Just got a Nexio S160

[WSLam]

I thought I would share as I know the Nexio S160 is not available in the US mkt.
I have always wanted one, but we all know how crazily pricey the unit is. Luckily, I found a second hand one on a local auction site (Hong Kong) and snapped it up for USD580! Not too bad. It includes the optional keyboard (in HK, the keyboard is NOT an option).
The unit is wonderful. Very thin and light. The screen is ideal, 800x600, no horizontal scrolling in almost all websites I tried accessing. imo, the landscape 800x600 makes much more sense than the current PPC form factor. I also use an iPAQ3970.
The keyboard is not 'type-able'... in fact I find it easier to use the stylus to tap the keyboard than to use my fingers. The screen (can't mention enough about the screen) is bright, even under moderate sunlight, but the contrast is on the low side, so is the color saturation.
CE.NET 4.1 works much more like Win2000 than PPC 2002/03. You have the real taskbar, start buttion, control panel etc. built in WiFi works well. The CF slot comes in handy as that is my main removeable media from my digital cameras. Built in apps are ok..sufficient. ActiveSync works with the USB connection and Wi-Fi.
The unit gets a tad warm..probably due to the large screen and its small size. Battery life is soso, about 3 hours or so. I am gonna get the extended battery this weekend. That should at least double the battery time.
overall, i am very impressed. the screen and form factor are the best part. software compatibility is an issue, but there are 'fake dll's' one can download to the unit to fool the unit thinks of itself as a PPC. I have tried a few programs (for PPC) and installed them onto the Nexio and they all work ok. Some of the screens get distorted, but it's functional.
I wish there's more native third party apps for the unit. I am very curious as to why Samsung is not releasing it in the US, and why there's NO mention of it on Microsoft's website.
It is a good alternative to the PPC platform...the screen is just insufficient. For heavier user, I think the Nexio will be a much better fit for you.

ws

[FredMurphy]

Thanks for the review. I really wanted one of these before they came out, but the thing that worries me is the lack of third-party software. I was hoping that if PPC2003 supported landscape that more apps would be written to cope with different screen sizes and that as it's based on CE.NET that the code would run OK. This would lead to may apps written for the larger market of Pocket PCs being available. Looks like the screen size will still be a problem.

Can you tell us what 3rd-party apps do run on the Nexio? A Nexio version of Snails would be great!

Fred

[Kati Compton]

Yeah - I got all excited when I saw the Nexio on Dynamism (http://www.dynamism.com/nexio/index.shtml), but it's just too expensive for me. :(

Also, according to their info, it uses the older XScale (PXA250). Any idea if they'll be releasing a model with the improved 255?

[WSLam]

Hi Fred,
Yes, I do think of the Nexio as a CLOSED platform.
But good news! So far, 75% of the PPC2002 apps I throw at it WILL RUN (the UI may get slightly messed up) as long as you have the 'FAKE DLL'... that will make the machine think of itself as a PPC.
Go to Yahoo Groups and search for Nexio. There is a user group there, and a list of compatible apps. But I have found that a LOT of apps (more than the list) runs on it.
For example, Adobe Acrobat Reader runs fine on it, and in fact, becos of the larger screen, is SO much easier to use and read on the Nexio.

And Kati, yes it is expensive, that's why I would not have considered it if it wasn't for the price I paid for it (second hand)

ws

[scmok]

It catches my attention as soon as I know it. Seems to be the ultimate PPC. Excellent screen resolution (800x480 !) with VGA out and still pocketable. So unique.

But while it is still in the stores here in HK, nobody is talking about it. Even Samsung is not promoting it. I can see samsung has wasted more than 1 year (since the nexio s150) doing nothing and its window of opportunity closes rapidly.

What's wrong ?

[Fishie]

The Sigmarion3 is a much better buy at that.

Cheaper and has the XScale 255.

It is touch typeable as well.