PDA Buyer's Guide Reviews The Sharp Zaurus SL-6000 154
Tong Zhang writes "PDA Buyer's Guide has published an in-depth review of the Sharp Zaurus SL-6000. If you like livin' large, this super-sized Linux PDA may be just the ticket. Sharp targets the enterprise rather than consumers with this Zaurus model, which looks like an SL-5600 on steriods. It has an amazing VGA display, a 400 MHz processor, thumb keyboard, WiFi and more. Read the full review." This adds just a bit more information to the previously mentioned review at BargainPDA.
This thing is the future of mobile computing now. (Score:5, Insightful)
The thing that makes it worth it?
Linux OS + decent screen + 10-12 hour battery life.
WTF am I suppose to do with a laptop that can only run for 1.75 hours before needing to be plugged in again? It's not nearly as usefull as I thought it would be.
Looks cool but.. (Score:1, Insightful)
But it's HUGE (Score:4, Insightful)
Cost? (Score:3, Insightful)
I think I'd rather have a cheap used laptop for that price. More functionality, about the same weight.
Re:Looks cool but.. (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Cost? (Score:4, Insightful)
Rubbish. The Zaurus is a complete Linux box, and thus has exactly the same functionality as your desktop or laptop machine, albeit in a smaller form factor, and less expansion options. As for weight, I don't know about the SL-6000, but my SL-C860 is significantly lighter than any laptop I've ever come across (lighter even than the Libretto).
Re:Looks cool but.. (Score:2, Insightful)
PDA with HD? (Score:5, Insightful)
I think it's the logical progression to see PDA's start to take on parts from laptops/desktops. PDA's are really the Laptop's of our generation. A USB host controller is awesome because of all of the USB devices that exist. USB Networking is a definite plus, but most everything is going to Bluetooth/WiFi anyways.
Either way, this is a damned cool PDA, even if hella expensive, and I can't wait to see something like this, but cheaper, or any of the improvements from above are added (micro hd, minus usb host controller, plus wifi AND bluetooth, plus quicktime/some movie player).
A Geek's Toy (Score:2, Insightful)
With that in mind it makes it appearant why it's not targeted for consumers.
Re:Pricing ? (Score:2, Insightful)
Instead, you'll see these things being used a lot by sytems integrators for business/commerce systems, and that explains the average higher cost for the Zaurus PDA's over other, equivalently featured products from competitors.
That said, the Zaurus is a whole lotta computer for what you pay and pretty much smokes the competition when it comes to programmability. When was the last time you spent a few hours tweaking the PalmOS kernel to exact every last bit of performance out of it? Well, that happens all the time in Zaurus land, and there are a really amazing wide range of options for this PDA, when it comes to distro's
Look for OpenEmbedded-based distro's in the future lineup of linux-based PDA's. It really is smooth and sexy
I have one of these SL-6000Ls and ... (Score:5, Insightful)
1.
When I use Konsole (tabbed terminal---better than the default), I do it in one of three ways: (a) built-in keyboard, (b) Happy Hacking Keyboard Lite 2 (with control key in correct position) attached to the USB connector, or (c) ssh from another machine with a full-size keyboard, since the SL-6000L is usually on the network when I'm around other machines.
2.
It's not a pda, it's a small Linux machine I wear on a camera strap around my neck and use while standing up on a totally wifi campus where I need to be mobile.
3.
I previously used a Clie, about the size of your Linux-fighting Compaq, and found it was no fun to carry in a pocket, either. Plus, it didn't do enough to replace my laptop.
4.
If you can find a 10.5 ounce laptop for that price, get it. I dare you to.
5.
The SL-6000L has a VASTLY better screen than any PocketPC. It is VASTLY more ruggedized than any PocketPC. It has VASTLY more features (USB host, 802.11b) than any PocketPC. It's made in VASTLY smaller quantities than any PocketPC.
6.
Thanks to Sharp for NOT including a built-in camera. I need to take it into places where cameras are no longer allowed (thanks Donald Rumsfled, this totally solves the torture problem) for government meetings. I don't want builtin cameras on anything really important.
7.
Well, you got the last part right, but seriously, it's not about features, it's about usability. This thing is usable as a phone, but it's really a laptop replacement for people who want to use a computer in situations other than sitting in one place for long periods.
Finally, I would like to comment that Opera on this machine is the most impressive example of an application fitting a machine I've seen in a very long time. I use http://local.google.com to find services in my new home at Carnegie Mellon, a very wifi campus, for instance, and this is the fulfillment of the promise of mobile computing.
Re:Looks cool but.. (Score:4, Insightful)
However, I bought a SL-6000L over the weekend. It's amazing what these devices will do. These 2 reviews cover the hardware pretty comprehensively and the included apps ok but they only allude to its true capabilities. It's surely everything my laptop did for me and it fits in my (larger) pockets. I admit, the USB host and VGA screen are what pushed me over the edge. Check out ZUG [zaurususergroup.com] for a better idea of what people are doing with these machines.
Re:looks nice, but.... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Nice ........ (Score:3, Insightful)