Casio! Casio! Wherefore Art Thou Casio...? [Archive]

Jason Dunn

04-23-2003, 08:30 PM

With the announcement of the <a href="http://www.brighthand.com/article/Palm_Introduces_Zire71_and_TungstenC">new Palm devices</a>, and seeing their consumer-friendly hardware designs, my thoughts wander back to my favourite OEM of all time: Casio. Why Casio you might ask? It's simple: I'm a consumer, and they made a consumer-grade Pocket PC, something that no current OEM is doing. Now I'm not talking about the slightly dubious quality of the E-200 (apologies to all you E-200 owners). I'm talking about the incredibly tough and well-designed E-125 and EM-500 Pocket PCs. Back when I did the Mobile Experience Tour in 2001, I had 60+ iPAQs, Jornadas, @migos, and Casio devices. These Pocket PCs were hauled around from city to city, unpacked, battered and bruised by thousands of people, then packed up again and shipped off to another city in the back of a huge truck. They took a beating, and what amazed me the most is the way the Casio units stood up to it. The @migos and iPAQs had the highest failure rate, the Jornadas were next, and the Casios after that. I only had one Casio fail on me, whereas the other units had 10+ failures. Casio, unlike HP or Dell, is a consumer electronics company. They make things like keyboards and watches - technology devices that consumers don't really think of as technology. When people are using computers, they tend to be a little careful with them - because they're "high tech". Most of us would agree that the majority of Pocket PCs made today are fairly fragile. Casio designed their Pocket PCs, especially the EM-500, so be used and abused - which is exactly what a consumer wants in an electronic device they carry everywhere with them. So that's really why I miss Casio. The fit and finish of their early Pocket PC designs just couldn't be matched, and in the same way the fit and finish of the Sony Palm OS devices can't be matched by any Pocket PC out today. The Pocket PC camp desperately needs a consumer electronics company that deeply understand this issue to bring to market a device that is consumer friendly on every level: size, construction, colour, look & feel - everything.

chuckers

04-23-2003, 08:40 PM

E-125 is by far the best design of a pocket pc, It may have been bulky.. but the button layout and durability has not been matched. I wish microsoft wouldn't require this ridiculous button setup to make it look less like a 'gaming' device. They shoot themselves in the foot with that requirement.

Solarix

04-23-2003, 08:47 PM

Preach it Man! I loved my E-125 to death. And It's just sad that the E-200 was such a flop. And yes Damn M$ and their require button layout. I mean come on guys, does the fact that people might see it and think "Handheld Game System not Pocket PC" outweigh the functionality for the consumer? Evidently, so.

Andy Sjostrom

04-23-2003, 08:47 PM

I agree! We miss you, Casio! Please, come back! :cry:

ExtremeSIMS

04-23-2003, 08:53 PM

Casio had the first active TFT screens - and man, they looked good. I also liked the button layout. I may not play many games on my PPC, but when I wanted to back then, I could play Turjah. :) I also got stuck on side scroll wheels, which was a requirement when I bought my Toshiba e740.

kendrick

04-23-2003, 08:54 PM

Jason, for the very reasons you've laid out here, I made an unusual decision when it was time for me to upgrade. My current every-day Pocket PC is a Casio E-750, which is the same form factor and size as the E-125 and has a faster processor. But since it's got a MIPS processor and discussion of those devices is discouraged here, I won't talk about it further than that. :)

-KKC, who also owns a URThere @migo but doesn't use it much.

HTK

04-23-2003, 08:55 PM

My EM-500 is still here and will continue to be here for a while
The only pocketpc I thought about buying was the 1910, but I´ll wait for a sdio capable version of this one before switching

Jason Dunn

04-23-2003, 08:56 PM

I wish microsoft wouldn't require this ridiculous button setup to make it look less like a 'gaming' device. They shoot themselves in the foot with that requirement.

I'm 99.999% sure that's not the case - Microsoft has no requirements for a specific button layout. AFAIK, the basic Pocket PC requirements haven't changed since Pocket PC 2000. I think the reality is that considering the smashing success of the iPAQ, every other OEM said "Ok, let's copy them" and now we have a lot of Pocket PCs that look a whole lot like iPAQs... :roll:

Anyway, I'm going to check with Microsoft on this, but I don't think you can blame them for this design trend. :lol:

phenderson

04-23-2003, 09:12 PM

I am sitting herein my office now looking at my Casio E750 TFT display, and my 18 inch Sylvania LCD display and the Casio far outshines the Sylvania.

saquibk

04-23-2003, 09:16 PM

Have had an EM-500 for almost 2 years now. The other day I dropped it real bad getting out of my car in the parking lot and it survived without as much as a scratch. Talk about build quality! Also, I have yet to see a Pocket PC screen that looks as good as the screen on the EM-500 indoors. The color definition is so true. Apart from the low 16 MB of RAM I have never felt the need to upgrade to any of the newer ones.

D.psi

04-23-2003, 09:16 PM

Okay Jason, that only begs the question... What made the difference in the durability of the device?

1) packaging (i.e. case /cover)
2) ruggedized components (harder boards)
3) better internal connections
4) dust "gaskets"
5) ???

I would love to know what made these devices better from a consumer point of view. Having had 2 different model Jornadas, I really appreciate the cover. These provide built-in protection while the device is not directly in use, to its primary user-visible component (screen and touch-input matrix).

The flip side would be the internals being ruggedized (potentially having conformal coatings, better connectors, etc...). These would provide better user-invisible protection in terms of the device function. But would allow the device to be better adapted as a consumer electronic product.

So what are your thoughts? Where should the money be spent? :?:

D.psi

kaiden.1

04-23-2003, 09:25 PM

I still have 2 E-125 at home and still use them for games. I miss them too. I have a e-740 now from Toshiba, it is a good unit, but the casio was still my favorite. Was also dissappoined in the e-200 so I didn't buy one. I think that casio was forced into a corner that they would propbably not have gone on their own had MS not mandated some of their new PPC rules and requirements.

If Casio would come out with another E-125, or EM-500 PPC with all the newest stuff, I'd go back in a heat beat!

klinux

04-23-2003, 09:29 PM

I use an Axim now but I still have yet to seel my E-125. Like Jason and others have said, the quality is top-notch and the button lay out is ideal. It is a solid device.

krisbrown

04-23-2003, 09:38 PM

Still got an EM500, love it, specially now MMC cards are getting bigger.
It's a bit dated, but still does all I ask.

CTSLICK

04-23-2003, 09:39 PM

It was a difficult decision to buy a replacement for my EM-500. It had given me 3 yrs of solid service without a hiccup. But the need for wireless connectivity, more horsepower and RAM drove me to buy an Axim. (If the E-200 had met Casio's normal high standard I would have upgraded last year.) The issue of fewer software dev's compiling for MIPS was getting to be a nuisance as well.

The decision to sell my EM-500 was harder than I thought it would be but I could find no logic to keeping it...aside from having a backup.

If my Axim can give me 3 yrs of problem free service I will be stunned...happy...but stunned. If Casio comes out with another consumer device I will be watching closely.

jchtrumpet

04-23-2003, 09:43 PM

I had a Casio E-200 and loved it--after a while, it would not hold a charge even with new battery. It would work fine if it was plugged in. I now have an Axim. I think Casio could of had a good PDA with a little work.

MBurch

04-23-2003, 09:47 PM

I immediately switched to Casio when Philips went belly-up on their Nino series. I bought an E-100 totally on the basis of user reviews on WinCE sites. Bought one sight unseen at a Yahoo auction. Never regretted owning any of the three Casio devices. My only complaint...customer service for repairs was a little harrowing. Had to sent the E-100 AND an E-115 in to fix the dreaded gray screen of death problem. My current PPC is an E-125. I replaced my E-115 with it and deliberately chose it over an PPC2002 device because of its design and rugged durability. Yeah, I could have bought a Dell, but once you have had the best.....

Paragon

04-23-2003, 09:47 PM

Where are the Casio Pocket PCs?........In Japan! Check out the E-3000.

http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/2943.html

Dave

phenderson

04-23-2003, 09:48 PM

jason, is the casio E3000 a consumer device?

I have had the E100\115\125\750.
I have not been dissappointed by any.

I currently have the E750 and a Dell Axim advanced, and i have to say, I carry the Axim around because of Wi-Fi connectivity and the net front browser which is a life saver.

I know longer play games like I used to but if I did, the Casio would be the machine to play them on.

BTS

04-23-2003, 10:05 PM

I'm still using my EM-500 almost three years after buying it. I work in an elementary school and have dropped this thing numerous times without any problems. The battery still holds an excellent charge and the screen is as gorgeous as the day that I bought it. There just has not been a compelling reason to upgrade at this time.

Too bad that the MMC slot wasn't SDIO (it was ahead of its time). If I could add wireless to this unit I'm not sure how far it would take me! :mrgreen:

kendrick

04-23-2003, 10:13 PM

If I recall correctly, the E-3000 is manufactured by Wistron and is going to be released in the United States under a different brand. I think that this is going to be the next Asus Mypal, but I don't remember for a fact and haven't been able to find the link. And of course, it will have an English-language interface. But apart from three different battery size options and a really nice screen, there's nothing to distinguish this particular unit from other Pocket PC's. At least, not to somebody like me, having not had the device in hand to test or to inspect.

Anybody who can confirm or refute, please feel free. I'm not above being helped out or corrected when I need it. :)

-KKC

egads

04-23-2003, 10:19 PM

I replaced my EM500 with a Dell Axim. Seems quite a few people out there have done this. I gave my EM500 to my kids to use and a while back they were fighting to see who played the next game of Bubblet's and one of them lost hold of it and it went flying across the room and bounced off of the fireplace. It was protected by a nice Vaja case but it hit VERY hard. I picked it up after scolding :twak: the kids and it was still running Bubblet's. The Vaja case had a scuff mark on it, but other than that it was perfect. Even in a case I don't think the Axim would have come out in one piece. :way to go:

chuckers

04-23-2003, 10:25 PM

I replaced my E-125 with a Dell, but i wish i could shove dell parts into the e-125 case :cry:

ppcsurfr

04-23-2003, 10:38 PM

Thefo

04-23-2003, 10:52 PM

Ok, having had both an E-125 (which I kick myself for selling) and having an E-200 I have to agree that the E-1xx series were the best in terms of screen and build quality. I just picked up an Axim this week and it walks all over my E-200, but here's an interesting thought...the company that produced the E-200 for CASIO (WISTRON) is the SAME company that manufactures the AXIM for DELL, so we have to wonder knowing the strengths of the AXIM (battery,screen, etc) how the successor to the E-200 would have turned out if they used the same company to build it. In a funny way the DELL is connected to the E-200 as they most likely were produced in the same factory.

Jason Dunn

04-23-2003, 10:52 PM

Okay Jason, that only begs the question... What made the difference in the durability of the device?

1) packaging (i.e. case /cover)
2) ruggedized components (harder boards)
3) better internal connections
4) dust "gaskets"
5) ???

Truthfully, I don't know enough about industrial design to understand exactly what made them so high quality. Part of it would be the case - Casio used very high-quality, thick plastics. Everything was nicely sealed, and there was no "creak" to the plastic as with some current Pocket PCs. Internally, they must have been more rugged to stand up to the torture I saw them go through.

The fit and finish is also important - Sony devices have the best fit and finish of any PDA on the market today that I've seen. They just scream "build quality"...where as most Pocket PCs scream "built by a computer company".

A good comparison would be the difference between a Dell and a Mac - one is a machine, one is closer to being a piece of art. I'm no Mac fan, but I've always loved the "feel" of most Macs...

Jason Dunn

04-23-2003, 10:53 PM

jason, is the casio E3000 a consumer device?

No clue - I've yet to touch one or see one.

Foo Fighter

04-23-2003, 10:59 PM

jgt

04-23-2003, 11:21 PM

The E-100 was my first PDA. Upgraded to an E-115 on the Casio upgrade program. I dropped the naked E-100 on its head in parking lots 3 times - it got a couple of scuffs. The e-115 slipped out of a belt case, again landing on an asphalt parking lot - couldn't even find a scuff or scratch. Two years with an E-125, never a problem of any kind. WIth a GoType Pro keyboard, and a CF modem, I used it instead of a laptop when traveling.

I traded "up" to Sony NR-70V - it lasted a couple of months - flashy gimmicks, but I'm not a Palm guy. Went to a Toshiba E-740 - really couldn't stand the Activesync dropping all the time, and the screen sucked. I've got an iPAQ 5455 now, and I really love it - but the E-125 is still in the closet. Just haven't ever had the heart to let it go.

John Cody

04-23-2003, 11:38 PM

But since it's got a MIPS processor and discussion of those devices is discouraged here, I won't talk about it further than that. :)

-KKC

The MIPS cpu is EXACTLY why I am keeping my E-125 (and have two more brand-new units in the box as spares) - because it runs PCAnywhere/CE. A lot of my clients still haven't upgraded to WinXP, so I can't use Terminal Services. Being able to connect my cell phone to my E-125 and control any one of my clients PC's, regardless of the OS, is a real time-saver, not to mention easier to haul around instead of a notebook :)

CTSLICK

04-23-2003, 11:54 PM

I used to berate Casio for being clueless in hardware design (making bulky devices....

AHAH! We finally get to the root of Casio's problem. They never made the "Foo Compliant" list. :lol:

johncruise

04-24-2003, 12:05 AM

Here's my opinion on the matter. As far as quality goes... it's the same as any other Pocket PC out there. The backlight problem that plaque the E-200 units are manufacturing problems. As proof, there are alot of older units that doesn't exibit this kind of problem (mine included -- I got the 2AP serial numbers ... an old one ... although I had 2 replacements already).

Yes, it's sad to hear that Casio US is not investing much anymore on the Pocket PC market nowadays. Because of that, we E-200 owners are left in the dark at the mercy of whomever will come up with accessories for the E-200. Most of the time we rely on universal accessories that's intended to run on most current Pocket PC products. If we need something else like a thumbkeypad, metal case, etc... tough luck. I tried alot of times trying to contact manufacturers asking them if they would release a version of an accessories for E-200 but they just gave me a silent treatment or a "sorry... no can do sir (no feasible market profit)".

Because of this I went and make a small site dedicated to Cassiopeia owners (mostly E-200). We try to encourage manufacturers to release support for the E-200 by giving them extra exposures on the site. There are quite a few numbers of people visiting it from time to time so I guess that's good potential market for them manufacturers.

Even with this efforts, there are already a number of Cassiopeia owners who left the Casio camp for other products. I just wish people would stop beating a dead cow (Im not talking about the original post) cause it's driving us more and more to extinction. They should realize that the E-200 is a great product... very innovative with it's dual memory expansion slot (not including the pc card expansion unti) and a USB hosting capabilities that can support usb mass storage device, usb mouse, usb keyboard, and usb gps (first in the market with those two features).

As far as if we'll be able to see them back in the US market... ppcsurfr has more information than I can give... yes, we'll be seeing Casio E-3000 as Asus MyPAL (http://www.johncruise.com/pocketpc/pocketpc-updates-archieve.shtml?2003_04_01_blog.html#92077377). In other parts of the world, they already release another industrial Windows CE .NET PDA (http://www.johncruise.com/pocketpc/pocketpc-updates-archieve.shtml?2003_03_01_blog.html#90185991).

Thanks to the original post for reminding how great Cassiopeias can be.

04-24-2003, 12:22 AM

I used to berate Casio for being clueless in hardware design (making bulky devices. I always felt that Philips would have created some kick ass designs, had they stayed in the game. Microsoft lacks a REALLY good Consumer Electronics company in its corner, like Sony. Ah...if only. :mecry:

Sony NX70, Pocket PC 2003, 400MHz PXA255 processor, 256MB RAM (all available to the user), CF slot, SD slot, embedded 802.11b, embedded Bluetooth.

For good measure include PI, @Mail, Textmaker and Repligo in ROM.

Yes Please!! :drinking:

michael0000

04-24-2003, 12:45 AM

I'm still using my e-125, it's been though many accidental drop on concrete floor and my overclocking tweak without any complaint. Nothing on the market at the moment that's luring enough for me to run out and get it. But the idea of upgrading e-125's CPU from VR4121 to VR4131 is very tempting. :mrgreen:

PeterLake

04-24-2003, 01:17 AM

My two E-1xx were bricks. It was built like brick, it looked like a brick and was as fast a brick (please forgive the last metaphor strain). Man, I miss that thing.

yvilla

04-24-2003, 01:19 AM

Another E-125 owner here who couldn't bear to part with it even after getting a PPC 2002 device. And, the only reason to get a new device that was really compelling was that in nice weather I like to read outside. Had it not been for that issue, my Casio could still be my primary PPC!

JoeThielen

04-24-2003, 01:21 AM

Here's my opinion on the matter. As far as quality goes... it's the same as any other Pocket PC out there. The backlight problem that plaque the E-200 units are manufacturing problems. As proof, there are alot of older units that doesn't exibit this kind of problem (mine included -- I got the 2AP serial numbers ... an old one ... although I had 2 replacements already).

Amen brother!

I started out with the E-125. We have three of them still in operation at the place I work. And let me tell you, those things take some abuse! They keep on tickin'. My buddy has one also, and it's still going strong.

I jumped on the E-200 as soon as it came out. I rode the wave of replacements (I'm on my fourth, I think). But the last time was my fault... the screen broke due to my inability to walk AROUND walls :). But because I stuck with them, Casio fixed my unit for free!!! Now THAT is customer service! I've had my current unit since last June. And this thing sure can take a beating.

I've had this thing out GeoCaching in the cold, the rain, and the mud. Still works. I've dropped this thing so many times it's not funny. It just takes it. I pray that this unit never goes out, if it went out, I don't know where I'd go from here!

I find this whole thread just amazing. People used to just bash the Casio back in early days of the PocketPC. "iPaq this" and "HP that". Whatever. And now look where we're at :). People longing for the "good ole days" :).

I echo John's sentiments. I get quite a bit of e-mail regarding not only the E-200, but also the E-125!!! They are still out in FULL force. Built like tanks.

I do hope Casio makes a come back in the US Pocket PC market. I most certainly look forward to it!!!

My Casio E-125 site: http://www.joethielen.com/casio.html
My Casio E-200 site: http://www.joethielen.com/casio_e200

Kirkaiya

04-24-2003, 01:41 AM

As long as we're all getting touchy-feeling with our Casio histories, Casio has a special place in my personal PDA history.

My very 1st PDA was a Casio Zoomer (Z-7000). It ran GEOS OS, had a PCMCIA slot, an 8 MHz 80286 processor, a BIG screen (it was at least 4"), and all the PIM apps were from a cool software company whose logo I loved (palm tree) but that I'd never heard of, called, "Palm".

I downloaded a better handwriting recognition system for it, also from Palm, called Grafitti. It ROCKED!!! Even people I met with Newtons thought it was cool.

Anyway, when all the Palmpilots came out, and the WinCE 1.0 ones, I waited, and used my Zoomer. I finally upgraded to a Cassiopeia E-11, which had 8 MB of RAM, and ran on CE 2.11. While I sold my Zoomer, I still have the E-11, and it *still works*.

It has been on backpacking trips with me through Nepal, India, Vietnam, Peru, Thailand and Burma. It's been dropped from a bus in India, smacked around in a backpack, rained on in assorted jungles - I had it taped over with black electrical tape to try to protect it a little.

Anyway - I *still* take it on trips with me, because it runs on replacable batteries, which you can find anywhere - even in Nepal. Any notes or contacts I put in, i just beam into my iPaq when I get back.

Anyway - I wish Casio would come out with an HP-1910-form-factor device, maybe a little bigger is okay, if it's rugged and well built.

Anyway..... nice to see if they came back in the game.

Kirk

klinux

04-24-2003, 01:45 AM

I'm still using my e-125, it's been though many accidental drop on concrete floor and my overclocking tweak without any complaint.

I had fun overclocking the Casio E-125, first to 180 (pencil) and then to 200 (soldering). My first overclocking experience! Speedwise (I do not play games though) I find it very competitive with the Axim.

Craig Horlacher

04-24-2003, 04:09 AM

I had to post because I still have an use my e125! I started with an HP OmniGo 120 back in the day. From there I went to the Nino 320. My e125 is now my most current pda. Old, well maybe but it still runs the 60ish programs I've got installed. It's type II cf slot has been great - and one reason why I have no interest in any ipaq - I'm not using a sleve for that. I've got a 1GB cf card, 10MB nic, 56k modem, and a 802.11b card that all work great in it. Being a network administrator I've got clients on my e125 for vnc, citrix, telnet, and ftp as well as tons of other referances and utilities. The large storage card gives me room for lots of audio and video too. People are still amazed when I show them what I can do with my e125 and I tell them how outdated it is.

<rant>
I even love the button layout for games - I haven't seen a better device as far as this goes. Why on earth does everyone put the D pad in the middle? Just because one dude at compaq (I think the ipaq started the middle D button postion trend) thought it would be more fair for lefties??!?!? Of course they do that on the first ipaq and also design it so that you can't use more than one button again....grrrr, it drives me nuts when people praise the ipaq so much. Imho many of them have had more flaws than most other pocket pc's. Lefties grew up with the same nintendo controller I did. At least make the layout work for someone.
</rant>

Come one casio, give us some love!

dcharles18

04-24-2003, 04:16 AM

I still really miss my EM-500. I would go for an updated version of it in a second.

Rob Alexander

04-24-2003, 04:59 AM

I finally upgraded to a Cassiopeia E-11, which had 8 MB of RAM, and ran on CE 2.11. While I sold my Zoomer, I still have the E-11, and it *still works*.

I still have my E-11 too and it also still works. It's been through me, my wife and half a dozen multi-month loans to friends (to convince them why they need a device like this). I must admit that I'm impressed.

To be fair, though, my Jornada 430 has been through just as much abuse and it's still working too. The only line I've had problems with have been my iPaqs. I went through 3-4 of the 3650s before I found a solid one, then I went through 3 3750s before finding my current one, which is also holding up well. Still, there's no question but that these iPaqs are inherently more fragile than either my old Casio or Jornada.

Bob Anderson

04-24-2003, 05:22 AM

I recall a similar conversation I had on a message board sometime ago.

The reality of Consumer Electronics companies getting "out" of the PPC marketplace (Like Casio / Philips) is because they simply can't make the margins they need to make to support their investments... AND... make devices that live up to that "consumer" level Jason spoke of.

Folks, let no one be fooled here... this is business and when a company figures out it won't be a profitable venture... they leave. (exception: Microsoft. MSFT sees the future and is willing to invest for years, all so that they can "own" the market when it reaches it's potential.

I was sad to see Philips dump the Nino (being a 3xx and 5xx series owner) and can understand the sadness of Casio doing the same with their models. But as a business person I can understand why they left the marketplace.

marconelly

04-24-2003, 07:32 AM

I have Casio EM500 and have no intention to replace it anytime soon. It's the best damn pocketable device I've ever seen, and an amazing workhorse. Not to mention that it's godly for games, emulators and such, easily being more attractive to me in that regard than even Gameboy Advance. I may get 1910 when they update it with integrated bluetooth, but not before that.

cherring

04-24-2003, 08:03 AM

I love my E-200, my first was an e100, my next will also be a casio. I think it's the same among most casio owners, we'll only replace them with another casio.

dilta

04-24-2003, 08:57 AM

I'm using CASSIOPEIA E-3000 to post this reply.

This device is truely a piece of art!

You guys can see more details at http://www.casio.co.jp/pocketpc/e3000

BTW..the performance & LCD quality & audio quality of E-3000 are among the best of all Pocket PCs.

The build quality is facinating!!

I love it.

FredMurphy

04-24-2003, 09:48 AM

A couple of friends of mine are still happily using their E105s. I had one at the same time, but have since "upgraded" via a Jornada 548, Jornada 568 and now iPAQ 5450. They guy I sold the 105 to is still using it daily as far as I know.

The E105 totally kicked ass at the time, it'd be great to see what Casio would do if they decided to join in when everyone releases PocketPC 2003 models. Maybe they will...

DavidHorn

04-24-2003, 12:30 PM

Casio! Casio! Wherefore Art Thou Casio...?

Y'know, that actually means "Why are you Casio?".

It comes from Romeo and Juliet (duh) where Juliet is asking why Romeo is a Montague, who her family have been opposed to for well, ages.

Tim Allen

04-24-2003, 01:36 PM

Although I've never owned a Casio Pocket PC, I totally agree with the general view that we need a consumer electronics company. It seems that we have 3 distinct requirements:

1. ability to produce things with excellent build quality and durability
2. ability to design things that looks fantastic - the 'wow' factor
3. well-known consumer brand name

It seems that Casio has the first and third but not the second. Conversely, Compaq/HP only has the second. Sony and Apple definitely have all three in spades but are unlikely to start making Pocket PCs. Another company that to me fits the above criteria is Yamaha. Anyone think of other candidates?

Gerry548

04-24-2003, 03:15 PM

Started out with the E105 just a few months before April 2000 when the first PocketPc arrived. Got the E115 in the Casio Upgrade program and have used it daily ever since - completely troublefree. Have all the goodies - EB case, Go-Type keyboard, CF modem, Socket digital phone card. and tons of s/w. I especially like to use the Socket DPC to get email etc anywhere.
Yes, come on, Casio, get back in the game and give us another great PocketPC!!!

AZMark

04-24-2003, 05:07 PM

Buttons, Buttons, it's all in the Buttons.

Even tho the Casios had great build quality all over. The first thing we all do is start playing with the buttons. If the buttons are bad most wont get past that. If the buttons are great we'll overlook other things.

Dell = Mushy
Ipaq = Flakey
E-200 = Total doo

To trim the price, PC manufactures will buy any part cheaper just to cut the overall cost. Consumer devices will cut other things. Take the origanal Game Boy. Great buttons, rugged, good case design. That they needed for kids (or adults) to use it on a daily basis. So they cut back on the cpu, b&w instead of color screen, no backlight.

Inherent problem might just be licencing. If Casio would come out with the Perfect PPC. Dell would just match the specs (or beat them) and cut the price in half. Not quite the build quility, twice the specs. Which would you buy?

So all I ask is, Dell keep up the good work, but spend a few extra pennies on some good buttons.

ucfgrad93

04-24-2003, 06:56 PM

I loved my EM-500. It was a great device- the screen just rocked.

n2_space

04-24-2003, 07:56 PM

I started with a Nino... BIG mistake, that and several other replacement Nino's had MAJOR issues. In the fall of 99 I got an E-105, and until two months ago when I got a Axim, I used it all the time. Well, actually I still do use my E-105 :D

wirelessgeek

04-25-2003, 10:36 AM

Here they are......

The Casio DT-X10 and IT-500, which are available with built-in 802.11b, run Windows CE .NET version 4.1 and feature a two-way TFT display that converts external light into reflecting light.

The DT-X10 includes a C-MOS Imager capable of two-dimensional barcode reading, OCR reading and capturing mono pictures, as well as a Type II PC card slot to support wireless wide area network (WAN) connections, while the IT-500 offers a 1D barcode scanner and a built-in microphone and speaker for Voice over IP use. Models with a built-in camera and Bluetooth are available for the IT-500 only.

http://hoovnews.hoovers.com/fp.asp?layout=printnews&doc_id=NR200304243400.1.14_f38a000c32d37fc0

donkthemagicllama

04-25-2003, 05:01 PM

i will replace my e125 witht the first pocketpc to have

better than 320x240 resolution
built-in cf-II
integrated thumb board (a clie like flip case would be nice)
integrated wireless 1xrtt/ev-do/dv and 802.11

until that's available i'll stick with my e125

Barak

04-25-2003, 05:59 PM

I was a Casio E-125 user and jumped on the E-200 as soon as it came out.
The E-200 is my main device, but am on my 3rd one, as the rest had to be returned for product defects.

The E-125 was great! The E-200 just never lived up to Casio's own billing.
Even if they came out with something new, I wouldn't buy it.
They promise the world and deliver nothing. Their customer service is laughable at best.

The E-200 was a disaster and probalby pushed them out of the PPC world (at least in the USA) until the dust settles from that.

arutha

04-30-2003, 01:46 AM

What made the E-1xx series great was the overall asthetic appeal. If you forget about the large size and weight, they were made from quality materials. They looked good, felt good, and were put together properly. The buttons were comfortable and responsive. You could use one for hours at a time without worrying about the paint wearing off the buttons or the case getting creaky. I still have my E-125.... it's become my $500 alarm clock. :)

I think "slightly dubious" is a bit too gratuitous in describing the E-200... it's probably the worst handheld I've ever used, let alone bought. They went from having a stodgy but functional design to one that was somewhat stylish but almost unpleasant to use. And don't even get me started on the d-pad on those things. They did have one neat feature--I liked the LED indicating activity on the storage card.

I was a Casio E-125 user and jumped on the E-200 as soon as it came out.
The E-200 is my main device, but am on my 3rd one, as the rest had to be returned for product defects.

The E-125 was great! The E-200 just never lived up to Casio's own billing.
Even if they came out with something new, I wouldn't buy it.
They promise the world and deliver nothing. Their customer service is laughable at best.

The E-200 was a disaster and probalby pushed them out of the PPC world (at least in the USA) until the dust settles from that.