The Gadgeteer Reviews the Sharp Zaurus C700

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/sharp-c700-review.html' target='_blank'>http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/sharp-...700-review.html</a><br /><br /></div>The C700 has been making headlines due to its 640x480 screen, as well as a swivel screen which allows it to go into landscape mode to reveal a decent-sized keyboard... a la Tablet PC, but much smaller.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/sharp-20030209.jpg" /><br /><br />Unfortunately, it was only available in Japan as a Japanese-language device, but thanks to the efforts of <a href="http://www.dynamism.com/">Dynamism</a> and their partners, you can now import a English-ified version, which is what this reviewer elected to do. In short, he likes the unit, although the translation is incomplete. One can only hope more devices like this, such as the HP prototype that we talked about a <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6367">few months back</a>, make it to the rest of the world -- they seem like natural and compelling successors to the HPCs of days past.

[sponge]

I think there is a market for a PDA for Sys Admins, and the new Zaurus fits this perfectly, especially with it's 640x480 screen. I've installed Opie onto my 3900, and it STILL is a nice OS for consumers. It's a shame there isn't a way to dual boot without losing your data, or a way to run PPC apps under Linux, otherwise I'd be in Linux 100% of my usage.

The review seemed to be a bit harsh, considering it's not yet complete, but he seemed to like it still.

[Hugh Nano]

Cool! I want one! Although I'd want some sort of full-sized keyboard as well. Does it have a USB port? Or is USB Windows-only? (Sorry to betray my ignorance.)

Of course, I wanted the OQO when I heard about it, but that's still not available either (and looking less and less likely to be). I'd really love to have a PDA-sized device, into which you could plug a full-sized keyboard, on which one could run desktop software!

Or even something like that HP prototype that was discussed earlier, with an integrated keyboard. After all, Pocket PC software is becoming more and more powerful!

[Craig Horlacher]

It reminds me of my old HP OmniGo 120. It was a great device for it's time though I think I was the only one who bought it. It game with loads of great software including text/pen ink capible text editor, spreadsheet, database, graphing calculator and other calculators and much more.

It was similar in that you could flip the keyboard behind the screen and use it as a pen input only device or open it up, rotate the screen and use the keyboard.

I hope this Zarus does better than the OmniGo.

[MaximumPDA]

I saw this unit at Comdex, it is very cool. The screen is so nice it feels relaxing to look at, I know that sounds odd but its true. :)

It sort of reminded me like the BSqaure device, but with Linux.

--Bill

[vincentsiaw]

hmm, when do we get that kind of resolution in iPAQ.....

[PapaSmurfDan]

It reminds me of my old HP OmniGo 120. It was a great device for it's time though I think I was the only one who bought it. It game with loads of great software including text/pen ink capible text editor, spreadsheet, database, graphing calculator and other calculators and much more.

It was similar in that you could flip the keyboard behind the screen and use it as a pen input only device or open it up, rotate the screen and use the keyboard.

I hope this Zarus does better than the OmniGo.

I loved that feature of my OmniGo also (I only had the 100) :) I loved the keyboard on it, while the screen left lots of wasted space, it was better than the Palm screens at the time. Now why did none of the HP HPC's never have the flipable screens, bugs me. I would of saved up a 928 if I could fold the screen back and use it like a normal PDA.

I do have to say that the C700 is a slick device. But, it is too expensive for my blood. There is a major problem with PDA's right now, they have mostly become too expensive at the consumer level. Dell, HP, and Viewsonic are doing the right thing and releasing PDA's back at reasonable prices. If the C700 was a US device and was out now, I would have to pass it up due to the $700 price tag. At 700 bucks, that would make a nice payment on one of the ultra-thin/lite portables Dynanism sells. However, if this was released in the US (nativly) at $500-450, I would of bought it over my Axim.

If devices like this are in such demand, why did the HPC's just fade away?

-Dan

[Fishie]

Screen on these things is really nice

and wont be too long till Win PDAs are available with screens and res like that, in fact there are a few already

[R K]

If devices like this are in such demand, why did the HPC's just fade away?

I'm afraid you answered your own question.

I do have to say that the C700 is a slick device. But, it is too expensive for my blood. There is a major problem with PDA's right now, they have mostly become too expensive at the consumer level. Dell, HP, and Viewsonic are doing the right thing and releasing PDA's back at reasonable prices. If the C700 was a US device and was out now, I would have to pass it up due to the $700 price tag. At 700 bucks, that would make a nice payment on one of the ultra-thin/lite portables Dynanism sells. However, if this was released in the US (nativly) at $500-450, I would of bought it over my Axim.

I've never seen an HPC retail for a price any lower than $800.

[MPSmith]

My prediction is that HPC's aren't quite dead yet. I hope a low price HPC will surface in 2003. That would have to be $350 or less and have similar capabilities of the Axim in order to make a dent in the market.

[dean_shan]

Nice machine. It's like a mini-laptop. Looks like it could run emulators nicely.

[topps]

If devices like this are in such demand, why did the HPC's just fade away?

I'm afraid you answered your own question.

.


'fraid I gotta agree. I don't really see this size of device generating much of a following. Too big for...too small for...yadda, yadda.

'Spect there will be a small niche group but not enough to make the size/platform viable.

[Buddha]

If only they'd release such a device with PPC2002 on it... I'd be a direct buyer! Although I like Linux, I don't need it on a PPC. HPC's where great but one thing i didn't like too much was the compressed screen aspect ratio, with this baby you get a full 640x480 screen, yummi!

I know PPC's like with keyboard are coming but the models I've seen so far don't really cut it for me (like the HP with keyb.). They try all sorts of weird contructions and stuff... why don't they just stick with the simple open-book (HPC-like) idea (like this model) I don't need my ipaq to be a rubi cube.

[Daimaou]

I used it and made a review (Sorry in French) of this unit 1 month before they released it, honestly Speaking, the Most amazing thing on this PDA, is the SCREEN... and turn into a real rubbish the screen of an Ipaq 39XX... I never seen this before.

The global aspect of this Machine, is quite cheap, the plastic is not that wonderful, and le Foldable screen like the Clie NX NZ, looks weak...

They Keyb is nice and the Zoom system is sweet ! 640x480. And the size so small, a real pleasure. The small Problem is the Xscale CPU, well even on a Linux Machine, it is not that fast.

Brand new it cost 55000 Yen around 457 US. But we can find second hand at 335 US.

[sub_tex]

I want one of these right now.

I would love a 64 meg version from sharp, but to be honest, if a PPC vendor releases a PDA with this exact swivel design and prices it at $450-500? I'm buying it.

This makes me yearn for the good ole Psion days. (My Osaris keeps on Chuggin along!)

[Jason Dunn]

I think there's a market for these devices, but not until the price point is sub -$500 US. The problem with HPCs is that they were quite expensive, and with the software they had, pretty limited.

If Microsoft could adapt the Pocket PC to run in landscape mode at 640 x 480 by just "resolution doubling" the screen, and an OEM would release a clamshell device for $499, I think it would be a good seller. Devices like this will never be a "big seller", but a niche market big enough to keep the OEMs happy.

[malcolmsharp]

I think there's a market for these devices, but not until the price point is sub -$500 US. The problem with HPCs is that they were quite expensive, and with the software they had, pretty limited.

If Microsoft could adapt the Pocket PC to run in landscape mode at 640 x 480 by just "resolution doubling" the screen, and an OEM would release a clamshell device for $499, I think it would be a good seller. Devices like this will never be a "big seller", but a niche market big enough to keep the OEMs happy.

I honestly don't think it would be limited, if done right. I'd love to have a model similar to this, running PPC software. It would solve alot of problems some have with the form factor.

Just think... a unit like this, with a wireless connection. The net would be a breeze, even posting to your forums would be sweet. Hey, check your bank account... keying all those numbers isn't a pain anymore!

I carry around my folding keyboard around with me all the time... I'd kill to get the same funtion in one unit, even if it were a bit larger.

[sponge]

I think there's one reason we're not seeing 640x480 devices. Companies are merely taking little steps, not releasing something huge, in order to outdo the next. Not many risks are being taken. It's really quite a shame.

[troyrogers]

The importers are adding a significant ammt for translation and other things. I gotta tell you... I'm in Japan and play with this thing ever time I go to the electronics store. It is getting easier and easier to justify the cost.

[Jonathan1]

One thing I don't get about this device. Why didn't they use the entire surface of the swivel portion for the screen? Other then the obvious greater power consumption I don't know why you wouldn't place a screen there that goes to the edge of the display. *shrugs* Nice device though.

[Oliver T]

Nice device. But with Linux on it ? No GPS navigation. Or is there an app comparable to Tom Tom Navigator on Linux ?

[gorkon280]

The C700 has been making headlines due to its 640x480 screen, as well as a swivel screen which allows it to go into landscape mode to reveal a decent-sized keyboard... a la Tablet PC, but

OK here's what I don't like about all PDA's with built in keyboard except the Original Linux based Zarus....the damn keyboard takes up too much space. The upside about the keyboards available for Pocket PC's is your not dependent on having it. I can bring it with me when I want to do some serious typing (on a trip when I know I will be using Messenger alot..) and leave it at home most of the time. Knowing me I would end up carting it around, but it is nice to have the option of leaving it at your desk. The first Linux based Zarus had it right. That slide out keyboard is slick as hell and even the old ARM chip in it was fast enough. The Geode demo on it was amazing.

[sub_tex]

But for those of us who are using our PDAs as our main writing tool, there really is never a time when i say "i won't need the keyboard today."

And no, a mini laptop is not what all people who need integrated keyboards should get.

I want the same thing as an old Psion, or a Jornada 720, or a Zaurus C700.

C700 being the best deivce I've seen, since i can use it in portrait mode for reading data, and use the clamshell for inputing data.

Perfect.

Price? Not so perfect.