Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 - Think Sharply... Think Linux OS.
Written: Jan 31 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Linux OS (If you like it), Excellent Layout, QWERTY keyboard, Speed, Performance, Memory, Everything
Cons: Linux OS (If you don't like it)
The Bottom Line: The Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 is as great as Linux OS PDA's come along.
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| soupcraze's Full Review: Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 Handheld |
The world of PDA's is mostly dominated by Microsoft Windows CE and Palm OS. Just like the world of computer operating systems (Dominated by Microsoft and Macintosh), there is yet another player. Linux is a powerful operating system that you don't see all too often on PDA's. But as for those who prefer Linux on their home and work computers, they would definitely stick to the Linux operating system on a PDA. I haveexperienced Linux when I worked with Red Hat 7.2 and also Suse 8.0, so I was curious to find a Linux-lover with a Linux powered PDA. Well, the Sharp Zaurus PDA's are the most widely known that run on Linux OS. The Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 is the higher-end model (Better than the SL-5500) and the one I tried out. Here's what I found with it.
-Price-
*The Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 is not a cheap PDA. It goes from $400 through over $500 depending on where you buy it. However, unlike many of the PDA's out on the market, the Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 makes use of a well-designed PDA to run the Linux operating system versus Windows Pocket PC or Palm OS. If you're into using Linux and want a very well-built PDA, then the Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 is great. It has many excellent features that I will describe later in this review. In comparison to the cheaper Sharp Zaurus SL-5500, the Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 offers a much faster processor and more memory for those who need to utilize this better performance. As for the rest of the PDA market, most of the large scale manufacturers stick to Microsoft or Palm. Sharp however is a large company which makes respectable quality products. From other Sharp PDA users, they give it pretty high marks. So if you want a very reliable Linux powered PDA from a good manufacturer, then the Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 is a pretty good choice.
-Performance-
*The Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 is powered by a 400MhZ Intel XScale processor which gives it high speed capabilities. In comparison to many Palm OS powered PDA's out on the market, the 400MhZ is significantly faster. However, the Palm OS runs very efficiently on much lower rated processors. When it comes to comparing to a Pocket PC handheld, you do find 400MhZ speeds on many out there. However, since Linux is an overall more efficient operating system, you can get more with the Sharp Zaurus SL-5600. So if you're looking for the highest efficiency at a very high speed, the Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 will give you that. The cheaper SL-5500 uses a 206MhZ ARM processor which is quite a ways behind the 400MhZ Intel XScale. The Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 also has a considerable amount of memory. It has 64MB devoted flash memory which allows you to store applications and files. It also has 32MB of SDRAM coming out to 96MB of total memory. This is a considerable amount, much more than much of the 16MB and 32MB competition out there. The cheaper SL-5500 has only 16MB of flash memory so it can hold far less applications than the 64MB on the Sharp Zaurus SL-5600. When it comes to actually running the PDA, everything works beautifully. Even though I'm more used to Palm OS which I have on my Sony Clie, Linux is very inviting if you're familiar with the operating system. Everything runs at very high speeds with a very good looking interface. Overall, you get what you pay for, an excellent high-performance Linux handheld.
-Versatility-
*The Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 has an excellent compact design. One thing that I absolutely love about this is that it has a built-in QWERTY keyboard that slides out. It allows for a smaller unit versus using a clamshell design that you find on some SmartPhones and the upper-end Clie PDA's. If you don't want a full-size attachable keyboard or have to carry around a bulky PDA, then the Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 is an excellent fit. As for Linux OS, it's spectacular... That is if you like Linux. This device allows you the ultimate connectivity between your Linux PC and Linux PDA. I know that some people say that Linux is a harder to use operating system than Microsoft Windows or Mac OS when it comes to computers, but the Linux OS on a PDA offers plenty of user-friendliness. The operating system is very nicely laid out, and it very attractive looking. It resembles Pocket PC more than Palm OS, which gives it that attractive look if you're looking to impress someone. But it's still simple to use so that almost anyone can use it. Then you can always add many Linux applications to the Sharp Zaurus SL-5600. So don't think that your PDA won't be able to handle much software, because oh will you enjoy this thing! Whether you're the business executive or just someone who needs to organize things, the Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 will offer plenty of versatility for your needs.
-Looks & Styling-
*The Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 is a very handsome looking PDA. It's a very handsome PDA with all of the control buttons nicely laid out at the bottom, and then the QWERTY keyboard can be found by sliding the bottom of the PDA outwards. It has a nice silver finish like many other PDA's which gives it the attractive and powerful look.
-The Verdict-
*Gotta love Linux, it's a very fine operating system. The Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 makes best use of it by providing a very well laid out PDA with excellent performance capabilities. If you can't decide between Windows CE or Palm OS, or you're into Linux, then the Sharp Zaurus SL-5600 is a great choice. I found it to be a very fast, powerful, and user-friendly PDA to use. If you're slightly more budget-minded, then the Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 might be a better choice for you at the cost of processor speed and memory. What a pleasure it is to be using the Sharp Zaurus SL-5600!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 400-500
Recommended for: Business Executives - Powerful and Professional
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soupcraze
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Member: Soup Enthusiast
Location: Chicago, Illinois
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I enjoy many of life's passions... Music, medicine, people, and life itself.
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