Sharp C-860 VS Sony UX-50

[markedman]

What do you guys think is a better unit the Sharp C-860 or the Sony Ux-50

The UX has a built in wifi card and is about $300.00 cheaper I owned a UX-50

Im just wondering I just bought a Sharp C-860 from price Japan Woot Woot

anyways I was will this out preform the Ux-50 or no I remember the UX had

amazing video play back is the video play back better on the Sharp better or

about the same

[akpoff]

I've played with the UX-50 at the store.  The first time I saw one I was definitely awed by the size and the packaging.  My first complaint as a Zaurus user would be the small screen and the quality of the display.  The C860 screen smokes the Sony.  I'll give Sony high marks for getting wifi and bluetooth into such a small package -- in fact, I'll throw stones at Sharp for being near incapable of packing as much good stuff into a larger package.  Sony get high marks for the cool docking station and the connector for carrying the UX-50.  Sharp get high marks for SD and CF slots.  Sony get graded way down for memory stick (that's also why I've dropped Sony cameras).

Sharp get huge marks for using Linux.  I love having a real portable computer with a shell, SSH, X and all the free/open source applications out there.  There are a ton of good Palm apps (I used to use a Palm V -- the nee plus of Palm branded PDAs) out there but most of them are shareware and closed source.  I like knowing that I can usually recompile or find an IPK someone else has compiled and just use it.  That's the power of free software.

As for video playback, I've never tried it but hope to soon.  I'd guess the larger 480x640 screen and the Sharp CG Silicon technology would be way better than the Sony.  I suppose for some users the built-in camera in the Sony is the plus and they should get some credit for it.

Lastly, I won't outright agree with the numerous ZUG users who say the Zaurus isn't a first choice for PDA/PIM use.  I personally find the Sharp PIM applications work great for my needs and have had no trouble with syncing both with a 5600 and 6000 -- my short experiment with a C860 was a little less encouraging as far as syncing goes but I sold it for other reasons.  (My only complaint is the inability to snooze an alarm -- a problem the original Palm also had).  As a "pure-play" PDA you might find the Sony a bit more compatible (especially if you're a Mac user) but I won't concede any significant lead to Sony/Palm on this point.

See this review of the 860 over at PDA Buyers Guide -- they have a few comments comparing the 860 to the UX-50.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your new portable!

--Aaron

P.S. I should add that in terms of pure sex appeal the Cxxx series can't be topped!  To make it a perfect PDA just add wifi, USB host ability and use the screen from the 6000.  Throw in bluetooth and wow -- sell me one ASAP!

[wmadan]

I owned the Sony after I had bought a SL-C750. After I sold it, I bought a SL-C860.

To take advantage of the wireless capabilities you need to get a high capacity battery. It adds bulk, but definitely increases your online experience. And, it will recharge the internal battery, too.

The lighted keyboard on the Sony is nice; it's another one of those annoyances on the Sharp that many have commented on.

The docking cradle on the Sony is a royal pain and most people  don't like it.

The Sony and Sharp are well designed. I felf the Sharp was worth the $$ while I felt the Sony was overpriced.

[Zuber]

If you were talking about the Sony U50, then it would be a different matter

Don't have a UX50 but know people that do...

UX50 Pros.

1. Built in WifI/Bluetooth.
2. Very small package.
3. Bigger (easy to access) software/peripheral base.
4. Camera (But you might as well get a camera phone)

UX50 Cons

1. Don't like the keyboard, flush, hard to press buttons (compared to zaurus).
2. You have a choice of Landscape with keyboard or Landscape without.
3. Charging solution is a pain (I'm told). Friend mostly carries it around with a 3rd party cradle.
4. Sony Propriatry tech. (reinvent the wheel our way Memory Stick).

Zaurus Pros.

1. Excellent Screen with double the screen res. 640x480 v 480x320
2. Both Landscape and Portrait
3. Much better keyboard
4. Better expansion flexibility with CF + WiFi
5. Some serious "Heavy Duty" applications available

Zaurus Cons

1. No Built in Wireless
2. Since SD is memory only, can't use 2 peripherals at the same time (can be problem with no WiFi/bluetooth)
3. Software side fragmented. No "Unified ROM" to give access to standard and X environment.

For me, the Zaurus wins Hands Down. I can "live with" lack of built in WiFi/Bluwtooth.

Only thing I really miss is the lack of a good Navigation application for use with my GPS unit.

If it doesn't have to fit in your pocket and you have loads of money get a U50/U70.
Sorry, currently playing with them, so cool...

[chroafjd]

If you were talking about the Sony U50, then it would be a different matter

Don't have a UX50 but know people that do...

UX50 Pros.

1. Built in WifI/Bluetooth.
2. Very small package.
3. Bigger (easy to access) software/peripheral base.
4. Camera (But you might as well get a camera phone)

UX50 Cons

1. Don't like the keyboard, flush, hard to press buttons (compared to zaurus).
2. You have a choice of Landscape with keyboard or Landscape without.
3. Charging solution is a pain (I'm told). Friend mostly carries it around with a 3rd party cradle.
4. Sony Propriatry tech. (reinvent the wheel our way Memory Stick).

Zaurus Pros.

1. Excellent Screen with double the screen res. 640x480 v 480x320
2. Both Landscape and Portrait
3. Much better keyboard
4. Better expansion flexibility with CF + WiFi
5. Some serious "Heavy Duty" applications available

Zaurus Cons

1. No Built in Wireless
2. Since SD is memory only, can't use 2 peripherals at the same time (can be problem with no WiFi/bluetooth)
3. Software side fragmented. No "Unified ROM" to give access to standard and X environment.

For me, the Zaurus wins Hands Down. I can "live with" lack of built in WiFi/Bluwtooth.

Only thing I really miss is the lack of a good Navigation application for use with my GPS unit.

If it doesn't have to fit in your pocket and you have loads of money get a U50/U70.
Sorry, currently playing with them, so cool...

Zuber,

It someone knows this then you certainly do: Is it possible to use the C860 with a GPS navigation device? There are lots of handheld GPS systems in the market, is any of them compatible with the Zaurus C860.

Thanks in anticipation of your comments,
Ashu

[sylvius]

As someone who has used Palm devices a lot, I can say there is really no comparison. The basic architecture of PalmOS hasn't changed all that much since inception (with the exception of increasing size limits and stuff). Transferring files and installing software onto palm is a huge pain and it is just overall a very weak OS in terms of flexibility. So while the clie may have some attractive hardware features, the OS is such a huge weakness I would never consider it.

[Omicron]

As for video playback, I've never tried it but hope to soon.  I'd guess the larger 480x640 screen and the Sharp CG Silicon technology would be way better than the Sony.

Movies run GREAT on the C860.  It is a bit tricky encoding a DVD to a 200MB to 500MB file (depending on quality/size trade off) but that is true for any device as the encoding is done on your PC, not on the PDA.

There are plenty of good programs for encoding and peopl have done it succesfully for even the 5500 (like me).  But for a great movie experience, I prefer the C860 over even a DVD handheld....as it is smaller and more convenient.

I had a HOW TO on how to create movies all the way drom DVD to AVI (5500) or WMV (CX00), but it got lost in the shuffle...I really need to re-add that to the howto's from my backup.

(If anyone is impatient for this, just PM me and I will push it forward in the front slot of my priority puck.  (woot joke))

[Zuber]

If GPS is a big thing for you, then (IMHO) Zaurus is not the unit to go for. At least at the moment.

I use it myself with a Bluetooth card and GPS Receiver, but the software is nothing like what you can get for "Mainstream" devices.

Just to clarify, I am talking about roadmap navigation software. Which is not just GPS (which just tels you where you are)

I use a program called qpeGPS with some generated maps.
Still a bit buggy. OK when it is working, but seams to stop every now and then and I havn't quite figured out how to fix it. Seams to fix itself at leasure...

This does not tell you where to go, just shows you where you are on the maps you have uploaded.

Main reason for lack of GPS (I think) seams to be the high cost of maps using vector data for  developers.

I recall a couple of companies saying they were looking at the possibility of doing something for the Zaurus, but not seen anything concrete...

[lardman]

There are lots of handheld GPS systems in the market, is any of them compatible with the Zaurus C860.

What Zuber says above is correct, the navigation software is not what it is on other devices (mainly, imo, because people don't really charge for Z software - presumably because there's not a large user-base, etc.).

However your question asks something different: Many (most?) GPS units can produce serial output; if they can, then they are compatible and you can display your position, plot your track (all the basic stuff you get on a handheld unit).


Si

[ccrandal69]

I've owned both and they really are totally different beasts.  I ended up choosing the C760 because of the screen size and ability to program on it as well as load a ton of OSS apps like Apache.

If you are a geek and want a handheld just to mess around, the Zaurus is far superior.  However, if you want something that has apps that work well and are looking for something to use day in and day out for business use, the UX is much better.

UX50 Pros:
Higher quality- brushed alum (magnesium?) case, cover for mem slot to keep dirt out, etc.
Builtin wifi/bluetooth -- very big plus over the Z
I've had better luck with video playback and it comes with a good video converter (windows only)
backlit keyboard (and I like the keyboard for typing better than the Z's unlike others here)
better integration with 3rd party apps
better Mac support
video camera is kinda cool, but the VGA resolution is disappointing

UX50 Cons:
Small screen
Palm OS sucks

Zaurus Pros:
Better OS
Bigger screen
More versatile... can run real apps

Zaurus Cons:
Cheap plastic construction
Bad applications... missing good SMS utility and poor bluetooth support (Palm isn't much better, though)
I've banged my head against the wall getting a lot of videos to run well with stock apps
Bulky compared to the UX