Cnet Review the Asus MyPal A730W

[Jonathon Watkins]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://reviews.cnet.com/Asus_MyPal_A730W/4505-3127_7-31243347-2.html?tag=tab' target='_blank'>http://reviews.cnet.com/Asus_MyPal_...-2.html?tag=tab</a><br /><br /></div><i>"This Pocket PC sports the same gorgeous VGA screen and compact frame as its older sibling, along with Bluetooth, a 1.3-megapixel camera, and Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition. Aside from Wi-Fi, the A730W also ups the ante with 128MB of RAM (compared to 64MB) and a USB hosting kit that comes in the box. The downside is, all this will cost you a pretty penny--$569, to be exact"</i><br /><br />Cnet have a brief preview of the Asus MyPal A730W and it certainly looks the part and is well equipped. Are you tempted by this unit now that Asus have added 128Mb RAM and Wifi?

[Vincent M Ferrari]

I'd love it!

If I had the money... :grumble:

[WyattEarp]

Cnet seems a little confused. On one hand they are talking about the A730 then it seems like they are talking about the A716 but referring to it as the A730. Their specs are also wrong. What gives? Am I reading it wrong? :? If not, then that isn't good for someone who might use this a a reference to compare PPCs.

Update: Never mind the Link went to the wrong page A730 instaed of A730W. Go Figure :? .

[Menneisyys]

"This Pocket PC sports the same gorgeous VGA screen and compact frame as its older sibling, along with Bluetooth, a 1.3-megapixel camera, and Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition. Aside from Wi-Fi, the A730W also ups the ante with 128MB of RAM (compared to 64MB) and a USB hosting kit that comes in the box. The downside is, all this will cost you a pretty penny--$569, to be exact"

Cnet have a brief preview of the Asus MyPal A730W and it certainly looks the part and is well equipped. Are you tempted by this unit now that Asus have added 128Mb RAM and Wifi?

it's a great machine, BUT

1, too late to the market. All die-hard hi-tech PDA geeks have already bought another VGA model. Sure, it's not the number of PDA geeks that counts in mass sales, but it's they that participate in user communicities, making their own PDA's seeming market share (much?) higher than it really is.

2, battery life... It's not because of the VGA (the engineers of both the iPAQ hx4700 and the Pocket Loox 720 have managed to keep power consumption down), that's for sure.

[Jonathon Watkins]

Update: Never mind the Link went to the wrong page A730 instaed of A730W. Go Figure :? .

That's why I had this as a preview. They only link to thier A730 review. They obviously haven't got thier hands on a A730W yet, so this seems to be a brief 'placeholder' preview, until they properly review it.

[surur]

This looks like a worthy competitor to the Loox 720. The only two things missing is the jog dial and the smaller battery (1100 vs 1640). However the W version comes with two batteries, which is quite cool and at least means they actively acknowledging and addressing the problem).

Surur

[Duncan]

However the W version comes with two batteries, which is quite cool and at least means they actively acknowledging and addressing the problem).

But no means of easily charging the second battery...

[Menneisyys]

However the W version comes with two batteries, which is quite cool and at least means they actively acknowledging and addressing the problem).

But no means of easily charging the second battery...

Yeah, after the 2210 cradle, I'd expect ALL PDA manufacturers to include an extra battery charging slot in their cradles... how come only the PL720 has that?

[Kowalski]

a secondary battery coming with the device is not a good solution for me,
i know that i will never carry a spare battery with me, and if i swich them, i know that one will always be empty, and will die within a year.

but if it would be this way: one standart size and one extended, than second battery coming in the box would be very usefull. smaller one for daily use, and the larger one for long trips

anyway, without wi-fi and smaller ram, a730 is still an ideal device for me, i am thinking of switching my 2215 but i am not sure that this will make a quantum leap

[jngold_me]

it's a great machine, BUT

1, too late to the market. All die-hard hi-tech PDA geeks have already bought another VGA model. Sure, it's not the number of PDA geeks that counts in mass sales, but it's they that participate in user communicities, making their own PDA's seeming market share (much?) higher than it really is.



Huh? So what does this mean, that there will be no pda sales becuase the die-hard geeks have already bought other VGA PPC's? Come on now.

Perhaps others (like myself) are still using perfectly viable PPC's and have not upgraded yet. As a matter of fact I still think my 4150 (sans VGA) offers everything that these new gen machines does and is smaller and lighter to boot!!

Based on other boards, I know for sure other 4150 owners are holding out becuase of the lack of good looking, asthetic devices.

If I had (or wanted to upgrade) now, I think the 730w would be my top choice. Nothing HP offers is even remotely appealing except for maybe the 2000 series., which is non-VGA.

[WyattEarp]

Many but not all of the people who have upgraded to a VGA device are the "must have it now" and the "keep up with the Jones" types. True geeks don't act on trends they evaluate first and then buy :wink: . But anyway it's not to late as VGA is the new high-end display standard and most PPCs will have them from this point on. If new ones don't come out then we would be stuck with the lame offerings now available to us. And I am pretty sure anyone who has recently purchased a new PPC and really wants the A730W will not hesitate to sell, give away (to a relative of course :) ), etc. their current PPC to get this one.

This appears to be a well put together PPC. So let's give it a fair chance to see just how well it goes up against the competition.

[Vincent M Ferrari]

Perhaps others (like myself) are still using perfectly viable PPC's and have not upgraded yet. As a matter of fact I still think my 4150 (sans VGA) offers everything that these new gen machines does and is smaller and lighter to boot!!

I'd have to agree with that. My 2215 more than adequately serves its purpose, and I've been very happy with it. I'd need bluetooth and VGA in a small package to be interested, both of which need decent battery life.

Maybe I'm one of a rare breed, but I don't see the new PPC's as being as revolutionary as they used to be. More a great evolution.

For example, the 730 looks real nice, but I don't want to have to rob little old ladies to afford it. Same with the higher end Ipaqs. I don't mind holding off until my 2215 falls apart if it means saving a bit and getting exactly what I want.

[shawnc]

Based on other boards, I know for sure other 4150 owners are holding out becuase of the lack of good looking, asthetic devices.

You can include me in that camp. I'd LOVE to upgrade to VGA, if the right device were available.

[Menneisyys]

. And I am pretty sure anyone who has recently purchased a new PPC and really wants the A730W will not hesitate to sell, give away (to a relative of course ), etc. their current PPC to get this one.

Easy for you there in the States :) In Finland, everything is much harder because, it seems, noone is interested in Pocket PC PDA's (Finns are exclusively using Nokia smartphones with Symbian). It's almost impossible to sell any PPC PDA's here in-country. And, I don't risk selling my unit(s) to other countries. So, I have to stay with what I buy.

[mprost]

This looks like a worthy competitor to the Loox 720. The only two things missing is the jog dial and the smaller battery (1100 vs 1640). However the W version comes with two batteries, which is quite cool and at least means they actively acknowledging and addressing the problem).

Surur

jogdial... this puppet would already be in my pocket if it had a jogdial

dear designers, is it soooooo dificult? is it soooooo expensive? :bangin:

[Jonathon Watkins]

dear designers, is it soooooo dificult? is it soooooo expensive? :bangin:

Welcome Mprost! 8) Good to have you around.

You make a very good point. I can get by with the up/down mapped keys on my X50v's buttons, but it's not the same as a real jogdial. Lets have more of them!

[Vincent M Ferrari]

It's the only thing I really really miss about my X5. Jog dials are a great thing and make great controls when the device is laying in your pocket.

[riuster]

poor customer service.....

[pgh1969pa]

Unfortunately, anything with a camera is not an option for me. Since I use my pocket pc extensively as a work tool and I am prohibited from bringing cameras into work, it's not even an option for me. Also .some of my suppliers and customers don't want cameras in their facilities so the 730w is a non-starter for me.

[Kati Compton]

Unfortunately, anything with a camera is not an option for me. Since I use my pocket pc extensively as a work tool and I am prohibited from bringing cameras into work, it's not even an option for me. Also .some of my suppliers and customers don't want cameras in their facilities so the 730w is a non-starter for me.

In that case, if you want a VGA PPC, there's the Toshiba 830, the Dell x50v, or the Ipaq 4700... There's a few choices available. :)

[pgh1969pa]

In that case, if you want a VGA PPC, there's the Toshiba 830, the Dell x50v, or the Ipaq 4700... There's a few choices available. :)

Yup...I choose the X50v. The Pocket Loox now offers their VGA PPC with and without a camera. Asus hopefully will do the same in the future.

[mprost]

Welcome Mprost! 8) Good to have you around.

thx! (long time reader/lurker but too shy to post :oops: )

[Robrecht]

Yeah, after the 2210 cradle, I'd expect ALL PDA manufacturers to include an extra battery charging slot in their cradles... how come only the PL720 has that?DELL Axim also has a spare-battery charging cradle. Thank goodness, too!