Sony is dead, long live Zaurus?

[ugokanain]

When I got my NX, I debated between the Zaurus and the NX. Don't get me wrong I love my NX, but considering the possible end of the clies (we still need to see and find what happens) seems like it might have been the wrong choice. Between the software, hardware, and time invested maybe the Zarus might had been better.

Well time to start learning linux :cool:

Take a look at the MI series (http://ezaurus.com/lineup/mi/index.html) and the sl series (http://ezaurus.com/lineup/sl/index.html)

Maybe it is time to start petitioning Sharp for a larger US penetration, specially since the pda market is about to change.

At least hope not to need a new pda for a few years, if I don't have more trouble with it (already lost the power switch).

[the_macross]

I purchased a Zaurus before I bought my NX. The Z, while being a wonderful toy to tinker with is a miserable tool when it comes to use as a PIM. It's slow, as most java things are, the user interfaces are clunky at best on all the PIM apps and syncing to desktop apps is a real crap shoot.

My advice - if you need a serious PIM tool you can rely on, stick with palmOS based devices.

[CliePet]

IMHO: from most usable to most geeky

(most usable, least geeky)
PalmOS (OS 5 and earlier)
PocketPC
PDA Linux
(least usable, most geeky)

If you find the need to jump ship from Palm, the Toshiba e800 series is cool (VGA resolution screen today, rumors of discontinuation on the horizon). Similar HP models coming later.
http://www.aibohack.com/clie/UX50_e800_1sm.jpg

IMHO2: Until Palm OS 6 devices arrive on the scene, it will hard to decide your best longer term PDA. Hopefully your existing CLIE won't explode in the mean-time ;->

[ugokanain]

That is one of the reasons I got the NX80. However, Linux is improving (not quite OS X :)), and if my luck holds won't need to consider another pda for at least a year. By then OS 6 should be out, the future of the clies should had been decided and who knows there might be another newton :D.

[CLiENX]

That Toshiba e800 is a PPC based pda. Hmmmm ... cliepet, does that mean U r jumping to PPC camp..... Now, I'm worry.

THNX

[CliePet]

FWIW: I've always had my feet in *both* the PocketPC and PalmOS camps for some time. Also I like the "under-dogs" in each category (Sony CLIE for PalmOS, Toshiba for PocketPC) since they have unique features...
http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34465&highlight=toshiba+AND+sony

FWIW: Linux has been ported to some Pocket PC hardware (ie. Zaurus isn't the only Linux PDA game in town)
http://www.linuxdevices.com/articles/AT8728350077.html (lots of other devices too - some real, some vaporware)

But other than the "cool it runs Linux" bragging rights, I'll stick with the CLIE, all other things equal.

[Blue Clown]

I use both. My NX70 is fine as a PDA. But little else. It's PDA features are second to none, and the screen is simply wonderful. I cant afford (anymore) to continualy spend money on upgraded software, so it remains a PDA. It would be quite a sweet MP3 player, if I could afford a big MS :(

The Wifi card I bought for my Clie I use in my Zaurus. Anyone who thinks that Netfront is a good browser should try browsing with Opera 7.5 on a zaurus. One word for you, "wow". Pretty useless as a PDA though. It's apps are still stuck in "Desktop world" requiring you to hit "Save" to keep your work... clunky!! But there is a lot of standard opensource s/w available.

Having 64MB internal ram and (for me) 256MB external storage is quite an eye opener. Neither device is perfect. Both have defects that the other handles very well.

If it wasn't for the NX screen I could join them togther with a rubber band for the perfect gadget. Hmm superglue....

If Sony brought out Linux device with 256MB internal ram, and two CF slots with all the bells and whistles that come with a Sony, I would litterally sell my soul to buy one:D