Planning to buy a sharp Zaurus SL-C3200 in the next one-two weeks (My 3-week nokia 770 doesn't do the job and will be sold), and after discovering it for about a month, I'd like to ask the senior users if it's a good time to buy it.

I don't know how often does Sharp puts into market new models, by the threads I think the 3200 came up on march, and the 3100 came approx. a year ago. I think there won't be many changes at least till end of summer, rignt?. Anything about releasing dates for future models, any roadmaps?, no one wants to buy something superceeded in two weeks by a more powerful model.

(I'm asuming the SL-C3200 to be the latest clamshell, nothing to do with 6000's).

Thank you all.

I wouldn't worry too much. sharp's updates are pretty incremental. the difference between a 3200 and a 3100 are some colors and 2 gigs on the internal hitachi cf microdrive(4 gig 3100, 6 gig 3200). all else is the same. The next model probably won't be too much different. I certainly wouldn't bother myself with trading in my 3100 for a 3200. I'll probably feel that way about the next model too. If you want a 3200, find a deal you like and buy it. I doubt you'll regret it.

I'm still using a 3000 and have no plans on upgrading to the 3200. Now that there's a solid driver for SD cards greater than 1 gig, space isn't an issue (it never was, really). The CPU is plenty fast.

I've had it now for... close to three years I think. I can't remember exactly when I bought it, but it was very soon after it came out.

I guess I look at it like laptop usage: If I can get a good two to three years out of it, it's well worth it.

R.
==

I wont buy unless I see a graphix co-processor, wifi, internal bluetooth, or a major update where as the os is concerned.


ok maybe I would consider if 128mb ram and 256mb rom...

moi, I just got a C1000 recently. For one, its cheaper, almost half that of C3100 and/or C3200 and two, I don't need the Microdrive right now.

If I were you, I would get the unit that suits my needs and not necessarily the latest greatest.

I almost got a C860, but the price point is not good and new units are rare, while the C1000 are new units and differ by not much in price.

keep in mind that the latest is not always the greatest. it depends on what you want to do with your unit. if you want to overclock, then the 3100 is better than the 3200. if you want more space, obviously, the c3200 is your likely candidate. if you dont need space, ie you just want a pda with a big screen, then maybe the c1000 is for you. if you want to use it like a mini laptop, then you definately want the built-in microdrive and the bigger the better.

Meanie: why 3100 is better to overclock then 3200? IIRC they share same mainboard...

And about new models - I want tosa++ still (sl-6000 with pxa27x, serial BT, Ralink USB Wifi (or even prism2 cf internal), internal microdrive, 128m ram)...

the c3200 use a new batch of CPUs, which according to people more knowledgable with this kind of hardware than me is the cause for frequent lock ups when they are overclocked. there has also been some reports from people who have these new devices about their unstable overclocking experiences.
maybe it was just a bad batch, but one has to wonder

Meanie: thx for info

Yes, I was asking if something of these could be possible in one or two months, but keeping the clamshell form factor, which probably is not the case.



You're right, but I just find C1000 and C3200, and the price difference is not as big as expected between models (C3100 are more expensive, due to stock remaining, I guess). Between c3100 and c3200, the cheaper matches the better, or at least, the most up-to-date (and I need the Gb).

Thanks to all replies , you guys are great!

On pricejapan (where I got my C1000), the C3200 is $546 while the C1000 is $368 ... => $180 diff! erm ... that's half the price of the C1000 already ...

Just tot I'll point that out.

Hi Rick,

just a side note, and not really on-topic, but reading your post I couldn't resist:

I have used my previous palmtop, a HP 200LX, for almost ten years. Starting 1996. Since then it was my total laptop replacement and partial desktop PC replacement.
Until a good friend donated me a C3000... :-)

That one was stolen (in German we say: "Wie gewonnen, so zerronnen", meaning: "just won, now already gone" or similar), and I upgraded to a 3100.
We'll see how long I'll use that one.
I have considered a few times switching back to the HP, though!

daniel

I've been hoping for a new revolutionary model for awhile now, but slow and steady does seem to be Sharp's mantra. Noticed this Sharp announcement the other day. Could be an indication that the next Zaurus release will have a "slightly" improved LCD.

http://www.sharpsma.com/Page.aspx/americas...1-6335636c17bc/

According to the following documentation, this LCD is a bit brighter than the current Z LCD and is transflective, so better viewing in direct sunlight.

Does anyone know what would be the benefit of selecting an 8 color mode? My first thought is power consumption is lower, but I don't know that for a fact. I'm sure it is in the following attachment somewhere, but it is a bit technical.

Click to view attachment

AFAIK, yes, lower power. Each refresh would require lesser cpu cycles, 640 x 480 x 3 bit (8 colour) vs 640 x 480 x 6 bit (262,144 color) ...

I'm more interested in its transflective properties. This would allow users to put the backlight to 0% or its lowest possible settings in outdoors. To add to that, it also uses LED backlight, which is supposed to consume lesser power than conventional CCFL backlight. So, with an advanced LCD screen like this, either lighter Zaurus or longer batt life is possible!

I say longer batt life!

I want a Zaurus REALLY bad. I am so sick of the limited abilities of my Axim X50v. I upgraded to Windows Mobile 5 and now Dell acts like they won't support my device with any new updates. Plus, the dumb thing has program crashes all the time.

I want to be able to actually connect to a network and be able to do something on it.

My hesitation in which Zaurus to buy lies with the possibility of the upcoming model having a better screen. I have read many reviews that the screen washes out when viewed outside in the daylight. I know that Sharp has the technology to upgrade the screens and I am thinking it might be smarter to get a Zaurus SL-C1000 which is currently cheaper and wait until the next one comes out.

http://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?act=A...pe=post&id=2639

Does anyone know what types of SD cards can be used with it? I was thinking of getting a 4 GB card.

Does anyone know if the C1000s can run the openbsd OS for Zaurus?

Thanks!!!

Donna

After a closer examination and comparison, I missed the fact that the new LCD is 18bit (262,144 colors) vs the current 16bit LCD (65536 colors). That is a pretty significant jump. This screen could be pretty nice indeed---brighter, more colors, viewable in direct sunlight and possibly easier on the battery. I hope this is in the next Z and is just one of many surprises.

not trying to sound negative, but the current trend for the Zaurus (from Sharp's perspective) is that it is a damn good dictionary and english tutor. not many dictionaries have full colours and vga screen so the Zaurus is kicking ass in that market segment.
as far as the new LCD is concerned, I think it is more likely they will stick it into the w-zero3 product line as this is where their pda/phone product line is heading...

Let's just hope some marketing guru slap together these pieces of technology into the Zaurus to give us a good model in future.

[/quote]

not trying to sound negative, but the current trend for the Zaurus (from Sharp's perspective) is that it is a damn good dictionary and english tutor. not many dictionaries have full colours and vga screen so the Zaurus is kicking ass in that market segment.
as far as the new LCD is concerned, I think it is more likely they will stick it into the w-zero3 product line as this is where their pda/phone product line is heading...

[/quote]

I figure it will be in the next Zaurus by default because I can't see Sharp continuing to manufacture both LCDs. The question is what else will be in the next Z.