Windows Phone Thoughts: A Strong Competitor - Asus MyPal A730 Reviewed

What's in the Package?
The Asus MyPal A730 comes with the usual array of items. The cradle is heavy and makes sliding the PDA into and out of it easy. It even features a convenient stylus holder, although there is not a battery slot for charging a second battery. A USB sync cable and power cable plug into the back of the cradle. They also double as travel cables to sync and charge the PDA.

The A730 also comes with a fairly nice case with a magnetic closure. A slot on the back of the case allows you to slip your belt into it. It also comes with a removable wrist strap.


Figure 1: The included A730 case.

Finally, a CD is included with a ton of free and trial software. Some of the software is only available in Traditional Chinese, however. The English programs included are MoneyTracer, Presentation DX, Pocket Painter, Map King, Engineering Calculator, Dung Cleaner, and Monster Chinese. Some will find these programs useful, but I didn't bother to install them. Still, kudos to Asus for including such a large software bundle.

What Really Matters...the PDA
I was really impressed by the Asus A730 on many levels. First of all, the PDA is well built. The buttons have a good "click" to them and do not rattle. The PDA is made of a very hard plastic, which closely imitates an aluminum metal finish.


Figure 2: The MyPal A730 is well built and feels solid to the touch.

The MyPal A730 features a removable battery; the entire back of the case slides out for access to the battery. This gives the back of the PDA a clean look with no annoying doors or hinges.


Figure 3: The entire back slides out for easy access to the battery.

The top of the PDA gives you access to a headphone jack, Compact Flash slot, and Secure Digital slot. As expected, both memory slots come with slide-in covers to protect the slots from getting dust-laden.


Figure 4: Top of the A730.