New Zaurus This Summer?

[tumnus]

Now that the Z's support USB keyboards and mice, the zaurus is begging for VGA out.

Hardware based VGA-out sounds like the only way it would work. Probably with it's own GPU or something (excuse my ignorance).
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Someone in our office has a Dell Axim X50v with the VGA adapter cable. The X50 must have the VGA output built in as all the cable looks like is a straight forward sync port to D-SUB connector cable. The cable is only £40 too and that includes the full ClearView suite for PDFs, Powerpoint, Word, Excel and picture slideshows. The quality of all the rendering is really impressive. Why we have to fork out hundreds for a CF VGA out card and limited software I do not know.

The X50v comes with a screen mirroring setting by default too, so I guess you could use it with an external keyboard and monitor, albeit at 640x480. Don't know about a mouse though and Pocket PC is notoriously difficult to control without using the touchscreen.

A Dell X50v with a clamshell keyboard and of course running Linux+Qtopia would be my ideal PDA.

I think for a PDA 640x480 is fine, until you start talking about using it as a laptop replacement.

[nilch]

I think the way the Zaurus has progressed - its time for WiFi and/or BT and a VGA port - its time that the Zaurus functioned as a standalone little computer which can be hooked up to a regular monitor, keyboard etc and for presentations.

Ok, even if not that far, PalmOne with its Lifedrive (what a silly name) Mobile Manager is showing that the World (sorry, read USA) is ready for more functionality from a PDA. Sharp has already done what Palm is now doing (4 GB, Music/Video etc) .

So if Palm is showing the way to heftier more functional machines, why doesnt Sharp think of cracking the US market now - when general people have been spoon-fed the idea that a handheld is more than a Organizer.

I mean, if people are receptive to the LifeDrive concept, then I am sure with enough exposure Sharp can show the Zaurus alongside the lifedrive and show off the extra functionality that it already has together with WiFi and VGA out and maybe a better screen (4").

As for the speculations, is it a Japan only release and is it the same clamshell based models ? I wouldn't be surprised if Sharp brought out a newer design now. The clamshell has been iterated quite a few times already, though of course I can't imagine another design that is so functional and easy to use as the clamshell Zaurus.

[nathanwms]

As for the speculations, is it a Japan only release and is it the same clamshell based models ? I wouldn't be surprised if Sharp brought out a newer design now. The clamshell has been iterated quite a few times already, though of course I can't imagine another design that is so functional and easy to use as the clamshell Zaurus.
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How's this for speculation, ZMT (Zaurus Mini Tablet).  An oversized clamshell designed to be a laptop replacement with the following specs:

7 inch screen @ 800x600 or 1024x768, viewable in direct sunlight
Intel pxa270 @ 624 MHz paired with the 2700g chip
Built-in 802.11g and BT
CF, SD, USB, video out
PCMCIA??
256 to 512 RAM
10GB internal HD
Since most of this can fit in the existing clamshell there should be plenty of room for a battery that will give you 10-12 hrs use of continuous wifi or video playback

Though not very pocketable, it wouldn't be cumbersome.

[pgas]

ow's this for speculation, ZMT (Zaurus Mini Tablet). An oversized clamshell designed to be a laptop replacement with the following specs:

Well you might want a sharp muramasa...

http://www.geekstuff4u.com/product_info.ph...&products_id=28

[nathanwms]

pgas, the Muramasa is quite near my speculation device.  If only it were a bit smaller, say 6.75 x 4.5 x 0.875 inches with the 7 inch display.  It would still be able to be held in an average person's hand, where as the Muramasa needs to be put on the lap or desktop.

Just speculation, I'd be happy with a SL-C3000 with built-in 802.11g and BT, which I believe is a more realistic next step for Sharp.

[adf]

I dunno.. it seems to me the next step would be a 1000 with bluetooth/wireless (either or)

maybe  (but probably not) more ram and rom

maybe 600mhz

It would be nice if they included the 6k screen.. but I suspect that won't be seen again.

vga out would be awesome.  I might even consider paying for that. I think they won't do it any time soon, though--  mostly because it would be really terrific for a market segment that they pretty explicity don't cater to.

[rikiya]

Yah, the Muramasa CV is great, with 20GB HDD, 256 RAM etc... yes, also a bit large for your hand to hold, but it's about 129,801 yen, about $1300, which isn't EXTREMELY pricey. But there is no CD/DVD drive, which is the problem for me, yet it does have built-in wifi and a SD and CF card slot.

[speculatrix]

I have had handed that spec (attachment of Post #70 https://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=11403&st=69#) over to one of my contacts in Sharp Europe but did not get a feedback if it meandered through to Japan... So, if any of the readers has additional conacts, please forward the spec to anybody who could help.
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This forum is full of wishlists for new variants of the Z, here's another:
[a href=\"https://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6081&hl=]https://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6081&hl=[/url]

it's clear we zaurians want
* every good feature that any other PDA has ever had (wlan, bluetooth, illuminated keyboards, usb OTG, 20GB hard drive, etc)
* we want more of what we've already got (faster CPU, more RAM, more ROM, better display)
* we want new features for free
* we want new features to have no impact on size or battery life

I'll have the moon on a stick, please, and I'll "go large" with that.
Paul

[adf]

I have had handed that spec (attachment of Post #70 https://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=11403&st=69#) over to one of my contacts in Sharp Europe but did not get a feedback if it meandered through to Japan... So, if any of the readers has additional conacts, please forward the spec to anybody who could help.
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This forum is full of wishlists for new variants of the Z, here's another:
[a href=\"https://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6081&hl=]https://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6081&hl=[/url]

it's clear we zaurians want
* every good feature that any other PDA has ever had (wlan, bluetooth, illuminated keyboards, usb OTG, 20GB hard drive, etc)
* we want more of what we've already got (faster CPU, more RAM, more ROM, better display)
* we want new features for free
* we want new features to have no impact on size or battery life

I'll have the moon on a stick, please, and I'll "go large" with that.
Paul
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of course the capabilities of  computers tend to grow, and the cost of prodution of features tends to decrease. How much would it cost today to build something (cheapest stable possible) with abilities of a 486/66 running dos?  Wanting more features for less $$$ isn't an inherently unreasonable proposition. Seriously... a 1k costs  very close to ( esp.adjusting for inflation) what a 5500 did 3 years ago. Why shouldn't next year's $700 Z have more capablilty than the 3k? or next years $500 Z more memory and some wireless..and a newer version of the same processor?

I agree.. a 600mhz pxa 270 "6kw" clamshell won't be available for $300. But it could probably be done for $600 in a year or so.

[kahm]

I have had handed that spec (attachment of Post #70 https://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=11403&st=69#) over to one of my contacts in Sharp Europe but did not get a feedback if it meandered through to Japan... So, if any of the readers has additional conacts, please forward the spec to anybody who could help.
[div align=\"right\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

This forum is full of wishlists for new variants of the Z, here's another:
[a href=\"https://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6081&hl=]https://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6081&hl=[/url]

it's clear we zaurians want
* every good feature that any other PDA has ever had (wlan, bluetooth, illuminated keyboards, usb OTG, 20GB hard drive, etc)
* we want more of what we've already got (faster CPU, more RAM, more ROM, better display)
* we want new features for free
* we want new features to have no impact on size or battery life

I'll have the moon on a stick, please, and I'll "go large" with that.
Paul
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It's the impact on size and battery life that people ignor most. The 6k screen is beautiful, but I don't want my Z to be any bigger than it already is. More ram shouldn't have that much of an effect on battery, and built-in Wi-Fi can be turned off.

Don't expect Sharp to change the screen any time soon. Don't expect better battery life any time soon. We can only hope for more memory. The only thing I expect Sharp to do is add Wi-Fi and maybe use a larger hard drive in the 3k.

[adf]

Sadly, I think you are probably right about the screen. s'ok, though... this way I won't have to buy another Z

[amrein]

This is exactly what happen in my mind!

No bigger screen? No bigger battery? No more memory? No 4Go CF build-in? No BT nor Wifi? No record/play/forward buttons nor inbuild mic? No complete open specification? => than you, I will wait a bit longer. The SL-C760 with pdaXrom RC9.1 is already good enough as my netBook.

A little bit bigger to fit more things into the case won't hurt me. But damm, we are really expecting a more complete device in our pocket.

What could be amazing would be to vote for different "PDA dreamed outline" and to vote too for the final specification before asking Sharp to build the device. Same thing as someone else tried to do in a different thread. Of course this time with an official Sharp site asking for commitment to buy to the ones who are really interested.

[speculatrix]

How's this for speculation, ZMT (Zaurus Mini Tablet).  An oversized clamshell designed to be a laptop replacement with the following specs:
7 inch screen @ 800x600 or 1024x768, viewable in direct sunlight
Intel pxa270 @ 624 MHz paired with the 2700g chip
Built-in 802.11g and BT
CF, SD, USB, video out
PCMCIA??
256 to 512 RAM
10GB internal HD
Since most of this can fit in the existing clamshell there should be plenty of room for a battery that will give you 10-12 hrs use of continuous wifi or video playback
Though not very pocketable, it wouldn't be cumbersome.
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How about the Samsung XP30, if we could get linux on it:
[a href=\"http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/n/5988.html]http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/n/5988.html[/url]
Display: 5 inches @ 800 x 480
CPU: 400MHz
Memory: 128 MB of RAM, 32 MB of flash/NV :-(
Expansion: CF
Connectivity: 802.11b, USB host
Other: 2.5 mm earphone jack
Physics: 155 x 91 x 13 mm @ 240 g (big and heavy!)

[joonas]

Well, realisticly it would be possible to offer SL-C3000 with

* 128MB RAM
* 0MB FLASH
* internal 1GB flash or 4GB harddisk (same price)
* boot straight from flash/harddisk
* 4" screen
* internal bt/wifi

The omitting of FLASH would more than offset the 64MB of more RAM and maybe smooth the way to the bigger screen. So the only real cost increase would come from bt/wifi and it would be about #30-40 USD.

and possibly as some PDAs do have it

* VGA-output with special cable
* faster processor

This would be my dream machine and I promise I would pay up to $1000USD if I could buy this today. Well, if one could dream, I would love to have 800x480 or 1024x600 screen and DVI-output, but that's not realistic.

The problem with OQO and other devices like that is that they are x86. That implies energy deficiency and low battery life. I would buy OQO if it ran anything other than Windows and would have more than 4 hours of usable battery life.

By using ARM you could build a fully capable and pocketable computer which you could use as your main computer. Of course with ARM you would have to run OSes other than Windows, but that's not a negative thing. You don't use OS, you use applications and Linux/OpenBSD run some of the best applications there are.

The only real thing missing from SL-C3000 is high resolution VGA/DVI-output. This could bring palmtops to the masses.

I would love to start a company to design, manufacture and sell palmtops based on ARM. Anyone with me?

[speculatrix]

This would be my dream machine and I promise I would pay up to $1000USD if I could buy this today. Well, if one could dream, I would love to have 800x480 or 1024x600 screen and

I too would put money in escrow for such a thing, as has been discussed elsewhere. I think we just have to be hopeful about the successor to the C3000 adding some form of wireless.

I have considered voiding what little warranty I have and chopping out the infrared and putting in a serial bluetooth module in my 860.