sl-6000 v sl-c860 Witch Would You Buy.

[Joshp]

I need some help choosing witch zaurus to buy.

[bluedevils]

Keyboard and lanscape editting are tops for the 860.  The only thing I truly envy with the 6000, is the transflective screen.

[Zuber]

Have not seen the 6000 screen.

Would not be willing to give up on quality of the C860 screen just for better outddoor. Is it as good ?

[Ethereal]

Which flavour of 6000?  I\'m eagerly awaiting the US debut of the SL-6000W, but I think that has more to do with my individual needs (wireless connectivity) and taste (I like the tablet form factor; I think a PDA should be what it is and not a Barbie-doll size laptop.) than with the inherent superiority of one device over the other.

[CoreyC]

I think a PDA should be what it is and not a Barbie-doll size laptop

But the Z isn\'t a PDA at all, it\'s a Personal Mobile Tool ™

[nilch]

The 6000 is superior in many ways...

Primarily a larger 4\" tranflective screen - the screen is the best part, and the extra few fractions of an inch add to the viewing ease greatly.

USB host feature - this expands the 6000 to a true laptop replacement much more than the 860

support for 1xRtt networks out of the box - of course if its a software only thing can be extended to the 860 as well.

I dont mention built-in wifi and bluetooth - since thats just a question of an add-on with the 860 and doesnt reaaly serve as a differentiating factor between the two models in terms of feature avalability.

The keyboard of course is a plus point for the 860 - so if a lot of typing needs are involved - the 860 edges the 6000 in that department

[Ethereal]

I dont mention built-in wifi and bluetooth - since thats just a question of an add-on with the 860

Not if one wants both (and maybe even another CF-based add-on like 1xRTT) without carrying and constantly shuffling a deck of cards!

[nilch]

if you want both, you can have that on the 6000 courtesy the add-on sleeve, not on the 860 of course.
But then you obviously can\'t want to have a Bluetooth, Wifi and 1xRTT expansion all at the same time surely.

My only dislike of built-in wifi  (or BT) is the building in of obsoleteness into the machine. As the wifi standards change and emerge, the older device with the built-in standard becomes obsolete (remember the fixed batteries of older PDA\'s - as the battery died you had to throw the PDA away basically). I would not want the same to happen with built-in standards - expandibility is always a more open option.

[Ethereal]

But then you obviously can\'t want to have a Bluetooth, Wifi and 1xRTT expansion all at the same time surely.

Not all three at the same moment, but I\'d like to be able to move from areas of cellular phone connectivity to areas of WiFi connectivity more seamlessly than having to eject and insert CF cards.  Also, the 6000W has the potential to be the ultimate convergence device--with CF add-on cell connectivity, the device can act as a speakerphone, or if you need privacy, just take the call on your BT headset.  No cell coverage in your office?  Use VoIP, and you\'re connected again, via speakerphone or headset as you please.

I realise this is very ambitious and would require the right software, but the combination of Sharp\'s H/W and existing connectivity technology infrastructure make it possible, for the first time AFAIK.

As for the obselesence of the built-in BT and WiFI, I think the device\'s core H/W will be obsolete long before 802.11b and/or BT1.1 are thrown on the ash heap of history.

[Flash]

I have a 5500 and would buy ANYTHING that would allow me to use this thing for straight up VT-100 ability to the serial port. If the 860 can do that, I would buy it. Not because of glitz, but ability. After all, it is SUPPOSED to be a personal mobile tool. :?

[jrsjkd]

860 all the way.  The clamshell 0wns !!!!!

First, while the 6000 screen may be even better, the 860 screen is still the best Ive seen to date. It more than gets the job done, \'cept those days where im wireless hacking at the beach  

RE:built in wifi......well what would I do with all these cool Cf cards I have laying around if i had built in wifi?  Whats blue tooth?  

While I still love my 5500, I noticed to often that when I was actualy working on it I prefered to use the landscape view.  The problem with that is if you are trying to type....you got the keyboard facing one way and the screen the opposite.  It just isnt the best arrangement.

The clamshell form factor just plain kicks @ss over the standard PDA designs, Zaurus sl-5000 through sl-6000 or otherwise.  

just my .02

jrsjkd

[Reset]

The 6000 would be my choice.  I did see it at the Linux World IBM booth and fell in love with the screen.

I prefer the pad or tablet layout of the 5000D, 5500 & the 6000 over the clamshell designs.  For me, clamshell designs make sense when the key centers are .6\" or better.  Less than that, and I can not touch type anyway.

As for built-in obsolescence, my handhelds typically last 2 years, so I don\'t worry about it.

My preference here may not matter.  I am, for the first since Nov 2001, thinking of getting a PocketPC handheld.  Though I love the power and flexibility of my Zaurii, Sharp\'s lack of interest in their own product line scares me.  The recent shutdown of DevNet is further evidence of their indifference to their own product.

[Codefire]

Flash: RE vt100, me too (that and Cisco consoles). Try here http://serialio.com/products/adaptors/ZThinCable.htm

[DrWowe]

I wonder if it would be possible to build a clamshell \"accessory\" that fits into the 6000 expansion sleeve slot and gives you a landscape keyboard.

[bluedevils]

with usb host, anything coulb be possible

I wonder if it would be possible to build a clamshell \"accessory\" that fits into the 6000 expansion sleeve slot and gives you a landscape keyboard.