The most convincing evidence of the rapid development of technology - the rapid decline in retail prices. If we follow this statement, it turns out that PDAs are developing at unprecedented pace. In the past five or six years the cost of the CCP has remained more or less stagnated. Six months ago, we knew we had a budget computer - a machine worth 140-200 dollars. "The middle class is" occupied a niche of 200-400 dollars. The most advanced handheld cost from $ 450 and above. But today the situation has radically changed. Expensive cars almost never cheaper, but the price of computers average slipping to around $ 200, a simple, entry-level PDAs are cheaper than the hundreds. We in Russia to lower prices for handheld computers have not yet is of such a landslide in nature, as in the west. Still remember the specifics - we do not manufacture computers (with a few exceptions, but here we are talking only about the assembly of prefabricated components), our customs policy influx of cheap equipment is not conducive, and suppliers of computers from abroad still need to something to exist. That's when the capacity of the Russian PDA market will increase to values comparable with the desktop market, when in this area will rush to all and sundry, then the difference in prices between Russia and foreign countries will not be so great ... on the PDA market a family of Pocket PC the next event. Began commercial sales of PDA Toshiba e330 and e335, submitted in September. New Toshiba replenished a very young group of low cost handheld machines, in terms of functionality nearly as "adult" models. Almost - because some simplification is still there. About them and talk. I wonder the same - what has been reported (thank God, not the principles) to the buyer of portable computing, if he chooses a cheap handheld computer. By the way, interested in receiving cards. Dear CCP have not yet become branding techniques (we do not have a lot of people who are able to distinguish the eye from a portable handheld gaming console or any calculator and compare this situation with the social position of the holder of the CCP), but faced with competition from fellow budget . What motives should guide a person spends on a PDA is almost twice as much money than they could spend on low-cost model? .. We speak, of course, about Russia - in Europe and America, the situation is somewhat different. There and then the car-no surprise. Moreover, a good car.
Purse, wallet purse ... What?
Looking closely to the e330 and e335, having read the descriptions and reviews (live machines at my disposal, as it normally is not), I come to the conclusion - the most ordinary computers. But most importantly, what is required of a handheld computer - the reliability and high degree of compatibility with existing software. Everything else, including the futuristic design is secondary. In addition, laptop unusual forms, as a rule, terribly inconvenient in practical application. I, for instance, is simply not enough "swing hand" in order to comfortably hold the iPaq. Widish it for my hands - just a little, but still. In this case, declare that I have "no mining arm," I will not. My hands were just miners, in the most literal sense. (Six years in a heroic profession underground miner - whether to have any further evidence?)
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So, e330 and e335 look quite casually, but that does not mean that in their tiny interiors are no new solutions. The first - on computers used budget option most productive to date, "pocket-computer" processor Intel XScale PXA250. In contrast to the more "high-velocity (and the standard today for the new Pocket PC) processor, this option is reduced clock speed - from 400 to 300 megahertz. This is a basic compromise that had to go to the developers to reduce the cost of the CCP. How much smaller CPU clock speed affects the performance of the system as a whole? Today, almost no effect, but tomorrow the difference in performance will be quite obvious.The fact that the present application for Pocket PC is optimized for the ARM and XScale processor computing resources are not used in full. There will be new programs (already there) for the same new computer, will appear and the possibility of practical comparison. We only note that to play MP3 music files and video in MPEG4 (the most demanding tasks for the Pocket PC) processor with such a frequency of 300 megahertz is enough for the eyes. The second compromise in the way of cheapening the computer has been implemented yet in the previous model Toshiba e310. This rejection of any hardware wireless communications ... and again - small compromise, because until recently no one handheld computer had no built-in Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, or module GSM. Even today, the same Bluetooth installed only in the most expensive models are so expensive that you start to think about the appropriateness of such expenditures. Separate adapter card in the format of flash memory, plus the computer itself are cheaper than a computer with a built-radio - not much, but quite a significant amount. Compromise the third - a simple and easy constructive, in which "packaged" electronic filling machine. Housing and really easy to shape and made of plastic. On the other hand, the use of plastic in handheld computers is well justified. Lighter weight material allows us to make the shell wall thickness, which increases the rigidity of the structure. Appears and is not immediately apparent quality, such as resistance to scratching the surface of PDA. Most of all recurring scratches annoy the owners of "aluminum" typewriters Sony (for example, T-Series). Outwardly, these computers look great. However, they should be kept exclusively in cases with a soft inner liner. Metal side machines do not like contact with an ordinary pocket detail - the keys, lighters, ochechnikami. Surface of the body is covered with cobweb scratches and quickly loses its marketability. On the plastic surface of the body of my Casio BE-300 for almost ten months of intensive use (and, not under glass) is not a single trace. Not one scratch, no dents. Perhaps the aluminum material is great, but for the Pocket PC will fit perfectly, and plastic - high quality and, if possible, unpainted. Unfortunately, in recent years manufacturers PDAs tend exactly to the color of the plastic in bright, eye-catching colors. Not only that, at such a difficult machine to work (a bright color of the case simply annoying), so the paint still oblezet like domestic Avtoagregat "Zhiguli" ... C bundling everything as usual. File Type Toshiba site that the user finds the box, in addition to the device itself, and even USB-"crib", charging cable and a set of software. As for compatibility with various accessories and peripherals like folding keyboards, compact digital camera and Bluetooth cards, the complete list of previously tested on the subject device to be found in the Toshiba e330 in the manufacturer's website. Now the trade-offs that developers e330 and e335 have been avoided. Speech on the amount of memory installed, sound capabilities, built-in battery capacity, display. The memory requirements are compared with the model e310 doubled and amounts to 64 megabytes. Permanent memory (of course, a rewritable flash) 32 megabytes. Which of your computer or invent, and 64 megabytes of memory will still be enough. Except for the use of machines as a MP3 player and even more so the video player. In this case, 64 megabytes is enough just "to try", but for more substantial work will have to purchase flash memory card, good in computers installed slot SD / MMC (without any kind "jackets"). A year ago, it was possible shook his head, but today it does not cause absolutely no emotion as the Secure Digital format had become the accepted standard for most manufacturers of PDAs. On the sound. This new computers are no different from other Pocket PC - has a built-in speaker and, accordingly, the possibility of using the PDA as a multimedia handheld console. No only built-in microphone, but there is jack for an external.It is clear that without a microphone it impossible to implement the digital recorder that does not interfere to find a good program from mikrofonchik and recording on the side. On the battery e330 and e335 can not say anything nor bad nor good. It is unlikely that the new Toshiba will be the champions of battery life (otherwise the firm would be praised to the skies this particular feature of its KPK), but the technique of this worthy manufacturer that laptops, handheld computers that "hungry syncope" has never suffered. Capacity lithium battery, 1000 mAh should last for 7-8 hours with the backlight turned off (my reckoning, but no official information). By the way, the screen ... The press release referred to the manufacturer color active matrix LCD - the company NEC. The screen is built on the already familiar transflective technology - with dims. Size - Traditional 3.5 inches diagonally. That is quite worthy features that Toshiba is always justified ... And what, in fact, differ e330 and e335? Absolutely nothing. This two twins who do not have any positive iron differences. E330 model aimed at the corporate market and is equipped with only the most necessary software. Model e335 is designed for consumers and is supplied with a set of entertainment and multimedia software ... Mindful of the habits of producers to invest in a box of computer disks with all the software crap, I think that should be buying Toshiba e330 - when the machines will appear in Russia, of course. Frankly, I'm lack of clear differences between the models at their absolute similarity of the hardware is somewhat surprising. Obtained as in the post-perestroika Russia. Were you at the head office basement, put the Secretary fax - already the company president.
Small lyrical afterword
What happens next? And then we should expect when the new computers will reach us. And closely monitor the dynamics of price changes on the e330 and e335 in Russian stores. Once the first excitement (Toshiba for us has always been more than just a computer) to diminish, the price is sensitive poulyagutsya, then be run to the bank withdraw a money ... However, this recommendation does not make sense. Pocket PC is chosen not by some criteria. Little car must see and want. And then all of megahertz and megabytes overshadowed. It remains only a dream, sweet delusive dream ... We feel that a PDA most miraculously change our lives to the limit condense and organize, convert minutes to hours of tedious inactivity unforgettable pleasure ... The authors, translation:
Nikolai Yakovlev