Mobile Planet Now Shipping Asus MyPal A730W Pocket PC for $569.95

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobileplanet.com/private/pocketpcthoughts/product.asp?dept%5Fid=2621&pf%5Fid=MP940549&listing=1' target='_blank'>http://www.mobileplanet.com/private...40549&listing=1</a><br /><br /></div><i>"It's time to leave behind your notebook, digital camera, MP3 player and voice recorder The ASUS MyPal A730W is one device to replace all. A professional yet stylish design and various entertainment features make this all-new Pocket PC the ideal companion for all situations. Integrated wireless can now be found on the latest model, the A730W. Wireless and Bluetooth can operate simultaneously providing the busy traveller with ultimate connectivity. With a 1.3 Mega-Pixel camera built in, the MyPal A730W let you capture the greatest moments of your life into high-quality photos. It also provides video camera function and a 3.7-inch LCD, much larger than those of any digital camera."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/MP940549.gif" /><br /><br />128 MB of RAM, 3.7" VGA display, 520 mhz CPU, USB host, 1.3 MP camera - all for $569 USD? What's not to like? Ok, some of you might not like that camera, but that's a pretty sweet Pocket PC. Mobile Planet apparently got a few in stock today, so if you've been waiting, now's your chance to order one! [Affiliate]

[bsoft]

"128 MB of RAM, 3.7" VGA display, 520 mhz CPU, USB host, 1.3 MP camera - all for $569 USD? What's not to like?"

The price?

I can get a Dell Axim x50v for $374 with the Dellf code. For $194 less, I think that I can deal with the lack of the camera and USB host.

[NLS]

1100mAh? Hahahahaha.

Anyway, except this (which might solved in the near future either from them or third party), this is a good device featurewise (one more device to be in fact BETTER than 4700... now taking up the fourth or fifth place).

[Menneisyys]

"It also provides video camera function and a 3.7-inch LCD, much larger than those of any digital camera."

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Funny ad.

I think that's the only poisitive thing you can say about the A730 camera :) (Much as it's still a tad better than the Pocket Loox 720 camera, lens-wise...)

[kamikun]

A fanatical e800 user here.

I love my machine because of the real VGA environment. The attraction of SE_VGA and oz_VGA is that it offers the same thing to other VGA users: more real estate to do more stuff on.

To that end, this machine looks great except for the screen size. At 4" the e800 is actually a *tad* too small to do a lot of real work, even in VGA.

Is anyone, other than OQO :roll: , considering producing a PPC with a 4.5" or 5" screen? Man that would be heaven.

[Doug Raeburn]

I can get a Dell Axim x50v for $374 with the Dellf code. For $194 less, I think that I can deal with the lack of the camera and USB host.

And what's not to like here? The "low end" RAM spec. I don't want to start one of those RAM debates again, but based on my needs and experience, I wouldn't consider any "high end" Pocket PC with only 64 MB of RAM, regardless of how much ROM storage it offers, and regardless of the rumors of persistent storage in Magneto. And since upgrading the x50v's RAM to 128 MB costs $199 from PPC Tech, there's your price difference already.

To me, having to settle for such limited RAM in order to save $194 is too much of a tradeoff. If that amount is a show stopper, I simply won't buy at all. Just my opinion... I fully recognize that this may not be the case for everyone.

[don dre]

I've been thinking about taking the plunge and buying a VGA PPC. I currently have a 2215 and thouht of replacing it for one with built-in Wifi (I live in a city -Philly so there is wifi everywhere not just starubucks) but I remember how much a of a difference the screen made on the 3970. I use it for pdf transit schedules, etc and I woudl liek to use it for movies when I travel. However, I have held off since it seems like the Dell may eb cheap but needs a bigger battery which adds a $100 to the cost. the 4700 is way too expensive and has mixed reviews as well. This has no wifi so it's out. For that price I'd expect wifi, personally. the camera might be kinda neat but it's not something I'd require in a ppc.

[Jason Dunn]

I can get a Dell Axim x50v for $374 with the Dellf code. For $194 less, I think that I can deal with the lack of the camera and USB host.

The X50v is a good device, but you're also getting 64 MB less RAM, so it's not exactly the same device for the $194 difference in price. ;-)

[muaddip]

But, you also get 104 more MHz, which may not sound like a lot, but I notice a huge difference when I run my x50v in 520MHz mode and 624MHZ.

Also, with that $194 you coulds buy two 1GB memory cards of one 2GB card or whatever. The memory is really a moot point when you have two expansion slots and cards ups too, what, 4GB nows.

[Craig Horlacher]

But, you also get 104 more MHz, which may not sound like a lot, but I notice a huge difference when I run my x50v in 520MHz mode and 624MHZ.

Also, with that $194 you coulds buy two 1GB memory cards of one 2GB card or whatever. The memory is really a moot point when you have two expansion slots and cards ups too, what, 4GB nows.

I have to disagree with you on this. I think a lot of people seem to get confused here. RAM is *not* a moot point, Internal flah memory is. The dell gives you 128MB internal Flash memory which can easily be explaned with cheap cards as you mention. On the other hand, you cannot easily and cheaply expand your RAM which is memory to run apps and "drive c:" so this is sort of important - much more so than the internal flash memory. Maybe a better way to say this is there is less difference, as far as the operating system is conserned, between the internal flash storage and the cf or sd storage cards.

[Menneisyys]

This has no wifi so it's out.

Actually, it does - this is the A730W.

Hope it'll turn be really cool.

[Menneisyys]

"128 MB of RAM, 3.7" VGA display, 520 mhz CPU, USB host, 1.3 MP camera - all for $569 USD? What's not to like?"

The price?

I can get a Dell Axim x50v for $374 with the Dellf code. For $194 less, I think that I can deal with the lack of the camera and USB host.

And the RAM size. And the screen quality.

[Jason Dunn]

Let's not turn this into a device bashing thread guys - for some, price is the most important factor. For others, 128 MB of RAM is the most important factor. Both are valid for each person - neither is "wrong".

[Rickyohead]

Let's not turn this into a device bashing thread guys - for some, price is the most important factor. For others, 128 MB of RAM is the most important factor. Both are valid for each person - neither is "wrong".

I think that sums it up.

for me, the a730w looks awesome. I could go without the camera feature, and I want to wait and see how the battery performs. It's a bit on the expensive side--I'll have to wait since I just built a new computer! :D

no matter what, it looks like a great device.

[Deslock]

The memory is really a moot point when you have two expansion slots and cards ups too, what, 4GB nows.I'd take 520MHz/128Mb over 624MHz/64Mb anytime. However, at $435 for the X50v w/ extra battery + 3-year you-smash-it-we-fix-it protection plan, I decided to put up with the occasional out of memory errors (which I still run into, even with everything installed to flash). PPC behaves better with 128mb, but it's still flakey, so whatever...

Does the 730w weigh 6 ounces like the 730? How's video playback?