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...)

The principle of the device is simple: a windows manager (QTopia) that runs on a minimal amount of memory, allows for reasonable expandibility, and is updatable. Rather than just stopping with expandibility, however, Sharp decided to included anything they seemed to think of: flash ROM, an IR port, and one Compact Flash and SD card slot each. The result is an ability to expand the unit in terms of not only memory, but also peripherals through the CF port and even replace the preinstalled ROM with one from the Open Zaurus project.

Whether you choose to use the Open Zaurus (Opie) rom is up to you, of course, but with or without it there is currently a larger population of people writing software that will run on the Zaurus than there is for either Palm or CE devices. Palm's old community of experimental software programmers seem to have shifted back to their C language roots in Linux, meaning that there will be pleanty of new developments for a while to come. The only draw back is that everyone seems to be writing for this unit only, and not making their programs more universal, which will create problems when other devices come out (for example, many programs out now do not run well on the SL-C700, the big brother of the 5500, only available in Japan).

The largest complaint people have, especially if they come from Palm simplicity, is the time it takes for software to load. Depending on how heavily the unit is loaded down, this can become a problem. If things are kept light, or if a swap file is added (a few tools around for doing this automatically), this is not such a big deal. My advice would be to try it out at a local computer store if possible and seeing what you think of it. If you can live with it, or say "What delay?" you have found your PDA.

Handwriting recognition is another thing that sets the Zaurus apart. Sharp has been using handwriting recognition in their units for almost a decade and have it down to an art. A person can enter data just as fast as they can write it, with a high degree of accuracy, and without using a modified alphabet for input or spending ages getting the device to recognize your handwriting quirks.

I am giving this 5 stars right now in the absence of better models, but if the SL-C700 ever finds its way to the US, that will be taking the top.

Date: 2003-02-14
This changes everything
Its important for people not familiar to the open source way of life to understand right away that this device will destroy PalmOS outright. CE will stay because of the backing but is going to be playing catch up by the second generation of this device. As an example, one small feature of the Z is the TCP USB sync. That feature is symbolic of most of the Z's features. If you know what to do with it, it makes the Z something that no other PDA can be. If you only use it to sync to a desktop it will do that too.

My point, with some effort on the users' part (or previous computer knowledge) you can do things with the Z that simply cannot be done with CE or Palm. For the people that just want to use this like the other PDA's it is priced inline with the competition. The true value of this lay ahead. The software dev community will put distance between the competing OS's all the while you can sit back and try it all instead of waiting to see if someone will port insert_cool_app_here to the dying OS's. (Oh and charge me for it if they do)

Your interest in software increases the rating of this exponentially. If you don't need a PDA right now.... wait for round two of this fight. The difference will be stark. BTW Nokia is moving its cell phones to the linux/java platform. I know palm was not even an option, CE is shriveling on the vine in that market and I can already make voice-over-IP calls with the Z. Lastly, this was authored and submitted with the Zaurus.

Date: 2003-02-14
Oh people of the world...get in on this
Its important for people not familiar to the open source way of life to understand right away that this device will destroy PalmOS outright. CE will stay because of the backing but is going to be playing catch up by the second generation of this device. As an example, one small feature of the Z is the TCP USB sync. That feature is symbolic of most of the Z's features. If you know what to do with it, it makes the Z something that no other PDA can be. If you only use it to sync to a desktop it will do that too.

My point, with some effort on the users' part (or previous computer knowledge) you can do things with the Z that simply cannot be done with CE or Palm. For the people that just want to use this like the other PDA's it is priced inline with the competition. The true value of this lay ahead. The software dev community will put distance between the competing OS's all the while you can sit back and try it all instead of waiting to see if someone will port insert_cool_app_here to the dying OS's. (Oh and charge me for it if they do)

Your interest in software increases the rating of this exponentially. If you don't need a PDA right now.... wait for round two of this fight. The difference will be stark. BTW Nokia is moving its cell phones to the linux/java platform. I know palm was not even an option, CE is shriveling on the vine in that market and I can already make voice-over-IP calls with the Z. Lastly, this was authored and submitted with the Zaurus.

Date: 2003-02-14
Excellent PDA and also a micro laptop
This device is about on par PDA-wise with my former Palm IIIxe but it is very powerful as a general-purpose computer as well. I use it (in addition as a PDA) to write small programs (Java, Perl, C++ pending), read and write documents (I have taken meeting minutes with it multiple times), and play games.

I right now consider it an extension of the brain in taking care of mundane tasks (scheduling, tasks, contacts) and as a portable computer without the bulk and battery issues.

We are inseparable :).

Date: 2003-02-14
Excellent PDA and also a micro laptop
This device is about on par PDA-wise with my former Palm IIIxe but it is very powerful as a general-purpose computer as well. I use it (in addition as a PDA) to write small programs (Java, Perl, C++ pending), read and write documents (I have taken meeting minutes with it multiple times), and play games.

I right now consider it an extension of the brain in taking care of mundane tasks (scheduling, tasks, contacts) and as a portable computer without the bulk and battery issues.

We are inseparable :).