Print
Discuss
Send to friend
Pocket PCs are undergoing a transition. Recent models have typically sported a 206MHz processor, which was the fastest the old ARM chip would go, but now there's a new breed based around the Xscale chip from Intel.
Starting at 400MHz, the chip promises to provide speeds eventually reaching 1GHz and beyond. As reported in this month's news, however, the first models may not pack the punch that many expected.
Toshiba's e740 is based on the new 400MHz chip and has a standard 64MB of memory, plus Compact Flash and Secure Digital expansion slots, and comes in two wireless configurations: Bluetooth or 802.11b wireless local area network. We looked at the Bluetooth version. Other features include a removable battery and ATI's new Imageon 100 graphics chip.
The unit is a similar size to the e310, but £170 more expensive and rather thicker, no doubt on account of the extra slots and the need to squeeze in the wireless circuits. It weighs 175g and feels solid.
There are a few niggles though. First, as ever, a cradle that grips too tightly. Second, as there is a removable battery, it would be handy to have a cradle in which you can charge a spare. Next up, the stylus is tucked round the back. And the infra-red port is curiously positioned low down on the left side.
The screen is good, but not startling, with a decent front light. But the most important aspect of this device is its performance. So has the move to a new processor made everything much faster and less frustrating to use?
In a word, no. Certainly it feels a little faster, but nothing like the near doubling you might expect compared to older 206MHz units. It does appear that Pocket PC might just not be terribly well optimised.
We sat the unit next to an older device and there wasn't much in it for normal use. If you want to watch video the Imageon chip will apparently make it much smoother. But this is hard to test and we've noticed a distinct lack of compelling video to download.
Worse, there seemed to be times when the system was busy doing lord knows what, and Internet Explorer became unresponsive. Still, at least the power management was up to scratch, and we could download large files without the Toshiba switching off.
Battery life is reasonable, but if you use Bluetooth you'll run it down quicker. After a couple of hours of fiddling we were getting warnings, even though the display said there was 43 per cent left.
Bluetooth can be turned off when you're not using it, having its own power switch on the bottom of the unit. Unlike the Bluetooth-proficient Fujitsu Siemens Pocket Loox, the 740 includes only two profiles: Com (as used in serial modems) and Dun (dial-up networking).
This means that you can use Bluetooth to sync with a desktop, for example, or to connect to the internet via a mobile phone, but that's it. You can't share files with another Bluetooth PDA or exchange business cards.
The Bluetooth software was not that friendly compared to the third-party package on the Pocket Loox.
This PDA is supposed to have a souped-up processor and display, but tapping the Bluetooth icon to turn it on or off revealed something very slow: after the outline of a dialogue box appeared, there was a pause before the contents showed up.
The other remarkable feature, which we weren't able to test, is the ATI presentation pack, which allows you to connect the e740 to projectors or monitors, giving you all you need for presentations. That is likely to be more attractive than a new processor.
If you want a system from a big brand name, with lots of expansion facilities and built-in wireless, the e740 is worth a look. But these features come at an astronomical price, and don't expect a massive performance leap from the new chip. Also, if Bluetooth is important, check to make sure that you can survive with just the Com and Dun profiles on offer here.
Prices: Without wireless: £499 (£424.68 ex VAT); Bluetooth: £549 (£467.23 ex VAT); 802.11b: £579 (£492.77 ex VAT).
Specifications:
400MHz Intel Xscale processor
64MB of memory
ATI Imageon 100 graphics chip
Compact Flash and Secure Digital expansion slots
Optional expansion pack with VGA port
Pocket PC 2002, Bluetooth or 802.11b wireless (optional)
Weight: 175g
Dimensions: 125 x 80 x 16mm (w x d x h)
Contact: Toshiba 0870 444 8944
www.toshiba.co.uk/computers
See also:
Low cost and good design make this an attractive PDA option. 23 Oct 2002
Powerful, well-designed and reasonably priced: It's difficult not to like the Zaurus. 28 Aug 2002
All Palm PDAs
del.icio.us
Digg this
reddit!
