Log in

View Full Version : Asus A730 Appearing In Taiwan?


Janak Parekh
09-17-2004, 01:00 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobile01.com/newsdetail.php?id=1351' target='_blank'>http://www.mobile01.com/newsdetail.php?id=1351</a><br /><br /></div>I have no idea what this site says (and can't trivially find a translation), but it looks like the A730 is appearing in stores in Taiwan.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20040916-AsusA730Box.jpg" /><br /><br />Lots of very nice pictures. :) My one nit is the stylus on the bottom, as opposed to the top. I hope the clipping mechanism for it is stronger than my i700's, whose stylus now falls out pretty easily. :|

Darius Wey
09-17-2004, 01:20 AM
Haha - thank goodness I'm multilingual. Okay I read the site. Basically, the person who wrote the post is inviting all of us to catch the first glimpse of the A730. It is also important to note that this person said this: 口水ㄅ, which basically means he/she is salivating! As we all should be. :D

alex_kac
09-17-2004, 01:21 AM
It looks HUGE in this guys hands. Maybe that's just me.

Darius Wey
09-17-2004, 01:23 AM
It looks HUGE in this guys hands. Maybe that's just me.

Well the VGA screen usually means a slightly larger screen size when compared to your smaller iPAQs. If you grab a hold of a Toshiba e800 and compare it with an iPAQ h1940, you can really tell the difference in screen size on the VGA devices.

CiscoKid
09-17-2004, 01:42 AM
Hi all,

New to these forums, but a PPC user for quite a while...I've had an E800 for a while now (6 months) and I'm just not happy with it compared to my iPaqs...so not taking a chance on any other brands...I've ordered my 4700 from HP Canada and they say it could even ship next week :)

So holding out for my HP - just never been able to find a better screen quality :)

Oh, and I agree...stylus on the bottom??? When I'm at my desk in the office, I can't count how many times I actually pull out the stylus and do little bits of work while the unit's cradled...this one you wouldn't be able to do that with :(

Darius Wey
09-17-2004, 01:44 AM
CiscoKid, what is it that you don't like about the e800? :)

maximus
09-17-2004, 02:05 AM
It looks HUGE in this guys hands. Maybe that's just me.

Maybe because the hand is small ? Asians tend to have smaller hands :)

Jonathan1
09-17-2004, 02:10 AM
http://home.comcast.net/~jonnormand/tabletpocket.jpg


Pocket PC or tablet PC. You be the judge. 8O :)

Sure that isn't a PCMCIA slot and CF slot?!?!?! :lol:

spinosum
09-17-2004, 02:14 AM
Below is the translation (correct me if i am wrong)

Photos 1-3
These are the photos of the Asus A730. Since it does not belong to me, i was a bit rush in taking those photos (unedited).

Photos 4-5
Cutting open the seal

Photos 6-8
Inside the box

Photos 9-10
Front view

Photo 11
Rear view; 1.3MP camera with flash and self portrait mirror; note that it is quite similar to HP 3417 and 3715, therefore when taking pictures we need to pause a while, to prevent ghost images

Photos 12-13
Top view; IRDA, CF and SD slots

Photos 14
Right view; need the stylus to open and close the battery lid

Photo 15
Needless to say -- "reset" hole!

Photo 16
On/Off button and camera button

Photo 17
Directional pad and function buttons

Photo 18
Cradle with a stylus holder

Photo 19
Unit in cradle

Photo 20
Battery: 3.7V/1100mAh

Photo 21
Bottom view of battery

Photo 22
Battery lid removed; the speaker, mirror and flash still visible

Photo 23
Magnesium alloy body; with battery inserted

Photo 24
Battery lid: similar to that of Zire 71, plastic feel, but not too bad in terms of quality

Photos 25-27
Leather cover (not opened)

Footnote:
I did not manage to try out the unit; but i will write up a nice report when i do so

tadams
09-17-2004, 03:06 AM
www.pocketmatrix.com has a pic of the A730 also:

http://www.pocketmatrix.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=18189&sid=aa22249a6e6992523b37b1f242e4d20c

Ripper014
09-17-2004, 03:20 AM
If you think it is big... then you are in big trouble if you want a PDA with VGA.. the Asus A730 is the smallest of all the devices... it is only 4.6 inches long... and 2.9 inches wide... (and 0.7 inches deep).

jpjehu
09-17-2004, 05:11 AM
Pocket PC or tablet PC. You be the judge. 8O :)

Sure that isn't a PCMCIA slot and CF slot?!?!?! :lol:

That is the funniest post I've ever read! Sorry - off topic, but I had to give props!

alex_kac
09-17-2004, 05:24 AM
If you think it is big... then you are in big trouble if you want a PDA with VGA.. the Asus A730 is the smallest of all the devices... it is only 4.6 inches long... and 2.9 inches wide... (and 0.7 inches deep).

I own an HP iPaq hx4700 and I think its not big at all. I also own an Toshiba e800. So I already have TWO PDAs with VGA. True, I prefer even smaller, but no when I say big - I mean that picture made the Asus look like it was a Newton 2100. That's all :D

dean_shan
09-17-2004, 06:38 AM
Nice, is a shame that the stylus is on the bottom though. Looks like it could fall out easily.

paris
09-17-2004, 07:42 AM
the asus a730 is a quite small vga pocket pc, however what i dont like about it is that its 3-4mm more fat than a legacy ipaq. even the hx4700 is thinner than a legacy ipaq. however its 1.5cm taller compared to the asus.

arnose
09-17-2004, 07:54 AM
Ya, ASUS A730 is coming in Taiwan with a few quantity. :)

starstreak
09-17-2004, 08:24 AM
No fair! I'm still waiting for my Loox 720. :(

UtK
09-17-2004, 12:14 PM
Hi, guys.

It's already being sold in Moscow,Russia - very small quantity for now, but I was able to buy one.

It's significally faster than pre-release version in BetaPlayer and slightly better in SPB Benchmark. Morphgear is not that good - 5-10% FPS increase, still 25%-lower than 620bt...

If you want, I can post details here.

BTW, there is a very good carring case inside - I really liked it. It can be carried on belt, or in a pocket - just as you want.

starstreak
09-17-2004, 12:30 PM
please tell me the camera takes better shots than the prerelease? Or at least as good as the asus 730

Jonathon Watkins
09-17-2004, 12:49 PM
Pocket PC or tablet PC. You be the judge. 8O :)

Sure that isn't a PCMCIA slot and CF slot?!?!?! :lol:

Come on guys, it looks like that is standard wide angle distortion. The lens may be in macro mode to get that close. I would not use that photo to get a true sense of perspective. :wink:

Jonathon Watkins
09-17-2004, 12:52 PM
BTW, there is a very good carring case inside - I really liked it. It can be carried on belt, or in a pocket - just as you want.

That makes a nice change. Hope it's the start of a trend. :wink:

If you want, I can post details here.

Please do. That would be great! :D Folks sharing their experiences here is what the forums are all about! We'd be very interested in hearing your impressions.

Jonathon Watkins
09-17-2004, 01:15 PM
Hi all,

New to these forums, but a PPC user for quite a while...

Good to have you around CiscoKid. 8) Why that Avatar name btw?

I've had an E800 for a while now (6 months) and I'm just not happy with it compared to my iPaqs...so not taking a chance on any other brands...I've ordered my 4700 from HP Canada and they say it could even ship next week.

So holding out for my HP - just never been able to find a better screen quality :)

Do you really find the iPAQ screens to be superior to the e800's? I have been impressed with the e800 screen when I have seen it.

UtK
09-17-2004, 03:53 PM
Ok, so here goes benchmarks:

Betaplayer 0.4:
RL_HQ test video

Pre-Release: 53.28%
Release: 85.97%


Spb Benchmark index
Spb Benchmark index: 1312
CPU Index: 1947
File system index: 1050
Graphics index: 835
ActiveSync index: not tested
Platform index: 860

Prerelease version had 943.6 SPB Benchmarks - so we have good increase here.


Morphgear, DonkeyKong Country (SNES)
Pre-Release: 22 FPS
Release: 24 FPS
620bt: 30-31 FPS;

Not good, comparing to 620 bt. But, as far as I know, the QVGA GAPI fix is under construction, so that old games could be played in native QVGA mode. Beta version does not work on my A730.

What else... It's a bit buggy, I have 5-6 soft resets per day. I have not tested camera yet - still have no a chance, it works bad indoors and it's cloudy outdoor.

ASUS Camera software is awful. Image viewing program does no open pictures done with my Exilim S2 (500-600 kb), and camera program hangs my 730 often. :(

CiscoKid
09-17-2004, 04:05 PM
Hi all,

The CiscoKid avatar I use wherever I can - kind of started because I manage the Cisco line for the distributor I work for here in Canada...then I started using it as my Quake name when the guys here at work started playing :) So it just kind of stuck LOL

As for the E800...I don't know that it's one thing...but I just don't find the Toshiba screen quite as nice as the HP screens I've had in the past (my most recent was the H5450) and when an associate of mine was here last week for some meetings and showed me his iPaq (4410 I think?) it drove it home that they just have it down with design and quality.

I know the e800 and the hx4700 are very close in size and I'm hoping that the screen in the hx4700 is the same as past screens...I did buy it blind as nobody has one I could see...

I go home every day hoping to see the UPS box there LOL

Rickyohead
09-17-2004, 04:06 PM
those who don't like the stylus holder on the bottom:

the cradle has an "easy access" upright holder for the stylus when the a730 is docked. i know it might be a hassle to take it out before you dock it, but o well.

and like someone else said, out of the 4 or 5 VGA PPCs coming out, the asus 730 is the smallest/lightest. (see brighthand article).

CESkins
09-17-2004, 06:03 PM
out of the 4 or 5 VGA PPCs coming out, the asus 730 is the smallest/lightest. (see brighthand article).
We don't know that yet until the dimensions for the Dell Axim X50 are released. From the looks of the pics posted so far, it may be as small as or smaller than the Asus (looks like the same form factor as a 4150 but a bit thicker to accomodate the CF slot)

Rod3
09-17-2004, 06:05 PM
Hi all,

The CiscoKid avatar I use wherever I can - kind of started because I manage the Cisco line for the distributor I work for here in Canada...then I started using it as my Quake name when the guys here at work started playing :) So it just kind of stuck LOL

As for the E800...I don't know that it's one thing...but I just don't find the Toshiba screen quite as nice as the HP screens I've had in the past (my most recent was the H5450) and when an associate of mine was here last week for some meetings and showed me his iPaq (4410 I think?) it drove it home that they just have it down with design and quality.

I know the e800 and the hx4700 are very close in size and I'm hoping that the screen in the hx4700 is the same as past screens...I did buy it blind as nobody has one I could see...

I go home every day hoping to see the UPS box there LOL

I'm surprised that you find HP screens better than the e800. I have a 3950, and a 4155 iPAQs, and the toshiba, which is miles better than either iPAQ. Actually, that's why I keep the toshiba. Just for its beautiful screen.

alex_kac
09-17-2004, 06:06 PM
Pocket PC or tablet PC. You be the judge. 8O :)

Sure that isn't a PCMCIA slot and CF slot?!?!?! :lol:

Come on guys, it looks like that is standard wide angle distortion. The lens may be in macro mode to get that close. I would not use that photo to get a true sense of perspective. :wink:

I thinnk we were just poking a bit of fun at the photos. They DO look huge in the photos :)

lis186
09-17-2004, 06:14 PM
here are some A730 pictures on my site.

http://lis186.4dwebhosting.com/index.php?p=1049

http://lis186.4dwebhosting.com/image/mobile_devices/thumb-asus_a730-2.jpg

CiscoKid
09-17-2004, 06:32 PM
I'm surprised that you find HP screens better than the e800. I have a 3950, and a 4155 iPAQs, and the toshiba, which is miles better than either iPAQ. Actually, that's why I keep the toshiba. Just for its beautiful screen.

PPC preference really does seem to be a personal thing...who knows...maybe I got a Toshiba that doesn't cut it :)

Oh well I'll let you all know what I think of my 4700 when it shows up :)
I'm not selling the E800 quite yet...want to compare (although the hx4700 processor should kick the e800's butt) :)

Rod3
09-17-2004, 06:38 PM
I'm surprised that you find HP screens better than the e800. I have a 3950, and a 4155 iPAQs, and the toshiba, which is miles better than either iPAQ. Actually, that's why I keep the toshiba. Just for its beautiful screen.

PPC preference really does seem to be a personal thing...who knows...maybe I got a Toshiba that doesn't cut it :)

Oh well I'll let you all know what I think of my 4700 when it shows up :)
I'm not selling the E800 quite yet...want to compare (although the hx4700 processor should kick the e800's butt) :)

And that will be a comparison I'll definitely look forward to! :D

whydidnt
09-17-2004, 08:04 PM
here are some A730 pictures on my site.

http://lis186.4dwebhosting.com/index.php?p=1049


Thanks for the pictures. Interesting to note that while I thought it was about the size of a 4150 from pre-release stuff (but thicker), it's actually a little bigger than a 2210. Great comparison shots on the site to see this. If this is the smallest VGA device, my lust for the 4700 might wear off. That thing might just be too big for my to tote everywhere. 8O

CESkins
09-17-2004, 11:41 PM
The 4700 is thinner than the Asus 720/730. Thus you can keep your lust going. :D