Ipaq 2200 will seek the $300 price point. The Toshiba E310 seems to have the same configuration. We may have three models by Chrismas that sell for less than Palms top models and offer more Ram, better screens, and full multi-media.

As I see it, the big difference between all of them is Dell's ability to make money at that level. HP, Toshiba, Palm, and Sony all have to allow a profit for their retailers. The retailers know that they will have a lot of service and time involved in returns, shelf demo units, and other costs. Dell has little or none of that expense and can make money at that $300 level.

This may also mean that Palm's OS 5 Oslo will have to be priced much lower than expected.

At this price level (this is Royal price territory....by the way, wasn't the new Linux Royal DaJunky supposed to be out by now) the number one question facing the consumer may be whether it will boot at all when you get it home. What kind of warranty will be included for when it falls apart?

Whatever else comes from this, it is going to be a great Christmas for cheap, PDA junkies like me.

[vetteguy]

I also doubt Palm is looking forward to a $299 competitor from the Pocket PC camp this Christmas.

I'm a little confused at this statement, since there has been both the Maestro and the e310 as competitors at that price level.

[Ed Hansberry]

I also doubt Palm is looking forward to a $299 competitor from the Pocket PC camp this Christmas.

I'm a little confused at this statement, since there has been both the Maestro and the e310 as competitors at that price level.
The 310 is $399 though can be had for less if you dig around pricewatch. The Maestro was actually successful, but I am not sure Audiovox made any money off of it. Dell selling $299 direct has no middleman, so even if it costs them $298, they make money excluding advertising and overhead. Audiovox had to sell that thing around $210-220 for the retailers to make their cut.

I know when the Maestro hit the the streets at $299, they were being snapped up by people her, at PDABuzz and on the NG like hotcakes, but it was a limited run unfortunately.

[vetteguy]

The 310 is $399 though can be had for less if you dig around pricewatch. The Maestro was actually successful, but I am not sure Audiovox made any money off of it.
I didn't think making money had anything to do with it, as you were talking from a price competition standpoint. Palm isn't interested if Audiovox made any money, they're interested in the fact that there is a full-featured PocketPC available at $299. That forces them to make some critical decisions in both pricing and operations, as anyone who is the least bit educated in handhelds while shopping for one will see the difference between a $300 Maestro and a $300 Palm m105.

[Timothy Rapson]

And you can see a copy of that current model here:



http://www.wistron.com.tw/Mobile%20Systems.asp?type=Mobile%20Systems

[Ed Hansberry]

I didn't think making money had anything to do with it, as you were talking from a price competition standpoint. Palm isn't interested if Audiovox made any money, they're interested in the fact that there is a full-featured PocketPC available at $299. That forces them to make some critical decisions in both pricing and operations, as anyone who is the least bit educated in handhelds while shopping for one will see the difference between a $300 Maestro and a $300 Palm m105.
You are right. But the fact that it was a limited availablity device meant there were no long term implications. Whole new ballgame now.

[vetteguy]

So what do you think Dell's target market will be? Corporate? Small business? Students? I guess at that price they could shoot for anything they wanted to. It'll definitely be interesting. (And since this is Dell-branded, does this mean we'll finally get a BLACK Pocket PC???) :)

[spg]

The 310 is $399 though can be had for less if you dig around pricewatch. The Maestro was actually successful, but I am not sure Audiovox made any money off of it.
I didn't think making money had anything to do with it, as you were talking from a price competition standpoint. Palm isn't interested if Audiovox made any money, they're interested in the fact that there is a full-featured PocketPC available at $299. That forces them to make some critical decisions in both pricing and operations, as anyone who is the least bit educated in handhelds while shopping for one will see the difference between a $300 Maestro and a $300 Palm m105.
I agree with you on most of those points. It will put some more pressure on Palm. But, umm... how many Palm m105s have you seen for $300? Current price on them is $99.

But back to the Dell at hand, I think this a semi-good thing for the Pocket PC market. One thing I am worried about though is that if most people want to go cheap and go with the lower end handhelds, we may not get as much innovation on the higher end. But is good in the fact that there is now going to be a handheld that can compete with Palm from a price standpoint as well as from a features and performance standpoint.

Sorry I just can't resist anymore, "Dude you're getting a Dell (Pocket PC)!" :lol:

[Kre]

I didn't think making money had anything to do with it, as you were talking from a price competition standpoint. Palm isn't interested if Audiovox made any money, they're interested in the fact that there is a full-featured PocketPC available at $299. That forces them to make some critical decisions in both pricing and operations, as anyone who is the least bit educated in handhelds while shopping for one will see the difference between a $300 Maestro and a $300 Palm m105.
You are right. But the fact that it was a limited availablity device meant there were no long term implications. Whole new ballgame now.

Not to mention, this tidal wave is going to be joined with another tidal wave... the Dell name and all the fanfare or buzz that will come with Dell`s advertising and marketing budget.

Buh bye, palm. :2gunfire:

[Chad]

Dude, I'm going to get a Dell :wink:

[cscullion]

Be careful what you wish for...

With Palm prices so low, manufacturers are having a hard time making money. If the Del PPC catches on, many PPC manufacturers will have to lower their prices to compete (Price War, as someone already aptly said). This could have the affect of reducing the number of makers, lowering quality, and stifling innovation. On the other hand, with lower prices comes (hopefully) more devices in more pockets, so software sales should increase, which is good for us developers.

Having said all that... competition is good... change is good... :)

[Foo Fighter]

Price War !!! :D

JIHAD!

[Kirk Stephens]

Like I said in a previous post, I really believe that Dell will give Pocket PCs the exposure that they need to become "mainstream." Maybe after Christmas I will stop hearing "Is that one of those Palm Pilot thingys?" :x

[JMountford]

I am glad for our comunity as a whole. With the selection of Pocket PCs in the 300 dollar range just going through the roof our community as a whole will start seeing a little more diversity and new blood.

At the same time an infusion of people who are used to buying palms is kinda scary. :D

I would LOVE to see a Dell Black PPC. Maybe Black is not good for a 500 dollar machine, but 300 dollars is perfect for Dell Black with a Dell Logo.

I know what I am getting for Christmas!

"Dude I am going to get an iPaq 3975"

[mar2k]

Not to be negative because price wars are good for everyone, but Wistron has already tried their hand at a $599 Pocket PC in the form of the Casio E-200. We all know how that experiment went, it was one that may ultimately drive Casio out of the Pocket PC market.

A $299 Pocket PC from Wistron doesn't exactly inspire me with confidence quality wise. At least with a sub-$300 device, they can use the old "you get what you pay for" argument if there are problems.

Hopefully, they will prove me wrong as I would look forward to stacking all those Dell coupons to snag one.

[AhuhX]

Not to be negative because price wars are good for everyone, but Wistron has already tried their hand at a $599 Pocket PC in the form of the Casio E-200. We all know how that experiment went, it was one that may ultimately drive Casio out of the Pocket PC market.


I didn't realise they made the Casio E-200. Wow, that interesting since Casio *are* supposed to be leaving the US market. Seems interesting connection. Maybe Casio is leaving because they were informed Dell was about to come in at $299?

[entropy1980]

I would venture to guess this will only be sold online through Dell? i bet you though they willl more to bundle it with PC's then to sell them by themselves, I mean recently they had been bundling Palms or offering deep Palm discounts with PC purchase. My guess is that we will see PCs coming with a some "Dell Dimesion PDA". I think this is great way for users to get first hand experience with a Pocket PC hopefully Dell wonn't screw it up! Just when Palm thinks they are back in the game and can point to the rising prices of Pocket PCs Dell comes up and :grab:

[Foo Fighter]

The Maestro was actually successful, but I am not sure Audiovox made any money off of it.

I seriously doubt the Maestro was "successful" or Audiovox wouldn't have discontinued it so quickly. In market studies over the past 4 quarters, Audiovox doesn't even appear on the pie chart, which means vox trails far behind Casio....FAR behind. Probably .001% share. That is hardly a succuss.

Dell's direct business model could hurt their move into the PDA where consumers prefer to touch and feel the device before they make a purchase. Unless of course they are just going to take Dude's word for it? "Trust me, dude!. This is one kick ass handheld"!. Ok, I'm sold! :P

[jmulder]

I'm kind of interested in Palm's reaction. We all know that when Dell announced they were going to sell their own printers HP cut them off (though this may have been driven by the Dell/Compaq rivalry).

Will Dell continue to sell Palm devices, if allowed? Can Palm afford to make the same statement HP did?

"Too many questions!" - The Riddler, Batman Forever

-Jim

[Jason Dunn]

Will Dell continue to sell Palm devices, if allowed? Can Palm afford to make the same statement HP did?

Excellent point! Somehow I think Palm will pull back...

[gmelfissg]

sorry foo fighter but the Maestro was a success, all the way because a lot of people through USA bought a lot of those as it was first on the best sellers for a long time so i disagree with you.

The only reason they pull that one off, is because Toshiba stop giving them more of those e570 pda to modify. They will come out with the e550g (4 inch screen) in november, you'll see they'll be a success again.

Jus because it's not in the statistics doesn't mean it wasn't a success. If you sell just 10,000 units for me it's a success.

I bought a meastro and at 299$, it is better than any pocket pc out there excluding maybe the latest xscale model from toshiba.
:lol:

[Boxster S]

Is it going to be this one??

http://global.acer.com/products/pda/n20.htm

[mv]

Cheaper pocket pc means more pocket pc. Newbies will buy this, some of them will keep, some other will like and then go for a high end pda, like ipaq 3970 or toshiba e740. Lots of people starts with an m100 and then go for something better, when they like having a pda. So this will push prices down, but it will not harm sales of higher end devices at all. It´s just fighting with palm, not with models wich are for diferent kind of customers. Anyway, i´ll think i´ll get a dell!! :)

[Steven Cedrone]

Cheaper pocket pc means more pocket pc. Newbies will buy this, some of them will keep, some other will like and then go for a high end pda, like ipaq 3970 or toshiba e740. Lots of people starts with an m100 and then go for something better, when they like having a pda. So this will push prices down, but it will not harm sales of higher end devices at all.

Most manufacturers try have a low end/entry level model (I'm thinking about cars specifically, but insert any other manufacturer here as well)...

If you get a person to buy the low end model and they like it, odds are they will buy not only another from you but also a more expensive model. Dell has a great reputation. If they put out a solid entry level Pocket PC and sales are good, then I can see them coming out with a high end Pocket PC not too far down the road to take advantage of this as well.....

Just my .02

Steve

[laner]

The split between HP and Dell has been blown way out of proportion. They have lost special discounts they got going directly to HP and now have to go through distributors like most everyone else to get products. I just got a quote from them for 20 deskwriters.

[DoorKnob]

Is it going to be this one??

http://global.acer.com/products/pda/n20.htm

Reply:

That would be nice to see, however, I think it is a little unrealistic

Time will tell

[heov]

I think our Pocket PC Manufactures need to watch out for Palm. Palm OS 5 will have better screens than all Pocket PC's (by resolution, that iPaq screen is awesome though). Palm's will have 320 x 320. Although the screen is smaller, it has a beter dot pitch, which makes viewing photos increadible. Also, the new Palm's will most likely be able to play Video fairly well and MP3's now that they are using ARM. If Palm comes out with a $300-400 device with HiRes screen plus MP3/Video playback, people will buy the palm because Pocket PC has yet to get big enough so that consumer's will notice. People still don't know the word "Pocket PC", they know Palm and Palm Pilot. When they here this palm pilot has the highest resolution screen and can play mp3's, they will be all over it. Unlike Pocket PC manufactures, I doubt Palm is going to advertise their pocessor, and people won't notice that the other devices are 400Mhz as opposed to the 200 MHz level.

Also, this PPC better be small, and I'm not talking about thickness... I mean height. the e570/Vox is almost the perfect size, except it's too thick.

Also, if Palm releases a lowend Palm OS 5 device before this Dell pocket pc, people will buy the Palm because it can probably do everthing the dell could in the same size (except mybe not record voice) that matter's to consumers, meaning Music, Pictures, PIM, maybe Video, and Office stuff (which Palm has better stuff than Pocket Office)...

Those are just my thoughts.

[cscullion]

These are good points. I wonder how much "brand awareness" is involved in Palm's market share. I'd bet it's a HUGE factor. Just seeing the Palm logo or "Palm compatible" on Sony or Handspring devices probably helps sales tremendously, especially among the non-geek crowd. I'm afraid the "PocketPC" name hasn't really caught on with the "great unwashed". Maybe if Microsoft had come up with a different brand name, even an invented word that evoked portability, they would have been better off. Look at how the "pilot" has stuck to Palm, even though they don't call it that anymore.

[Bob Anderson]

I can't help but imagine that Dell's entry to the market will be anything but positive for the PocketPC community.

Here's why:

1) Dell won't accept a product manufactured sloppily, thereby jeopardizing their overall brand awareness. The name Dell is just *too* valuable to destroy by putting out a poorly built machine.
2) More enterprise customers. Dell is big on the "bundling approach" and enticing customers of all sizes to buy complete solutions from servers to laptops and now, happily, PDAs. Let's get market share for PocketPCs anyway we can.
3) This is just the beginning. Sure Dell will start out with a lower priced entry, but if the market responds and rewards Dell, then the big boys in PocketPC land better watch out. Dell doesn't like to settle for 2nd or 3rd place. The want to be the best in nearly everything they do, or they get out of that market segment. (Word to HP: While their printers may not be the best to start with; watch out... competition will be fierce soon!)

I think that the loss of Casio as rumored a few days ago had a lot to do with their realization that Dell might be headed into the marketplace. Competition will be stiff, both within the PocketPC community and outside of it, namely Palm. To think that Dell will have an offering by Christmas is a HUGE boost for PocketPC and I'm sure we've only seen the beginning.

Oh, and one more note: For Dell to be entering at this point makes me speculate that they are liking what they are hearing from MSFT on the new version of PocketPC (whatever it may be.) Historically speaking, when Philips left the market on Win CE devices, it was probably about the time Microsoft was looking to secure partners for the first PocketPC version. In other words, we may be seeing manufacturers lining up to take advantage of what's coming up, to get their "feet wet" and start building up their marketing and distribution processes for when the *big* event comes along (and we all know it's cooking right now ;) )

Anyway ... I don't work for Dell nor Microsoft... but if history repeats itself we are in for some very interesting times!

"Dude I got a Dell, and I want another one!"

[Dell Dude]

Dude....Bob you rock man! Thanks for loving the Dell as it should be loved. Love the Dell! Love it!

[Timothy Rapson]

sorry foo fighter but the Maestro was a success, :lol:

IF the Maestro was successful this is some new use of the word "success" with which I am unfamiliar.

Ford sold a lot of Edsels at a loss. Were they successful? I got an Ipaq 3135 for $60 and regret every penny. Was that successful?

The Maestro lost money for everyone involved except the few people who got an orphan PPC that suits their peculiarly limited needs. But for the rest of the world who would not even buy them when they were selling for $210 from Staples, that makes it unsuccessful

[dma1965]

As much as I have become entrenched in iPaqs, I have been a Dell fan for a long timel. My first PC was a Dell Dimension 233mhz, and it is still running like a champ. My home network server is a Dell Dimension 450mhz, and it still runs like a dream, and my current laptop is an Inspiron 8000 at 900mhz, and it is currently the most powerful computer in my entire office. I really notice how fast it is when I try to edit large images in Photoshop. On my laptop it is blazingly fast, and on any other machine on our network, it is pitifully slow. I will not, however, buy any pocket PC which does not allow for SD, CF, and PCMCIA expandability, and am fully willing to accept expansion packs for at least 2 of the 3 formats (the Pocket PC must have at least one onboard memory slot). If the Dell Pocket PC meets these criteria, then I will buy one the day it becomes available on the website. When I had my consulting company I only specified Dell for any purchases, and will not reccomend any other PC but Dell to anyone that asks me. I know that some of you will have horror stories about Dell, but in dealing with just about every major PC brand out there, nobody has come close (in my experience) to matching Dell for quality, service, raw horsepower, and reliability. I am so there!!! :!:

[HR]

These are good points. I wonder how much "brand awareness" is involved in Palm's market share. I'd bet it's a HUGE factor. Just seeing the Palm logo or "Palm compatible" on Sony or Handspring devices probably helps sales tremendously, especially among the non-geek crowd. I'm afraid the "PocketPC" name hasn't really caught on with the "great unwashed". Maybe if Microsoft had come up with a different brand name, even an invented word that evoked portability, they would have been better off. Look at how the "pilot" has stuck to Palm, even though they don't call it that anymore.That's why I have always argued in any discussion involving the success of PPC (especially lower cost ones) that MS must throw $$$ on a big awareness campaign and change the current miserable situation. PPCs can be sold on their merits, but people first have to know they exist.

[jeff]

The Maestro lost money for everyone involved except the few people who got an orphan PPC that suits their peculiarly limited needs. But for the rest of the world who would not even buy them when they were selling for $210 from Staples, that makes it unsuccessful

Peculiarly limited needs? How is a PPC 2002 device which runs all the software the other ones do, supports any CF or SD accessory, and has a few accessories the others don't (remote control headphones) limited? I have a Toshiba e570, the 64MB big brother of the Maestro, and I consider it far less limiting than my old iPaq 3630.

The only thing limited appears to be your knowledge of the platform.

Jeff

[Timothy Rapson]

The Maestro lost money for everyone involved except the few people who got an orphan PPC that suits their peculiarly limited needs. But for the rest of the world who would not even buy them when they were selling for $210 from Staples, that makes it unsuccessful

Peculiarly limited needs? How is a PPC 2002 device which runs all the software the other ones do, supports any CF or SD accessory, and has a few accessories the others don't (remote control headphones) limited? I have a Toshiba e570, the 64MB big brother of the Maestro, and I consider it far less limiting than my old iPaq 3630.

The only thing limited appears to be your knowledge of the platform.

Jeff

If you are willing to own a model that has no foldable keyboard and never will. If you are willing to own a model that has only 32 meg and no support shop is going to learn how to upgrade as there is just not a big enough market. If you don't care that the company that makes it is not making anymore PPCs (except phones) and is therefore never going to learn how to handle odd quirks that will pop up and fix ROM bugs (something that even Ipaq is doing a miserable job doing with all it's money). If you don't care that there won't be cases designed for it, then I think, yes, you have singularly limited desires for your PDA and as long as you do, you got a great deal. But, there is a reason they were selling them for $210 and getting out of the PPC business. Deal with it.

RE: My limited knowledge of the platform? I wish. I wish I had never wasted my time on it at all.......OK, the knowledge is not altogether wasted, but limited knowledge? I at least know what a success is and what it is not.

[jeff]

If you are willing to own a model that has no foldable keyboard and never will.


http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=d45730c07d1154aaa79eea15ab5fc5b5&threadid=55531&highlight=keyboard

If you are willing to own a model that has only 32 meg and no support shop is going to learn how to upgrade as there is just not a big enough market.

32MB isn't that huge a limitation when you have two expansion slots built in. And honestly, how many people will have a warranty voiding upgrade done on their machine? I wouldn't. But that's the most valid of your points.

If you don't care that the company that makes it is not making anymore PPCs (except phones) and is therefore never going to learn how to handle odd quirks that will pop up and fix ROM bugs (something that even Ipaq is doing a miserable job doing with all it's money).

A) Ipaq isn't a company.

B) http://www.audiovox.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/catalog_pocketPC.d2w/input?cat=874323#

If you don't care that there won't be cases designed for it, then I think, yes, you have singularly limited desires for your PDA and as long as you do, you got a great deal.

http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=614a01c55271bc469ae4d27bfd95cd29&threadid=55187

But, there is a reason they were selling them for $210 and getting out of the PPC business. Deal with it.

I never once claimed that the Maestro was a success. But as a Pocket PC it's far from limited.

RE: My limited knowledge of the platform? I wish. I wish I had never wasted my time on it at all.......OK, the knowledge is not altogether wasted, but limited knowledge? I at least know what a success is and what it is not.

And I know what a misinformed ex-monoPaq owner with an axe to grind is and what is not. Guess what you are.

Jeff

[Steven Cedrone]

O.K. Guys.....

What do you say we get this thread back on topic......

Thanks,

Steve
Community Moderator

[Timothy Rapson]

If you are willing to own a model that has no foldable keyboard and never will.


http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=d45730c07d1154aaa79eea15ab5fc5b5&threadid=55531&highlight=keyboard
Jeff

But the lack of a folding keyboard was my "big gun" argument (and a primary reason I did not get one of the Maestros myself). OUCH, that kinda kills the whole argument.

Without that part I look like an idiot!...or more elegantly put a "misinformed ex-monoPaq owner with an axe to grind" I still have the Ipaq, though it works so oddly now, it just sits over there.....staring at me....


I am really dumbfounded about the keyboard, though. I can't get a decent one yet for my NR70V. And I do miss FITALY everyday.

[jlp]

The most direct link to the Dell PDA (at least most likely to be) is given below.

And many will love the fact that it has an integrated SD slot with CF and PC Card options!!!

It comes in 32 and 64 MB RAM versions and I'm quite sure Dell will offer both; tho the $299 version will obviously be the 32 MB one.

To summerize :
Name: Muse 1000 [Dell will most likely choose their own]
Feature:
- Expansion capability
- Flexible design for battery (movable battery) removable]
Specifications :
- Win CE Merlin [MS code name for PPC 2K2]
- Intel SA 1110 206 MHz
- Color LCD 240*320 w/1 BL
- 24/32 MB Flash, 32/64MB SDRAM
- Secure Digital Slot Support
- PC Card or CF II Slot Support [most probably using sleeves or backpacks]


This is the direct link to the Muse 1000 on Wistron's site (http://www.wistron.com.tw/Mobile%20DataPocket%20PC_d.asp?productname=Muse+1000&category=Pocket+PC)

The image shown on the link given by Timothy is of their Palm OS device; they also have a Linux PDA and a TabletPC as well as a Webpad.

[Ed Hansberry]

And I know what a misinformed ex-monoPaq owner with an axe to grind is and what is not.
And that, folks, is what we used to call on PDABuzz a good old EdH smackdown. Ahhh..... the memories..... :wink:

I can't get a decent one yet for my NR70V. And I do miss FITALY everyday.
I am of the mind right now that I simply will not buy a PDA of any type that doesn't support FITALY until I see an input method show up that does not yet exist. Nothing out ther even comes close to it. I hate setting up a new Pocket PC because you have to put in the device name using that infernal QWERTY board. :)

[Ed Hansberry]

The image shown on the link given by Timothy is of their Palm OS device; they also have a Linux PDA and a TabletPC as well as a Webpad.
Great link JLP. On the other pic though, people keep saying that is a Palm, but there is no Grafitti area. It *looks* like a Pocket PC screen, not a Palm. Is it a mockup?

[jlp]

The image shown on the link given by Timothy is of their Palm OS device; they also have a Linux PDA and a TabletPC as well as a Webpad.
Great link JLP. On the other pic though, people keep saying that is a Palm, but there is no Grafitti area. It *looks* like a Pocket PC screen, not a Palm. Is it a mockup?

There's no Graffiti area... 'coz it's not a Palm OS device, it's not a PocketPC either because there's no navpad, therefore it is... the Linux PDA :) (http://www.wistron.com.tw/Mobile%20DataPDA_d.asp?productname=Slim+Linux+PDA&category=PDA)

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I am of the mind right now that I simply will not buy a PDA of any type that doesn't support FITALY until I see an input method show up that does not yet exist. Nothing out ther even comes close to it. I hate setting up a new Pocket PC because you have to put in the device name using that infernal QWERTY board. :)

totally agreed. you know, FITALY is probably the single biggest reason why it would be difficult for me to buy a non-iPaq machine. no other machines have the exceptional touchscreen sensitivity as the iPaq which to me is critical for efficient FITALY input. i owned the jornada 568 for a few weeks before returning it b/c of dust... i'll be the first to tell anyone that a dust-free jornada is far better than the iPaq3835, but i could never switch b/c using FITALY on the jornada was like trying to throw darts through a brick wall...

i hope these nextgen PPCs (including dell) put in a nice responsive touchscreen...

ekkie

[PPCRules]

Is it going to be this one??

http://global.acer.com/products/pda/n20.htm
It's spec'ed out by and built specifically for Dell. There's no reason for it to be like anything in any picture today. And in these quantities, it doesn't have to be like any existing model, because they have never built that many before. Also, these units will need to designed from ground up to save costs. Prior designs will of course help them in that kind of decisions, but looks don't necessarily cost money, so it can look like anything at this point (well, within reason).

I wonder what kind of info leaks Dell will have. This is the first big (big to us, at least) NEW thing they have done.

[Ed Hansberry]

Also, these units will need to designed from ground up to save costs.
Not if they are gonig to be available before Christmas. IIRC, the original iPAQ took over 12 months from start to ship, and that was in pathetic quantities.