APC Magazine Reviews the Big Screen Bruiser: Toshiba e800

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.apcmag.com/apc/v3.nsf/0/FFE75C65A1E57E71CA256E220002646B' target='_blank'>http://www.apcmag.com/apc/v3.nsf/0/...A256E220002646B</a><br /><br /></div>"Topping the stunning PalmOne Tungsten T3, Toshiba’s new e800 Pocket PC goes where no PDA has gone before, with a knockout 4in display running in 480 x 640 VGA. And a high-res screen isn’t its only trick. Firmly establishing itself as a power user’s PDA, the e800 boasts a choice between integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth — we tested the 802.11b unit — plus slots for both CompactFlash and SD cards, with the latter also supporting SDIO expansion devices. In the engine room is a 400MHz Intel XScale PXA263 processor and an ATI graphics controller with 2MB of dedicated memory, as well as 158MB of user-accessible memory (126.8MB of conventional RAM plus 31.2MB of Flash ROM).<br /><br />An SPB Benchmark of 1,352 makes the e800 the second-fastest Pocket PC available, surpassed only by the ASUS MyPal A620’s 1,573 due to the latter’s stellar graphics performance. At 193g, this is also one of the heavier units around, and thus an unlikely shirt pocket candidate."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/M2" />

[quidproquo]

8O Where can I get one!

[ricksfiona]

Unfortunately, I'm an iPAQ devotee... I'll have to wait for HP to come out with a similar screen. Having two memory slots is great, but I need Bluetooth and thus, the CF slot would be used for that.

Very nice Pocket PC though.

[Jason Dunn]

8O Where can I get one!

Right here:

http://estore.shopplex.com/app/storefront.aspx?cat_id=20&inv_id=350355&modid=30214092059015&aid=5

:mrgreen:

[DanielTS]

BMQ benchmark :
http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/urltrurl?lp=ja_en&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhomepage2.nifty.com%2Fqta%2Fbmq%2F..%2Fbmq%2Findex.htm

http://www.mobile01.com/iopiop/mio558.htm
http://www.pocketpcparadise.com/tests/materiels_e800.htm

. Total : e800 : 723 ; h2210 : 843 ; Mio 558 : 865 ; Asus A620 : 669
. Integer : e800 : 1158 ; h2210 : 1160 ; Mio 558 : 1193 ; Asus A620 : 1241
. Float : e800 : 121 ; h2210 : 121 ; Mio 558 : 108 ; Asus A620 : 184
. Draw : e800 : 744 ; h2210 : 1345 ; Mio 558 : 1412 ; Asus A620 : 496
. Window : e800 : 251 ; h2210 : 280 ; Mio 558 : 281 ; Asus A620 : 211
. Memory : e800 : 1346 ; h2210 : 1311 ; Mio 558 : 1335 ; Asus A620 : 1213

Another benchmark :
http://www.clubic.com/ar/2622-4.html

Graphics benchmark
http://www.clubic.com/photo/00068756.jpg

Processor benchmark
http://www.clubic.com/photo/00068755.jpg

Memory benchmark
http://www.clubic.com/photo/00068757.jpg

Benchmark results are different because measured stuffs are different.
WMP doesn’t support the e800's ATI chip, the highest frame rate is about 15fps.
PocketMVP supports the e800's ATI chip, there is no glitches with 576x240 24 fps films.

[suhit]

Unfortunately, I'm an iPAQ devotee... I'll have to wait for HP to come out with a similar screen.

You know, I agree with you. Though before I saw the shots of the potential iPaq 6000 series, I was REALLY hoping that they would have a 640X480 display. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like this will happen. The wait for the perfect PPC continues (if only my demands of the perfect PPC didn't keep going up with time as well :)).

Suhit

[jeffmd]

nice screen. but we really need a bigger cpu. the 400 is so dated

[Gremmie]

nice screen. but we really need a bigger cpu. the 400 is so dated

Do we really need more than 400 or do we need to seperate fuctions (i.e., having a processor and a better video chip). What kind of functions do we use that require more processing speed?

[sponge]

Those benchmarks are deceiving. It's still slower than the A620 in pretty much every game. It's still a very speedy device, however just be aware of this.

[freitasm]

Interesting comment about the benchmark. They probably didn't test other Pocket PCs :roll:

I keep the Geekzone Performance Centre (http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?ContentId=2028) always updated with the ones I test, and the Toshiba e800 is only in the middle of the others. The fastest ones so far are the h4150 h4350.

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/images/reviews/performance/performance.jpg (http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?ContentId=2028)

[HTK]

Price $1,248.50


8O

Where in hell they saw that price?

[karen]

Price $1,248.50


8O

Where in hell they saw that price?

That's probably in Aussie Dollars....

[dangerwit]

I have to say I was duly impressed when I played with this thing at CrapUSA. The screen is definitely something to write home about, and it isn't as heavy as you think. Big, but MAN, I'd learn to 'suffer' with a 4" screen like that.

Nonetheless, I didn't buy it because my craving for lenses on my Digital Rebel won out. :) Well, that, and more because of Toshiba's poor PDA support record and public display of discouragement in their own devices.

*Phil

[Anjuan Simmons]

Nonetheless, I didn't buy it because my craving for lenses on my Digital Rebel won out. :) Well, that, and more because of Toshiba's poor PDA support record and public display of discouragement in their own devices.

*Phil

Amen. I'm stuck with Windows Mobile 2002 since Toshiba left us e740 owners high and dry in the upgrade department. I will NEVER buy a Toshiba PDA EVER again! You can't screw consumers with one device and then expect them to buy another one just because you add a bright screeen. It's like a husband who beats his wife and then comes home with flowers and candy . . .

[blusparkles]

Interesting comment about the benchmark. They probably didn't test other Pocket PCs :roll:

I keep the Geekzone Performance Centre (http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?ContentId=2028) always updated with the ones I test, and the Toshiba e800 is only in the middle of the others. The fastest ones so far are the h4150 h4350.

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/images/reviews/performance/performance.jpg (http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?ContentId=2028)

No, I test other Pocket PCs all the time. The iPAQ 4150 and 4350 weren't out when I reviewed the Toshiba e800 - I got a pre-release version of it way before it was released.

[blusparkles]

Price $1,248.50


8O

Where in hell they saw that price?

Yes, note the publication that printed this review - AUSTRALIAN PERSONAL COMPUTER :lol:

[tthiel]

It's bulky, feels cheap an plasticky, VGA only works witha few apps and Toshiba has a terrible customer support record. I'll pass.

[pre]

I bought a Genio originally because it has a bigger screen, but alas, won't be upgraded to PPC2003. Next PPC will never be another Toshiba. Next laptops spected for work won't be a Toshiba. Next anything won't be a Toshiba. So as much as the new one has features that are attractive I think I'll look at a HP.

[The586Express]

I bought the e805 because it's bleeding edge :twisted: . I may pay later (Toshiba's famous non-upgradability mentioned several times previously :evil: ), but I don't mind because I'm sitting here with a full VGA Pocket PC (hacks included) TODAY. Once everyone else jumps on board with VGA, I'll be looking to the next bleeding edge feature - whoever comes out with it first. I like it here 8) .

[LarDude]

Got the e805 at CompUSA a week or so ago, and I gotta say, I really like it!!! :D

Being an iPaq devotee also (3630, 1910), I was starting to get really discouraged with the same old hat: 64MB and 240x320, over and over and over again (like some old Warhol painting). Despite all the complaints about Toshiba's lack of support, I couldn't resist: VGA, 128MB (+32MB Flash and 32MB ROM), built-in WiFi....what's not to like. Surfing is a dream, Excel is a dream,...(of course I immediately installed Resfix 1.0 so that I could run "everything" in VGA mode), much much less of that silly side scrolling (almost none)...cnn.com comes up without having to sidescroll...I can hardly wait until I install one of the landscape utilities...email is a dream, and acrobat, WOW!!!

Also, it's not too much of a brick. It is very similar to a bare iPaq 3600
(I'm holding the 2 of them next to each other as I write).

Bottom line: sorry, I just can't go back to 240x320 anymore (except perhaps for data-entry apps -- but for simply viewing things, VGA is definitely the way to go! Vive le revolution...err...resolution).

[theone3]

Price $1,248.50


8O

Where in hell they saw that price?

That's probably in Aussie Dollars....whoa! My fav mag got onto the news page of PPCT.. I'm surprised anyone's heard of it over there..

Yes, unfortunately, even with the current 77c exchange rate (up from 50-60c 1.5 yrs ago), technology prices are still waay over inflated. I import all my gadgetry from the US now (thankyou ebay :)).

[wrightca]

I bought a Genio originally because it has a bigger screen, but alas, won't be upgraded to PPC2003. Next PPC will never be another Toshiba. Next laptops spected for work won't be a Toshiba. Next anything won't be a Toshiba. So as much as the new one has features that are attractive I think I'll look at a HP.

I'm in the same boat. I won't buy toshiba simply because of the crappy record, and the bad experiences I've had. I wanted to send mine in for the recall, but I'm in the military stationed overseas. Rather than toshiba just giving me an address I could mail it to (through USPS at my own expense), I had to ship it home to my father, who got the postage paid fedex box to ship it to them. The reverse had to happen for me to get it back. I already get annoyed when a company won't go 2 seconds out of their way to accommodate US service members overseas, but that's crazy. Also, with the upgrade let-down, and active sync dropping every 5-seconds I think I'll pass on another toshiba. I'm looking at the 4155 for my next purchase. I bought my wife a 1935 and she loves it. I love that form factor and size. It works quite well with a rhinoskin hard case. I just need some wireless fancies included.

[jizmo]

"With most Pocket PCs sporting a 3.5in display, the e800’s additional half inch makes a world of difference"

Couldn't agree more. It's a shame that manufacturers still tend to go for 3,5" when even 3,8" is much, much easier for the eyes.

Aside from the VGA resolution, is Toshiba really the only one with 4" screens?

/jizmo

[jizmo]

Oh, and have any Toshiba owners tried any painting programs on VGA screen? Should be a nice change from doodling those stamp-sized images (that is, unless the higher resolution slows things down too much..)

/jizmo

[cpoole]

Oh, and have any Toshiba owners tried any painting programs on VGA screen? Should be a nice change from doodling those stamp-sized images (that is, unless the higher resolution slows things down too much..)

/jizmo

Have not tried any paint programs but Pocket Informant runs very nice - don't need to scroll agenda screens much any more. ubook looks fantastic in high res.

I am sitting on a painful fence... I am not a bleeding edge kind of guy but I really wanted the ram, sd & cf slots, wifi, and the high res screen. I ran my old IPAQ 3670 for almost 3 years and I was ready for a change & HP did not seem ready to offer what the Toshiba offered. Addon programs are needed to unlock the high res screen for general use. When in high res mode, some programs only use part of the screen and some programs simply do not work at all so some resolution flipping is needed. The high res screen is not really ready for general use yet... specifically many of the programs out there are not ready for the high res screens. Right now, this is more for the techies and bleeding edge sort of people.

Of course running it out of the box is a real option and it is still a very nice machine - just limited to what high res applications can run.

[Janak Parekh]

The high res screen is not really ready for general use yet... specifically many of the programs out there are not ready for the high res screens.
It's not that bad. I haven't switched back to 240x320 since the day I got my e805... the majority of applications run fine. The controls are small, but I can manage.

--janak

[cpoole]

The high res screen is not really ready for general use yet... specifically many of the programs out there are not ready for the high res screens.
It's not that bad. I haven't switched back to 240x320 since the day I got my e805... the majority of applications run fine. The controls are small, but I can manage.

--janak

Hi Janek

Two of my favorite games will not even run under the higher resolution... Pachisi & Cribbage. Both games left the Toshiba in a must soft reset state. I am not sure if this is a problem with the higher resolution or possibly the developer coding something that Nydidot cannot handle. I need to experiment more and report back to Nyditot.

The games were the basis of my statement... all my non-game software has worked pretty well so far. I also think that some of the other software that does use the high res screen needs font size options to allow for a more readable font.

[Janak Parekh]

Two of my favorite games will not even run under the higher resolution... Pachisi & Cribbage.
Games are indeed the problem case -- but that's because they're often hardwired for a resolution. It'll take a few months at least to see more 480x640-compatible games, although SimCity 2000 works surprisingly well!

--janak

[juni]

+ WM2003 doesn't support VGA. I'll wait until next OS upgrade. :)

[Kathy_Harris]

I run lots of programs and all that I run happen to run VGA (yes this is WM2003):

Listpro
Flexwallet
PPX
Wisbar
Stowaway IR keyboard driver
Peanut Reader
Pocket Streets (wow, the maps are now usable)

not to mention all the pre loaded software that looks great at VGA:
Excel
Word
MS Reader
IE

[Rod3]

Pocket Slay and Mr. Dollar both run in VGA, using the full screen. There may be others, too. TextMaker works fine.