01-19-2005, 03:00 PM
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Developer & Designer, News Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,959
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Geekzone Reviews the Toshiba e830
"Toshiba have released the e830 Pocket PC device, the successor to the popular e800 Pocket PC. The e800 was the first VGA Pocket PC on the market and supported VGA even before Windows Mobile supported it. The e800 created a small cult following because of this and Toshiba are looking to expand on with the e830."
Geekzone have just reviewed the Toshiba e830, which I must say, appears to be a mighty fine device! Anybody thinking of making this their next purchase (if it's available in your region)? ;-)
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01-19-2005, 03:37 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 797
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:soapbox:
I know it was a long time ago, but after I got my E330 and dealt with the horrible support and the all-but-lie about SDIO capabilities, I pretty much decided that at that point, I would not be dealing with Toshiba ever again. That unit cost me under $300. I can't even imagine sinking that kind of dough into a new PPC from them. I just don't trust them as a company anymore.
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01-19-2005, 04:05 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,051
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Re: Geekzone Reviews the Toshiba e830
Quote:
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You will also notice its size �like other VGA devices currently in the market it is quite large. In fact the Toshiba e830 is marginally taller than the HP iPAQ hx4700 as well as a few millimetres thicker.
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They lost me right there. But I thought it was an excellent review.
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01-19-2005, 07:38 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,043
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I played with a couple of e830s at our last user group meeting, and must say that it was difficult not to drool. Audio was killer. Screen awesome. Buttons... not so much. But the slimness factor, the comfort in my hand, was the clear point where I pretty much decided that next time I have the cash (a mere $550 Canadian) this is the unit to get. Unless of course something even better comes along first. With the mixed reviews I've seen on the hx4700, though largely not too shabby, I'd go for the Toshiba.
As for the customer support question; I've seen crap support from Casio, and good support from Casio. I've seen negligable support from Compaq, pretty sad support from Dell, and crap from Acer (my notebook). Why should Toshiba be any different? There is little honour among these manufacturers. They're under-paying the assembly workers, over-inflating retail cost, and pocketing as much money as possible. Support would cut into that severely. HP does seem to have a better record than most with their replacement policies at times or for a fee, and Casio did eventually try to do right by me with 4 replacement e800 units... though the fifth is a mess of hardware defects... But really, what I look for in a new PPC is features and apparent, hands-on sense of quality, not backing from the OEM.
__________________
Gerard Ivan Samija
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01-19-2005, 07:48 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 41
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Didn't Toshiba say they were getting out?
Didn't Toshiba announce a while ago that they were getting out of the PPC business? What's the deal, were they just trying to weasel out of supporting their old ones?
I and my wife have both been burned by Toshiba on PPCs, so no more of them for us. Best of luck to those who do try this new one.
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01-19-2005, 07:48 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 37
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I've recently bought one of these e830's and am having a hard time finding compatible hardware (gps, BT keyboard & mouse, etc...) Is this device too new to be supported yet? Can somebody point me in the right direction?[/img]
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01-19-2005, 07:52 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 797
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Gerard
I've seen crap support from Casio, and good support from Casio. I've seen negligable support from Compaq, pretty sad support from Dell, and crap from Acer (my notebook). Why should Toshiba be any different?
...
But really, what I look for in a new PPC is features and apparent, hands-on sense of quality, not backing from the OEM.
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Two points:
1. Toshiba's tech support is notoriously bad. I had a PPC and one of my sales reps had a Satellite. Trying to get any kind of help from them is a chore, and on the Satellite, we even purchased a soup-to-nuts service contract. Tough noogies. They just don't care.
2. I do like features. Features are nice. Features like SDIO support that actually is SDIO support (you know, so you buy a feature and get a feature?) is one I like. If you consider that "backing from the OEM" and it isn't important to you, then good on you. I for one would rather make sure the manufacturer isn't an overpromising under-delivering jerk before I plunk down $600 on a handheld from them for a second time, and I won't be stranded when something goes wrong with it.
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01-19-2005, 07:57 PM
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5000+ Posts? I Should OWN This Site!
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,067
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I adored the e800. It was really cool to have a VGA device back in Oct, 2003.
The e830? Definitely weaker screen than that of the hx4700 / Pocket Loox 720. And, a non-Widcomm/Broadcomm BT stack. They both are showstoppers for me.
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01-19-2005, 08:06 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 841
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by psohl
I've recently bought one of these e830's and am having a hard time finding compatible hardware (gps, BT keyboard & mouse, etc...) Is this device too new to be supported yet? Can somebody point me in the right direction?[/img]
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Interesting comment. As I played with the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi part for our review (Darryl did all the rest), I'll add...
First the Bluetooth on the Toshiba e830 doesn't support HID, so it rules out keyboard and mouse. But no other Pocket PC supports these anyway, without a third party driver.
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. If you have any problem I don't think is the Bluetooth, but the software. For the GPS, the Bluetooth serial is not different than a cable connection.
When configuring serial ports you can select one (or more) to be an ActiveSync partner (of course remember the configuration on the desktop side!)
It also supports OBEX FTP (file transfer) and headset profile. I've tried both and worked without a problem.
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01-19-2005, 09:16 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 880
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First off... I own a Toshiba e830... and so far I love the device. It has more features built-in for the money than any other vga device available that I am aware of. Definitely the best buy for the money... in Canada it is still the most inexpensive one available... yes at least $50 cheaper than that Dell x50V in most cases more.
The service issues can be a serious one... and I am not going to debate that they may have let some comsumers down with some of their older models... most specifically the e330 and e740 series... I do not have first hand knowledge of that. However... Toshiba has always been the leader in the PocketPC genre for pushing the envelope... dual wireless... vga... they have always led and everyone else followed. It would be a big loss if they left the market.
As of now... they have only left the US and British marketplace... for only reasons they can answer... I would also like to note in Toshiba's defence they are the only manufacturer to supply a wm2003SE update... though it was only for the e400/e800's it was more than any other manufacturer did.
The only serious flaw that I have found with my e830 is the BT Stack... and if there is a solution I would love more information on it... I have talk to Toshiba to the level of their engineers... and they do not have a solution for my BT issues... I was told that there MAY be a new release pending... So "Freitasm" I would love any input or if you can point me to some source material I would be grateful... I can't configure my BT to allow my GPS to work. I have talked to both Toshiba and Pharos the GPS's manufacturer... I have tried GPSgate to spoof it... and though it looks like it may be connected... there is no usable connection.
Like Gerard said... if you look at any thread someone feels that they have been wronged by the manufacturer and in my experience Toshiba has been as good to me as anyone else. 5 Replacement units... omg... I would give you back you money and tell you nicely to try someone else... we can not afford your business...
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