Hands-on With The Viewsonic V35 [Archive]

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Jason Dunn

11-06-2002, 11:30 PM

I'm still trying to get caught up on the things I saw/learned at the Microsoft Mobius event a few weeks ago, so you'll have to excuse my tardiness. I had a chance to get some hands-on time with the Viewsonic V35, and I was very impressed. Find out why. <img src="http://www.viewsonic.com/images/IMG_v35_lrg.jpg" /> <!> When I was at the Microsoft Mobius 2002 conference in early October, we were given a presentation by Viewsonic. They talked about the history of the company quite a bit - I didn't know any of it prior to Mobius, so it was interesting to learn that they started out making keyboards and mice for OEM "white box" computers. My ears really perked up once the discussion turned to Viewsonic's play in the Pocket PC world - <a href="http://www.viewsonic.com/products/pocket_pc_pocketpcv35.htm">the V35.</a> <img src="http://www.viewsonic.com/images/IMG_v35_lrg.jpg" /> Viewsonic has released several forms of slates/PDAs in the past like the <a href="http://www.viewsonic.com/products/superpda_viewpad100.htm">Viewsonic SuperPDA</a>, some of them running Windows CE, but the V35 is their first Pocket PC. I dearly wish I had more time with the V35, but we only had a few minutes between sessions. Here's my observations and some rather blurry photos (apologies for that!). All photos below link to larger versions. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/viewsonicv35-00a.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/viewsonicv35-00b.jpg" /></a> The first thing I noticed about the V35 was the size and weight - I'm not exaggerating when I say that the engineering sample I was testing felt like it was a mock-up. It weighs practically nothing - 4.2 ounces (119 grams). In comparison, the iPAQ 3650 weighs 6.3 ounces - a full 50% heavier. I've been told the engineering sample is basically final, so I don't expect the weight to change when the final product ships. In terms of dimensions, it's 4.8" (H) x 3.0" (W) x.4" (D). That's right - only 2/5ths of an inch deep! 8O <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/viewsonicv35-01a.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/viewsonicv35-01b.jpg" /></a> The photo above shows the XDA sitting atop the V35 - the XDA isn't a thick PDA by any means, but this photo shows how extremely thin the V35 is. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/viewsonicv35-02b.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/viewsonicv35-02a.jpg" /></a> The V35 on it's own, bottom view. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/viewsonicv35-03b.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/viewsonicv35-03a.jpg" /></a> V35 atop the XDA, side view. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/viewsonicv35-05b.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/dunn2002/viewsonicv35-05a.jpg" /></a> This is one of the most telling pictures of all, and I wish it would have turned out better. It boils down to this: the Viewsonic screen is simply amazing. Compared to my HP 568, the screen on the XDA is stunning - much brighter and crisper-looking. Now look at that photo and look how much brighter the V35 is than my XDA. Amazing! It blows me away that Viewsonic can put such a nice screen in a "budget" device. I didn't have a 3900 series iPAQ to compare it to, but from my memory the screen looked every bit as nice. Expandability is accomplished through the SD slot - and the Viewsonic said it was a REAL SDIO slot! :D As part of my "Mobius Parting Gifts", I'll be getting a V35 from Viewsonic. I'm really excited about getting my hands on one to put it through it's paces, but even my brief encounter with the device made me believe this is a very nice device that, at $275 after rebates, will radically alter the Pocket PC landscape. You can <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006RSK5/jasondunn-20">pre-order one from Amazon.com today</a> (affiliate link).

Ed Hansberry

11-06-2002, 11:48 PM

SDIO or not?

11-06-2002, 11:57 PM

Cool. One quick typo tho: you say it is .4" deep and that is 1/4". It's not a quarter inch, it's 2/5"... a little thicker. If only it really was .25" deep :)

sponge

11-06-2002, 11:59 PM

Isn't SDIO supposed to be standard in any PPC2K2 device? Or is it not required, and many do it anyway.

st63z

11-07-2002, 12:02 AM

Cool. One quick typo tho: you say it is .4" deep and that is 1/4". It's not a quarter inch, it's 2/5"... a little thicker. If only it really was .25" deep :)

And the pics should say the XDA atop the V35? Not trying to nitpick to be mean, but you know people will point it out later so it's best to correct early on (this post can be deleted then)...

Jason Dunn

11-07-2002, 12:10 AM

Corrections made - thanks guys.

It's SDIO baby - ohhhhhhhhhhhh yeah! :rock on dude!:

mscdex

11-07-2002, 12:13 AM

Now I'm gonna wait and see if Viewsonic and Dell will have a price war over who has the "biggest bang for the buck." :)

Paragon

11-07-2002, 12:30 AM

Hey Jason, if you are worried about the quality of the pictures, I know a guy who writes books on digital photography. He's a pretty cool guy I'll bet he will give you some pointers.

0.4 thick eh! Wow! I'll trade you for an amp rack. :D

Dave

larryl4

11-07-2002, 12:53 AM

Can't wait for the reviews. If it's this thin and has great battery life, it's the one I want! Is the battery replaceable?

Jason Dunn

11-07-2002, 12:58 AM

Hey Jason, if you are worried about the quality of the pictures, I know a guy who writes books on digital photography. He's a pretty cool guy I'll bet he will give you some pointers.

Uh, are you talking about me? 8O :lol:

I know how to take pictures :wink: , but it's like a feeding frezy at these events. You have 25+ mobile device webmasters, and they all want to take pictures and get "the scoop". I only had a few seconds to take the pictures, and setting them up properly takes time that I didn't have.

Plus I didn't have my G2 with me - the macro function on my S110 leaves a bit to be desired. :oops:

Paragon

11-07-2002, 01:16 AM

I wouldn't worry. I would consider those pictures as some of my better quality pix. :)

Dave

vincentsiaw

11-07-2002, 01:31 AM

hei which one a betterdeal the viewsonic or razor zayo? this days more and more confusing to choose a perfect ppc 8O

Boxster S

11-07-2002, 02:02 AM

I'm still waiting on my pre-order from Amazon :D

Xyress

11-07-2002, 02:08 AM

The first question that always pops into my head about new PocketPC's - how are the buttons? Does it support multiple button presses?

With the size, beautiful screen, and nice-looking d-pad ... this could be a solid little game pocketPC if it gets the buttons right. Any rumors of a 400Mhz version coming out?

Paragon

11-07-2002, 02:11 AM

vincentsiaw

I fiddled with a Zayo for a few minutes the other day It's a pretty cool little device. The screen is very nice. It is sidelit (notice I didn't use the "T" word) but next to my XDA which I think has a nice screen it looked much better. It ain't the prettiest dude around but it does not weigh much and is very thin.

I think the Zayo is going to need some price adjustment though. At this point I think it is priced considerably higher than the Dell, or ViewSonic devices.

Keep an eye on www.canadapocketpc.com I think Peter is going to have a review on it soon.

Dave

normaldude

11-07-2002, 02:35 AM

Cool. Finally someone posts the V35 measurements. Looks like the smallest Pocket PC yet.

ViewSonic V35 = 5.76 cubic inches (4.8"x3.0"x0.4")
Razor Zayo A600EXE = 7.1 cubic inches (4.9"x2.9"x0.5")
Toshiba e310 = 6.08 cubic inches (4.9"x3.1"x0.4")
Palm m500 = 5.58 cubic inches (4.5"x3.1"x0.4")

When miked comes out with a flip cover for the Viewsonic V35, I just might have to get one and sell my e310 on ebay.

ThomasC22

11-07-2002, 05:26 AM

Kirkaiya

11-07-2002, 06:11 AM

Sadly, I won't be buying this device. I love thin, but this device would just limit me too much. With no built in wireless and no CF slot that leaves you with just memory (until SDIO devices start rolling out).

It does look great though...

I believe there are already SDIO Bluetooth devices on the market (Palm sells one for their series, Toshiba sells one, might be others, check mobile planet). There is also an SDIO 802.11b card coming out in the next 2 months from more than 1 company (or at least, more than one company will rebrand it!!).

Here's a link to the manufacturer's PDF document:
http://www.sychip.com/PUB/WLAN6060SD5.pdf
( their homepage has a pic, and link also: http://www.sychip.com )

As devices shrink, more and more things will be released in SDIO format - I love CF, and use my Symbol CF WLAN card every day, but when my Viewsonic V35 finally ships (arg!!), it'll be on ebay, while I order the new SDIO WLAN card

:-)

szamot

11-07-2002, 07:04 AM

Both Dell and ViewSonic will be amazing devices, deciding which one to get will be difficult indeed, however having said that I wonder who will bring SD - BT, GPS or Camera first the availability of accessories might wage this war on a true battle ground. Nothing worse than having a cool device and no “baby” devices for it.

Nutzer

11-07-2002, 08:20 AM

I've been pondering this for the past few weeks, as I try to decide on which device to buy. As the days go by, more and more info is coming out from Dell and Viewsonic!

Here is my conclusion so far!

Dell
Con: Ugly, Huge, sidelit "transreflective" screen
Pro: Duel Slots, extra battery or exchange of battery(BIG PLUS!!)

Viewsonic
Con: single SD slot, no battery option
Pro: Sleek, sexy, slim, supposedly AWSOME backlit "transreflective" screen.

Weighing all these option, I'm thinking I will go for the Viewsonic! Not for nothing, have the option NOW at least to get a WIFI card is nice, and CF memory is cheaper than SD, I don't believe "I" will put the WIFI card to good use. Prob be cool to surf the net, and maybe access my network, but in the end, how many web pages can I check out that is designed for pocketpc till I get bored of checking the same sight, and if I really need a file from the network, I got my PC to sync it to my Device.
So, for the time being, I believe the most I will do with my NEXT device will be the regular PIM stuff, games, and viewing movie clips off my Pocket PC; which BTW require a NICE screen.

One more question before I go, the Dell supposedly will have 48mb ROM as oppose to the Viewsonic 32mb ROM. Does anyone know in the next version of the OS will require more than 32mb ROM? Basically, will I be able to upgrade my OS in the future??

Thanks for reading my ramble!

ThomasC22

11-07-2002, 09:20 AM

Con: Ugly, Huge, sidelit "transreflective" screen

OK, you people are really starting to bug me now. The Dell IS NOT huge. Let's compare:

iPaq 3955 - 5.3h x 3.3w x .6d (6.5oz)
Toshiba e740 - 4.9h x 3.1w x .6d (6.3oz)
Sony Clie NR70 - 5.5h x 2.8w x .7d (7oz)
Dell Axim - 5h x 3.2w x .7d (6.9oz)

You'll note it is right in line with other high end devices (do you really think you're going to feel the .4oz difference?)

Weighing all these option, I'm thinking I will go for the Viewsonic!

That being said, if you aren't going to use the dual expansion I do believe the Viewsonic is your best bet (unless the iPaq 1900 turns out really well)

One more question before I go, the Dell supposedly will have 48mb ROM as oppose to the Viewsonic 32mb ROM. Does anyone know in the next version of the OS will require more than 32mb ROM?

If anyone does know they couldn't say (they'd be under an NDA). That being said, the fact that most manufacturers are opting for 48mb does not bode well for the 32mb crowd.

enemy2k2

11-07-2002, 11:20 AM

I can't wait for this puppy to come out. :D Thank you for the wonderful glimpse of it again, no matter how brief. :werenotworthy: I don't think I'll be satisfied until I have one in my hands! Hope they send one to you soon, can't wait for the review! :way to go: :D

normaldude

11-07-2002, 11:28 AM

enemy2k2

11-07-2002, 11:53 AM

The Dell isn't huge... so much as the Viewsonic is petite:) Such a demure little machine, yet still highly capable - certainly not anorexic;)

Rirath

11-07-2002, 12:53 PM

I guess I'm one of the very few who consider the V35 way too small and thin. I hate tiny cell phones, and paper thin PPC's are falling right into the same category these days.

Xyress

11-07-2002, 02:51 PM

Yeah, I was starting to have the same thoughts, Rirath. I mean, the Viewsonic is a very attractive PocketPC, but I currently have an EM-500 and I'm wondering if it will simply be too small/thin to play games with. It could end up cramping my hands after a short while.

I would like a slightly smaller device than my EM-500, but I'm not sure how much smaller.

Paragon

11-07-2002, 02:57 PM

If anyone does know they couldn't say (they'd be under an NDA). That being said, the fact that most manufacturers are opting for 48mb does not bode well for the 32mb crowd.

How many people really want to go through the nightmare of upgrading. I'm not sure I would want give HP/Compaq my money, wait weeks, and weeks for a product to ship. Find out it's not a complete upgrade. Have my device crash and burn in the update process.

Myself, my path to ugrading, is in buying a new device. I think that is how most people would prefer to upgrade. I know some would like to have that option but I think those numbers are shrinking. Especially now when you can upgrade to a completely new peice of hardware for less than $300.00

I see bigger ROM being a way for enterprise being able to flash there own software needs onto the device without the worry of the dummy salesman :-) letting the battery die and having to redeploy the device on a regular basis. But I'm sure that bloated OS's will put the kibosh to that.

Dave

Dave

ThomasC22

11-07-2002, 09:07 PM

I guess I'm one of the very few who consider the V35 way too small and thin. I hate tiny cell phones, and paper thin PPC's are falling right into the same category these days.

My point exactly. I love thin but I like a little weight behind my devices, I have enough trouble with my Cell. phone flying out of my hands...I certainly don't want a feather weight PDA.

But, to those with a little more dexterity, more power to you.

larryl4

11-08-2002, 02:47 PM

Anybody have one? Is the battery user replaceable?

red-alert

11-08-2002, 03:54 PM

Sven Johannsen

11-08-2002, 06:52 PM

OK, you people are really starting to bug me now. The Dell IS NOT huge. Let's compare:

iPaq 3955 - 5.3h x 3.3w x .6d (6.5oz)
Toshiba e740 - 4.9h x 3.1w x .6d (6.3oz)
Sony Clie NR70 - 5.5h x 2.8w x .7d (7oz)
Dell Axim - 5h x 3.2w x .7d (6.9oz)

You'll note it is right in line with other high end devices (do you really think you're going to feel the .4oz difference?)

"Huge" is a measure of volume, not weight. So if you want to measure volume:

Dell Axim X5 = 11.20 cubic inches (5.0"x3.2"x0.7")
ViewSonic V35 = 5.76 cubic inches (4.8"x3.0"x0.4")
Toshiba e330 = 6.08 cubic inches (4.9"x3.1"x0.4")
Palm m500 = 5.58 cubic inches (4.5"x3.1"x0.4")

If you are going to argue with him, why not use the same devices he did

iPaq 3955 - 5.3h x 3.3w x .6d (6.5oz) 10.5 cubic inches
Toshiba e740 - 4.9h x 3.1w x .6d (6.3oz) 9.1 cubic inches
Sony Clie NR70 - 5.5h x 2.8w x .7d (7oz) 10.8 cubic inches
Dell Axim - 5h x 3.2w x .7d (6.9oz) 11.2 cubic inches

His point was that it is not that much different than comparable devices.

Kati Compton

11-08-2002, 07:33 PM

If you are going to argue with him, why not use the same devices he did

iPaq 3955 - 5.3h x 3.3w x .6d (6.5oz) 10.5 cubic inches
Toshiba e740 - 4.9h x 3.1w x .6d (6.3oz) 9.1 cubic inches
Sony Clie NR70 - 5.5h x 2.8w x .7d (7oz) 10.8 cubic inches
Dell Axim - 5h x 3.2w x .7d (6.9oz) 11.2 cubic inches

His point was that it is not that much different than comparable devices.

How about a comparison to an iPaq with a CF sled? ;)

Sven Johannsen

11-08-2002, 08:19 PM

How about a comparison to an iPaq with a CF sled? ;)
Heck, go for the dual PCcard sled. Think that makes it about as deep as it is wide, doesn't it? :lol:

Kati Compton

11-08-2002, 08:59 PM

I'm going to wait for a review or two on the Dell before I commit to it.

But if all goes well, that will be what I get. Despite the size. For me, I feel that the dual-slots (particularly the CF slot) is critical because I want to play .mp3's on it, rather than carry a PDA and a separate player (which would probably take up more volume than the Dell for a reasonable amount of mp3 memory!).

Also, at the moment I only have my old PalmIII. I've only admired newer gadgets (both PalmOS and PocketPC) from afar. :) I think the price point of the Dell is good for me, not only as a graduate student, but also because not having *owned* a PocketPC, it's a "cheap" way for me to really find out if I like (and will use) it. If I do, there'll be something even better a year from now anyway, and I'll be able to justify getting it (which I wouldn't if I had spent $500-$600 on something fancy). If I don't, the loss isn't as big as if I'd bought something more expensive.

Plus, it'll give me the chance to figure out which features (besides the CF slot) are actually more critical to me personally.

Besides - I have a purse. I can't fit a laptop in it (and maybe not the iPaq with the dual expansion sleeve....), but I bet I can fit the Dell Axim. (One of the reasons I want a PDA is to reduce my need for the laptop).

PS - blame both my graduate advisor and my husband for my excessive use of ()'s. I didn't use to use them so much...

ThomasC22

11-09-2002, 03:57 AM

i am looking to buy my first pdaand am leaning toward the v35. i have seen phone modems to fit the cf slot. my question is , is it possible that someone will make a phone modem for the sd slot? do the pdas need an internal modem to use these tiny cf cards with the phone jack on them? thanks jp

Well, it's certainly possible but I don't see it happening (and a quick google search didn't turn up any announcement on it). The truth is not many people have a use for it.

Bottom line, I wouldn't base your decision on the possibility.

SofaTater

11-13-2002, 03:47 PM

Amazon.com is no longer taking orders for the Viewsonic v35 -- when you select the device on their website, it says: "This item is not stocked or has been discontinued."

Something tells me that Viewsonic is having some serious problems getting this device out to the market. Looks like they will lose the holiday sales to Dell and Compaq...