Manufacturer: Sharp Model#: SL-55 Weight: 0..4lbs Height: 5..4"     Width: 2..9" Length: " Average Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars	Retail Price: $399.99 Online Sale Price:
Features: Linux/Java-powered handheld computer with 64 MB RAM, 206 Mhz Intel processor, and organization and productivity software High-resolution color reflective TFT screen with support for over 65,000 colors Integrated QWERTY keyboard that slides out from bottom of handheld Listen to MP3 or watch MPEG video; includes stereo headphone jack What's in the box: Zaurus SL-5500, EA-70 AC Adaptor, Docking Station (USB), AC Adapter and Power Cord, Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery, Stylus, Display Protection Cover, CF Slot Protection Card

User Submitted Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 PDA Reviews (cont...)

First the pros...
(1) Screen is very easy to see and the colors are just gorgeous.
(2) Sound via the headphones is outstanding.
(3) Auto scaling of images is impressive.
(4) The web browser scaling is very good and the text is readable even at it's smallest setting.
(5) Keyboard is quite comfortable and I find myself using it more than handwriting.
(6) Transfer from Palm is very easy - just beam the entire category over and it takes care of the rest.
(7) Availability of software is quite good... have ssh, wap browser amd mysql running on it. Download the command tool and you get your hands on all the standard UNIX utilities, including tar, grep and vi.

Now the cons:
(1) More memory would certainly help. Given that this thing has a built in mp3 player and a mpeg player - 64MB of usable memory would be good. Of the 64, only 32 is really available.
(2) I would have prefered a regular Type II PCMCIA slot over the CF slot, but then again this is a pet peeve of mine.
(3) The built in PIM applications do need some work.

Overall impression... It's a really nice piece of engineering. The fact that it has a built in keyboard without sacrificing screen estate in my view makes it stand out from the Handspring, CE and Palm devices. That coupled with Linux makes it a winning combination in my book.

Date: 2002-07-08
A good product with some rough edges...
I've been trying to use the Zaurus for the last week or so. The product has turned out to be a mixed blessing.

The Good:
1) This is without a doubt the ultimate programmer's PDA.
2) You can write code, compile, and execute on the Zaurus (hard to believe but it's true).
3) There is quite a bit of good free software, including neocalc, which is a great calculator.
4) Amazon.com had a stellar deal on it.
5) Contrary to some of the reviews I've seen, the screen is very nice looking.

The not so good:
1) The software to sync with a PC (Win2K in this case) stinks. It crashes, hangs, intermittently refuses to connect, and requires special knowledge not included in the manual to get it to work. I've tried both Intellisync and Qtopia Desktop. Intellisync appears to be a hopeless basket case, but I was able to get Qtopia Desktop to work as long as I didn't have too many files on my CF (too many files causes a nasty crash on the PC side). Too bad I need to sync with Outlook.
2) I've managed to fry a 128Meg SD Flash by leaving it in during a hard reset of the Zaurus. That shouldn't happen, but it did.
3) The Hancom Suite (MS compatible Word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation viewer) is weak but usable.
4) The battery life is short (especially with a Wireless LAN adapter).
5) The MP3 software wouldn't play any of my variable bit rate files. I don't believe there is anything terribly unusual about them (other than they have been encoded using LAME).
6) The MP1 video is very slow and choppy at Video CD bit rates (like ~1 frame/sec). I've found it difficult to get a bit rate the works well for me when trying to take full advantage of the screen resolution. Perhaps the DiVX decoder that is being developed will solve this problem.

Even with these serious problems, I'd still consider it a great tool for a programmer and will give it 4 stars. For non-programmer types, I'd give it 1 star.

Date: 2002-06-28
This PDA is for newbies & geeks alike:
Not familiar with Linux. If I wasn't told this runs on an embeded Linux OS, I would have never guessed, until I realized it doesn't crash - then I would catch on. The graphics on this are awesome and the applications have all you need. I bought this at list price. Now it's a bargan. It has great handwriting detecting software and is really easy to use. You can get more applications for it from myZaurus.com and there are plenty more links from there. There is a wireless service opening up for it and more. Also, if you are a geek you will love this because you can get command line tools, file managers and even write Java applications of your own to install. Like I said - it rocks :0)

Date: 2002-06-27
Using it now.
I'm writing this now ON the Zaurus using the web browser and a Linksys CF wireless card. Works great! All the linux tools are there. Set up is easy. Very cool!

Date: 2002-06-12
Laptop replacement...!!
This pda is the ultimate in computing power: it is WAY faster and more powerful than any other Palm or CE machine out there. As a former Palm user, I feel that this machine is EASY to use (despite what some are saying) for the novice pda user. If you are afraid of looking under the hood, and tinkering with the apps, you dont have to!!!! Just use the PIM, calendar,clock, and Opera browser, no need to configure. As a techie and programmer, I love the pull down keyboard (I dont use the handwriting thing)and the BASH command line functionality ROCKS!!!! I love having Linux in my pocket! For those of you who are still afraid of this machine, even my mom (who is a total technophobe) can use it with ease. She cant even spell Linux! And she wants a Zaurus too. She'll just use the basic fucntions like the PIM, taking pictures and MP3 listning, wireless surfing..........loads of fun!