Linux - JAVA PDA: Sharp Zaurus - SL-5500 - 313$ from Best Buy..

[funks]

Hello,

Sounds like quite a hot deal to me, best buy is selling them for 313$ right now (picked one up a few minutes ago after I noticed that they had 10% off on PDA's)..

Sharp Zaurus SL-5500

It's has a StrongARM(1) SA-1110, 206MHz Processor, 240x320 16-bit screen, 64 Megs of RAM and runs

Embedded Linux, Trolltech's QTOPIA along with Personal Java (JEODE)

I bought one because I'd like to be able to make some apps in java and deploy it on the Zaurus..
(GCC is also available, along with QT Palmtop Environment, it's running on a 2.4 kernel)

Can't really compare the CE to the Zaurus as a CE machine with the same specs will cost hundreds more..

Funks

 

[im2smrt4u]

Zaurus @ Best Buy

But how do you get $313? It shows up as $404.99, and then I guess you'd get 10% off that...but that isn't $313...

 

[olouie]

i dont see the price for $313 either .... someone show me

edit:

now i get a not avaible pop up

 

[funks]

I believe that's the Brick and Mortar Price, not online.

I bought mine from the San Bernardino, CA Best Buy store. I also called up the Rancho Cucamonga, CA store earlier in the morning and they had it for the same price.. Might just be the Online store not having updated pricing.

Funks..

 

[superhuang]

$313 at East Palo Alto store. Didn't check stock.

 

[funks]

hmmm, that 313$ price is after 10% off (they are currently having a 10% off sale on all PDA's till tommorow)..

So the normal price is probably gonna be around 348 or so, still a good deal considering these things go for
around 450$..

 

[yomamma]

Sweetass!

I picked one up. Man, I been lusting after this since the developer version was announced.

I gotta quit hanging out with you guys, I'm just spending to much money.

Yomamma

 

[BarneyFife]

The Cnet review only gave it a 6 out of 10

Review

 

[oniq]

Its funny that Cnet rates it 6 out of 10 but the user ratings are 90% thumbs up, 10% down. Maybe they're just mad it runs Linux I got my iPaq 3650 for $300 and I'm running Linux on it right now (opie interface).

 

[MJGunn]

Best part of the cnet review (I don't know if its right or not)

"We were also disappointed with USB syncing. For Windows desktops, Sharp provides Intellisync, which allows you to sync with Outlook. But there's no software for Mac users, and the program for syncing to a Linux desktop isn't included on the CD. "

A Linux pda which doesn't ship with the ability to synch with linux? Something seem wrong here to anyone else?

 

[funks]

hmmm, I'm using it with the latest software available (new rom, and synching software) under Windows 2000, no problems so far from http://www.myzauarus.com

Maybe they reviewed the older version of the software, I used the newer one and it's fine for my purposes.

ZDNET review here gave it a 6.6 out of 10..

Mostly due to the software synching issues also but the user reviews gave it a 9.1 out of 10 on that site..

Still, the hardware is comparable to most IPAQ costing quite a bit more..

 

[vip52]

Thanks!

I got mine for $300 + tax from Staples (Boston area). Went to BB first, took their price tag, headed over to Staples and used their 110% pricematch guarantee: $449 - $149. I left my $10 off $40 coupon at home, otherwise it would have been $290.

 

[yomamma]

PC Magazine gave it four of five stars closing with...

"Even if you don't know anything about the Linux operating system, after using the Zaurus SL-5500, you might join the ranks of Linux lovers. The SL-5500's display is first rate, the keyboard is a great convenience, and the operating environment and applications deliver excellent value and ease of use. "


And I got this as reason behind sale from a Zaurus site...

"Best Buy has lost their contract for the Zaurus and CompUSA is going to carry them, so BB is trying to blow them out at about $320."