Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 PDA

First the pros...
(1) Screen is very easy to see and the colors are just gorgeous.
(2) Sound via the headphones is outstanding.
(3) Auto scaling of images is impressive.
(4) The web browser scaling is very good and the text is readable even at it's smallest setting.
(5) Keyboard is quite comfortable and I find myself using it more than handwriting.
(6) Transfer from Palm is very easy - just beam the entire category over and it takes care of the rest.
(7) Availability of software is quite good... have ssh, wap browser amd mysql running on it. Download the command tool and you get your hands on all the standard UNIX utilities, including tar, grep and vi.

Now the cons:
(1) More memory would certainly help. Given that this thing has a built in mp3 player and a mpeg player - 64MB of usable memory would be good. Of the 64, only 32 is really available.
(2) I would have prefered a regular Type II PCMCIA slot over the CF slot, but then again this is a pet peeve of mine.
(3) The built in PIM applications do need some work.

Overall impression... It's a really nice piece of engineering. The fact that it has a built in keyboard without sacrificing screen estate in my view makes it stand out from the Handspring, CE and Palm devices. That coupled with Linux makes it a winning combination in my book.


iPaq Killer   April 26, 2002
 21 out of 22 found this review helpful

I purchased the Zaurus SL-5500 PDA a few weeks ago and I have to say that this is the best PDA on the market. I've used an iPaq but it does not compare to the Zaurus. The Zaurus has most software to be expected by a high-end PDA. It also includes a Java virtual machine to allow Java programs to run. This enables a tremendous amount of Java software to be easily ported to the Zaurus. You can use the USB base included to connect to the internet. The web browser Opera includes Javascript support and allows easy zooming so you can view web pages made for desktop PC's easily. There is a wireless modem option and wireless ethernet compact flash adapter available. The web site www.myzaurus.com has commercial and free software that receives updates daily. Most programs take up very little space on FLASH to get the most out of the FLASH space available. The keyboard is fast and easy to use. For those who are techno-geeks there is a Bash shell available with most commands including telnet and ftp. Emacs can even be downloaded! Heck, they even have a port of Quake for this thing! For the non-techno-geeks the Zaurus is easy to use, my wife has had no problems! Programs are simple to install. Just download the .ipk file to the Zaurus with the included syncronization software and then click Install button on the Zaurus, couldn't be easier. The Zaurus is not just a PDA, it is a huge step forward for the replacement of your desktop PC!


Nifty Machine   March 23, 2002
 16 out of 17 found this review helpful

I've tried a Palm an Ipaq and the Zaurus and have decided to stick with the Zaurus. From a hardware standpoint the Zaurus beats all other competitors with its built in keyboard, expansion slots, industry leading LCD screen and replaceable li-ion battery. Curiously the Zaurus lacks an internal microphone like its Pocket PC competitors, but instead has an input/output phone jack.

My unit has served as an eBook, an address book, an mp3 player, a photo album, an alarm clock, video player and a pocket video game machine. The linux shell has also allowed me to use the same tools available on a desktop machine and has also proved to be highly configurable.

Pros:
- keyboard, blackberry-like, much more efficient than writing
- plethora of open source software available
- highly configurable, even allows custom kernels

Cons:
- casing scratches easily
- short battery life (but replaceable)
- Sync Software is not as refined as Palm's
- packaged Media Player cannot fast forward or rewind
- does not save application state on suspend

Sum it up: Great work horse, but room for improvement.


Best Value for money in the market..hands down!!!   April 11, 2002
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

Let me give my background....I am a lifelong WINDOWS user. I have XP on my PC. I am not a professional programmer. I have almost no knowledge of Linux.

Having said that...I found Zaurus to be the easiest and most intuitive PDA to use. The keyboard is awesome, especially if you can use your thumbs well. The PIM application are very adequate. My favorite feature is the MP3 player. the clarity is mind blowing. add a generous configuration with memory, games and applications....it does not hang your desktop (I have an P4) or lock up. battery life is good, i put it on the charger every night. i had the ipaq 3635 before and i liked it but Zaurus blows it off the water. you might have to wait a while to get an extensive software library going but the current applications out there should cover ALL your needs.....i am sure there will be better PDA's in the future..but currently this the best PDA out there...guaranteed.....


The Best on the Market   August 1, 2002
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

Simply put, I prefer the Linux operating system over both the Palm OS and MS Windows OS. If this was a Linux world, I don't think there would even be a dispute, since the software availability limitations would no longer be an issue. I like the stability of Linux vs. the limitations of any of the Palm based products, and wouldn't even put them in the same catagory for comparison, unless you are only wanting a basic PDA function-wise. That leaves the MS based products as the only viable competitors, none of which, in my opinion, offer the same extensive packaging as the Zaurus. The Zaurus is convenient, and out of any of the actual hand-held computer-types, is the only one thus far that incorporates a built-in keyboard and dual expansion slots which support both SD and CF memory cards. This in and of itself almost makes it worth it, as it is much easier to enter data as opposed to the hand-writing program. The multi-media functionality is a plus as well, and the unit has a pretty complete suite of software which comes with it, as well as additional software which is available. I also like the Hancom spreadsheet, WP and presenter, all of which are compatable with other common suite programs when sync-ing with your PC. The OS and additional software is by far more open than MS, and in many cases I have used the WP to compile info for homework assignments. I am sure that more Windows OS products will begin to incorporate many of the same features, but if you can tolerate some of the limitations of software availability for the Linux platform overall, this would be a great choice. There is also a fringe benefit in the consideration of the Zaurus as being the only Linux based product so far (at least to my knowledge). For some reason it has caused the purchase price of the product due to demand to drop substantially in contrast to what the product is capable of and in comparison to similar MS based products. Some retailers are starting to sell them for 335.00 new.