Zaurus or Linux On an Ipaq? Opinions?

[Anonymous]

I have the Zaurus 5600 and I am thinking of returning it. I am not happy with the screen quality. How difficult is it to load Linux on an IPAQ? Which is better a Zaurus or an Ipaq with linux?

[zmike]

If screen quality is a concern, try to get one of the japanese C7x0 or c860s. I got one imported and the screen is 4x sharper than the 5600 having a 640x480 screen (same size as 5x00s). It is incredible! There are various importers that can get the units (dynamism.com, thekompany.com) or do a search on ebay for providers. Alternatively you could hold out for the Sharp 6000 model which also has the new screen.

[DrWowe]

Loading Linux on an iPaq is an afternoon\'s chore.  It\'s not terribly difficult, but it takes some time.  The screens aren\'t terribly much better than on the Zaurus.  The post-3900 models may be a bit brighter, but the resolution is the same.  New models aren\'t usually supported for at least a year, I think the 5xxx are the newest models are are currently compatible.

Cons: You lose the built-in keyboard which is a big drawback.  You don\'t get the nice software on the Zaurus (especially Opera).  You can\'t use CF cards unless you use a sleeve.  You can\'t use SD slot for anything expect MMC cards (blame the SD consortium and their NDA policies)

Pros:  You can use the sleeves, and some of the models have built-in wireless.

As a former user of ipaq Linux, I\'ve switched to the Zaurus, and I like it better.  It\'s hard to use Linux without a real keyboard.
OTOH, the iPaq 4355 would be a nice Linux platform, but it won\'t be supported for a long time.

[DrWowe]

On a related note, I would really like to see a Linux/Qtopia port that runs on the newer Clie hardware.  I\'m surprised no one has attempted it yet...

[tumnus]

I\'m quite happy with the 5600 screen. It\'s brighter than the 5500 and can be seen in direct sunlight (unlike the Cxxx Zaurii, but the VGA resolution would be nice). The 6000 screen is bound to be amazing.

All the iPAQ Linux info can be found at http://www.handhelds.org

I didn\'t think the Palm Clie\'s had MMUs, so you would have to use uCLinux, which makes multi-tasking difficult. When PalmOS 6 devices come out it will be much simpler to port Linux to them since they will be designed for multi-tasking and will have MMUs.

[Anonymous]

Tumnus you seem to be very helpful. Would you mind telling me what the major problem is with the 250 processor. I just got a 5600 with it. Do you recommend me sending it back, or are the problems only minimal. Thanks.

[tumnus]

I do not know the specifics, but the PXA250 has a bug to do with it\'s on-die cache. Apparently there can be certain circumstances where the cache becomes out of sync with main memory or something like that, resulting in memory corruption. So they implemented a workaround in the kernel (I think they turned the cache off), which effectively halved the speed of the 5600 so it was more like the 5500.

However the workaround can be turned off, allowing the 5600 to run at a full 400MHz and giving the same performance as the PXA255. Some special kernels have been compiled with this turned off. Many people have installed them and have not reported any stability problems. You can download these kernels here: http://www.zaurususergroup.com/modules.php...download&sid=53

To see the improvement, just try loading something like Opera with the standard kernel, then install one of the kernels above and run Opera again.

[Anonymous]

So I looked at the link above. I am afraid I do not really understand what I need to do for this special kernel. Do I just download the Kernel and install it?

[tumnus]

To install the special kernel on the 5600:

1) Download these two files:
http://www.zaurususergroup.com/modules.php...q=getit&lid=165 (rename this to zImage.bin - I think case is important)
http://community.zaurus.com/download.php/3.../351/updater.sh
2) Copy the two files to a CF or SD card
3) Close all apps and move the switch on the back to the \'Replace battery\' position
4) Wait until your Zaurus has completely turned off and move the switch back to \'Normal Operation\'
5) Hold down the OK button and at the same time press the Cancel/On button
6) A maintanance screen should appear - Select the Update option using the D-pad
7) Select either CF or SD on the next screen depending on where you placed the files
Follow the on-screen instructions. When flashing the kernel, it should show you the progress. It should reboot automatically when it is done

If you want to overclock your Zaurus, you should download the following kernel image instead of the first link above:
http://www.zaurususergroup.com/modules.php...q=getit&lid=166
Please read the disclaimer on the download page linked to previously

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the step by step. I really appreciate it. One other thing, should I do all this before or after I load the upgrade ROM for the 5600 from Sharps website? Is there any other ROM I could use instead of Sharps (I see you are using the Sharp ROM)? Thanks again. Brad.

[tumnus]

Getting a bit off topic here...

You should upgrade the ROM first. I\'ve only used the Sharp ROM on my 5600. There\'s the tkcROM for the 5600 and SpecialK, but I like to stick with what is stable.

[Anonymous]

So I am still thinking about returning my Zaurus and just getting the IPAQ 1945 and running the evil Mircosoft OS. I really do not like how big the zaurus is and how dim the screen is. Anyone have any opinions/comments on this? Thanks, Brad.

[Mickeyl]

Give it back or buy one of the clamshells or wait for the 6000.
Linux support for newer ipaqs will be much tougher for the CRL folks as HP is virtually flooding the market with new hardware platforms... don\'t hold your breath.

[Anonymous]

Are you sure you have the brightness turned up?

[spaul]

You won\'t go wrong with either zaurus or HP.  I got the 1945 for my wife.  Fabulous value.   A commodity pricing model (software notwithstanding) is great for the consumer. I put some of my photos on both simultaneously.  Yes the HP screen is brighter but be aware it has a serious flaw in overemphasizing blue.  I have seen that mentioned in several reviews but it is really striking in comparing photographs. On the Z for some reason sharpness is not as good comparing photos.  Could be some setting I do not have right.    

In terms of the size factor there is no denying the Z is close to being a brick I\'d be afraid of my wife throwing it at me.  Luckily, she would never carry something so heavy.  But besides the keyboard, Sharpe is known in the industry for quality durable products whereas the HP feels fragile to me. Iguidance is a killer ap for ipaq that also works on windows notebooks.  While zaurus / linux has GPS you cannot get a program with verbal directions that corrects as soon as you make a wrong turn.  It almost opened using WINE (I have a dual boot laptop with Suse and XP).  Good luck choosing between two great PDAs.        




guest said,
So I am still thinking about returning my Zaurus and just getting the IPAQ 1945 and running the evil Mircosoft OS. I really do not like how big the zaurus is and how dim the screen is. Anyone have any opinions/comments on this? Thanks, Brad