Quote:
| Originally Posted by JAmerican How do you like the N800? It looks like the perfect laptop-replacement from hardware but software size, seems kind of weak.
JAmerican |
All in all I love the n800. There are a few things that keep it from being the perfect pda but the hardware/platform is a winner. The software just needs to catch up. Some of the pros and cons.
Cons
1. Doesn't support a true sync'ing. (it does have a backup procedure but this only gets part of the unit, mainly the apps installed don't get backed up but the data does.)
2. The unit shuts down apps and still reboots too much for me. (They seem to have an issue where a program or programs can swamp either the processor or the memory. It is a true multitasking unit so I often have email downloading in the background, the audio player going, bluetooth to my phone/wifi surfing the web... At times the unit will just give up and either kill one of the programs (with a nice note) or the whole unit just reboots itself. This is much improved over the n770 but still I wish it didn't happen. Just to give you an idea it happens once a week, and I use it heavily.
3. The biggest drawback, no really good Contacts and Calendar function. There are a couple of PIM programs, one sync's to Evolution, etc but they just don't have that easy palm pilot feel to them. A good example is that on one of the programs I don't remember which the monthly view doesn't get updated until you close the program and reload it... Very crappy.
Pros
1. Screen size and resolution. 800x480x65355 colors. I just can't look at anything less anymore.
2. True multitasking, with the exception noted above it is like having a real computer in the palm of my hand.
3. Builtin Stereo speakers along with the builtin flip out bracket for a stand. This let you place the unit on your desk and listen to or watch the unit in comfort and surprising clarity.
4. TWO SD Card slots. This is so nice you can't imagine. One is internal (inside the battery compartment) and one is accessible outside the unit. Along with the units ability to use virtual memory can allow the unit to have a large amount of data available. I currently have 2 2G SD cards in the unit. The internal card has my extra 128M of virtual memory along with data I always carry with me. This gives the unit 256M of RAM for operation (128 + 128). The external 2G is for data that just migrates through the unit, podcasts, songs I'm currently into, etc. What is cool is that even thou the unit cannot format cards larger than 2G people have reported certain 8G cards working for a total of 16G's of replaceable storage. Need I say more. Also if you are not using either SD card at the moment when you plug in the usb cable to your PC both SD cards are available. If you are using one, only the other one is available. Very nice for Nokia to understand this.
5. Battery life is excellent. I listen to podcasts constantly in my car, at home during commercials, etc. In other words I'm a nut. I use the wifi to check my email (Claws email was just ported over) surf the web, etc and I only charge the unit maybe every other day. To give you a better idea after having my email open checking for mail every 10 minutes, surfing the web and having a podcast playing the unit will need to be plugged in after about 4 hours. Keep in mind the wifi is connected this entire time.
Another thought the unit is meant to be kept on all the time. At first this seems wrong, but it works. The unit has a way of locking the keys and touch screen so you simply lock the unit slip it into your breast pocket or whereever and when you need it quickly unlock and go. Very nice. I always have my browser, email, audio player loaded right where I left off.
Lastly I don't recommend this for everyone. It is still very much a development/power user type of device. I've given up some very nice features that the Palm has (in fact my lifedrive is in the glove box of my car for the few times I need it each week) and some might just not think it is worth it, If you are someone who loves to be catching the new wave just incase this wave changes the world this unit is for you. It very well could end up as just another neat device that never got traction but I think the combination of Open Source, Linux and the Hardware/form factor has made this unit a winner.
tim
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