Geekzone has a review of the Toshiba e830

[Phillip Dyson]

Its the first one in english that I've ever found.
I haven't read it yet.
But here it is.

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=3945

[Ripper014]

Thanks this is the first review that I have read on the Toshiba e830 in english... but I can't say I agree with him on all points.

# Pros
# Wi-Fi/Bluetooth in one package
# CF Slot
# VGA Screen
# Jogdial
# Wireless hardware switch
# ConfigFree software
# Better Bluetooth support

Cons
# Washed out colours
# ROM Software
# Telescopic Stylus


For the Pro's list... I think that the Bluetooth support still needs a lot of work... the new BT Stack does not support many of the more important devices... mouses.. keyboards... and my gps unit. Hopefully there is an update in the near future.

As for the con's... I think the screen is great... this is a relative statement... unless you are comparing it directly to another device you would never know. I am sure that the Dell owners feel they have a great screen as well.

ROM software... lol... he thinks it should be pre-loaded... it is on the disk... and if you want it... load it... this is ideal... It gives you the choice of what you want... the way it should be. Not like Microsoft... which forces applictions on you because... in Bill's words... its bundled in the OS... Well just give me the OS... I will create my own bundle of applications THANK-YOU...

I agree the telescopic Stylus is not my favorite... but it doesn't bother me either...

I noticed that he did not find the unit to be sluggish... well I can say in my experience... it is the most annoying thing about the e830.... That and the fact that the start menu does not always work immediately... but then neither does my Hp2200 sometimes... so I figure it is probably software related. Wisbar Advanced maybe...???


The reviewer also stresses

"My summation of the e830 is that it is a great hardware package which is let down slightly by its ROM software and overall value for money."

so I am guessing he is saying that the device has a great hardware package... but is over priced... Well here in Canada... it is cheaper than any of the new VGA devices... I got my Toshiba for $499... the Dell x50V was $649 and the Hx 4700 was $746 the Loox 720 is $846...

So I would have to say that for a VGA device the Toshiba is a great value... if it fits your needs...

He fails to mention some of the other fine points such as the usb host... and the actual use of the device in true VGA... Overall I think it is a good unit that needs a little tweaking... and I do agree a faster processor would have been nice as well as another 32mb of rom. But I would take this configuration over the Hx4700 or Dell x50V anyday... As he mentioned 64mb of ram is no where enough these days...

[stoker]

Thanks for your little synopsis of the e830. I pretty well agree with you on most everything. Are you using a screen protector on yours? and which one? I just bought the USB host cable . Do you know what I can do with it? ie Any hardware that I can attach to it and have it work?

[Ripper014]

I will assume you are speaking to me... so I will do my best to answer your questions.. with as little bias as I can.. lol...

I do have a screensaver... the first time I have ever went with an expensive one... and I must say it might have been worth the money. It cost me about $12... It is a Brando and I got it from ExecutivePDA.com my only complaint is that it took a long time to get to me (7 plus days).

I choose this particular screensaver because it was suppose to extend all the way to the edge of the screen. And in my case it does... I hear that others leave a gap... up to 1 mm... which to me is not acceptable. Nor is a screensaver that slides under the casing.. I find that these types tend to move. Your challenge if you choose to use the type I have is to get it on lint free...

For the USB host cable... well you can send it to me... lol... actually I have one on the way. In Vancouver we have a local PPC Club... and at the last meet... we connected to a Toshiba e800 and e830... hard drives... a thumbpad keyboard (for a console gaming machine)... Kingston Pen Drive... Garmin EMap Serial GPS all through a powered USB Hub and all showing as available at the same time. We did need to use the Ratoc Driver for some devices... and we did not have a version of the DeJe Driver to test.

Also it should recoginze any standard keyboard... and now with a new available driver... you can connect a gamepad (joystick). We will test this at the next meet... in 3 weeks.

I hope that answers your questions... if not fire away...

[equlizer]

Ive posted in a few other forums about the gamepad driver. It works perfectly, you just need to find a gamepad that works with those drivers

The ones that i found work are the Gravis USB gamepad pro and the old MS sidewinder USB. most gamepads dont work properly and only go up and left and only a few buttons work.

and as for keyboards, ANY keyboard will work even if you hook up another wireless key and use a wireless keyboard. It is regognized as soon as you plug it in. Ive posted at the pocketmatrix and brighthand about the same thing.

[Phillip Dyson]

For the Pro's list... I think that the Bluetooth support still needs a lot of work... the new BT Stack does not support many of the more important devices... mouses.. keyboards... and my gps unit. Hopefully there is an update in the near future.

{snip}

He fails to mention some of the other fine points such as the usb host... and the actual use of the device in true VGA... Overall I think it is a good unit that needs a little tweaking... and I do agree a faster processor would have been nice as well as another 32mb of rom. But I would take this configuration over the Hx4700 or Dell x50V anyday... As he mentioned 64mb of ram is no where enough these days...

I definitely agree with the Bluetooth stack. I can't even get it to pick up the OBEX profile on my smartphone. I can transfer files from my smartphone to the Toshiba, but not vice versa. Very frustrating. I hope there is an update soon.

I should be getting the USB host cable today. So hopefully I will be able to rectify the keyboard situation that way. Maybe I'll come acrosse a small foldable USB keyboard. There is the whole hard drive scenario. :)

I'm not sure what you mean about using the whole device in true VGA. Are you saying that that somehow differentiates the e830 from the 4700?

Of course more memory is always wonderful. :D

Anybody know if Toshiba has support forums? I would love to get to those. To see what kind of feedback they're getting for this device.

[Menneisyys]

That and the fact that the start menu does not always work immediately... but then neither does my Hp2200 sometimes... so I figure it is probably software related.

It's a WM issue, not related to any particular model. After booting up, before accessing the Start menu, WM has to read up all the icons for all the programs visible in the Start menu. If those programs are installed to storage cards, because of the compartatively slow / deferred ininitialization of storage media, this additional time can be quite high.

[Phillip Dyson]

Okay so now I can use file manager to transfer files via bluetooth to my smartphone.
I discovered a setting on my phone callled Beam that I had to set to accept beams.

However, now my e830 locks up after the transfer is successfully completed.

Also, does anyone know how to actually register the OBEX profile of my phone with the e830. I can see it when I browse the services on my phone. But I can't seem to register it.

Somehow I was able to register the DUN profile.

Any suggestions? :?

[psohl]

Freitasm, if you're listening...As for GPS, the Toshiba does support serial ports, and you can actually configure as many as you like. You should be able to add serial ports and instruct the software to connect through these ports.
How is this done? It seems I can't get my pharos gps software to function on my Toshiba e830. I think I've got all the hardware set up correctly, but the darn thing wont communicate gps data to the program. In Pharos Oastia, the "red" smiley face turn "yellow" when aquiring gps data and then "green" when there's a gps connection established. My problem is the "red" smiley stays "red" no matter what com port I choose (I'm given the choise of com 1 - com 10).

[Ripper014]

I have a Pharos BT GPS System as well and I think the problem is with the Toshiba BT Stack... I know that with my unit... the two devices are not connecting... if the GPS unit was paired it would be a solid blue...

[Ripper014]

My response is that I would rather have 128mb of ram and the small rom over the 28mb of rom and 64mb of ram that the Dell and Hx have anyday...