In search of the elusive SL-6000

[decay]

Good day, all!

I know that we\'re now in the reported drop-zone for the launch of the SL-6000.  I\'ve finally decided to make the leap  to this model instead of my long sought C760 (I was waiting for a fully supported U.S. release), so now it\'s just a matter of finding one when they\'re available.  What better place to ask this question than the ZUG home?

Some  personal PDA background:  I\'m a long-term Apple Newton 2100 user.  I went from a Sharp Wizard to a Newton 130 in 1997, then to a Newton 2100 in 1998.  Since then it\'s been my  portable computing solution/laptop replacment and has served me quite well.  I\'m still using my Newton on a daily basis, but decided that the Zaurus would be my upgrade platform when I saw my first one ~18 months ago.  I\'ve been waiting for the \"perfect\" model and I think this (SL-6000) is it, or as close as I\'m going to get.  I\'ve been a lurking member of this board for a while and much of the input I\'ve seen has helped solidify my choice of PDA rehost platform.  Thank you all for your great info and the ZUG community - I\'m looking forward to joining it in full throttle soon.

So, if you hear any news regarding the release of the 6000, please respond to this post.  I would really appreciate it.  Thank you!  

[metal9966]

Good day, all!

I know that we\'re now in the reported drop-zone for the launch of the SL-6000.  I\'ve finally decided to make the leap  to this model instead of my long sought C760 (I was waiting for a fully supported U.S. release), so now it\'s just a matter of finding one when they\'re available.  What better place to ask this question than the ZUG home?

Some  personal PDA background:  I\'m a long-term Apple Newton 2100 user.  I went from a Sharp Wizard to a Newton 130 in 1997, then to a Newton 2100 in 1998.  Since then it\'s been my  portable computing solution/laptop replacment and has served me quite well.  I\'m still using my Newton on a daily basis, but decided that the Zaurus would be my upgrade platform when I saw my first one ~18 months ago.  I\'ve been waiting for the \"perfect\" model and I think this (SL-6000) is it, or as close as I\'m going to get.  I\'ve been a lurking member of this board for a while and much of the input I\'ve seen has helped solidify my choice of PDA rehost platform.  Thank you all for your great info and the ZUG community - I\'m looking forward to joining it in full throttle soon.

So, if you hear any news regarding the release of the 6000, please respond to this post.  I would really appreciate it.  Thank you!   

My situation is very similar to what you have just described, I am a palm OS user however. I have done just about everything there is to do on a Palm unit and I want more. I started messing with SUSE Linux on my PC about four months ago, and that is when I ran across the Zaurus and the ZUG. (Saving money for a Z)  I want to get a SL-6000 soon as well. But I am worried about price. Check out this article I ran across. Tokyo price of $1000.00??? I will import the 860 before paying $1000. Hopefully pricing will not be so aggressive in the US...

Link to article:
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,...d,113683,00.asp

P.S. The ZUG rocks!

[offroadgeek]

As far as I know those are US prices.  I think Sharp will be releasing and selling the SL-6000 only in the US.  Also, I would imagine it would be difficult for the average consumer to purchase one of these without an enterprise agreement (possibly with Sharp and IBM).

P.S. The ZUG rocks!

 thanks!

[rlauzon]

CES is coming up soon.  I\'m figuring that Sharp is waiting to introduce the 6000 there first then announce that they will start taking orders for it.

[zbones]

I would seriously check out the c760/c860 before you get a 6000.

I have a 5500 which I thought was the dogs b*ll*cks untill I borrowed a friends c750.  I would never go back to that form factor after buying a c760, built in bluetooth/wifi/usb host still would not tempt me away.

By the sounds of things, the sl6000 will cost far more than importing a cl860 will.  Including the additional cost of buying the wifi/bluetooth cards.

I maybe going out on a limb here, but I would imagine that hackers develop software/roms for themselves.  They then release it for others who may find it usefull.

Most people here would favor the clamshell design over some ruggedised business brick anyday, especially when they are half the price.

Don\'t worry about support, this forum and others like it are more than capable of helping you out.

Having said all that, I have not seen the 6000 in the flesh, and at that price I am not going to :shock:

Peter

[metal9966]

Where is the the best place to import a C860? Thanks.

[zbones]

That depends on where you are  

If you are in the uk/europe then I can recommend shirtpocket.
My friend bought from here...
http://www.shirtpocket.co.uk/

if in america then I gather dynamism is the one...
http://www.dynamism.com/zaurus/index.shtml

also check out pocket penguin, who will I gather ship to the uk/europe too:-
http://www.pocketpenguin.com/

strangly enough pocket penguin also lists several competitors :-

http://www.pocketpenguin.com/stories/wheretobuy.html

Where are you, others users may be able to help more.

Peter

[metal9966]

That depends on where you are  

If you are in the uk/europe then I can recommend shirtpocket.
My freind bought from here...
http://www.shirtpocket.co.uk/

if in america then I gather dynamism is the one...
http://www.dynamism.com/zaurus/index.shtml

also check out pocket penguin, who will I gather ship to the uk/europe too:-
http://www.pocketpenguin.com/

strangly enough pocket penguin also lists several competitors :-

http://www.pocketpenguin.com/stories/wheretobuy.html

Where are you, others users may be able to help more.

Peter

I am located in Dallas, Texas USA
Thanks for all the info.

[clivel]

As far as I know those are US prices.  I think Sharp will be releasing and selling the SL-6000 only in the US.  Also, I would imagine it would be difficult for the average consumer to purchase one of these without an enterprise agreement (possibly with Sharp and IBM).
 thanks!

Actually, the first SL-6000 was supposed to be released in Japan on Dec  10th, then it was delayed until Dec 26th see:
http://www.sharp.co.jp/corporate/news/031119-1.html
preferably using:
http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/tr

However since the delay anouncement, there has been no further sign of the SL-6000.
Clive

[Anonymous]

I would second that.  C760 seems like the perfect PDA.  Don\'t look at pictures or reviews they don\'t seem to do justice.  If possible, feel one!  It is so well made, you don\'t have much to complain about!

Sure it is not supported in the US, but honestly even with SL5500, how much support did Sharp provide?

[decay]

Guest wrote:
] Sure it is not supported in the US, but honestly even with SL5500, how much
] support did Sharp provide?
Well, if a 5500 broke, at least you could send it in & have it fixed.  I doubt it would be so easy w/an imported unit.

[Anonymous]

Also, I would imagine it would be difficult for the average consumer to purchase one of these without an enterprise agreement (possibly with Sharp and IBM).

Actually, I suspect they will be quite easy to purchase through smaller online webshops, not to mention ebay.  Most enterprise products find their way to consumers through these channels, if there\'s a demand.

[Anonymous]

But it might not be that hard either.  If mine broke under warranty with the importer, the importer would send it to japan for repairs on my behalf.

Guest wrote:
] Sure it is not supported in the US, but honestly even with SL5500, how much
] support did Sharp provide?
Well, if a 5500 broke, at least you could send it in & have it fixed.  I doubt it would be so easy w/an imported unit.

[ScottYelich]

man...  as I\'ve said many times before -- I highly recommend the 760, er 860 ...

I have a 5600 and a 700/760 -- the keyboard on the clamshell should NOT be
under rated... the screen on the clamshell is also amazing.

For me, this will be a useable device for *quite* a long time.

Scott
ps: do yourself a favor, please -- get your hands on a 5500/5600 and a 7x0,
just so you can see for yourself the difference.

[nilch]

seems like its available (or near to) in the japanese market.
http://www.shopping-search.jp/contents/zaurus_pda.html

At least prices are out and if this is true and US prices are similar then the SL600 may be a better alternative to the Sl-C7xx models.

SHARP SL-6000L 75,330 YEN - 705.38 USD

SHARP SL-6000N 69,300 YEN - 652.61 USD

SHARP SL-6000W 80,020 YEN - 753.55 USD