OESF Portables Forum
Everything Else => Sharp Zaurus => Model Specific Forums => Distros, Development, and Model Specific Forums => Archived Forums => C1000/3x00 General discussions => Topic started by: gdog on December 16, 2004, 11:58:55 pm
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I have a 6K which I like very much. But the clamshell form factor is calling me like a siren song from the deep. So I'm considering the 3K. Some questions though if someone would care to share their experiences
Anyone dealt with Dynamism? If so can you share your experience?
Does the HDD on the 3K take some time to spin up? Any idea how long it takes to idle out if in fact it does?
Does it take longer to resume from suspend than it did on previous models, due to the hdd having to be remounted each time?
Anyone added a CF WiFi card? Was it necessary to tweak the kernel?
Are all of the extended ascii characters available via key combos in the keyboard?
Has anyone seen or created a list of key combos it takes to create them? For instance in coding I need the backtick ( ` ) character, but don't see it on the keyboard. And of course the { } \ ^ ~ and ! are also vital to coding. Some I see, others I don't...
Does the keyboard have the sticky shift/CAPs capability?
Is the screen viewable outdoors? Is it "washed out" indoors or out at the highest brightness setting?
The Apps in ROM seem to be the same version as those installed on my 6K. Does anyone know if there are significant differences?
Has anyone installed Perl, SSH or GnuPG on their 3K? How about TreeExplorerQT, Konsole or QPDF?
Is the large port on the back for a serial cable connection, or is it just a diagnostics port?
Does an SD card (memory, not WiFi), stick out past the front of the unit when inserted?
Is there a latch on the display or is it friction/tension that holds it shut?
After being converted to English (and by whom), are there still undisplayable (or boxes) or Japanese characters showing in the PIM and other ROM apps?
Does the unit feel substantial in the hand? This is somewhat subjective, but does it feel like quality, or something less?
Thanks in advance,
gdog
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gdog,
This link may help you with most of your questions on the c3000 model. This is our English version of the manual http://www.streamlinecpus.com/forum/local_links.php (http://www.streamlinecpus.com/forum/local_links.php)
This link may help you as well once you decide if the c3000 is right for you.
https://www.oesf.org/forums/inde...?showtopic=9164 (https://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=9164)
If you have any other questions please feel free to email me at stephen@streamlinecpus.com
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Unfortunately the maual does not go into enough detail to answer the majority of my questions. Thanks though. I'm hoping that one of the owners of the 3K who may have experience in the areas I'm curious about, will help me to learn the answers!
Regards,
gdog
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I don't have a 3000, but I might be able to answer a couple of your questions...
Anyone dealt with Dynamism? If so can you share your experience?
I bought my 760 from Dynamism right when it came out (1.5 years ago - wow), and dynamsim is great. They are always a bit higher in cost than other resellers, but they do provide warranty protection (basically you send it to dynamism, and they deal with Sharp Japan). Which I unfortunately had to use. My 760 screen stopped responding to input so I sent it into dynamsim and got it back a month later with completely fixed.
Does an SD card (memory, not WiFi), stick out past the front of the unit when inserted?
I doubt it sticks out at all. I have a 5500, 760, and 6000 and the SD doesn't stick out at all on these.
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Thanks for the feedback offroadgeek. This is exactly the type of info I'm hoping to get back from folks. I only hope there is more to come!
Regards,
gdog
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I'll be posting a review of the C3000 next week on pdabuyersguide.com. I received the unit from Dynamism for review. I have purchased things from them and they're great to do business with.
The C3000 does not have a latch that holds the clamshell closed. It uses the tension of the hinge to keep the device closed, which is effective.
I've used it for a few weeks, and I can't hear the drive spin and do not notice a delay that's any longer than the C860 or 6000 launching apps from flash ROM.
SD memory cards do not protrude.
I used my Ambicom CF WiFi card with the C3000 and had no problems (same goes with my C860). The drivers in the OS worked fine.
The keyboard has caps lock, and the available keyboard combos are the same as the C860 and other Cxx models.
Lisa
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I just received my C3000 from Dynamism, and I think I may be able to address some of your concerns. Firstly, the unit is smaller than the SL6000 and just as comfortable--I tried it at CDW before purchasing the C3000.
Holding it like a regular PDA is very well designed, albiet lacking a directional pad is hindering. In clamshell mode, it feels very well balanced, with a very comfortable weight on th base of the unit. In PDA mode, the location of the CF slot (and thus the protruding wi-fi card) is ergonomically on top, but while in clamshell mode, the card sticks out from the right, causing one's right hand to climb over the keyboard a little longer.
Overall, typing in the unit (as I am doing now) is very comfortable, but dfficult to do standing and back-aching to do sitting! But I'm sure that's true with any PDA. I personally cannot get the handwriting recognition strip (onscreen, not actual hardware) to work effectively.
The whole unit is very attractively designed with a plastic white exterior and silver trim as clean and as oil-sensitive as a fourth generation iPod. The trim, though covered with the thin film from my otherwise clean fingers, gives an especially high-end touch. To characterize it simply, the unit is a bit ricoculous in appearance.
As far as the Japanese goes, the easy-to-remove stickers only prelude the Japanese alphabet-switching keys. However, the amount of Japanese in the software depends on the provider, and I can't give a confident opinion on Dynamism's job because I haven't examined the nooks and crannies where the Japanese is most likely hiding.
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Hey thanks Lisa. My ardor has cooled somewhat after reading the pinned thread regarding hdd problems and solutions. I can't afford to be without my PDA for a month, as I use it as a documentation repository and need it in my job.
I always enjoy your reviews. It was largely due to your positive and very well written review of the 6K that allowed me to feel comfortable with my purchase of it. And if it weren't for the allure of the clamshell form factor I wouldn't be looking to replace it.
Another thing that is causing me to pull back on replacing it is that I discovered that QPDF appears to have problems in landscape mode, at least on my 6K. I have a lot of pdf reference docs, and because the native format of the 3K is landscape, problems with QPDF on a 3K would be a setback for me, though not as serious as having to send my unit back to Japan via Dynamism would be.
FWIW, Jason and the Tech Support crew have answered a few dozen questions for me over the last couple of days. The replies were swift and honest, and I do look forward to doing business with them somewhere down the road. And since they always have the coolest gadgets, it probably won't be long. ;o)
Regards,
gdog
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gdog, glad you've liked the reviews! I had the C3000 for about a month and no problems with the HDD at all.
I read PDFs with C series machines in landscape using QPDF2- works well for me. Use fit to width mode.
It's a super machine. If I didn't own a C860 that I've got tweaked to suit me in most every way, I'd get one.
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Thanks Everyone for the excellent feedback. I've decided to hang onto my 6K for the time being though. The main reason was the screen. I just didn't want to go backwards, even if it was just .3"
Great revew of the 3K Lisa! My hope is that your future review of the next device in the line of Z-clamshells will describe a never-before-used 5" screen, with all the appealing features of the 3K present, plus WiFi
Dynamism was absolutely great to work with, and they went way beyomd the norm to try and help me to decide. If the "perfect" device is not marketed directly in the US I will be going to them to purchase it. Until then I guess I'm stuck with my 6K. Life is tough
Thanks again,
gdog
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I just wanted to add that, although I did not eventually order my 3000 from Dynamism, they were one of the most helpful and gracious companies I have ever dealt with. I look forward to the day I need to purchase something from them. Definitely recommended.
Jipsom
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Does it take longer to resume from suspend than it did on previous models, due to the hdd having to be remounted each time?
No
Has anyone seen or created a list of key combos it takes to create them? For instance in coding I need the backtick ( ` ) character, but don't see it on the keyboard. And of course the { } \ ^ ~ and ! are also vital to coding. Some I see, others I don't...
I have remapped keyboard to Czech keyboard layout using keyhelper.xml. You can see my keyhelper.xml here (https://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=9555).
Is the large port on the back for a serial cable connection, or is it just a diagnostics port?
Diagnostic one :-(
Does an SD card (memory, not WiFi), stick out past the front of the unit when inserted?
No.
Does the unit feel substantial in the hand? This is somewhat subjective, but does it feel like quality, or something less?
It feels like quality but pivot joint of the display.