Thoughts on the Palm-Size PC Compaq Aero 2130LA? 13
Hernan Ochoa asks: "Hi. I'm in the process of buying a palm-size computer. I was all set and ready to buy a palm III/IIIx, but I've just seen the Palm-Size PC Aero 2130LA from Compaq. It costs about $400USD and it has a color screen, 16MB RAM, RISC, WinCE (ugh), audio, infrared, serial port, hotsync, voice recording, etc. So any comments about this? I'm very tempted to buy this one!" Looks good. Has anyone taken one of these for a spin yet?
Buy Everex! (Score:1)
Everex has pledged to provide HW info to help port Linux to their WinCE tablets. (Can't find the link, tho) Also, IIRC there's a low-end B&W model going for $100 at one of the big computer chain-stores.
Try the Casio E-100 or the HP Jornada (Score:1)
The Casio is the fastest of the current lot and has a simplified user interface on top of CE. Trust me, that makes a big difference and brings the Casio close to the usability of the PalmPilot.
The HP is a touch smaller and comes with some very useful software (such as an explorer, so you can navigate compact flash cards).
Just becasue they all run CE doesn't mean they are the same - it's well worth checking out the competitive specs to make sure you buy the right device.
Pilots are too old, but... (Score:1)
Depends on what you want. The best cost/capacity point to the CEs machines. Everex really has good ones.
If you want it for hacking, you can check the LinuxCE.org project.
Cool to be an Aero (Score:1)
I just saw the new Aero recently myself and I must say that I was impressed. I used to own not one, but two, of the 486 sub-notebook breed of Aero's. Even ran Linux on them for a time. Alas, I finally sold them after years of hard work and I thought Compaq had retired this glorious machine. I was hence pleasantly surprised to see the new CE based version. If it pays any tribute to its parentage, it should prove to be a fine machine (any OS considerations aside).
However, I got a Palm III last year and I must say, the Aero can't hold a candle to its form factor (like half the size and weight) or simplicity of function (maybe that's just because someone messed up the demo in the store). I don't think that I'd want to lug the new Aero around with me everywhere, like I do my Palm. I would consider getting one to suppliment my Palm though (and replace my Toshiba Libretto).
In summary: The Aeros in my experience have been great machines, but I would still choose my Palm for a basic PDA that I take everywhere.
don't be fooled re: ram on palm computers (Score:2)
The Wince machines are a compromise which manage to have the flaws of both and not enough of the benefits.
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Re:Buy Everex! (Score:1)
Not too fond of the Aero... (Score:1)
Re:Battery life in an Aero? (Score:1)
Re:Buy Everex! (Score:1)
that's not true. (Score:2)
It's true that the processor is slow, but due to intelligent design, they feel faster than most WinCE devices. And since apps require very little memory to run (40K = a huge program), the small amount of ram isn't a problem either.
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Re:Pilots are too old, but... (Score:1)