Asus A730 Available For Preorder, Appearing In Magazines

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.brighthand.com/article/ASUS%5fA730w%5fNow%5fAvailable%5ffor%5fPre-order' target='_blank'>http://www.brighthand.com/article/A...for%5fPre-order</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The online store PROPortable is now taking pre-orders for one of the most highly anticipated Pocket PCs of this year, the Wi-Fi version of the ASUS MyPal A730. PROPortable is the largest retailer of ASUS handhelds in the U.S. The A730w will have a VGA screen, two kinds of wireless networking, and dual memory card slots."</i><br /><br />The linked Brighthand article has pricing information as well as a link to the <a href="http://www.proportable.com/a730preorder.html">preorder site at PROportable</a>. I'm glad to see the unit is still slated to come out this year.<br /><br />In addition, a PPCT reader wrote in with a magazine ad from APC (an Australian magazine). Click on the image for the full version.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20040817-AsusAd-Full.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20040817-AsusAd.jpg" /></a>

[arnage2]

im greatly looking forward to this one.

nice pic of O'Hare airport on the screen

[ctitanic]

Originally posted by PROPortable
Everyone:
I Just got word from Asus that the ETA on both units just changed moments ago..... Here is the change as follows:


a730 (bluetooth only) - ETA now end of September

a730w (wifi & bluetooth) - ETA now end of October.

I am calling all pre-order customers to inform them of the change...

Sincerely,
Justin O'Dea
PROPortable

[whydidnt]

The bummer is that it isn't expected to be available until the end of October. Those of us waiting for a dual-wireless, VGA PPC have to keep waiting.

It seems to me that maybe M$ dropped the ball on their VGA implementation, since it seems all of the VGA machines are taking forever to get to market. It's obviously harder to implement than I would have thought. :cry:

[Janak Parekh]

It seems to me that maybe M$ dropped the ball on their VGA implementation, since it seems all of the VGA machines are taking forever to get to market. It's obviously harder to implement than I would have thought. :cry:
Not necessarily -- I have an e805 with SE sitting on my desk as we speak.

--janak

[Sven Johannsen]

Wish it didn't have that camera. I know that's a personal problem, but I'd hate to have to spend $50 more to not have it, when this even looks better than the HP, IMHO :(

[ctitanic]

Wish it didn't have that camera. I know that's a personal problem, but I'd hate to have to spend $50 more to not have it, when this even looks better than the HP, IMHO :(

I'm with you. The camera is useless to me.

[Phillip Dyson]

Wish it didn't have that camera. I know that's a personal problem, but I'd hate to have to spend $50 more to not have it, when this even looks better than the HP, IMHO :(

I'm with you. The camera is useless to me.

I agree. I was wondering if I'm some kind of mutant for not wanting a camera.

So ... what does that leave, the E830 (if it shows up)?

[whydidnt]

Not necessarily -- I have an e805 with SE sitting on my desk as we speak.

--janak
Except the E805 isn't dual wirless, and has a previous generation processor in it. The E830 has my attention, though. I'm just not holding my breath waiting for it to hit our shores. 8)

[Ripper014]

I think of it as a bonus... with it priced at $600 for the dual wireless unit... 128mb of Ram,VGA and dual slots, I think it is good value for the money. "IF" it lives up to expectations...

[T-Will]

Wow, just glancing at that I thought it was a Clie...very nice!

My only little gripe about it is the name, "MyPal", I think they need to think of a better name for this series if they want it to catch on with the non-techies. How about naming it the "Tlie" or the "Klie" or the "Zlie"? Any other ideas? ;)

[mace]

Wow, just glancing at that I thought it was a Clie...very nice!

My only little gripe about it is the name, "MyPal", I think they need to think of a better name for this series if they want it to catch on with the non-techies. How about naming it the "Tlie" or the "Klie" or the "Zlie"? Any other ideas? ;)

Switch the MyPal around and you got PalMy or Palmy.

[Ce]

According to Firstloox.org and Brighthand the releasedate of both the FSC 7xx series as the iPaq 4705 is pushed back. There must be something wrong because ASUS is the third one to push back a release date...is it the terrible graphic speed of these VGA displays i'm reading about in some previews?

[JustinGTP]

I am so confused now. Do I want the Pocket Loox 720 or this? Help!

-Justin.

[yawanag]

Switch the MyPal around and you got PalMy or Palmy

They were probably hoping you wouldn't catch that. Like it better, anyway.[/b]

[Ripper014]

Wow, just glancing at that I thought it was a Clie...very nice!

My only little gripe about it is the name, "MyPal", I think they need to think of a better name for this series if they want it to catch on with the non-techies. How about naming it the "Tlie" or the "Klie" or the "Zlie"? Any other ideas? ;)

Now why would you want a PcoketPC to get mistaken for a Palm...???

How about PalmKiller for a name...

[T-Will]

Wow, just glancing at that I thought it was a Clie...very nice!

My only little gripe about it is the name, "MyPal", I think they need to think of a better name for this series if they want it to catch on with the non-techies. How about naming it the "Tlie" or the "Klie" or the "Zlie"? Any other ideas? ;)

Now why would you want a PcoketPC to get mistaken for a Palm...???

How about PalmKiller for a name...

Well I was kidding with the names I threw out there, but really if someone asks you what kind of PDA you have, who wants to answer, "Oh it's my MyPal Pocket PC", it just sounds sort of childish to me.

The good thing is that Asus has a good reputation in the computer industry, so the name may not make a big difference in how many they sell, but why can't they come up with a catchy name for their flagship Pocket PC?

[dean_shan]

I like this part of the ad The one device to replace them alll It's just begging to be followed by and in the darkness bind them or I'm just a huge nerd and thinks that's funny.

[Ripper014]

Maybe it sounds sexier in Chinese... and that it translate to MyPal... Its ok though because if they ask me what I have I will tell them it is an Asus A730...

[Zack Mahdavi]

Wow, I really like this ad. Very well done.

[ruarch5]

The best ad for a PPC to date...explains what it can do and why people should buy it. Simple.

[shanipaqman]

What is going to the best deal apples to apples, wifi included?
thanks
Also, is there rumor of a Dell VGA with graphics chip in the works? They seem to give you the most bang for your buck...

[funngunn2]

Wish it didn't have that camera. I know that's a personal problem, but I'd hate to have to spend $50 more to not have it, when this even looks better than the HP, IMHO :(

I don't see how I could ever buy another PDA without a camera. I use the one on my Zire 71 all the time, for remembering stuff and taking visual notes. A camera is a great thing to have, because it is really useful. Personally, I think pictures hold more weight over voice recordings, but that's just me. You know how the old saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

But, all in all, this looks like a nice PocketPC. The unit is nice and svelte, and seems pretty powerful. Though, what are the exact specs on this unit?

[PJE]

I don't see how I could ever buy another PDA without a camera. I use the one on my Zire 71 all the time, for remembering stuff and taking visual notes. A camera is a great thing to have, because it is really useful. Personally, I think pictures hold more weight over voice recordings, but that's just me. You know how the old saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

As much as I'd like a PDA with a camera (not that much), my job involves visiting customer production and research facilities (including Ford, Chrysler and GM) and they are VERY particular about NO CAMERAS!

[Stephen Beesley]

I like the add....

I like the specifications.... (a lot)

I don't mind the styling.....

But, at those prices (and I hate to think what it will sell for in €) I think I will be giving it a miss for now.

On the other hand, maybe the new FS Loox might come in cheaper here in Europe...

[funngunn2]

I don't see how I could ever buy another PDA without a camera. I use the one on my Zire 71 all the time, for remembering stuff and taking visual notes. A camera is a great thing to have, because it is really useful. Personally, I think pictures hold more weight over voice recordings, but that's just me. You know how the old saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

As much as I'd like a PDA with a camera (not that much), my job involves visiting customer production and research facilities (including Ford, Chrysler and GM) and they are VERY particular about NO CAMERAS!
Totally understandable, for jobs like that where security is a big thing (government, military, research, etc.). But, for consumer use, it might be a big selling point. Now, to get at the "camera-less" enterprise people, they should release a camera-less version.

Also, I didn't see a cover on the camera. Perhaps built in to slide out and protect the camera? That would be most nice...

[vendiddy]

Is the Asus 730 or the new model of Loox going to be better?