Could Be The Z Sl-c3100 A Trap?

[Leinadmx]

Hi friends, good day

I create this topic because there is something that doesn't let me put my head on the pillow, why??

Well, the last year was release the SL-C3000 (november) and I thought it's time to buy a new Zaurus, but I hadn't enough money, so I had to wait, but few months later the SL-C1000 was release (march), I thought It is a nice option (because I prefer the dark colors) and less expensive.
But I didn't but it because the rumors (ooh yes! god bless the rumors) about a new model (with WiFi... etc..etc), well it didn't happen, then arrive the SL-C3100 but the "new" features just was the color and the flash memory, why?

I try to think " why a corporate like Sharp release the models that they kills each other?" I mean:
you could be agree that the SL-C3100 kills the C3000 series, and surely all develoment about C3000.

Nowadays I have the money to buy the SL-C3100, but I am really worry to buy a product that could be dead in few months  
What do you think about the life of this new device??
Could be possible tha Sharp have a secret device to release soon? and that is the reason that only add few features to their models just to keep sales.

What do you think about this??
Why could be a good reason to get a SL-C3100?
Have really the SL-C3100 a good future? (or it will die on few months)

Could you give me an advice, It makes me feel afraid and I don't know what to do.

Best Regards.
Thanks for your comments.

[albertr]

IMHO, C3.1K doesn't kill C3K. Ones who like black casing would buy C3.1K, others who like silverish casing would by C3K instead. Don't worry about Sharp, they will make money either way. Actually, I think it's not a bad marketing decision. And as last four years have already proved - Sharp doesn't care about any third-party software developments for Zaurus, so that's a moot point.
-albertr

[nilch]

and this happens with each new electronic or computer device - the next one is better than the previous and hence the dilemma - should we wait for the next device, or buy the current ?

You can keep waiting for ever if you follow this trend.
Instead, if you need one right now, but it right now. Don't wait for the next.

[nathanwms]

and this happens with each new electronic or computer device - the next one is better than the previous and hence the dilemma - should we wait for the next device, or buy the current ?

You can keep waiting for ever if you follow this trend.
Instead, if you need one right now, but it right now. Don't wait for the next.
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Nilch hits it right on the head.  If it suits your need now, buy it and enjoy it.  If something better comes out, there is always someone out there who will buy your old unit and all you have to come up with is the difference between the two.

I've finally come to the conclusion that there is no perfect device.  As soon as they build one that fulfills my wish list a new technology emerges and I want that in my device as well.

Don't wait...jump into the cycle ---- Buy, sell, upgrade!

[speculatrix]

you could be agree that the SL-C3100 kills the C3000 series, and surely all develoment about C3000.
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In a sense the 3100 kills the 3000, in so far that the 3000 is now remaindered, but only if you're a hard-core hacker! Yes

Does it matter if the OS is stored in flash or on a tiny corner of the hard drive?

It only matters to those of us who fantasize about flashing the 3100 as if it were a 1000, and fitting an internal wlan or bluetooth card!

[TRIsoft]

Hi everybody,

"killed" is a bad word  
The 3100 replaced the 3000 (3000 is out of production).
The 1000 was the replacement of the 860 model.

It's the typical japanese product evolution, but from the
software side i don't see a big problem (talking about
applications, not if you're making Roms). Application
compatibility between all models is fine, so why worry ?

And the reason why the 3100 replaced the 3000 so fast
may be found with a close look in the battery compartment  
Can't tell you more at the moment, we're actually investigating
something. But i really wonder why no one else stumbled
across the battery-compartment-thingy and the last page
of the SL-C3100 japanese manual  

No C3100 users actually in the forum ?
Come on guys, there's some fine easteregg hidden in the
SL-C3100. We'll tell you more in the next days.

///TRIsoft

Marc Stephan

[nathanwms]

But I didn't but it because the rumors (ooh yes! god bless the rumors) about a new model (with WiFi... etc..etc), well it didn't happen, then arrive the SL-C3100 but the "new" features just was the color and the flash memory, why?

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Let's not throw cold water on those rumors just yet.  I believe Sharp released the 3100 because they realized this is what the 3000 should have been; however, the rumors for a clamshell with wifi are still alive.

This article mentions that the Hitachi 6GB microdrive is featured in the Sharp Zaurus.
[a href=\"http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=CCF17051-9BCE-4AAF-A4D6-C01F0EE97107]http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?...D6-C01F0EE97107[/url]

And a Google search for SL-C4500 yields a broken link whose snippet of text reads as follows, when put through Babel Fish:

"Unless... with this model it can sell, whether without being "next" because... luxury you do not say, SL? C4500 (6GBHDD and radio..."

Is this pointing to a new Sharp Zaurus SL-C4500 with a 6GB HDD and built-in wifi?  Maybe, maybe not.  I believe we will see a device with these specs eventually, if not this year then next.

[ashikase]

And the reason why the 3100 replaced the 3000 so fast
may be found with a close look in the battery compartment  :D
Can't tell you more at the moment, we're actually investigating
something. But i really wonder why no one else stumbled
across the battery-compartment-thingy and the last page
of the SL-C3100 japanese manual  :lol:

I didn't notice anything unusual in the battery compartment of my C3100; at first I thought you might have meant the exposed contacts/pad, but those are also present in my C760 (I forget the exact purpose... voltage test points?). As for the last page of the manual... you mean the FCC warning?

- ashikase
- anpachi, gifu, japan

[ArchiMark]

Leinadmx,

I agree with several of the others who've posted...

It's a very strange idea to think that the 3100 'kills' the '3000'. My 3000 is still working very nicely and will continue to do so for some time, even after I sell it probably....

Technology is always changing and usually improving...so nothing you can do about that. You either decide to get in and take a ride on the 'tech train' or you just stand on the sidelines and watch it pass you by....as others said if you want the functionality of a particular device, then buy it and use it! Can't worry about the next best thing that may or may not be released in the future...otherwise, you'll always be waiting and missing all the fun that all of us are having with our Z's!

TriSoft,

I'm thinking that you're referring to that little recess that looks almost like a little connector inside it next to the little black reset button next to the battery on the C3000, right??  

HTH,

Mark

[albertr]

And the reason why the 3100 replaced the 3000 so fast
may be found with a close look in the battery compartment   
Can't tell you more at the moment, we're actually investigating
something. But i really wonder why no one else stumbled
across the battery-compartment-thingy and the last page
of the SL-C3100 japanese manual 

How about posting some pictures for these who don't have a C3.1K?
-albertr

[bam]

No C3100 users actually in the forum ?

.........waiting...

[TRIsoft]

I didn't notice anything unusual in the battery compartment of my C3100; at first I thought you might have meant the exposed contacts/pad, but those are also present in my C760 (I forget the exact purpose... voltage test points?). As for the last page of the manual... you mean the FCC warning?
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Ashikase,

congrats for winning the "what's so funny with the 3100" contest  
The SL-C3100 has an FCC mark in the battery compartment and
an FCC notice in the japanese manual:

Personal Mobile Tool: SL-C3100
... lots of the typical FCC blabla...
Responsible Party:
SHARP ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430-1163
TEL: 1-800-BE-SHARP
... rest of FCC text...

This is the first SL-C series Zaurus that is FCC tested.
We all know that SHARP will never spend money for the expensive
testing, nor will they add this to the manual if they won't sell it
outside Japan.
Looks like the C3100 is planned for the US market at least for
corporate sales. Maybe it's for a project deal and will never be
announced officially, but we wonder why nobody else has
noticed this.
We'll keep you informed if we know more.

///TRIsoft

Marc Stephan

[speculatrix]

maybe Sharp will revamp the C3100 as a PalmOS device (given that Palm want a linux platform) and sell it as a rival to the Palm LifeDrive in the USA.

There are rumours of a new palm licensee:

http://www.brighthand.com/article/PalmSour...ensee?site=Palm

(hey, I was right about the C3000 having an internal CF connector which was wild speculation, so I'll have another crack at the rumour mill!!!)  

[albertr]

Eh, well, I guess no pictures required then. TRIsoft, you got my hopes up for a moment here, thought it might be some internal connector for serial or usb add-on modules. Oh, well... not with Sharp, I guess.

EDIT: I'm not really concerned about FCC certification, it's probably that Sharp cut a deal with IBM or whatever corp to sell them a small number of units for $1.5K each plus extra for "special" software. It maybe affect us only in a couple of years when these units turn out selling on Ebay, but by that time they are obsolete, anyway.
-albertr

[nilch]

Allright, Sharp, Mahwah, NJ - thats where the first 5000D was first launched.
Nice and interesting to see this FCC and Sharp USA involved in some way. It does raise my hope up for seeing Sharp and the Zaurus coming to the US back again sometime.

And Sharp as a Palm OS licensee - sounds a bit far fetched, but you never know.
And I dont think Linux as a Palm platform is that far advanced that they are ready to sign up licensees for that platform so soon.