Messages

1

General Discussion / Total Newbie Questions

« on: March 31, 2005, 08:23:42 pm »

Depending on if you can live with re-encoded video (It is quite watchable on the Z's screen. I've watched subtitled anime with 0 legibility issues), I'd probably call that 3.5 out of 4 =) Congratulations - you're getting a Z!
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=73007\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

Thank you very much for the info (and the smack....I feel like one of my customers). Indeed, as soon as the funds are available I'll be getting a Z.

One final (semi-rhetorical) question; what makes Sharp think this thing wouldn't sell like bad monkeys on crack in the states if they marketed it agressively?

Anyway, damn find device and I'll be getting one. Thanks again.

2

General Discussion / Total Newbie Questions

« on: March 31, 2005, 12:07:21 pm »

After checking out various devices and growing tired of waiting on Pocket PC companies to redesign their devices, I'm pretty much set on picking up a SL-C1000. I have a few questions that I haven't been able to find answers to on the forums (you can smack me around if it was because I didn't look hard enough):

1. I have read that the Zaurus can support an external hard drive through its USB Host . The article I found mentioned mounting a Linux drive. I want to use the drive (a large capacity 2.5 laptop drive) as a media drive both for my laptop (Windows 2000) and the Zaurus. Is this possible?

2. How is video playback on this device? Can it handle 640x480 24-30fps divx encoded at reasonably high quality bit rates? Are there benchmarks I can review for this?

3. Are there good quality graphics editing/painting/drawing programs for this device? One of the main things that attracted me to the Toshiba e805 was being able to use its very good 4 inch screen for doing graphics work on the move. I know GIMP is a very good open source program. Is it available for the Zaurus?

4. Purely consequential, but how is console (game) emulation on the zaurus? This is not a necessity but would be nice to have.

Sorry for the newb questions. I've been a technician in the Wintel world for 10 years now but have zippo experience with any Linux device. I would like to move the SL-C1000 as the design is close to perfect for my needs. Pocket PCs have some decent technology but their button placement, orientation and UI sucks. I won't gush about the Zaurus' advantage in these areas. You that use them know it. If the Zaurus can handle at least 2 out of 4 of the above its what I'm going with.

Thanks