Asus MyPal a620 Reviewed

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/article/1635/' target='_blank'>http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/con...t/article/1635/</a><br /><br /></div>Looks like the next-gen Pocket PCs are appearing a bit early. ;) Asus has their own new product, which is presumably the successor to what was called the Razor Zayo.<br /><br />"Next monday Microsoft will launch the PocketPC 2003 platform that will replace the popular PocketPC 2002 platform. Although it is largely an upgrade from the previous version, as we're used to from Microsoft, there's some changes that really do make a difference. Asus sent us a MyPal a620 prior to the launch outfitted with the new PocketPC 2003 edition and we'll be evaluating in the next few pages to see what new features PocketPC 2003 brings to the table and how well Asus has implemented them on their PocketPC."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20030621-asus-mypal620.jpg" />

[ppcsurfr]

This looks like a good entry level device. :lol:

Or is it a mid level device???

Check out the difference in the ROM version and the memory allocation...

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/article/1635.4/

and

http://www.ppcw.net/index.php?itemid=1283

Mabuhay ~ Carlo

[snowlion]

i don't understand companies spending thousands on researching a new name for a company...but then when i see "ASUS"...i think maybe it's a money well spent.

[Christian]

This device actually looks very appealing, especially if the price is right. Its has top of the line performance and a CF slot with none of the features that to me are unnecessary, like SD slots and Bluetooth. If this is reflected in the device's size, weight and price, it will be very tempting. Not to mention that after suffering through Toshiba's unspeakable quality, I would welcome a PocketPC made by Asus.

[Christian]

i don't understand companies spending thousands on researching a new name for a company...but then when i see "ASUS"...i think maybe it's a money well spent.

All I know is that I'm currently using a motherboard, video card and CD-ROM made by ASUS. Out of all the various components I've used over the years, these are just about the only ones that have never had any issues or raised concern about their quality. If ASUS builds PDAs the way they build most other things (do they?) then this device should be a significant step in the right direction.

[ppcsurfr]

If this baby is using NAND Flash, I'm surprised it's not using much of the RAM as compared to the PPC2002 sample of the MyPal 620...

ppcsurfr

[ppcsurfr]

This device actually looks very appealing, especially if the price is right. Its has top of the line performance and a CF slot with none of the features that to me are unnecessary, like SD slots and Bluetooth. If this is reflected in the device's size, weight and price, it will be very tempting. Not to mention that after suffering through Toshiba's unspeakable quality, I would welcome a PocketPC made by Asus.

CF type I/II slot, Plastic housing (painted) with chrome trim.

Weight? Really light when compared to most PPCs.

Speed? Even the one I tested using PPC2002... it would outperform any PPC available.

Price? Should be below $350

ppcsurfr

[gliscameria]

Does it have built in Wifi?

[Crystal Eitle]

Does it have built in Wifi?
No built-in WiFi, according to the review.

This looks like a promising Pocket PC, but to truly compete in the "budget" category it's going to have to be around $300, and not $350 as the article states. Otherwise, I'm guessing Asus can expect to have its butt kicked by Dell.

[Scott R]

I am resisting the urge to comment on the center D-Pad location.

Doh!

Scott

[Kati Compton]

I am resisting the urge to comment on the center D-Pad location.
I take it you don't like the DPad in the center, but feel it would be more convenient to one side?

If that's the case, then at least rightys and leftys will be equally inconvenienced.

[felixdd]

I beg to differ. I've tried to use my Jornada in a left configuration (I'm a righty) and as far as I can tell it shouldn't be much of an issue to have the D-pad off to one side....in fact with the gaming industry all building their D-pads to be on the left side of the controller and people didn't complain -- I don't think it will be that bad if it was the same for PDA's. Any lefties with a EM-500 and would like to tell me otherwise? I'm genuinely interested in how you guys fare :)

Actually it would be most functional if the unit was designed to have TWO 8-directional D-pads at the front...and the user can choose which one to use as a D-pad, and which one to use as an app-launcher. That'll be an astonishing 16 buttons (!) at the front of the unit.

What irks me the most -- please make dimpled buttons! It's uncomfortable to have to switch holding position of your stylus so that you can press app buttons! If there's a dimple then you can just poke it with a stylus (like the power button on the Palm III and the Philips Nino -- it was really nice).

[PetiteFlower]

I use my stylus to press buttons, what would the need for dimples be?

[ctmagnus]

I use my stylus to press buttons, what would the need for dimples be?

Stylus wouldn't slip as easily.