CyberGuy

Since there is a delay in the HX4705, what do you guys think of the new ASUS MyPal A730 ?

Specs:

Latest 520MHz Intel® XScale™ PXA270 Processor
128mb ram
dual slots
Bluetooth
USB HOST!!!!
1.3 MP digital camera
VGA screen!!! 640X480 resolution
win2003 SE <<< landscape/portrait capability!!!!


http://www.asus.com/products/pda/event/a730/

I believe that the first unit does not have Wi-Fi but the next model surely will have it.

Would you get this instead of the HX4705?

Cheryl

I am seriously considering it.

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benn600

I would never order it. Besides, here are some reasons others may not want it:
Smaller screen, less RAM accessible than HX4705, doesn't specify that it is the new 4-bit SD card slot, slow infrared, no wifi, very small battery, etc.

Plus, Asus is not well known to me. I'm not trying to bash Asus, but I'm just saying that I personally wouldn't order it. Thanks!

EDIT: After reading more about it, it looks pretty nice! They have a WIFI version and from the site I read, the one without Wifi will have around 19 hours battery life!!!! How is that possible? I wonder how the screen looks though, in comparison to the ipaqs. I am getting the HX4705 for a larger screen. Higher resolution and smaller screen will be problematic for some people. I really don't know what to think.

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mistame

IF i were to get one it would only be the wifi and bt combo version. Seeing as how that release has been pushed back to the end of october i'd rather wait for ecost to ship the 4705 than that.

benn600

I really hate this! I would like the camera, better battery (They said about 9 hours on the wifi version - wifi may be on or off) - the HX4705 is only like 4.5 hours (wifi may be on or off). Maybe I should start my own company and build the perfect PDA.? Does someone want to help me? That sounds like a lot of work!

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emtownsend

Here is a nice review of it:
http://www.mobile-review.com/pda/rev...-a730-en.shtml

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neocliff

Can someone explain to me what the value of a camera in a PDA is? Or a cell phone for that matter? Do you really use it? Have you ever met someone who actually used the camera function beyond the "I've got one and you don't" stage? It is kind of like having a web browser in your refrigerator: neat gimmick but why do I need it?

This one really escapes me!

Cliff

benn600

I agree to a certain extent. I would really like to see high quality 4 megapixel cameras with optical zoom in pda's because then, it could replace some plain digital cameras. Otherwise, a small 1.3 mp digital camera in today's pda's is nice, but usually, only in high light situations and the quality is not very high - but may be satisfactory for many. I would like the see the addition, though. But, I would never base my decision on whether it had one or not - just like my decision to buy the HX4705 which doesn't have a camera. I don't mind that because my current pda doesn't have one. I would like to see a really small bluetooth camera - but then, you're just back to using a separate camera since it isn't built in...

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Cheryl

I don't need or want a camera on my PPC. If I want to take pictures I have my real camera for that.

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benn600

I read the review for the Asus and am very angry. I read the part about the internet explorer browsing. It is just what I was worried about - it sounds like there is no way to view webpages at the high resolution! I want the fonts and everything to be 1/4 or 1/2 the size! Not the same size but in higher detail!!! Having it that way means NOTHING to me. What am I going to do with my HX4705? I don't want to browse the web at 320x240! I also don't want to spend extra money. I was hoping that there would be a control panel that would let you adjust the font size and start menu bar thickness, and the bottom bar!

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jaarso

One thing that the review does not mention is the unacceptable service that ASUS provides when it comes time for the occasional ROM update. They make you mail your PPC to them for ROM updates. I purchased an ASUS A620BT earlier this year but returned it the same day I received it when I found out about this. I was told it was a corporate decision to not allow ROM update downloads. The others (Dell, HP, Toshiba, etc.) do. I am looking for a PPC for my wife and called ASUS today (1-866-732-7108) to see if their policy is still the same and was told by the tech support guy that nothing has changed. There was a recent similar discussion thread about this on either this site or Aximsite and a member mentioned that he found some "unofficial" ASUS PPC ROM updates somewhere on the web. No way in hell that I will depend on the "underground" to keep my PPC up to date. I prefer to have full legitimate support from the manufacturer/retailer.

HX4705

Benn,

Im sorry bud but you seem way too easily exciteable about all this. Just relax. If its not what you want DONT BUY IT. It is that simple. Wait till what you want is on the market THEN go get it. I want a tool for work, not a PC replacement so this is just the thing. Terminal Services at 640 X 480 will do the trick nicely for me.

allklrnoflr

Originally Posted by jaarso

One thing that the review does not mention is the unacceptable service that ASUS provides when it comes time for the occasional ROM update. They make you mail your PPC to them for ROM updates. I purchased an ASUS A620BT earlier this year but returned it the same day I received it when I found out about this. I was told it was a corporate decision to not allow ROM update downloads. The others (Dell, HP, Toshiba, etc.) do. I am looking for a PPC for my wife and called ASUS today (1-866-732-7108) to see if their policy is still the same and was told by the tech support guy that nothing has changed. There was a recent similar discussion thread about this on either this site or Aximsite and a member mentioned that he found some "unofficial" ASUS PPC ROM updates somewhere on the web. No way in hell that I will depend on the "underground" to keep my PPC up to date. I prefer to have full legitimate support from the manufacturer/retailer.

I was wondering if they were going to change that policy, That is crazy!!!

_Ripper_

Originally Posted by allklrnoflr

I was wondering if they were going to change that policy, That is crazy!!!

I don't know what all the excitment is about... I was over at the PocketMatrix Site and the Asus Rom update is certainly available to anyone who wants it. Yes it does seem that you will have to go through a few hoops to attain it yourself... but it is available.

As for 2003SE... it looks like Asus is one of the few manufacturers that are actually going to make it available to their customers... so...??? Bad service...? I don't know about that, I think we will each need to qualify what bad service is.

imported_Hx4700

I actually do not want a camera on my pda. There are some businesses that won't allow cameras of any type (although mine hasn't done this yet). I think most of the pdas with cameras don't have flash. I have a CF camera that has flash and of course is removable.
The only good thing with having it I've heard of is you can take a picture if something interesting comes up and you don't have your other camera around. And then you can send it to someone(?) if you want.
So I was just as glad to see the Hx4700 didn't have a camera.
Ron...