Windows CE?

[FreakyT]

While showing my Zaurus to someone, he asked if, theoretically, it could run Windows CE.  I told him that I didn't know for sure, but the answer was probably "no."  
My question is, (with enough hacking), could Windows CE/Mobile Edition (or whatever it's called) be forced to run on the Zaurus?  It DOES have the same processor as most Pocket PCs. (I think...)

[Mickeyl]

This was excessively discussed here before.

[iamasmith]

Oh, cripes, if someone JUST wants to run Windows CE then they don't need the power of a Zaurus anyway. If, however, they desperately want the 640x480 screen then I think that Toshiba do one (in Japan) that has that screen on a Windows CE device.

Alternatively if they have lots of money and want full Windows XP then check out www.oqo.com

Of course then you can laugh when the software isn't as quick on their OQO as it is on their desktop because it is too bloated for a handheld.

[omro]

The OQO just looks too gorgeous for words, have been drooling over this concept for ages :-)

I would probably get one and rid it of XP though. Am very much in love with Gnome 2.6 at the moment, which would look much more stylish on such a system than XP!

[iamasmith]

I agree, I'm sure it would make a great little x86 Linux device.

Not sure about how the battery life might stack up though, and it may be an expensive way of finding out there's some closed hardware spec stopping you using some neat hardware feature that the device provides - video acceleration ?, modems ? - you know, the usual stuff that gives you problems running Linux on laptops.

[omro]

If it's as fun to use in practise as it looks in concept....

I have a feeling that this device will appeal to the geek brigade, the hardware compatibility will be worked out and someone will document how to put linux onto it, drivers will be writen and perhaps it might even will get it's own distribution that is tailored specifically to it. I wouldn't be surprised if it inspires websites and a community such as this one.

Unlike your generic laptops that vary in size, shape, internal components and so on. The OQO is one hardware specification with added drool factor compared to most laptops.

If it is indeed the next best thing since sliced bread, I will be ordering one and relegating my PDA to the cupboard with all my other gadgets. My poor MiniDisc player hasn't seen the light of day since I got an iPod.

Such a device should hopefully inspire some copycats, which hopefully are as cool. For example, something like a C series Zaurus, but a little bigger with an internal harddisk or a Psion netbook rethought a bit with, shrunk a bit with an internal hard disk, etc

[iamasmith]

Mmm, 'battery life up to 3 hours depending upon usage' - probably takes 8 hours to charge too. I think it may be a good little demo device but I'm not convinced of it's practicality.

Oh, and it's a slide back keyboard, can't 60 degree the screen + also means that the keyboard offers no screen protection - next purchase expensive case

[omro]

I bought a case for my Zaurus 5500 rather than using the flimsy plastic cover and my Zaurus looks in much better condition than my work colleague's younger Zaurus that he didn't buy a case for.

My Zaurus 5500 has a battery lasts about 4 hours.

My Zaurus 5500 doesn't have a tiltable screen compared to the keyboard. It's keyboard doesn't protect the screen.

So... I'm not seeing any major downsides to any of your potential limitations.

[iamasmith]

I know, sorry, I've just got to be picky when looking at new hardware.

I do, however, enjoy much, much longer battery life than that with my SL-C860. In fact I only charge it once a week and I use it a lot ! - including with Bluetooth and storage cards.

 The keyboard thing was something that immediately struck me having enjoyed the fact that the SL-C860 closes up and protects the screen + you can sit it at any number of angles - I use it quite a lot at around 60 deg.

One other thing though, and I actually considered the OQO as a device, was that Intels Application Processor range (PXAxxx/XScale, whatever you like) that are used in the Zaurus have a mature range of low power consumption/low thermal output devices and the design of power efficient/cooling free embedded devices has been proved many times over with that chipset - not so sure about the traditional x86 architecture - it just doesn't seem as popular for this kind of thing - in the end I thought why bother with x86 - I want to run Linux and not Windows.

 

[omro]

When I bought my 5500 there wasn't anything like the C870 and I wasn't patient enough to wait and I don't really have the money to keep upgrading whenever something new comes out

The thing I like about the OQO is that I just like the idea of being able to have to much in one place and accessible on the move, and the ability to have full scale apps. Never used a transmeta processor before though.

[iamasmith]

BTW: I'm not having a go, I always end up playing Devil's Advocate in discussions just trying to get all the ideas out there.

When I first saw the OQO I though this would actually be great for the guys who love PDAXROM and I'm sure they would get closer to their dream machine with something like this - all bar the battery life.

However, I'm sure you are aware that there's more to making a useable handheld device than miniaturisation.. the apps have to work well and be readable for one thing on a small screen.

I still prefer the Cacko Qtopia ROM over PDAXROM at the moment mainly because when I'm out and about I want apps which are useable on the move... the screen resolution is there to give nice high quality rendering to the larger fonts etc. that my poor old eyes can see clearly.

When I'm sat coding or doing some legwork (research) the other side of the device kicks in and I use the Wiki that I have running as a reference library noting down everything that I 'had to do some legwork' for. Actually I tend to Wiki onto a corporate server and synchronise using 'unison' so that I collect information whilst at work and Wiki for reference anywhere else where I don't have the corporate server... this is just a perfect mix of functionality for what I do.

Appeal has a lot to do with what you can get out of a device - the SL-C860 was my 7th PDA, so I pretty much knew what cool features I wanted and what I just wouldn't use.

Anyway, got to go and make dinner,

Have a good evening (or whatever depending on where you are in the world),

Regards,

Andy

[omro]

I didn't think you were having a go :-)

I miss my Psion 5  

Location UK