ASUS MyPal A716 Reviewed by Brighthand

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.brighthand.com/article/ASUS_MyPal_A716_Review' target='_blank'>http://www.brighthand.com/article/A...Pal_A716_Review</a><br /><br /></div>"People who are considering a high-end handheld are generally the type who want it all. Basically, if they are going to put $400 or more down on a new device, they expect it to have every feature possible. The new MyPal A716 from ASUS does just about everything it can to deliver the features these people want, including a fast processor, a good amount of memory, dual forms of wireless networking, and two different types of memory card slot."

[Will T Smith]

There is also a review at:

http://www.pocketmatrix.com/reviews/a716/

This is a nice device. I don't know why people are bitching about size. It's about as big as a Jornada 568.

The ONLY thing I'm dissapointed in is the lack of SDIO support (and perhaps the "weaker" screen).

My guess is a LOT of Jornada followers will be picking these up to replace their old beloved. Too bad it doesn't have a lid ;-)

[Ripper014]

Nothing really new here and a step back with the SD slot... and it is almost a 1/4'" thicker than that average current unit. I do appreciate the CF Slot... but where are the real advancements... especially a VGA screen... something that we would expect from a next generation device.

In my humble opinion this is one of the last units rolling out from our current generation of PPC's and as such should not be at the price point of a cutting edge product.... SOooooooooooooooo... how much is this new toy...?

[clanggedin]

You can buy this for $399 at MobilePlanet.com or $450 at Proportable.com

Mine arrives Monday and will replace my buggy e740.

[Ed@Brighthand]

but where are the real advancements... especially a VGA screen... something that we would expect from a next generation device.
ASUS is expected to release the A730 later this year. It will essentially be an A716 with a VGA screen. However, you'll have to pay about $550 to get it.

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=25108

[dh]

but where are the real advancements... especially a VGA screen... something that we would expect from a next generation device.
ASUS is expected to release the A730 later this year. It will essentially be an A716 with a VGA screen. However, you'll have to pay about $550 to get it.

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=25108
If the A730 offers a nice increase in RAM as well, it could well be my next PPC.

[mscdex]

"People who are considering a high-end handheld are generally the type who want it all. Basically, if they are going to put $400 or more down on a new device, they expect it to have every feature possible. The new MyPal A716 from ASUS does just about everything it can to deliver the features these people want, including a fast processor, a good amount of memory, dual forms of wireless networking, and two different types of memory card slot."

Everytime I hear about a PocketPC like this, that has all of these features, namely wifi & bluetooth, dual memory slots, etc., I just cringe at the amount of battery power that is drained when using these things. Is this just me, or do these things not take up much battery life at all?

[clanggedin]

Things like wifi suck battery life, but the a716 can run Wfi continuously for 5+ hours on its 1500mah battery. Just how long it lasts with the extended battery.

According to the review at PocketMatrix.com, the a716 has insane battery life for a Pocket PC.

I'll do my own tests Monday when I receive mine from ProPortable