Friday, June 25, 2004
Asus A730: The True Successor to the HP 4150?
Posted by Pat Logsdon in "HARDWARE" @ 05:00 PM
"Many PDA-fans who follow all the novelties of the mobile world and often change their devices said that most probably Asus A730 would be their next purchase. This pocket PC attracts by VGA-screen in spite of rather small dimensions, two expansion slots, bluetooth, nice design and new Intel XScale PXA270 processor, which realizes all potential of the high resolution screen. Will the new model from Asus become a sales hit? We’ll try to solve this problem [by] the end of this preview.
One half a year the Toshiba e800 was the first Pocket PC which had a VGA-screen (640*480 pixels). Asus produced the second model of this kind (Asus A730), other companies will follow them later (HP, then Dell and Fujitsu Siemens). The next new tendency (the first time you will see it in the PDA from Asus) – the internal 1 megapixel camera. It will be typical for many PDAs produced in the second half of 2004, not only those based on Pocket PC platform. Asus A730 is much smaller by dimensions than Toshiba e800 – its main rival, and the future HP iPaq Explorer. It will be better to compare PDA with iPaq 19xx and 41xx series – one of the smallest Pocket PCs on the market: the length and width are almost the same, the depth is much larger – the payment for the second expansion slot.
• Toshiba e800: 134.6х76.2х15.2 mm 192 g.
• HP iPaq 4150: 113.6х70.6х13.5 mm 133 g.
• Asus A730: 117.5 х 72.5 х 16.9 mm 170 g.
The device is weighty but not heavy. The new device, which weighs 170g, wasn’t felt in the inside the pocket of the coat, but felt in the pocket of the shirt. So, the dimensions of this handheld with two expansion slots are close to optimum. Today it is the smallest handheld with VGA-screen, taking into account Sharp Zaurus and the future HP iPaq hx4700 series."
Reading the review of this device has quite a few "Ifs" popping up in my head. I mean that in a good way, because if the Ifs pan out, I think this is my next device. IF the WiFi version comes out soon, IF the price is right, and IF the HP hx4700 looks as ugly in real life as the mockups. :? Asus has managed to squeeze everything I like about the HP 4150 in a very similar form factor AND they shoehorned a CF slot and a VGA screen into the bargain. As a 4150 owner, this is a very compelling device. What are your thoughts?
One half a year the Toshiba e800 was the first Pocket PC which had a VGA-screen (640*480 pixels). Asus produced the second model of this kind (Asus A730), other companies will follow them later (HP, then Dell and Fujitsu Siemens). The next new tendency (the first time you will see it in the PDA from Asus) – the internal 1 megapixel camera. It will be typical for many PDAs produced in the second half of 2004, not only those based on Pocket PC platform. Asus A730 is much smaller by dimensions than Toshiba e800 – its main rival, and the future HP iPaq Explorer. It will be better to compare PDA with iPaq 19xx and 41xx series – one of the smallest Pocket PCs on the market: the length and width are almost the same, the depth is much larger – the payment for the second expansion slot.
• Toshiba e800: 134.6х76.2х15.2 mm 192 g.
• HP iPaq 4150: 113.6х70.6х13.5 mm 133 g.
• Asus A730: 117.5 х 72.5 х 16.9 mm 170 g.
The device is weighty but not heavy. The new device, which weighs 170g, wasn’t felt in the inside the pocket of the coat, but felt in the pocket of the shirt. So, the dimensions of this handheld with two expansion slots are close to optimum. Today it is the smallest handheld with VGA-screen, taking into account Sharp Zaurus and the future HP iPaq hx4700 series."
Reading the review of this device has quite a few "Ifs" popping up in my head. I mean that in a good way, because if the Ifs pan out, I think this is my next device. IF the WiFi version comes out soon, IF the price is right, and IF the HP hx4700 looks as ugly in real life as the mockups. :? Asus has managed to squeeze everything I like about the HP 4150 in a very similar form factor AND they shoehorned a CF slot and a VGA screen into the bargain. As a 4150 owner, this is a very compelling device. What are your thoughts?
