Pocket PCs

It is a clear fact that the past decade has been the best and the fastest developing of all in the history of mankind. Science and Technology have been beautifying our lives throughout the last few years. As a result of this wonderful and lightning quick evolution of technology, we have seen many devices get smaller and smarter and also more personal in their way of performance. User interfacing has also been improved quite a lot and when you look at the electronic devices that are coming out at this point in time, you will find out that there is an inundation of technology involved. Out of all these, the evolution of pocket PCs from the heavy looking desktop computers can be regarded as one of the best outcomes. We are here to discuss one such topic.

Now, the frequently travelling multitude needs a very good pocket PC in order to fulfill most of their requirements. If you are also a part of that multitude, then here is a good device for you. The Traveller 505 is the latest pocket PC introduced into the market recently by Pharos, a company that has been producing pretty good PDAs at very affordable prices. The most important feature of this is the GPS equipment that it possesses. But, that is it for now. All the details are coming up and hence sit back and look at them as we bring out all the features of the Pharos Traveller 505 Pocket PC.

Design:

Comfort icon:

The Traveller 505 is a special kind of a Pocket PC. It looks quite comfortable, since the device is perfectly engineered and is made to fit into the hands of almost all sizes. To be more specific, look at the measurements of the device which read that the Pharos Traveller 505 is 4.8 inches wide, 2.8 inches deep and 0.9 inches high, and weighs about 5.6 ounces. Now, let us move on to the details of the design. When you have a closer look at the Traveller 505, you will find out that there is some speciality in its design. It looks like it is both portrait and landscape oriented and hence has some uniqueness in the way it looks. On the front side, the display occupies most of the real estate as it is the most important user interface for any device. But, even then, Pharos has managed to put many buttons and dials that make things easy for you. There is the microphone, indicator light, and then there are volume control buttons atop the device.

Display:

The 3.5 inch TFT LCD screen is a big one for any PDA device. Most of the PDAs do come with at most a 2.7 inch screen and even 3 inch screen is a rarity. So, a very good visual experience is guaranteed when you have such a good and big screen. Traveller 505 comes with a screen resolution of 340 x 240 pixels, which is good enough for most of the applications. You normally do not associate a high resolution screen with a PDA since the device is mainly aimed at the business or official usage. Now, since we have seen that the screen is a very big one and it covers a lot of area, it is hence clear that the screen is touch responsive. This makes it very easy for the users to interface the device and this feature means that the busy people can quickly access all their application by the means of only a mere touch. Isn’t that a pretty good option? This can be preferred to the strenuous pressing of the buttons on the keypad, if ever there was one. Hence, the display part of the device leaves a positive note on the Pharos Traveller 505 GPS pocket PC.

Buttons and Controls:

Then, below the display, you will find the usual controls. There is a jog dial or the navigation button at the bottom centre and a few buttons known as the program buttons which are dedicated to some of the functions in the device around it. The speaker is at the bottom most point of the device. Coming to the right hand side, which is full of buttons unlike the empty left hand side, you will find an earphone connector, hold switch and rotate button, SD card slot and the power button. The left hand side looks empty bit it is not. There is the mini USB output port here and also the stylus is placed along the left hand side edge of the device. Hence, the device will provide a lot of shortcuts and thereby help the busy people, saving their valuable time.

Stylus:

The Stylus is also one of the important accessories of any PDA. The screens of these devices are made of liquid crystals and hence they are meant to be quite delicate. Hence, using your hand at all times and under all circumstances is not that advisable. It would be better off if the device is operating taking the help of the stylus. Most people use their finger nails but this not that good for the health of the screen. Now, coming to the usage details of this stylus, the screen is programmed for multiple functions when the stylus is used depending upon how it is used. They are the Tap, Drag, and Tap and Hold; By tapping the screen once, you can select options on the screen and also open various applications. By dragging the items like texts and pictures on the screen with the stylus, you can select multiple items at a time and hence also move them, delete them or copy them all at once. The tap and hold function is to view all the options for a particular application and also to select from a pop up list that appears after holding. Hence, the stylus provides great functionality to the device and also adds value.

Features:

There are a few features that you can afford to look at for the Pharos Traveller GPS 505 pocket PC. However, when you compare these features to those found on the more popular PDAs from manufacturers such as Dell and HP you will find that these are lesser in number, it is still good news that whatever features are present, have made their presence felt by giving excellent performance. Here is an analysis of the features found on the Pharos Traveller 505 pocket PC.

Processor:

There is no doubt that when it comes to processors that are found inside the electronic devices, Intel is the best and the most renowned manufacturer. This very fact made Pharos to incorporate one of Intel’s processor into the Pharos Traveller 505 pocket PC. The Intel Bulverde PXA270 processor is seen inside this device. The uniqueness of this processor is that it has got an unusual clock speed of 416 MHz. While the maximum clock speeds that you will see on various high end pocket PCs is about 600 MHz and some manufacturers even go with the 800 MHz one, this very processor on the Pharos Traveller 505 may look quite inferior, but still it is quite an impressive clock speed. But the fact is that, this device suffers from performance deficiency when the GPS is switched on along with some other important applications. When you have an application that is as big and imposing as the GPS, you would normally expect a higher performing processor. But, having said that, this processor is not that cheap and it still performs well. But, a better processor would have brought home better and quicker performance and nothing more than that.  The device was tested under various circumstances and it showed quite a time lag when the GPS mode is switched on. This means that the processor is taking a toll when multiple applications are being run on the device.

Operating System:

The Pharos Traveller GPS 505 Pocket PC PDA comes with an in built operating system, which turns out to be Windows Mobile 5.0 platform this time and it is regarded as the present trend for most Windows based GPS navigation devices and also other personal and portable devices. There is a lot to tell you about this new operating system from Windows, which is specially designed for use in the PDAs and pocket PCs. It has got in it many new functions and shortcuts that make things easy for you while you are browsing through your device. These relatively new shortcuts are quite special in the way they perform and, this is not the only thing. This new operating system designed by Windows, also makes your device look great on the inside, which complements the very cute outside design of the Traveller 505 pocket PC. There are very few problems or complaints regarding this operating system unlike the memory of the device and hence, this fact might turn off a couple of consumers.

GPS Functionality:

Finally, the long wait is over and the main attraction of this device is going to unveil itself as we discuss about the built-in GPS antenna and functionality of the Pharos Traveller 505 Pocket PC. This is one of the most important features of this device and from your careful and rather insightful observations you can notice that this paragraph will be having the most number of positive sentences and statistics regarding this device than any other. Since this is the main feature of this device, it is obvious that Pharos has taken the greatest care while designing it. When you compare this GPS functionality with the ones on the other similar counterparts of the Pharos Traveller 505 pocket PC, this one has surely got the better of them all others. Since4 it is a pocket PC, it features the typical TTFF functionality which is most commonly seen in the inbuilt GPS antennas. Notwithstanding this, you will find that depending on the type of functionality, different I/O results are obtained.

Looking at the statistics of this device, we see that the hot start of the GPS is just about 8 seconds, while many other devices sport a hot start that ranges between 30 and 40 seconds. This is a significantly great achievement of the Pharos Traveller. The warm start is about 38 seconds and the cold start is about 42 seconds. Even these above two aforementioned start times are quite ahead in the race when they are compared to those seen in the other devices. You also get updates within one second, faster than most devices on earth. With an altitude of 18000 m, a velocity of 515 m/sec, and a maximum acceleration of 4G, this has got to be one of the best GPA systems in the market. Hence, drawing conclusions from what we have seen during the tests, we assure you that you get an impeccable performance from the GPS functionality of the Traveller 505 pocket PC.

Shortcuts:

As we have seen previously, the Pharos Traveller 505 Pocket PC PDA has a very well programmed buttons that act as shortcuts to various important programs and applications on your device. The four important buttons that are placed near the joystick have specified functions which are as follows: The first program button is dedicated to the ezGO or the access to the quick menu. Just the press of this button takes you to the main menu of the device where you will find all the applications and programs. The second program button takes you to the navigation options or the GPS, about which we will be discussing in detail at a later point of time. The third program button is for the calendar under normal conditions and it acts as a zoom in button when the camera mode is switched on. The fourth and then the last program button is for the contacts list and it shows you all the saved contacts of your mobile. It also acts like a zoom out function when in the camera mode. The joystick is five way directional and hence many functions can be assigned to it. This makes the Pharos Traveller 505 a very good user friendly PDA.

Connectivity:

The Traveller 505 Pocket PC GPS device comes with a good deal of connectivity options and applications, although there are more negative points regarding their functionality than the positive ones. Features like Bluetooth, infrared, Wi-Fi and other networks are found on this device. But, infrared is not that effective as the data transfer rate is a mere 115 kbps. This is also an obsolete application and normally, most of the devices in the market do not possess this feature. Coming to the Bluetooth feature, it is of the version 1.2, which is on the verge of extinction. It is now no more seen in most of the high end PDAs in the market. But it is still good enough to do your work.

Wi-Fi is also slow at times and it takes time to get connected to the networks which sometimes makes things worse. But, the only thing that is left out without any reported complaints is the mini USB port that enables you to connect your device to the computer. This is pretty useful and is also very quick responsive. One the whole, it has got a good deal of connectivity options, be them effective or not. Using the Active Sync software that is provided along with the device, you can sync your device with your computer and hence exchange the data such as documents, videos, music files and applications etc., between them. This concludes the list of connectivity options that are found on the Pharos Traveller 505 Pocket PC.

Memory:

Memory is one of the important features of almost any electronic device in the market. The Traveller 505 pocket PC comes with a minimal memory of 64 MB of RAM and also 64 MB of ROM. Now, this is an obvious and a direct indication of the level of performance of this device. When you come across a device and that too, a pocket PC, with a 64 MB of RAM, it means that the device is going to be slower than normal. The virtual memory is so low that you can least afford to play video and music files on your device because more often than not, you will only be left with frustration instead of a quick responsive play of videos or music. Moreover, since the ROM also has only 64 MB, there is very little for you to choose which files are to be synced to the device. Not more than ten songs can be supported by this minimal memory. You may think that thus memory can be upgraded, but it only makes the device slower. So, all you can do is insert an external memory card of required memory and this can solve your woes to some extent. If not for the memory card slot, this section of the device is not at all attractive.

Memory Card:

We have already discussed about the fact that the Traveller 505 is not great when it comes to memory. Hence, Pharos has given the slot for inserting external memory cards in order to fulfil the various requirements. Although you might be tempted to buy a big memory card, as big as a 4 GB one or maybe even an 8 GB one, we advice you not to do so as that will definitely decelerate the performance of the device considerably. What we came to know after the conduction of various tests on the device was that the device, or the processor of the device to be more precise, cannot withstand memory that exceeds 1 GB. You might well argue that this is unfair, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. The processor fails to perform fast when higher memory cards are used. The performance here not only refers to the playing of music and videos, but it refers to the overall gross performance. Hence, minimal memory always gives you better and faster overall performance. There is a slot provided for this and it is only compatible with SD cards, SD I/O cards and multimedia cards. And also please make a note that the security function of the SD memory card is disabled by Pharos due to some technical problems. Hence, the users shall be careful while purchasing a memory card for their device.

Adaptability:

We have already seen that the Pharos Traveller 505 is a very sleek and comfortable to hold. Along with this, it has got a few features that make it compatible in places where many other similar devices. It can be used in places of high altitudes and also deep waters. It can withstand higher air and water pressures, which makes it even more special. But an important notification to all the users of this device is that it is a very delicate electronic device, just like any other PDA and hence it may get damaged if placed near high electromagnetic fields such as a transformer or even the electronic devices in an industry. Hence, people working in industries must make a careful note of this. This can happen because the of the GPS facility. It gets damaged when there are static or moving electric fields in the vicinity and the electronic components and the circuitry inside the device may malfunction in severe cases.

Performance:

When a PDA is flooded with the best of features available in the market, you would normally expect it to perform at the very best. But, it is not the case here. The 416 MHz processor may not be the fastest on earth and hence it does not help the processor perform at lightning quick pace. But never mind. This is also not the worst processor in the world. It is manufactured by Intel and hence it got something in it to offer. The speed of the device slows down considerably when the GPS function is switched on. Call quality is generally quite clear but you find it quite disturbed frequently when in crowded areas. Adding to these woes, the response time of the touch screen is slow and also varies from time to time, making it frustrating for you busy people. Hence, in a conclusive manner, this is a good processor, but not the best and also not the worst at the same time. The audio and video performances of the device are in general fine, although not that great. It is the GPS functionality that stands out and it rightly deserves the applause. The overall performance of the device depends upon how it is used and how many applications are being activated at a time.

Battery:

The Pharos Traveller 505 pocket PC comes with a removable and rechargeable lithium-ion battery that has a power of 1320 mAh. This battery is a seriously good one and it is also pretty widely used. It is generally found on most Nokia devices. It is also renowned very well for its huge and longer power supply along with a quick recharge time and at the same time, a long battery life. The battery lasts up to 200 hours while in the standby mode and for more than six and a half hours of talk time. You will also get nearly 6 hours of battery life in the GPS mode. Even though the Pharos Traveller 505 pocket PC has not been particularly designed to be used as an entertaining multimedia device, it is still very quite interesting to know the fact that the battery of this device lasts for more than 8 hours of WMV playback and also an average of 12 hours of WMA playback.

The device also demands very less time for its complete charging to be done. It gets quickly charged up and when we tried to charge it full from a zero position, it took less than just four hours. But, even Pharos accepts the fact that when the device is charged in the car, it takes a very long time. This is the only problem but it is not that significant and it can be understood. The Pharos Traveller 505 pocket PC comes with 2 types of AC adaptors, namely the AC input adaptor with 100-240 volts at 50-60 Hz and then an AC output of 5V/1A and the second one is a universal AC-IN OUT car charger adaptor which allows you to charge the device in your car itself. It is very useful when you are travelling particularly long distances. The device takes the power from the battery of the car. But, this process might take a very long time, longer than the usual charging time.

Package Details:

Let us have a look at the package details of the Pharos Traveller 505 pocket PC so as to know what we are going to receive in addition to the device, at the time of purchase. Along with the Pharos Traveller Pocket PC 505, you will find some more components in the box. In the box, you will get in addition to 2 Pharos map CDs, an AC adaptor with mini USB plug, a battery, a car charger, a windshield bracket mount, a headset, the user manual, the quick start guide, the getting started CD, the PC Sync CD and the Cable. Another interesting fact is that in addition to all this, you will get a 1GB SD card preloaded with all the maps of UK.

Warranty:

The Pharos Traveller 505 pocket PC comes with a parts and labour warranty for period of one year from the original date of purchase.

Verdict:

Our opinion is generally quite clear and straightforward on most of the occasions. But, the review of the Pharos Traveller 505 has resulted in quite confusing conclusions. But let us try to clear the cloud in your minds. The design is pretty good and the features are really fine. The device also performs quite well on most of the occasions. The GPS is great except for a few upgrades which can make it even better. Everything else is fine. In fact, everything regarding this PDA is really admirable except the most important thing, unfortunately, which is the price of the device. The device is fairly costly and hence may not be that advisable the commons. It is not that useful for everyone, and hence those of you who are not that particular about this device, can choose from a wide variety of cheaper but still amazing PDAs that are in the market at present.

Check Pocket PCs Reviews, other Pharos Pocket PCs in this website.

Pharos Traveller 505 - Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Pharos
Model Name	Pharos Traveller 505 Pocket PC
Product Type	Pocket PC with GPS navigation
Dimensions	4.8” x 2.8” x 0.9”
Colour	Grey and Silver
Weight	5.6 ounces
Display	3.5″ Transflective TFT display
Colour depth	16 bit/pixel
Resolution	Touchscreen
Primary:Keyboard	Not supported
Directional:Pad	5 - way
Embedded:Operating System	Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition for Pocket PC Professional Edition Browse devices running this OS
Processing Speed	412 MHz
Processor	Intel Bulverde
Processor core	PXA270
CPU:Clock	416 MHz
Level 1 cache	32KB data cache / 32 KB instruction cache
RAM type	SD RAM
RAM Capacity	64 megabytes out of which 48 MB is accessible
ROM type	Flash
ROM capacity	64 MB
PC Connectivity	Yes
Audio output	3.5mm jack
Interface	Touch screen
Expansion interface	SD, SDIO, MMC along with expandable memory card support up to 1GB
USB connectivity	1.1 USB
Bluetooth connectivity	1.2 internal antenna Bluetooth
Infrared connectivity	IrDA v 1.2
Wireless connectivity	IEEE 802.11b, internal antenna Wi-Fi
Built-in:GPS:module	Supported
GPS Protocol	NMEA 0183, SIRF
Paralell Satellite Channels	20 channels
Included GPS accessories	Headset, 512 MB SD Card, Car power adapter
Battery	1320 mAh Lithium-ion battery
Estimated Battery Life	8 hours
Warranty	One year

Dell is considered as one of the top manufacturers of computers in the world, but of late, it has started concentrating on a new segment of electronic goods, the PDAs or, to be more specific, the Pocket PCs. Stiff competition from its counterparts has made Dell design top notch Pocket PCs. The Axim series, which was recently launched by Dell, is one of the best PDAs you will find in the market today. One of the latest PDAs out of this series is the Axim X51v VGA. This is a wondrous Pocket PC and it seems to possess all that you need, from professionalism to entertainment. Read the review so as to find out whether or not this PDA is best suited for you.

Design:

A Groovy Thing:
Dell has always manufactured its PDAs with very attractive design. When you look at the Axim X51v, you will find that this one too is really cute and slim. Although it is a tad bigger than its precursor, the Axim X50v, it still looks slim due to the special outer finishing that is done by Dell. A combination of Black and silver colours and curvy edges make the device all the more attractive. Measuring about (H x W x D) 4.7 x 2.9 x 0.7 inches and weighing about 6.2 ounces, this is one of the most attractive Pocket PCs you will find anywhere. Exploring a little more regarding its design, Dell has gone on with its traditional 4 buttons and a directional pad system, below a large display, which makes it very comfortable for holding in the hands. Another most attractive feature here is that the back side is completely covered by rubber so that there is extra grip when you are holding the device and it reduces the risk of slippage.

Display:
Another attraction of the Axim X51v PDA is its 3.7 inch TFT LCD display, that is LED backlit. It sets itself as an example of how a Pocket PC must look like. Since most of the needs on the device are met using the touch mechanism, it meant that there can be a bigger screen for comfortable viewing. The 640 x 480 pixel configuration and the 16 bit colour system make a great combination and set up a robust display mechanism. There is a reason behind making the screen this big. As we will see later in detail, Dell has tried to make the Axim X51v, a great player for video games, so that it can be used as a PSP as well as a pocket PC. The processor and the graphics card also allow gaming on the device. Although not as great as the Sony PSP, the X51v’s display can still handle high end games pretty comfortably. There is also support for landscape and portrait modes, which allow you to view images, watch videos and play games in any orientation.

Buttons and Ports:
On the top side, you will find an infrared port, an SD card slot, a CF slot, a headphone jack. Looking at the bottom side, there is a syncing/charging port, and a locking switch for battery cover. While the right side is pretty plain, covered with rubber, when you look at the left side of the device, you will see a lanyard loophole, device locking switch, Radio, Bluetooth and Voice record buttons.

Features:

If you look back at the products of Dell and especially their Pocket PCs, you will find that most of them have come with lots of features and options. Of course, the features section is important in deciding the usability of any device. So, Dell has always been on top when it comes to providing utile features. And to add to the glory of the already existing features, Dell has introduced some more interesting features this time around, on the Axim X51v Pocket PC.

Processor:
The processor is like the heart of a Pocket PC. Hence, it has to be a good one so that your device works efficiently. Dell has always used the processors from Intel, which are by far the best in the market. You will also see that the better PDAs and pocket PCs in the market today are powered by Intel’s mini processors. The Dell Axim X51v features the wonderful combination of a 624 MHz Intel XScale PXA270 processor and the Intel 2700G graphics engine; so you can expect nothing less than the best performance from your device. With this combination, you will see that your device is pretty quick in responding unless there is too much of load on the internal memory. The Intel 2700G graphics card means that, you can play games without problems and also watch good quality videos.

Memory:
Without memory, your device is pretty useless. Minimal memory is required to run any device without problems; especially problems related to the speed of the device and its response. The two aforementioned features also depend on how much of memory is available to the device. Many PDAs do not give minimum memory that is needed. But the Axim X51v PDA GPS Pocket PC has at least some memory for the running of basic operations. Its memory details go like this: 64 MB SDRAM, out of which 16 MB is dedicated to video memory, and 256 MB flash ROM, out of which 192 MB is user usable. We know that this memory is never sufficient, but the device does not come with a good internal memory. Hence, you need to buy an external memory card separately from the stores. Since there is a slot for the memory card, you might as well use this, if you feel you need space to view videos or to install games for playing.

Windows Mobile 5 OS: Great Options

The Dell Axim X51v boasts about its latest Operating System, the Windows Mobile version 5 OS. This very new OS from Microsoft has more features when compared to its previous versions and one of its highlight features is its Support for persistent storage. This means that the OS automatically saves your unsaved data when battery is low and your device is about to shut down, so that you can resume to the same work when you switch it on again. This is a very useful feature particularly when you are on the move because you never want your data to be lost in the middle of your work. The OS also features a new version of the Office Mobile, which comprises Pocket Word, that supports charts, images and also various tables; Pocket Excel and Pocket PowerPoint which has many new features including skipping unwanted slides, choosing specific slides, and zooming in/out. You can also sync email, calendar, contacts, and tasks with your computer using this new OS. Applications such as Skype and AOL messenger are also included in this OS. Hence, there are scores of opportunities for all with this new OS from Microsoft.

GPS navigation system:
There are not may PDAs or Pocket PCs in the market today without the GPS navigation system facility. Since these devices are used mostly by people who need to move constantly, the GPS system is a real boom. It comes in handy whenever you are in a new place or a new country. For this, you need to connect the device to the internet and then open the GPS application in the main menu of the device. After you enter the application, it automatically detects the place in which you are in and then shows you the graphical map of the place and also notifies you the information regarding some noted places in your vicinity and also details you about the transport facilities to the nearest bus or railway station. Hence, you will never be lost in a new place and you always feel at home. Overall, GPS is a very important and essential feature that you would like to have in your Pocket PC.

Pocket MSN:
Even though you are the one who is always on the go, you sometimes, or even may be always need to be in contact with your dear ones and team mates. Hence is the feature of Pocket MSN, which is a specially designed instant messenger that you will find only on the devices which have the Windows Mobile 5 as their operating system. This is simpler to use than the conventional messenger and it also connects quicker than normal. Although there is the AOL messenger along with this one, the latter is often preferred due to its speed and simplicity.

Wi-Fi:
If a pocket PC cannot connect to the internet, then more often than not, it is considered as useless. Since its main function is to be a portable computer, it needs to be able to connect to the internet whenever possible. The Axim X51v has Wi-Fi connectivity option and it can be used wherever possible. Hence, you can now be online from your office, or when you are at the airports and cafes. All you need to do is just toggle the Wi-Fi button to ON and the device will automatically detect the hub and there you are; connecting you to the internet.

Gaming: Keep Playing
As we have already discussed, Dell has been trying to make the Axim X51v, a very good gaming device. In fact, it has designed its device in such a manner that is similar in fashion to the PSP. Although not as great as the PSP, it can still play very dynamic games and also at a good pace. If you look at the games that are featured in the device, by default there are two games installed, namely Toy Golf and Geo Rally. Toy Golf is an interesting golf game that is played at different locations and Geo Rally is all about racing. Both the games are 3-D and they show you how good the graphics accelerator of the Axim X51v is. Though there are only two games, you are always welcome to buy and download your favourite games from the internet. But, before buying them, make sure that they are compatible.

Bluetooth:
Bluetooth has been one of the most famous applications that the world has seen in the recent past; so famous, that it is featured in almost all devices from mediocre mobile phones and mp3 players to the televisions. Hence, it would be foolish to think of the Axim X51v without Bluetooth. But, the speciality of this device is that it features Bluetooth 2.0, which is faster than its previous version. Hence, you can now sync your mobile to almost any device and then transfer files between them. It is also easy to use Bluetooth on this device since the device searches for compatible devices automatically and notifies you when the Bluetooth is switched on. To switch the Bluetooth option ON, you need to toggle the Bluetooth button that you will find on the left side of the device.

ActiveSync 4:
To sync your device to your computer, you will need to possess some software beforehand, so that the device is recognised. ActiveSync4 is the software that will help you in this area. You need to install this software on your computer, using the software CD that is provided in the package. But, here is a small but an important warning. You must be careful and see to that the software is installed first, even before connecting your device to the computer. Although this might seem obvious to most of you, this is pretty important because, otherwise if the device is connected without installing the software drives first, there is a risk that the computer might read a wrong drive and hence you will see that the device is not detected. The consequence is that you cannot sync it the next time; this does not always happen but it happened in the past. Hence, steps must be taken in order to avoid that.

Conclusively, you can say that the Axim X51v Handheld PDA is blessed with scores of features that help it become one of the better Pocket PCs going around.

Performance:

With so many features and options in your basket, you will also hope that the device performs well enough for you to put the Axim X51v in your cart.  We shall now jaunt into the performance details of the device.

Video Performance:
The videos performance in general, is very good and you may say that it is a commendable effort put in by Dell, in making the display work in both the modes: Portrait and Landscape. So, now you can use the device as a phone or as a PDA in the conventional portrait style. But at the same time, you can watch pictures and videos on the device in the landscape fashion so that it looks more stylish and movies look great when played in this mode. Another advantage is that, the gaming experience is completely different when it is in the landscape mode of display. Hence, we have no complaints regarding the video performance of the Axim X51v.

Audio Performance:
Normally, the devices from Dell have healthy audio systems and the Axim X51v is no exception to that. Dell’s laptops are famous for their high quality speakers and that trend slowly passed on to the Pocket PCs now. The audio on the Axim X51v is good and it really helps when you are watching movies or playing high end games on it. The speakers are also very well placed so that there is no noise. But most of the times, you prefer using headphones instead of playing the sounds aloud, especially while watching a movie or while playing. There are also settings that can be altered in order to experience very good acoustics, particularly the surround sound or the three dimensional effect. Hence, as always with Dell, the audio on the Axim X51v is really good.

Connectivity:
As we have already seen under the design section, there are quite a few options for you to connect your device or in order to expand its capabilities. The infrared port helps you connect to other devices featuring infrared technology and you can directly transfer files between them just like in Bluetooth, but a little faster. The SD card slot allows you to expand the memory of the device and you can also transfer files from other devices using this method. You can also connect your Axim X51v to other devices using the USB cable that is provided. This seems to be the simplest method while connecting to a computer. It can also be used to charge your device when there is no cradle. Thus, you have plenty of options to connect your device to, and this enhances the range of usability of the Axim X51v.

Therefore, after considering the points that are discussed above, one can conclude by inferring that the Axim X51v is one of the better performers you will find in the market, especially with similar price tag. Yes, there are better PDAs in the market at higher prices, but this is very good at this particular budget.

Accessories:

Along with the device, some accessories that are highly useful are also provided inside the case. They include a soft protective case, which acts as a protection on the outside and it absorbs impulses so that the damage is avoided or minimised; A desktop sync cradle, which is a special type of cradle, using which you can connect the device to your computer for charging and also for syncing; A companion software CD is also provided which is to be installed on your computer for easy access to the device during syncing; A power adapter; The one particular feature that is more commendable than the others is the slot for charging an extra battery, which is really sweet on the part of Dell, because you can charge two batteries at a time using a single cradle.  Hence, you save space and also time.

Axim X51v Battery:

Until now, we have seen that all the aspects of the device are on the positive side and in fact, are very good indeed. But, the only real negative aspect that we are going to see in the Axim X51v is its battery performance and battery life. The device uses an 1100 mAh Li ion battery. The battery life is surprisingly low and when you try and compare the battery life of the device, it is not even half of the average ratings for the battery life of a Pocket PC. Added to that, it reduces at an exponential rate, which means that, the more you use it, the faster it drains. It seems so shocking that after seeing so many features and options, you will understand that it makes the situation worse, as you would be naturally tempted to use them.

Warranty:

The Axim X51v comes with a limited parts and labour warranty for a period of about three years from the original date of purchase.

Verdict:

If you have not decided as to which PDA you need to have, then the Dell Axim X51v is one of the best options that you can have. With all the style in the world when it comes to its design, the Axim X51v is very chic and attractive and it deserves to be a professional cum entertaining Pocket PC, and with the surplus of features and options that it provides to the users, it is really a commendable product. You will see that most of the options that are in a PC are featured in this device and moreover they are made even simpler to use.

Overall performance is also very good, excepting that of the battery. It is also pretty reasonable when it comes to the price and in fact, it is very well priced by Dell, if you consider the quality of the device. Similar Pocket PCs, having more or less the same features, are priced a little higher than this one. Having said that, there are also better PDAs and Pocket PCs in the market, especially from HP. You can also consider their details too before deciding on this one.

Check HP Pocket PCs, Compaq Pocket PC Reviews in this website.

Dell Axim X51v VGA Pocket PC - Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Dell
Model Name	Dell Axim X51v
Product Type	Pocket PC
Dimensions	4.7 x 2.9 x 0.7 inches
Colour	Black and Silver
Weight	6.2 ounces
Screen and display	3.7 inch transflective
Colour resolution	65k colours with 640 x 480 pixels
Built-in Devices	Display Touchpad Speakers Microphones
Input device type	Stylus , Touch-screen , 5-way navigation button
Bluetooth	Version 2.0
Messaging options	SMS, MSN, MMS Email
Camera	No
CPU Processor	Intel X Scale PXA270
Memory	256 MB ROM, 64 MB RAM
RAM Technology	SDRAM
Expansion Slots	1 x SD Memory Card , 1 x CompactFlash Card - Type II
Supported memory cards	MultiMediaCard , SD Memory Card , CompactFlash (type II)
Compatibility	SDIO
Video	Playback and Recording, Audio / Video Streaming, Video call
Audio Input/output	Microphone Speakers
Supported Digital Audio Formats	MP3 , WMA digital audio playback
Voice Recording Capability	Yes
Operating System	Windows Mobile 5
Software	Windows Media Player 10 Mobile
Radio	Yes
Wireless Connectivity	IrDA, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11b
Ports and connectivity	1Headset, 1USB, 1Docking / port replicator
Interfaces	1 x Headset - Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x USB, 1 x Docking / port replicator - 36 pin docking
Connector Provided	Mini-phone 3.5 mm and 36 pin docking
Power Device	Lithium ion. 1100 mAh
Battery	Yes
Utilities	Word, Excel, Power Point, Windows Live, Clock & Alarms, File Explorer, Notes, Voice commander, World Clock, Calculator and MSN
Connector	Provided
Warranty	3 years Limited warranty Replacement , Lifetime Technical support

Overview:

Pros:

• For day-to-day activities, this device functions as a very good PDA as it manages our contacts, events, keeps a track of our day-to-day plans and much more.
• It has great GPS capabilities, thanks to the SiRFstarIII chipset it uses for its GPS reception, which happens to be one of the best around.
• The compact, rugged design and the remarkably light weight sweeten the deal.
• The device uses resistive touch screen technology as a primary source of input, which is actually a kind of double edged sword.
• The satellite navigation coupled with voice navigation makes it a pleasure to use.
• Unlike other traditional GPS devices, this one has the GPS antenna built inside it and also supports an enhancement for an external antenna for stronger reception.
• It also comes bundled with a flash card that stores most of UK’s freeways, highways and a host of other urban areas.
• Now that we have seen the sunny side of things, let take a walk on the cloudier side.

Cons:

• The sensitivity of the screen is very low, and a lot of pressure is often needed to select the appropriate item. This significantly hampers the user experience.
• The small screen size (2.8 inches diagonally) also adds to eye discomfort as one has to squint to see the minute details of the map,  and the legibility of the screen in sunlight leaves a lot to be desired.
• The voice guidance for SatNav is not that good, mainly because of the anaemic speaker.
• Our biggest complaint is that it takes 10 hours to charge up the device when charged using AC car charging kit!
• So, that was a rather rough ride through the thunderstorm! Wish to know more about the device? Keep reading!

Review:

The first decade of this millennium saw a deluge of new gadgets being launched, each trying to outdo its competitor. Right from Smartphones to netbooks to tablet PCs to GPS based devices, we really have seen a lot of gadgets and gizmos. While some made an everlasting impact to ensure a place in the pages of technological history, others failed to even leave a microscopic irregularity. The biggest was perhaps the launch of GPS based hand-held devices. Initially used  as important security devices to guide the world’s elite intelligence bureau’s agents through uncharted lands and extremely confusing locations, these gizmos are “positioned”  rather  steeply in cost to the common man, but they do offer some value for money with a more or less a very good navigation experience.  Before we analyze the devices themselves, how about discussing about the technological marvel that is GPS?

Well, GPS stands for Global Positioning System and should not be confused with GPRS (a mobile based service for browsing the internet). This is a relatively new form of technology and it involves the use of geostationary satellites to pinpoint the exact location of the receiver, anywhere in the world. Amazing, isn’t it? Well, that is what GPS is: useless without a proper map (or its digital equivalent on our devices) for reference.

That is where new and recently launched GPS equipped device from the Pharos stable comes in. Let us go over the details: The Pharos Traveler GPS 525 is a Windows Mobile OS based handheld computer that provides SatNav, GPS tracking and positioning and also functions as a PDA. As the name suggests, this device is primarily aimed at those who love to get a feel of the planet by going as far as their money could take them. The bare stats suggests that we have a winner on our hands : A battery life of 9 hours, a touch screen display, compact size and durable design coupled with light weight and very few physical buttons.

Design:

The Cosmetics:
The Pharos Traveler is a typically candy-bar shaped with the look and feel of a small tablet-PC which is easy to carry around in a traveller friendly bag for our convenience. And the best part of this is the availability of AC in for car charging which is really cool! Imagine, finding your way lost in the UK streets, but thanks to the AC in car charging port, the device promptly draws power off your car and displays all the information. This device is available in black and grey colour schemes. The front monitor or the interface is basically a transflective TFT touch screen interface, which makes is usability very convenient, fast and stylish.

Display:
The screen has a colour resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and has a colour depth of 16 bits/pixel. With a small and compact design the resistive screen with 64K colour display and apt resolution this is simply the best. And the backlit functionality ensures easy viewing at night even if there is complete darkness.

Ergonomics:
With its dimensions being (W x H x D) 2.3” x 4.3” x 0.7”, this is one of the most compact, pocket-friendly, light weight (4.4 ounces with battery) and easy to carry around GPS based navigation device. Travellers find this device as a great boon especially when they go hiking, climbing, kayaking, mountaineering and all sorts of wild and exciting adventures. Its small compact and candy-bar shaped form also ensures it against dust, storm, fire and physical shock. It also sports a water resistivity of up to 100 meters. That is really deep and this means, the Traveler 525 has been specifically designed keeping the demands of travellers in mind and can also withstand both rough use and harsh weather conditions.

The Buttons:
The Pharos Traveler GPS 525 Pocket PC PDA has a single dedicated button for POWER and 4 shortcut keys (for GPS and Home Screen while the other two buttons are customisable). It also comes bundled with a voice-recorder activation key and navigation Joystick (5-way). However, given its small and compact size; we really would have preferred this device with a little less buttons. These 2 additional buttons really are a boon and the presence of minimal buttons makes the device use a pleasant experience. Even for people who are intimidated by modern day technology, this device is just perfect.

Connectivity:
The Pharos Traveller 525 also supports device-to-device connectivity. While the device makes use of a host of features like Bluetooth, infrared, WiFi and other networks for connection to other networks and devices we would say that the device support for connectivity is just too poor! We mean, in spite of giving a host of connectivity options, they fail to make the impact. The PDA uses infrared IrDA SIR Connectivity, Bluetooth v1.2 connectivity, and WiFi 802.11b with 64 and 124-bit WEP standard data encryption.

Infrared:
Let us take the case of infrared connectivity: Infrared is now passe. There are hardly any devices in this world today that support infrared connectivity. Moreover, using infrared for navigation and GPS signaling and that too through other devices, which really is pathetic! We bet, the device will not even start up let alone navigation using the infrared connectivity. And another big issue is that that there are certain areas where infrared signaling is used for defence purposes. Trust us, with device in hand, you would not want to be there.

Bluetooth v1.2:
All said and done about infrared, let us move on to the Bluetooth. While Bluetooth v1.2 connectivity is not really outdated, yet it is on the verge of extinction. Nowadays, we get Bluetooth connectivity like v2.0 and v3.0 so there we definitely come to a conclusion: the v1.2 must really be old! But do not worry, there are millions of devices in this world that support v1.2 and more important than that, there are many countries which still haven’t recognized v2.0 and v3.0! So the best thing would be to stick around with v1.2 and use it to your heart’s content.

Wi-Fi:
Regarding the WiFi, that is really a thing of our concern! With a highly vulnerable and easy to hack platform called Windows Mobile Platform, the WiFi connectivity should really have been given top priority! WiFi networks are considered to be the most insecure networks in the world and so with 64 Bit or 128 Bit of data encryption support, the Pharos Traveler 525 Handheld PDA really is vulnerable! Though the WiFi network support of 802.11b with standard WEP encryption is perfect, more attention should have been given to the encryption.

Memory Card Slots:
This Traveller GPS 525 handheld device comes with a single screen in front and SD card slot which supports a variety of multimedia storage cards like SD Cad, TF Card, Flash Card, MMC Card, Mini SD and Micro SD Cards. The presence of USB connector slot ensures PC connectivity and share connectivity to a host of other devices. However, one feature that we really liked is the external GPS antenna slot. Apart from having its own inbuilt GPS antenna the presence of the external slot allows us to attach another one at our will. This ensures really strong and clear satellite navigation and this also ensures a very strong GPS signal even when we are sitting in the comfort of our home.

Features:

Processor:
While most navigator devices, personal digital assistants and other communication devices go for Motorola processors or the best ones go for Intel or AMD processors, Pharos Traveler GPS Pocket PC 525 decided to set a change in the trend by going for the Samsung S3C2443X processor with a clock speed of 300MHz. There is no problem with this and the Samsung processor with its impressive clock speed of 300MHz, but the problem is that Pharos intends this device to be used as a navigator, GPS device and as well as a personal digital assistant. Whew! Too much to ask for from a device that’s processor can put in a maximum of only 300MHz. While they were about it, they could have easily gone for an Intel or Motorola processor with a clock speed of at least 512 MHz if they really wanted this device to be used as they wished it to be. However, we would also like to mention here that the Samsung 300MHz processor of S3C2443X model is relatively new but good. Definitely not as good as Intel or Motorola but nevertheless, just good. What upsets us was the relatively slow speed of the device when we tested it. The performance of the Samsung S3C2443X 300MHz processor overall, we would say was sluggish.

To make a very good navigation experience, the processing capabilities should definitely have been given a look.  And there is still support for an SDIO compatible Supported Flash Memory Card. Even though the hardware specifications are not great but what we can say is that it is decent. In today’s world of cut-throat competition, this device definitely should have packed more features under the hood to make its mark.

Memory:

Though the Pharos Traveller 525 GPS is not really a tablet PC or a palmtop, yet it could have done with some more amount of RAM. However the present amount of 128MB embedded flash ROM and 64 MB of embedded SD RAM is more than enough to make this device function smoothly. Though some would argue that this device could have done better with 256 MB or embedded RAM and at least 128 MB of embedded ROM, we beg to differ from their point of view.

Before we consider the amount of RAM and ROM that can be put, we must first consider the processor’s clock speed. This device can function as much as its processor would allow meaning we can only use that much amount of RAM and ROM that my processor would allow us to. This means that the meager 300MHz processor can only support or function best to a memory of 128 MB and hence the small amount of RAM and ROM. True, you can also fit this device with 1GB of RAM but it would only make the device more unstable. Hence, we would say Pharos has really pushed up the limit by acting wisely and putting in the right amount of RAM. Thus, the poor clock speed of 300MHz has been compensated by the perfect amount of RAM, which compliments each other.

Operating System:
The Pharos Traveler GPS Pocket PC 525 is based on a Windows Mobile 5.0 platform, which is the current trend for most Windows based navigation devices, personal digital assistants and other communications devices. While the platform is the second most popular one next only to Symbian, it still has some unique capabilities for under the hood performances. However, the platform is not only Windows based completely. With its embedded GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth communications port, this device runs parallel to any Windows device except that it has added some of its own to spice things up. No complaints there as the platform of this device is also designed keeping in mind to enable users to use this device also as a personal digital assistant and hence enhances its functionality. The personal digital assistants are built on a different platform than traditional navigator devices and so combining both the platforms using Windows to give a new blend really is unique.

GPS Functionality:
The built-in GPS antenna and functionality of the Pharos Traveler GPS Pocket PC 525 is really a good match point and this puts it ahead of the others in the league.  As a personal digital assistant, it sports the typical TTFF functionality as common to most in built GPS antennas. However depending on the type, we get different I/O results. For example, a hot start with typical TTFF takes 8 seconds whereas a Warm Start takes 60 seconds and a cold start with it takes 120 seconds. Still, this is fast when compared to the poor processor and average RAM we have got. The hot start with typical TTFF refers to quick memory channelling, buffering and loading whereas warm and cold start refer to medium and slow memory channelling and buffering. Though the best is to go for a cold start as it involves an in-depth process, but many prefer the hot-start typically because of its very fast response time; however, the very quick memory buffering is compensated later in the device when we try to use it for some work.

What is special?
The Raison d’Etre of this device is its navigation capabilities. The pre-loaded SD card comes free with maps and navigation software and enhances its value for money. Naturally, this spares us from having to spend our money for subscriptions and turn by turn guidance. It also provides a good text based, voice based and photo based navigation experience regularly updates with the changes going on (that is a big achievement). It also has a comprehensive database of points of interests. However, the User Interface is really depressing, an inherent problem of any Windows Mobile PDA. As we go deeper and deeper into the menus, submenus begin to pile one above the other and this makes it confusing. On the flip side, image quality was also very good and it enabled geo-tagging. Also, despite the small screen, the adequate resolution makes text very legible. The antenna slot is of great use in buildings, the Time to First Fix of our position is very fast due to that sirfstar3 chipset. The 5 way navigation button is a treat to use and offers ample tactile feedback, document editing an added advantage.

Performance:

Being packed to the brim with features does not necessarily mean the performance will be something superlative, and that is exactly the problem here. The device’s processor, clocking in at a measly 300 MHz, does not have the juice to supplement the demands that GPS and navigation put on it. The poor utilisation, another inherent problem of the Windows Mobile platform, coupled with the relatively low performing CPU means that the device tags frequently. However, as a PDA, it draws no complaints from me. Call quality was clear but disturbed frequently in crowded areas. The speakerphone was average but far too soft, rendering it somewhat useless in a noisy environment. Be warned, the poorly calibrated sensitivity of the resistive touch screen and frequent lags can frustrate you to the point where you just want to throw the device away.

Battery and Charge:

The Pharos Traveler 525 sports a removable and rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a power of 1100maH. This battery, typical to most Nokia devices is sure to make its presence felt here too. Known for its mammoth power supply and quick recharge time and long battery life, this lithium-ion cell surely will not disappoint anyone. Take our word for this! While in standby mode, the cell gives us about 200 hours of battery life, we get nearly 5 hours in GPS mode and about 8 hours of battery life in PDA mode. Though this device has not been designed to be used as a multimedia device yet it is very surprising to note that the battery also gives us 8 hours of WMV playback and 12 hours of WMA playback. The charging time as said earlier, is really slick and the device charges up to full power in less than 4 hours. However, the only complaint we have here is regarding the AC in car socket. While charging on the go like while travelling and using the AC in car socket for charging, this device takes up nearly 9 hours for a complete charge and that is obviously bad.

The device has 2 types of AC adaptors. First is the traditional Ac input adaptor with 100-240 volts of potential at an operating frequency of 50-60 Hz and an AC output of 5V/1A. That means, when travelling abroad, you need to buy a separate universal wall charger or home charger AC in out adaptor for your charging needs. However, the second an adaptor is unique. It is a universal AC-IN OUT car charger adaptor that draws power from your vehicle and charges your device while on the go. Perfect for travelling and holiday; the input output power rating of this universal car adaptor is however quite low and thus it takes the long 9 hours to charge the device.

Package Contents:

While coming to a close, and having dealt with all the essential topics of the Pharos Traveler Pocket PC 525, let us see what more it has to offer. In the box, we get in addition to 2 pharos map CDs you also get an AC adaptor with mini USB plug, battery, car charger, windshield bracket mount, headset, user manual, quick start guide, getting started CD and PC Sync CD and Cable. And in addition to all this, you also get a 1GB SD card preloaded with all the UK maps of highways, broadways, points of interest and detailed maps of 50 major metropolitan cities across the globe and all that for free. Here, we would like to say that the windshield bracket mount accessory is really commendable as it allows us to mount the device firmly on the car and look at it for directions wherever we go; it would just make a decent travelling companion.

Warranty:

The manufacturers of the Pharos Traveler GPS 525 Pocket PC offer a warranty of one year for parts and labour.

Verdict:

As our tour of the Pharos Traveler 525 pocket PC comes to an end, one question begs itself to be asked: Is it worth it? In my opinion, that is a big, resounding cost to be paid for a device of this class. Many cheaper alternatives have flooded the market, some offering significantly better user interfaces which ultimately lead to a much more satisfying user experience. The cons may be fewer, but they are far more significant than the pros. Though a boon for a lot of users, it might be a big NO to many more because of its limitations and negativities. With mixed reaction about this device, it would be better if the users go through each and every detail of the same before going for it or before turning it down.

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Pharos Traveler GPS 525 PDA Pocket PC - Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Pharos
Model Name	Pharos Traveler GPS 525 Pocket PC
Product Type	Pocket PC with GPS road navigation
Dimensions	4.3” x 2.3” x 0.7”
Colour	Grey and Silver
Weight	126 gm
Screen and display	Transflective TFT display
Colour depth	16 bit/pixel
Resolution	240 x 320 pixels
Processing Speed	300 MHz
Processor	Samsung SC32442
Processor core	ARM920T
RAM type	SD RAM
RAM Capacity	64 megabytes out of which 48 MB is accessible
ROM type	Flash
ROM capacity	128 MB which includes 97 MB of non-volatile user accessible storage
Analog-digital converters	16bit quantization and 44100Hz of sampling frequency
Audio output	3.5mm jack
Interface	Touchscreen
Expansion interface	SD, SDIO, MMC along with expandable memory card support up to 2GB
USB connectivity	1.1 USB
Bluetooth connectivity	1.2 internal antenna Bluetooth
Infrared connectivity	IrDA v 1.2
Wireless connectivity	IEEE 802.11b, internal antenna Wi-Fi
GPS Protocol	NMEA 0183, SIRF
Battery	1100 mAh Lithium-ion battery
Warranty	One year

Personal Computers have become more personal with the advent of the PDAs. After all, these PDAs have become the order of the day. In the beginning, they were confined only to the men of affairs but now as people have recognised their uses, they have become a part and parcel of even the common man on the streets. Especially, the youth are attracted to these PDAs due to the special features and easy usability. They have now become the devices that not only beautify your look but also make your work easier. So, all the electronic giants in the market like Sony, Samsung, and HP have started producing the PDAs. But at the same time, the other companies have also started their own products at a much cheaper rate and people have now turned toward such PDAs.

Asus has announced the release of its new PDA, the Asus MyPal A730 to compete with the HP iPaq and the Dell Axim. After a lot of misfires in the past, Asus has decided to be more specific and professional. Has it been successful in achieving that? Go through this to know about it and more about the A730.

Design:

Light and Resemblance:
Since it is a pocket PC, it is small in size and is compact for carrying during travel. It is certainly not the slimmest phone in the world but it is sleeker than many. At 117.5mm x 72.8mm x 16.9mm (L x W x H), it is ranked as a pretty comfortable PDA. It can easily be fitted into your pockets. It may look a bit larger than the normal PDAs, but it is made of light material and it weighs only about 170 grams and is lighter than many.

It also resembles its closest competitors, the Dell Axim and the Fujitsu Pocket Loox. Its front panel is slightly dark grey in colour and all the buttons, the sides and the back panel are silver in colour. This may seem like a colour clash since the combination of silver and grey may not seem to be the perfect one, but the design is fine enough to override this. Another important thing that should be noticed here is that the device does not retain fingerprints so it always is clean.

Ports and buttons:
The power button is on the top left hand side along with the voice recorder button. On the top right hand side there is the device locking switch to cover the battery. Also on the top, there are two expansion slots available, one above the other, along with the headphone jack. Added to these, there is also the infrared port. So, the top of the Asus A730 Pocket PC is a pretty busy region. While most of such devices place all these slots and ports either on the sides or at the bottom, Asus has gone with the top.

Unlike the most of the battery covers, this one slides off at once revealing the battery spot. But the quality of this cover is questionable. It is not robust enough to give your device complete protection. Also, you may feel that with prolonged usage, the slide cover may become weak and it may finally break, leaving you in an awkward position with the back of your device exposed. The camera is at the top right hand side at the back of the device. This camera is so well placed inside the device so as to make it safe from easy damage. Below the camera is the silver mirror that is useful when taking self pictures. Beside it are the flash and the LED light that are used to provide light to the camera in dim light situations. Below them is the speaker grille. The stylus is a bit of a surprise here. It is a metal stick with plastic ends. It is placed in a rather new position, at the bottom right while the conventional position is at the top corner. This new position means that the stylus cannot be taken out when the device is inside the cradle.

All these points discussed above give us a gist of the design. It is okay, but if those small minors can be rectified, it will look a lot better.

Display:
The Asus A730 Pocket PC sports a 3.7″ transflective LCD display. The size of the display is pretty good and is also comfortable for viewing. It may not the best but it is good and does not have any problems regarding colours and graphics. Regarding graphics, the Asus A730 can be compared to the PDAs from HP and Dell. The graphics are really good and there is also VGA that improves the graphics performance. The screen resolution is 640 x 480 pixels and the 16 bit display exhibits 65k colours and hence, the overall display is very good.

Features:

Processor:
The A730 uses Intel’s latest and the fastest processor, the Intel XScale PXA270. This is also featured in the PDAs from HP, Dell, Loox 720 and other prime PDAs in the market. But when the processor of HP iPaq is 624 MHz, Asus went for the 520 MHz version of the processor. Even 520 MHz is very good for processor speed and you do not find such good processors in many of the PDAs. So, this enhances the performance of the device and also fastens it. Such good processors are so robust that they are fast even while multitasking and hence you are able to finish more works simultaneously. So, there are no complaints at all regarding the Intel XScale processor.

Operating System:
The operating system featured here is the Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition. This is just like the conventional Windows operating system you will see on the computers. It is the latest version of the operating systems for the pocket PCs and will certainly add a few feathers to the cap of the Asus A730. In short, it is simple and a user friendly OS.

Memory:
The default memory of the MyPal A730 pocket PC is 64 MB. But all that you will be getting is about 17MB exclusive of all the memory that is used by the RAM and the processor for the normal functioning of the device. But 17MB is almost nothing and you have nothing to store files. So, you will have to upgrade the memory card for more memory so that you can store files, music, videos and photos. A memory card of at least 2GB of memory is recommended so that you can get the optimum performance from your device.

Camera:
The camera of the Asus A730 is a pretty good one although not the best ever from Asus. You will not want to print and frame the pictures taken by the camera but they are better than the pictures taken by the normal mobile phone cameras. The colour pattern in the pictures is slightly different from the real objects but this not a big problem. The video recording part of the camera is also satisfactory. The Photo Viewer is provided for you to see the captured photos in the form of either JPEG or BMP files. You can also watch the slide shows of these pictures. You can edit these photos or the photo and video settings using the Photo Editor software. In this, you can provide different special effects to your photos such as blurring, sepia, negative and neon, frame attachment and funny texts. All the pictures captured by you are displayed in the photo album in the form of thumbnails or a list of photos as chosen by you.

Expansions:
The Asus A730 PDA Pocket PC has an SD Card slot that supports SDIO and also the CF that is compatible with both the type I and II cards. There are also Bluetooth and Infrared for enhancing the expansion facility. The ports and the card reader worked very well but a USB CDROM did not connect. For fixing this problem, you will have to turn towards drivers and USB drivers for Pocket PCs are very rare in the market. But overall, the expansion facility is fine and working well.

Cradle:
The Asus A730 has a rather unforeseen cradle. The first thing anybody will notice and will be surprised to see is that the cradle lacks a second battery charging slot. Although it is not that qualitative when you talk about the plastic material outside, there are a few changes that Asus has made in order to make it look more attractive. Most of the cradles have a USB cable at the back of the cable, which makes it annoying for one in order to connect it to the PC or any other hard drive, for an instance. Anybody would always want to clear all the mess by connecting without the wire. It is better to connect using Bluetooth rather than using the USB cable. Asus has thus introduced such system in its cradle so that the synchronisation of the device with a PC or an external hard drive is easier and faster. This effort from Asus is commendable, although the cradle looks cheap for its cost.

Wireless Communication:
The Asus A730 is powered by the latest wireless technology including the Bluetooth and the Infrared software. Bluetooth is one of the most used and the most appeared software when you talk about mobile technology. It has become so popular that every device that is out there in the market definitely has Bluetooth as one of its features. The Asus A730 is not an exception and the Bluetooth of this PDA works well and particularly very well when the connection is between another A730. So, you can easily transfer the files between your device and any other Bluetooth compatible device. The Infrared feature also works in a similar manner. The speed of the Infrared is about 115.2 kbps and is reasonable. But the efficiency of the Infrared is not as good as Bluetooth and it also depends on the orientation of the devices that are to be synced. But it is always an additional tool that helps in synchronisation. So, with these two features, the wireless communication of the Asus A730 is very good and is appreciable.

Software Bundle:
The Asus A730 provides you with an array of software that is pretty much useful on a daily basis. Some of the software is particularly for business and office use but the bundle of software is so designed that everyone is benefited by it. The various software that are featured in the A730 is; Microsoft Pocket Outlook that includes Contacts, Calendar, Inbox, Tasks and Notes. All these are in particular are for office use but features like calendar and contacts ate useful to all. Pocket Word and Pocket Excel help you in managing your documents and they are similar to those of the conventional programs you will find in Microsoft office. You then have the Windows Media Player 9.0 that plays all your digital media such as audio and video files that are stored in the memory. The file types that are officially supported by the player are mp3, Windows Media Audio and Windows Media Video. Other file types may or may not comply with the player and some of them may play and the others may not. But it is always safe to run the files that are supported by the player.

Miscellaneous Software:
The Asus A730 PDA phone includes the MSN Messenger that helps you to be in contact with all your dear ones. Even while you are on the go, you can send messages, chat with your friends and family, and share your views, photos and other files through this facility.  The Microsoft Transcriber is an excellent feature that has the special ability to recognise your handwriting and then transcribes the writing into text form afterwards. It also allows you to edit and format the writings and then save it in order to convert it to text form later. The Terminal Services Client allows you to connect to a Microsoft Windows Terminal based server. One of the most interesting features you will find here is the Note Maker. This feature allows you to create handwritten or typed notes, recordings and drawings and save them in the memory and open them or edit them in the future. The Voice Recorder records the speech sounds and then saves them as files.

ActiveSync:
The Microsoft ActiveSync 3.7.1 software allows you to sync between your device and a desktop computer and then exchange information between them in the form of files so that you can free the device memory whenever it is full. The Asus Settings Mode allows you to change the settings of your system and save these settings. This feature also gives you real time system information. You can configure settings such as brightness, execution mode, audio and many others here. With the Asus Backup feature, you can always backup your system files, data and folders into the system’s main memory.
The Asus Smart Keeper option saves all the files and processes temporarily when the device is low on battery or is suddenly switched off. This option functions just like the hibernation mode that you will see in the laptop computers. All the programs are run again when the device is rebooted.

Applications:
There are also numerous applications installed in the device to provide you with more options and to ease you work. The list of the applications that are featured in the Asus A730 include; Presentation DX application helps you in converting, browsing and then playing the Microsoft PowerPoint presentation files with special effects and animations. The Pocket painter allows you to paint your imagination and then saves your files and hence you can print them. Not only painting but you can also modify the pictures captured by the camera by drawing on them. The MoneyTracer application is a powerful tool to store your financial details securely and it also provides cash, cheque, and credit card accounting management and hence helping you in financial management.

The Engineering Calculator is one of the unique features in the Asus A730. You normally see a standard calculator in all the PDAs but this one has got a scientific calculator and hence it is very useful for the engineering students.  The Pocket Book is useful in reading books in your device. This Pocket Book comes with Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese languages and also has few other languages that support reading in your device. Along with these applications, there are also few games that are intended for your entertainment whenever you are bored.

Performance:

With all the features, applications and software bundle discussed above, you can expect pretty good performance from the Asus A730 Large Size VGA Display Pocket PC. The experience you get from this new PDA from Asus may not be top notch but it is assured that you will get good value for your money. The processor is good and the speed of the device is commendable. The device does not get slow during multitasking and you get a reasonably fast performance. The performance part has been developed a lot when you compare this one with the previous devices from Asus. This device can be compared to the ones from HP and Dell and that too at much lower rates. You also do not need to run to the service centres every now and then as the A730 very seldom troubles you. Yes, you will be content with the performance.

Battery:

The 1150 mAh lithium ion polymer battery gives you a so-so battery life of about two and a half hours. This is comparatively very low because an average PDA out there gives you at least 4-5 hours of battery. Since there is a need for a greater battery life, it is recommended that you always carry a spare battery of the same power or you can also buy an 1800 mAh battery separately in order to enhance the battery life. This low battery spoils the performance of the device, which is very good otherwise. But since there are many features and applications, you may have to compromise here.

Warranty:

Asus offers you parts and labour warranty for a period of one year from the date of purchase. More details regarding the warranty of the device are provided inside the leaflet that is inside in the package.

Verdict:

The Asus A730 comes with a very good design and display. There are numerous useful features and options. All the applications and the software are pretty good and they are complemented by a reasonably good performance. It also costs tad lesser than the other similar PDAs in the market. The only minus in this device is that there is no Wi-Fi facility. Asus has released the A730 with Wi-Fi and named it as A730W. This PDA features all those discussed above plus the Wi-Fi. So, that PDA is more recommended than this one. Considering all this and the points discussed above, this PDA from Asus is a very handy one and is affordable. It is good for students but for business professionals, the PDAs from HP and Dell are recommended.

Check Dell Pocket PCs and HP Pocket PC Reviews in this website.

Asus A730 Pocket PC PDA - Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Asus
Model Name	Asus myPal A730
Product Type	Pocket PC
Dimensions	117.5 x 72.8 x 16.9 mm
Colour	Grey and Silver
Weight	170 g
Screen and display	TFT LCD colour display
Colour resolution	VGA resolution with 65k of 640 x 480 pixels VGA pixel colour display, backlight and colour sensing screen
Input devices	Stylus and Touch screen
Imaging features	Camera, Photo Viewer, Photo Editor, Photo Album, Video Recording
Messaging options	SMS, MSN
JAVA	No
CPU Processor	Intel XScale PXA270 520 MHz
Supported Flash Memory Cards	SD Memory Card , CompactFlash (type II)
Memory	Built-in 64 MB Flash ROM
Compatibility	SDIO
Video	WMV
Audio	MP3,WMA
Operating System	Microsoft Windows® Mobile 2003 Second Edition
Wi-Fi enabled	No
Battery	1150 mAh battery with about 2.5 hours of talk time
Utilities	Word, Excel, Power Point, Clock & Alarms, File Explorer, Notes, Voice recorder, Engineering Calculator and MSN
Wireless Communication	Bluetooth and Infrared
Warranty	One year