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Fritz · 02-17-03, 08:42 PM

OK, I'm sure everyone on this board can tell you all the pluses of the Ax; and having owned the e740 I'm going to play the devil's advocate here and list the gripes I have for both of these PPC's.

Axim-X5
*******
Buttons/controls:
- D-pad: feels as if it's going to pop off any second, not to mention the notorious 'stickiness' or irresponsivenss in certain directions.
- Scroller: flimsy feel and hyper-sensitive for scrolling(altho the sensitivity can be toggled through software, the actual tactile feedback is sub-par). On the contrary, you need to mash the button in real hard to 'click' to invoke the action-function.
- Record button: placed too low, and too close to the reset button. Awkward to use when you want to use the voice memo, and accidents happen when your finger presses the reset.

Infrared: weak and narrow, can't really use it as a remote-control at a comfortable distance.

Sound: Weak internal speakers, but this is also true for the e740. For voice-recording, using the hardware record-button will invoke crackles due to some problems in interference of the wiring; a work-around for that is to use the software 'button'.

CF Slot: A real minor thing, but then it doesn't have an eject button.

Aesthetics: Uses a faux-metallic paint job which will peel off eventually.

Toshiba e740
***********
Buttons: Although the tactile feedback of this unit is superior, it disallow multiple button press. This is one of the huge reasons why I have gotten rid of this unit and went for the Ax. The e740 came out around April2002, and yet it still exhibits this preliminary problem from other PPC's (ie: earlier iPAQs).

Infrared: beam is a bit better and wider, BUT its placed at a very awkward position (on the lower left side of the unit); because of this you can't really use it as a remote per-se; juggling the unit with one hand and beaming contacts is a huge nightmare!

Stylus: A warped piece of plastic rod, nuff said.

Screen: It's nice, but not as nice as the Ax. The e740 uses a reflective display, which exhibits the problem of uneven lighting (ie: the side with the light is real bright). The front-light also poses a problem of blinding one's eyes when viewed at a certain angle and washes out the display completely. Which is the second reason why I have switched over to the Ax.

Battery: 4-5 hours of 'normal' usage -- this does not include gaming/multi-media/proc-intensive usage; the third reason why it was a no-no to me.

WiFi: An advantage and a disadvantage -- drains battery, short range, not easiliy/not upgradable (I'm not talking merely about 802.11b to 802.11a/g -- but the upcoming new WEP enhancement. Some vendors may not be able to implement this in their old hardware)
******
Overall, the X5 is built to be an all-day robust PPC that will give you a solid day of usage without worrying about budgeting battery life between PIMs/Multimedia. The screen and multi-button press is essential if you want to do anything other than your usual PPC apps.

Where as the e740 major advantage is its more solid tactile feel (metal casing, sturdy buttons) and built-in WiFi (which contributes to the aesthetic due to the lack of a protruding antennae). On the other hand, the WiFi also poses the problems noted above.

So if price is not an issue here, you have to decide whether you want to have something that is robust, but less pretty with a few minor drawbacks that you can kind of 'get used to' -- or something that looks good, but may have problems that doesn't have work-arounds.

Hopes these points will help you decide in getting a suitable PPC ;)

Cheers.

02-17-03, 08:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
Fritz Aximsite Major League Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: TO, ON. Posts: 344 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	OK, I'm sure everyone on this board can tell you all the pluses of the Ax; and having owned the e740 I'm going to play the devil's advocate here and list the gripes I have for both of these PPC's. Axim-X5 ***** Buttons/controls: - D-pad: feels as if it's going to pop off any second, not to mention the notorious 'stickiness' or irresponsivenss in certain directions. - Scroller: flimsy feel and hyper-sensitive for scrolling(altho the sensitivity can be toggled through software, the actual tactile feedback is sub-par). On the contrary, you need to mash the button in real hard to 'click' to invoke the action-function. - Record button: placed too low, and too close to the reset button. Awkward to use when you want to use the voice memo, and accidents happen when your finger presses the reset. Infrared: weak and narrow, can't really use it as a remote-control at a comfortable distance. Sound: Weak internal speakers, but this is also true for the e740. For voice-recording, using the hardware record-button will invoke crackles due to some problems in interference of the wiring; a work-around for that is to use the software 'button'. CF Slot: A real minor thing, but then it doesn't have an eject button. Aesthetics: Uses a faux-metallic paint job which will peel off eventually. Toshiba e740 ******* Buttons: Although the tactile feedback of this unit is superior, it disallow multiple button press. This is one of the huge reasons why I have gotten rid of this unit and went for the Ax. The e740 came out around April2002, and yet it still exhibits this preliminary problem from other PPC's (ie: earlier iPAQs). Infrared: beam is a bit better and wider, BUT its placed at a very awkward position (on the lower left side of the unit); because of this you can't really use it as a remote per-se; juggling the unit with one hand and beaming contacts is a huge nightmare! Stylus: A warped piece of plastic rod, nuff said. Screen: It's nice, but not as nice as the Ax. The e740 uses a reflective display, which exhibits the problem of uneven lighting (ie: the side with the light is real bright). The front-light also poses a problem of blinding one's eyes when viewed at a certain angle and washes out the display completely. Which is the second reason why I have switched over to the Ax. Battery: 4-5 hours of 'normal' usage -- this does not include gaming/multi-media/proc-intensive usage; the third reason why it was a no-no to me. WiFi: An advantage and a disadvantage -- drains battery, short range, not easiliy/not upgradable (I'm not talking merely about 802.11b to 802.11a/g -- but the upcoming new WEP enhancement. Some vendors may not be able to implement this in their old hardware) **** Overall, the X5 is built to be an all-day robust PPC that will give you a solid day of usage without worrying about budgeting battery life between PIMs/Multimedia. The screen and multi-button press is essential if you want to do anything other than your usual PPC apps. Where as the e740 major advantage is its more solid tactile feel (metal casing, sturdy buttons) and built-in WiFi (which contributes to the aesthetic due to the lack of a protruding antennae). On the other hand, the WiFi also poses the problems noted above. So if price is not an issue here, you have to decide whether you want to have something that is robust, but less pretty with a few minor drawbacks that you can kind of 'get used to' -- or something that looks good, but may have problems that doesn't have work-arounds. Hopes these points will help you decide in getting a suitable PPC ;) Cheers. __________________ "To be, or not to be is true." -- Boole Last edited by Fritz; 02-17-03 at 09:00 PM.