OESF Portables Forum
General Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: Chazz on December 27, 2004, 12:15:54 pm
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I'm in the market for a new pda I and i've taken a liking to the Zaurus line. Any tips to help me determine which one to buy would be greatly appreciated.
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Chazz,
This is one of those 'if you ask 5 people, you'll get 5 different answers' questions...
However, FWIW, I give you my opinion....
Currently, I have the new SL-C3000 Zaurus. I really, really like it and enjoy using it a lot!
It's probably the best little device I've had and I've had lots of them!
Going all the way back to several Newtons, Palms/Clies/Handsprings, HPC's, and PPC's...
Prior to my new Z, I've had a C760 and C860. Both are excellent units.
Now for the editorial opinion....
Personally, I really like the design and form factor of the clamshell units. They just feel right to me. Sitting the Z on a desk and using it as a mini-laptop works great and is the way I use it most of the time. The keyboard works surprisingly well for this.
Sometimes, I use it in tablet or PDA mode. The controls work well for this too, even for one-handed operation.
The point is that I feel that I have the choice of how I want to use it, in what mode, either mini-laptop or tablet style.
I don't think the SL-5500/5600/6000's really give you the same level of flexibility. What you do get is a lower price, which may or may not be a controlling factor for you.
If budget is the driver, then I'd go for the 6000, if not get one of the clamshell series.
Just my 2 cents....
HTH,
Mark
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There are alot of threads on this so a search should get you plenty of returns. With that out of the way, You need to give us information about what you want to use it for?
The sl-6000 has many features (larger screen, transflective, usb host, expansion sleeve, US warranty, etc...) to make it a laptop replacement. $400 price tag is also enticing
The clamshells have the better form factor (landscape typing, protected screen, fits better in pocket, etc....) and a better built in keyboard for pda/pocketop roles. It currently has the most active software development.
I assume the sl-c3000 was not mentioned because of its high price tag.
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Being a SL-6000L Owner with a Targus Keyboard I have found the 6K to be a great laptop replacement for me. I do have to say I find the cxx0 to be much more sexy and better felling in my hand when they do not have a WiFi card in them. I Uses my wifi card most of the time when I am using my Z and is the main reason I went with the 6k over the c760. Since I have got my Z I have found I really like the usb host since I can plug in my Logitech Natural Keyboard, my Usb Harddrive, and my USB ethernet card. But I would still have to say that if a clam had builtin wifi I think I would go for that since i like to have both a cf and sd card in at the same time...
The targus is a most with the 6k if you want to do alot of typing. I uses the builtin keyboard when I am sending ims or just surfing the web but I uses the targus when I am sshed into one of my servers working. For me having the 6k in my pocket and the keyboard in one of my coat pockets I can do my work from anywhere I can get wifi. I will admit I even carry my power cord in one of the pockets of my bikers jacket so I have big pockets so carrying things like that is not much of a problem for me...it is easier then carrying my laptop and power cords for it...
But that is just my opinion...it all comes back to what you plan on doing most often with your Z...any of them are great machines...
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How are you going to use it? I just bought my 6k a little over a week now and my reasoning went something like this:
The C3000 was out of my price range. I mean I COULD have bought it but I just couldn't see myself carying around an $800 PDA everywhere and if I was only going to have when I expected to need it I might as well have stuck with my laptop. That left me with either the 760/860 or the 6000 and the USB host support was what tipped the ballance (the lower price and easier access to warranty service didn't hurt). One thing that the clamshells have going for them is that when using the keyboard the screen is in landscape mode which is somewhat better for more PC like applications. With my 6k I can still rotate the screen but that makes the keyboard mostly useless.
Bottom line, I'm really happy with my 6k but I think I'd be pretty happy with a clamshell as well.
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Well I'm in the same boat. I've been in PPC land (Asus A600) for a while now. It's time for my first Z.
While I don't have unlimited funds I can strech for a new C3000, but would it really be worth it? $400 vs $800 is a big difference. I was just outbid on ebay for a SL-6000. But after placing my bid for the 6K I was hoping for someone to outbid me
I guess my real question is: Are the clamshells worth the extra $$ charged for them?
markpmc
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Having just bought a 6000L, I am still in a debating mode trying to decide which is better, so I can all the more understand your predicament as to decide which is better not having both in your hands like myself.
While the Clamshell keyboard is much better and the clamshell looks more sleek and sexier (you can show off to others and they will invariably 'WOW !' it), the 6000L boasts a
1 ) better screen - a) Brighter and bigger readable in Sunlight)
2) USB Host
3) Better battery life (compared to my C750) - that will be different for others
4) Built in Wifi
As much as I was trying to justify that the 6000L was better than my C750, objectively looking I really cant say that because of certain factors
1) Havent really used the USB host feature as I am yet to buy a keyboard, and if I did need that external keyboard, then the C750 keyboard might do as well (for my limited on-the-go typing). Other USB peripherals such as USB keychains is moot since I have a large enough SD card and havent as yet needed other peripherals to work with my 6000L (from a need point of view).
2) Built in Wifi is great - but you can supplement that with a much cheaper CF wifi card (at the expense of the CF slot true - but I can live with the SD as storage.
So that leaves me justifyting the 6000L advantages based on the bigger and better screen (outdoor readability counts for me)
and the better Battery life. I am still hoping sometime the need will arise (work wise) when the USB host feature will really prove usefull for me.
So its all a case of what you want to use it for.
I hope others test cases can help you decide better realising your own usage profile. But again, unless you start using either model, you won't realise exactly how it can come useful. Sorry, but its such a tough decision to make.
Edit : I didnt even include the C3000 in my analysis - that just makes things more complicated trying to compare and decide.
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nilch indirectly brought up a good point. The 760 can also use the small battery to be small like a 750. The clamshells are better for carrying on you at all times.
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I have a 5600 and a 700/760 --- I have to admit that I greatly prefer the clamshell(s):
(1) the keyboard can't be beat
(2) When you rotate the screen and close, it's "protected" -- don't underestimate the value of
this ability.
I don't like the fact that I have to tier up the SD with WIFI and can't have a 4GB+ CF *and*
wifi, but for most things, a 512mb SD + cf wifi is more than sufficient.
Scott
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the 6000L boasts a
1 ) better screen - a) Brighter and bigger readable in Sunlight)
2) USB Host
3) Better battery life (compared to my C750) - that will be different for others
4) Built in Wifi
Well you may have me on the screen. I'd "assumed" that since the 6K had a bright transreflective type screen that the subsequent clamshells shared the same type of screen.
Does anyone know where I can find some photos of a clamshell side by side w/ a 6K so I can compare the screens in sunlight?
markpmc
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the 6000L boasts a
1 ) better screen - a) Brighter and bigger readable in Sunlight)
2) USB Host
3) Better battery life (compared to my C750) - that will be different for others
4) Built in Wifi
Well you may have me on the screen. I'd "assumed" that since the 6K had a bright transreflective type screen that the subsequent clamshells shared the same type of screen.
Does anyone know where I can find some photos of a clamshell side by side w/ a 6K so I can compare the screens in sunlight?
markpmc
Here is a pic:
BarginPDA screenshot (http://www.bargainpda.com/assets/sharp/zaurus/6000/ThreeZscreens.jpg)
Complete BargainPDA review. (http://www.bargainpda.com/reviews/sharp_zaurus_sl_6000_1.html)