There are new models that should be over here soon (hence the discounts) one that is functionally the same but with a faster chip and one that is a very different beast altogether.
The new 5600 model is not actually as good as the 5500 (these are things I have read online BTW) , basically they have stuck a new cpu in it (400Mhz instead of 200Mhz) but due to implementation problems it will run at about the same speed as the 5500. Also they have taken the amount of RAM down to 32MB from 64MB but bolted on 64MB of non-volatile flash instead of 16MB of flash in the 5500. This means you will be limited to a maximum of 32MB of RAM where my Z is currently running with 64MB (and 128MB of MMC for its file system) with openzaurus. The main advantages of the newer model is that it has a 1700mAh battery instead of a 950mAh (but the new cpu burns more juice iirc) but this adds a bulge onto the back of the unit, and it has a built in microphone which you don't have with the 5500.
All in all it is a cracking little widget, as a basic PDA I'd be forced to say that it is not as good as a decent Palm, but as a Linux machine in your pocket it is fantastic.
I would say that it makes the palm look like a pile of something brown and smelly :) although I have now had 4 different models of palm break on me in pretty much the same way. I do find the Z is much better as a PDA. One thing is that I did have problems with openzaurus 3.0 (and the sharp rom too) but I now have openzaurus 3.2 installed and it works very nicely, apart from the occasional hot plug problem.
Oh and install Interstellar Flames to impress your inquiring friends (the 3D graphics are out of this world on a PDA)
I have this, it does tend to impress people when they see it :) although I still have to check out other games yet.
Adam
[Hi there, never posted before. 3rd year CS student @ UEA]
Bought one of these a couple of months ago. Excellent, really good. However, I got it from Amazon. I suggest you get it from a shop and ask to see it before buying it. Mine has a dirty rotten dead pixel in the top corner. The Sharp policy (in line with pretty much everyone elses) is that a couple of dead pixels is acceptable. They wont fix it.
Just a pain really!
ben dunham --- ben@toasta.com | http://www.toasta.com | icq: 78154409
----- Original Message ----- From: "Adam Bower" adam@Drakken.com To: wayne.stallwood@btinternet.com; main@lists.alug.org.uk Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 9:29 AM Subject: RE: [Alug] Zauruss (Zaurui?)
There are new models that should be over here soon (hence the discounts) one that is functionally the same but with a faster chip and one that is a very different beast altogether.
The new 5600 model is not actually as good as the 5500 (these are things I have read online BTW) , basically they have stuck a new cpu in it (400Mhz instead of 200Mhz) but due to implementation problems it will run at about the same speed as the 5500. Also they have taken the amount of RAM down to 32MB from 64MB but bolted on 64MB of non-volatile flash instead of 16MB of flash in the 5500. This means you will be limited to a maximum of 32MB of RAM where my Z is currently running with 64MB (and 128MB of MMC for its
file
system) with openzaurus. The main advantages of the newer model is that it has a 1700mAh battery instead of a 950mAh (but the new cpu burns more
juice
iirc) but this adds a bulge onto the back of the unit, and it has a built
in
microphone which you don't have with the 5500.
All in all it is a cracking little widget, as a basic PDA I'd be forced to say that it is not as good as a decent Palm, but as a Linux machine in your pocket it is fantastic.
I would say that it makes the palm look like a pile of something brown and smelly :) although I have now had 4 different models of palm break on me
in
pretty much the same way. I do find the Z is much better as a PDA. One
thing
is that I did have problems with openzaurus 3.0 (and the sharp rom too)
but
I now have openzaurus 3.2 installed and it works very nicely, apart from
the
occasional hot plug problem.
Oh and install Interstellar Flames to impress your inquiring friends (the 3D graphics are out of this world on a PDA)
I have this, it does tend to impress people when they see it :) although I still have to check out other games yet.
Adam
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On Tue, Apr 15, 2003 at 09:53:01AM +0100, Ben Dunham wrote:
[Hi there, never posted before. 3rd year CS student @ UEA]
Welcome ;)
Bought one of these a couple of months ago. Excellent, really good. However, I got it from Amazon. I suggest you get it from a shop and ask to see it before buying it. Mine has a dirty rotten dead pixel in the top corner. The Sharp policy (in line with pretty much everyone elses) is that a couple of dead pixels is acceptable. They wont fix it.
You could try er.. damaging some more but then would be a little scary to do on it ;)
I am surprised that a number of you on ALUG got the zaurus since I've played with one for 15 minutes (One of the staff in SYS got one). And boy.. what a toy! I am so keen to ditch my handspring visor (first color model they made) for the zaurus. Looks like I better check my funds to get one ;)
Just like to say I got one too. Never dared replace the OS, mind you; too afraid of blowing it away completely. Besides, I need it to be standard to test the stuff I write for it.
Is there anyone in this group who doesn't own a Z? Boy, you guys must feel pretty left out ;-)
-- GT
----- Original Message ----- From: "Craig" craig@wizball.co.uk To: "ALUG" main@lists.alug.org.uk Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 10:14 AM Subject: Re: [Alug] Zaurus
On Tue, Apr 15, 2003 at 09:53:01AM +0100, Ben Dunham wrote:
[Hi there, never posted before. 3rd year CS student @ UEA]
Welcome ;)
Bought one of these a couple of months ago. Excellent, really good.
However,
I got it from Amazon. I suggest you get it from a shop and ask to see it before buying it. Mine has a dirty rotten dead pixel in the top corner.
The
Sharp policy (in line with pretty much everyone elses) is that a couple of dead pixels is acceptable. They wont fix it.
You could try er.. damaging some more but then would be a little scary to do on it ;)
I am surprised that a number of you on ALUG got the zaurus since I've played with one for 15 minutes (One of the staff in SYS got one). And boy.. what a toy! I am so keen to ditch my handspring visor (first color model they made) for the zaurus. Looks like I better check my funds to get one ;)
--
(o_ - Craig Butcher //\ - IT Technician / Unix Support MTH/ENV @ UEA V_/_ - http://www.wizball.co.uk
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On Tue, Apr 15, 2003 at 11:58:17AM +0100, Graham Trott wrote:
Just like to say I got one too. Never dared replace the OS, mind you; too afraid of blowing it away completely. Besides, I need it to be standard to test the stuff I write for it.
Is there anyone in this group who doesn't own a Z? Boy, you guys must feel pretty left out ;-)
Well talk about timing ;) I could splash out the cash however I am moving to Norwich as of next week.. so the cash is needed just for whatever really... er... important... er...
*Wanders to various websites for the cheapest zaurus*
Graham Trott gt@pobox.com wrote:
Is there anyone in this group who doesn't own a Z? Boy, you guys must feel pretty left out ;-)
I dunno. I have another palmtop and I can program it in Scheme, so I'm happy. To an extent, I don't care about the hardware as long as it is reasonably open and runs Scheme. Even some lego runs Scheme. You have to love a language that portable.
MJR
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Adam Bower -
Ben Dunham -
Craig -
Graham Trott -
MJ Ray