My C1000 Review Options

[BlackCardinal]

When I was deciding whether to upgrade from my old 5500 to a C1000, I didn't find a lot of reviews about the C1000 specifically. There were several on the C3000 and C3100, which are very similar, but I found very little about the C1000 itself. Now that I own one, I decided to put together my own review for others interested in this unit. It's on my web paget: BlackCardinal's C1000 Review

If you have any comments or suggestions I'd appreciate the feedback. (I think )

[frobnoid_]

When I was deciding whether to upgrade from my old 5500 to a C1000, I didn't find a lot of reviews about the C1000 specifically.  There were several on the C3000 and C3100, which are very similar, but I found very little about the C1000 itself.  Now that I own one, I decided to put together my own review for others interested in this unit.  It's on my web paget:  BlackCardinal's C1000 Review

If you have any comments or suggestions I'd appreciate the feedback.  (I think  )

Nice review. One observation: PriceJapan's "continuously flucuating price" is probably (IMO) due more to the current exchange rate than variance in their purchase price.

[maslovsky]

I liked the review too It's nice to read a review form a person, who reads ZUG on a regular basis and knows the bits. Quite often the reviewer knows very little about what's he's reviewing

[sstrungis]

Nicely done overall. That would have been great to read while I was still shopping.

Scott Strungis

[BlackCardinal]

PriceJapan's "continuously flucuating price" is probably (IMO) due more to the current exchange rate than variance in their purchase price.

Good point. I had totally forgotten about exchange rates when I wrote that. I've updated my review accordingly. Thanks!

[chiark]

Nice stuff. Well written, and objective.

I am writing a review for hpcfactor.com, although when it'll be published is another question!

[Jack B Nimble]

Speaking as one who is shopping now, and trying to decide between a used Cx60, new C1000 or a Nokia 770, I have to say your review is very helpful.

I do have to ask about the screen. As few people have mentioned trouble with the screen, and you mention that it bothers you, how bad is it? One of my main uses would be ebook reading, so if it is annoying to look at the screen for any length of time, that would pretty well shoot down that choice.

Thank again!
Jack

[kahm]

The screens on the clamshells are very, very good. The issue with the angle of view in landscape mode is pretty subtle, and it affects reading much less than viewing pictures or movies. That being said, the best way to read your ebooks is in portrait mode anyway - it's easier to hold in one hand, and a finger or thumb lands naturally on the scroll wheel anyway.

I'd recommend a new 1000 over a used Cx60 unless size is a *very* important factor to you. (But then you wouldn't be looking at the Nokia...)
The newer clamshells are more versatile in that:

They have better keyboards.
They have USB host.
They have much better video performance. (The Wireless MMX instructions make all the difference.)

They also have slightly larger batteries (and, by defaut, better battery life as you're getting a new battery over one that's halfway through its life cycle). The down side is that they're a little larger than the Cx60s - The 860 feels pretty small whenever I pick it up after using the newer ones for a while. The difference is pretty small, though.

With prices these days, it's almost worth it to spring for the 3100 over the 1000. I just got my 3100 for $513CAN, while 6 months ago I paid $470CAN for my 1000. (And ~$700CAN for my 3000 ) Also, a 3100 comes with a universal power adaptor instead of a 100v one (Not that any of the half dozen 100v adaptors I've got has every caused a problem for me.)

My 2 cents

[BlackCardinal]

I do have to ask about the screen.  As few people have mentioned trouble with the screen, and you mention that it  bothers you, how bad is it?

Actually, it's not a problem for ebooks. I use JustReader, which has black text on a white background. As kahm mentions, the screen effect mostly affects pictures and movies, especially letterboxed widescreen movies, where there are large areas of black on the screen. The black text in JustReader is broken up by the white background enough that I don't notice the silvery effect at all, really. (I tried to make it annoy me just now and couldn't.)

I prefer to view ebooks in landscape mode myself.

For pictures and movies, the effect really just limits the angles from which the screen looks good. For watching movies by myself, it works fine, as long as I view from slightly left of the screen. It just wouldn't work very well if two people are trying to watch a movie at the same time.

[Remedy]

When I was deciding whether to upgrade from my old 5500 to a C1000, I didn't find a lot of reviews about the C1000 specifically.  There were several on the C3000 and C3100, which are very similar, but I found very little about the C1000 itself.  Now that I own one, I decided to put together my own review for others interested in this unit.  It's on my web paget:  BlackCardinal's C1000 Review

If you have any comments or suggestions I'd appreciate the feedback.  (I think  )

Review was definetly excellent and educational one. Thank you.

I have a question: What kind of case do you use when you travel with it? Do you use one of those Nite Ize cases that attach to your hip?

[BlackCardinal]

I don't have a holster-style case for my C1K yet. I used a Nutshell 207 case for the 5500 (from http://www.tuff-as-nuts.com/), and plan to order a Nutshell 209 for the C1K, but haven't done it yet. At the moment I'm using a zippered neoprene jacket that came with a Palm Portable Keyboard to protect it while it's in my travel bag or while I am carrying it in my hand.

I checked out the Nite Ize cases you mentioned and they look nice, too. They look like too much for me, though. I don't usually need to haul all my accessories around all the time. I also just like the looks of the Nutshell cases.

[brashley46]

Great review, blackcardinal. Now I have 2 weeks to decide whether I want the C100 or a 760.

[edoc]

I have a question: What kind of case do you use when you travel with it? Do you use one of those Nite Ize cases that attach to your hip?

Does anyone make an aluminum or magnesium case with a leather-like
or cloth/nylon covering that would really defend the C1000 well without
being impossibly bulky or heavy?

Thanks! doc