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My Zaurus SL-5500 is not a PDA. It is a handheld computer.Mine has been used by a geek husband (me) for tinkering and also by a non-geek wife for office work.Description:-Connects to wireless networks and browse the Web (when connected to a CF wireless card, which I am including)-Included applications: Opera Web browser, email, calendar, address book, media player, image viewer, calculator.-It sync emails, contacts, address book, etc. with Microsoft Outlook with a one-press button on the cradle.-Over 2000 applications and games available for FREE download (check http://www.killefiz.de/zaurus/ and http://zaurus.geeek.org/Cacko/)-Lots of guides, support and forums on the Internet, strong community behind it.-I have been able to do all kinds of things with this device, from viewing PDF and Office files, to logging onto other computers remotely, to playing the game Doom, to running a web server on it.-For more technical details, please visit http://www.oesf.org/index.php.title=SL-5500_General_Specifications
There's an alternative firmware set for this device that can be used to create a mono-enabled system capable of VoIP via WiFi.
I'd bet that 90% of zaurus software (that is not japanese) is at least a year old, and has not been updated since. Not that i care, i just put files on a sd card and move it between the pc and the sl.Now the hardware is really neat. A few refurbished and used models come with batteries that are already worn out and don't hold a charge. However, there are some things that you may consider.First off, the battery supply will probably be finite.
Now the screen cover and the sliding keyboard business qualifies as the brilliant side. there's even a little door you can open and shut, that protects the sync port. The scene is desolate, tumbleweeds blow through, and ebay is littered with bargain used and refurbished sl-5500s.So if you're interested, you're probably looking for a palm pc that does everything, without spending a lot of cash. Granted, i was able to find just about everything i want, but i find the stagnancy of the software scene unnerving.Now, the device is great. The design is brilliant in a lot of ways, and 'unique' in one sense.
Take some time to reread the last sentence. Mine works fine.Secondly, the software scene is in a bit of disarray. It is complex as hell. Update -Spent a few months with this thing, and i can confirm that it can in fact do almost everything.
So now sharp has given up on america, as far as linux palm pcs are concerned. The microphone and the earphone jack are the same jack. You can record sound through normal headphones. Removable battery. Oh, and i can't sync this thing to save my life. The IR is too weak to use it as a good TV remote, that's about all it doesn't do. Such lithium ion batteries will only last a few years outside of the factory, even if they are never used.
I've got wifi and GPS cards that work great. It will waste a few days of your life if you do something stupid like format a memory card on anything but fat 16, but it truly can do everything. Different ROM versions work with different sync software versions. Never seen anything like this.To get down to brass tacks, this is the best linux pda you're going to get without spending a fortune. If you look hard enough for software to do something, you'll find it.
I've been running an SL5500 since they came out. (Did I mention I loathe all things MS). (And I'm not too sure that it can't do that).The latest ROM (V3.10) converts the calendar and contacts to an SQL based database. Sure some interfaces are prettier and some PIM apps on other platforms may be slicker but as they say, "Beauty is only skin deep." My Zaurus sees almost daily use as a network troubleshooting aid on my job in field service maintaining Cat Scanners, MRI's and other medical imaging devices. What will we see next.The 5500 has treated me so well I just had to add a SL6000L to my Zaurus fleet. Slap in a CF network card, configure it to the network and wham. Being a Linux geek wannabe type, the Zaurus was a natural. And yes, besides being a very adept network device capable of a myriad of server duties, it can be a very decent PDA.The Zaurus is a very capable device with a huge library of s/w downloads available that can make the little guy do just about anything except make toast.
I'm on the network. I don't have to wait 10 minutes for my company issued Win2k pro laptop to boot up. A SQL database on a PDA. Count me as another satisfied Zaurus user
I have it coupled with an ambicom wifi card and have loved its wireless support. I purchased my Zaurus sl-5500 over a year ago and have never been disapointed. ipaq.). Although the plastic casing has its share of scratches and dings, the zaurus still performs perfectly. The zaurus runs great as a stock pda, but it excels in its custamizability and compatability. I had owned several sharp products in the past, including an imported md player , and still have all of them running strong.
I have changed the gui and have added all kinds of software and never had a problem with the system. I choose the sharp pda because of the short lifespan that plagues most pda models (ahem. I can scroll instant message and surf ubersite from the toilet with ease. Sticking by sharp was definitly a good choice, because my zaurus has taken all kinds of beatings and is still running perfect. My zaurus has been dropped in a toilet, fallen out of my pocket while skateboarding, been tossed around all over the place, frozen, and sat on. I was afraid that my lack of knowledge would hurt my ability to use and take advantage of the zaurus's capabilities, but the software is intuitive and easy to use.
I would recomend the zaurus to anyone looking for a pda, above any other brand.
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