Author Topic: Another Newbie Asking For Advice  (Read 1917 times)

lou2ser

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Another Newbie Asking For Advice
« on: June 15, 2006, 11:53:58 am »
I'm planning a trip around the world currently scheduled to start in April of 2007.  I had originally planned to pick up a subcompact notebook but have decided that its too powerful/expensive/bulky for my needs.  I've since discovered the c3200 and from what I've read, it looks like the perfect device for me.

In additional to the c3200 I will be carrying an ipod and a CF digital camera.

My requirements in a gadget for this trip include:

under 2 lbs
able to type decently fast
ability to offload CF card from digital camera to ipod
wifi
voip
web browser
email client
rss client
emulators
decent battery life

I understand that the c3200 is capable of all of the above, although voip would be kinda tricky (CF wifi card with a bluetooth usb dongle and a bluetooth headset).

I like everyone else here am now hoping for an upgraded version with wifi and/or bluetooth, but it looks like the current version will do.  I don't plan on purchasing until January 2007, so we'll see whats available then.

Did I miss anything?  Any suggestions for another device that meets my needs?  I'm sure to have many more questions once I actually buy the zaurus, but for now I just want to make an informed purchasing decision.

Ferret-Simpson

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« Reply #1 on: June 16, 2006, 06:16:00 pm »
Bluetooth Headset WILL NOT WORK. It's a linux device with Out of Date drivers, you'd have to use a Wired headset. (USB handset might work? Unknown by me.)

Typing decently fast? Pretty much thumbs only, but it's faster than say a mobile phone.

Probably best setting up OZ/GPE or PDAXROM - That'll give Firefox, Thunderbird, Playstation, Snes, Gameboy etc emulators, Not sure on RSS or VOIP.

The only other device I can think to reccomend is the Dell Axim x51, which is more powerful, with inbuilt Bluetooth and Wifi along with SDIO/CF. Not sure what third party software for it is like since there is no Linux port, and it runs Windows Mobile 5. That could be used with a Bluetooth headset and keyboard though.
Another thing to consider is the C1000. It's basically the same, but no internal Hard disk. If you're brave you can install internal Wifi and Bluetooth, Altthough it involves a soldering iron. You can still plug it into an External (POWERED) USB hard disk enclosure though, Which will give you between 20gb and 300+gb, although at a miserable 12Megabits per second. (Less if using the wifi and bluetooth at the same time.)
That has the same keyboard as the 3200, and is slightly cheaper.

Finally, You can try the Tosa (SL-6000) which comes in 3 flavours: he N, with no wireless, L, with Wifi 802.11B only, or the rare "W" with both internal Wifi and Bluetooth. It also has the USB port, and a Compact Flash slot. I believe there is even an optional expansion jacket that can be used to add a second CF and second Battery.

I don't know if this model is still for sale, or where to get it.

For the 1000/3200 PRICEJAPAAAAAN!
Cortana: PXA250/Poodle: OZ/GPE 3.4.2RC1
Tycho PXA270/HTC_Universal WM5  .30.107/1.09.00/42.42.P8/1.30.162
HollyWatch: Fossil AU5005 - POS 4.1.2
ATLANTIS: Fujitsu Lifebook T4210 TBPC2005

Tosh256CF, Adlink CF 802.11B, 512KingSD, 128VikSD, CFChiMeiG1GPRS

Da_Blitz

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Another Newbie Asking For Advice
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2006, 02:58:42 am »
The bluetooth headset should work with a 3.6 bassed distro (might need to compile a thing or two but no biggy

i would be carefuul an your wifi card sollection and NOT buy netgear, i have blown 2 of these up now and am quite ***** about it

cant say if it would be the ideal device for you but if you like to fiddle with things and have used and understood linux then you should be fine (i say understand becouse you might have to fiddel or compile a thing or two scince this is not an x86 chip) but i think if you dont like to fiddle and have never used linux then this iis not the device for you

personly i would wait till 2-3 monts before your trip before you buy one as you will get the latest model that way. then fiddle with it until you get everything working, about a month away from your trip you will know from usage wether you will want to buy an external keyboard or not (mainly depends on how much you use it and what for)

i would definattly recomend an external battery, and wold also recomend you get two so you can charge several devices at once (or make a cable)

and in case you find it helpful, my full kit that i carry with me at the moment for my PDA includes:
A DVD burner USB (one of the 1cm high thin laptop ones)
2 USB ethernet jacks
1 USB hub with sirel ethernet and keyboard/mouse connection (same width/length as Z, its my docking station )
several flash drives
2x 6000  mAH battries
usb soundcard
Targus Fold up keyboard
2 wifi dongles
bluetooth adaptor
and some other stuff, most of it is connected together to form a crude but well equiped docking station, the usb is VERY flexible so make the most of it
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Ferret-Simpson

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« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2006, 07:43:05 am »
Does that mean I might get Bluetooth audio on Poodle 2.6? WOOT!
Cortana: PXA250/Poodle: OZ/GPE 3.4.2RC1
Tycho PXA270/HTC_Universal WM5  .30.107/1.09.00/42.42.P8/1.30.162
HollyWatch: Fossil AU5005 - POS 4.1.2
ATLANTIS: Fujitsu Lifebook T4210 TBPC2005

Tosh256CF, Adlink CF 802.11B, 512KingSD, 128VikSD, CFChiMeiG1GPRS

Da_Blitz

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« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2006, 09:03:31 am »
??? bluetooth audio as far as i know is due out in the next couple of weeks as a full working alsa driver in userspace  look at the news page and mailing lists on source forge which is great as my headphone jack is broken and i have to apply presure to hear anything

i might mention in relation to the main therad that bluetooth headphones are a very nice option to have but not nesacary
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Gemini Order: #95 (roughly)
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