Sharp Zaurus SL-C3200 PDA with 6GB HDD

There was once a time when Sharp was a cutting-edge producer of PDAs, and the company's Zaurus was a market leader. But as the market has matured (and declined), the Zaurus line has devolved into little more than a pocket dictionary, giving it something of a second life in countries like Japan and Korea, where such products are still popular, but continuing to marginalize it as a portable computer. Still, the latest Zaurus, the SL-C3200, does have a few nice features, including a 6GB hard drive, SD slot and 3.7-inch VGA touchscreen display. But unless you need to practice for your TOEIC test, you probably won't exactly see this as a must-have device (though we hear that it runs Linux, so there's some hope for it).

[PodMonkeys @ Mar 7th 2006 10:39AM]

Thats a cool looking device! Its too bad theres not more focus on something like that in the U.S.

[Bill @ Mar 7th 2006 10:47AM]

This post is more than a bit clueless from a site that seems to gush over the Nokia 770. "the Zaurus line has devolved into little more than a pocket dictionary"

This couldn't be farther from the truth.

[Jon Acheson @ Mar 7th 2006 10:49AM]

If they could only bring the cost down on these, it would be a serious contender for my PDA buying dollar.

$800 is too much for something I could easily drop to its doom, though. My mobile gear needs to be replaceable in cost.

[steve @ Mar 7th 2006 11:13AM]

There are several different linux distros available for the zaurus that are actively maintained. To say it is little more than a dictionary is a clueless comment.

[Mitch the Bitch @ Mar 7th 2006 11:13AM]

Engadget, you guys are n0obs. The Zaurus line kicks ass, and this device clearly runs Linux, making it an amazing PDA.

You suckaz!

[jeff @ Mar 7th 2006 11:22AM]

Wifi? Thats right no wifi and that is why the zaurus sucks. (Yes a cf wifi card is great it only sticks out half an inch) Nice screen, runs linux, keyboard, but no wifi. I had one of the other Zaurus' and it has great but the battery lasted about 1.5 hours and then dead. A great product so close to being useful.

[Magellan @ Mar 7th 2006 11:33AM]

That crack about being little more than a Pocket Dictionary confirms to me they are on Microsofts payroll.

[djs @ Mar 7th 2006 11:39AM]

They can run OpenBSD, which is pretty slick.

http://www.openbsd.org/zaurus.html

[John Commenter @ Mar 7th 2006 12:08PM]

The post is clueless, yes, because it interprets the Akihabara News item wrong. The latest Zaurus used to have just a little more processing horsepower and capability than the latest Palm or Win CE, and cost twice as much. This one has a 640x480 3.7 inch touchscreen, 416MHz XScale, 128 MB flash and 64 MB SDRAM, No wifi. So it is now running even with the lower end $300 Win CE devices, not the high end. There are no apps, so they are trying to niche it into a big market over there, learning English.The problem with the Zaurus is that all the software is half-ported open source hobby projects (I have two fo them). Fun, but not reliable = no sales.

[Alex Newman @ Mar 7th 2006 12:26PM]

Why settle for a device running Linux QTopia with 6GB when you can have 30GB? The Archos PMA430 - does what the PDA does and adds full pocket media functionality such as playing videos etc and recording off TV. http://archos.com/products/ip_centric/pma_400/ It's Zaurus meets fantasy touch screen iPod (with a little less style).

[Ssco @ Mar 7th 2006 12:27PM]

I like that it's got an iPod Video attached to it!!!

[jedda @ Mar 7th 2006 12:55PM]

kinda looks like this...

http://www.engadget.com/media/2006/02/apple_tablet.jpg

...except its real

[Adam Don @ Mar 7th 2006 1:00PM]

Well I'll still sleep at night knowing me and my HTC Universal are still the bestest.

[Ipod movies @ Mar 7th 2006 1:06PM]

This actually seems cool and it doesnt run on mycrophage software.

[deslock @ Mar 7th 2006 1:28PM]

Use an 800x480 4.3" widescreen, add wifi, and replace the hdd with flash memory and I'll buy one.

[ZSX @ Mar 7th 2006 1:52PM]

The upcoming Samsung UMPC also really looks like a Zaurus!
http://static.flickr.com/45/109231227_f42a9dbea7.jpg?v=0

[raygundan @ Mar 7th 2006 2:01PM]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

Did nobody who designs portable devices own an NES growing up? The d-pad goes on the LEFT, people. ON THE LEFT. Not the middle, or the right, or the top-- THE LEFT.

/pet peeve

[Kent Pribbernow @ Mar 7th 2006 2:05PM]

> "There was once a time when Sharp was a cutting-edge producer of PDAs, and the company's Zaurus was a market leader."

Uh...when was the Zaurus EVER a "market leader"? Sharp's share of the mobile device market has always been piffling. Zuarus has always been a "me too" product in a market lead by PalmOS and Windows Mobile. The only role Linux has in the mobile device market, is to serve as "man behind the curtain", keeping its ugly face hidden from the user.

Apple got the right forumula when developing OSX; by laying a brilliantly designed proprietary software layer (and GUI) on top of an open source foundation (BSD). More companies (Motorola being one shining example) are doing this now with mobile devices and the results are very promising. Toss this piece of crap QTopio Linux distro in the trash where it belongs! Along with the Zaurus.

[Dan @ Mar 7th 2006 2:09PM]

You *THINK* it runs Linux? Did Engadget do any research about the Zaurus whatsoever before posting this? The first Zaurus (almost 5 years old) even ran linux. Sheesh, do your homework.

[Peter Cumming @ Mar 7th 2006 3:18PM]

Love to win something. Been looking at this gadget.

Peter

[Bjorn Keizers @ Mar 7th 2006 4:04PM]

I actually *own* a Zaurus - a C1000, identical except for internal memory - and it's *awesome*

Guys, this ain't no damn PDA - it's a small computer. I can hook up my external drives through USB, plug in a mouse, and I'm working. I even have stuff like the Gimp and OpenOffice on there and an actual desktop. You can install several flavours of linux on it from basic PDA stuff to hardcore console-coding Debian shit. Can your Pocket PC do *that*?

If anyone doubts the Zaurus is kicking ass, you come and visit the OESF forum at http://www.oesf.org/forums/ and we'll show you what a Zaurus is really capable of.

[John @ Mar 7th 2006 5:08PM]

In my mind the Zaurus has only 2 real failings:
1) Lack of internal bluetooth / WiFi.
2) Sharp's complete failure to develop software, support the OSS community, or market the device.

Problem 1 is being dealt with by a couple very clever DIYers who have tappedtapped a coupleGPIO lines inside the C1000 to add a second USB host. Their goal is to mount a USB wifi dongle and a USB bluetooth dongle internally in the C1000 in the space where a HDD would be if it was a C3x00.

Problem two is the reason that Zaurus software development has been so slow. Because of the near useless code that Sharp releases, no less than 4 mutually incompatible OSS projects sprung up to replace it. This went a long way to fracturing a community that was already small as a result of Sharp not selling most recent Zaurii outside of Japan. Though progress has been slow the projects are really starting to show a polished alternative to otherr PDA OSes. Anyways, my point is: This newest Zaurus is adisapointment coming from a company that usually managed to stay ahead of the pack, the Zaurus and ans the Zaurus community are far from dead.

-John

PS: I typed this on my Zaurus. :p

[bigmouthstrikesagain @ Mar 7th 2006 7:38PM]

yeah, unless Sharp has seriously downgraded the Zaurus line, whcih I doubt - the article's clueless. I've had a Zaurus SL-5500 for 3 years and despite its age it's awesome, more like a little computer not a PDA. loads of software too. would definitely keep buying Zaurus if I could.

gosh, engadget's 1337ness factor has descreased like a hundredfold in my eyes.

[Fallen @ Mar 8th 2006 7:25AM]

Number 5, DONT SLATE ENGADGET! these people work tirelessley scrawling the web every day (probably the night too) to keep us updates. Its like the only website on the web that gives good information on up to date gadgets and electronics, with some wit and a nice clean layout.

Plus if you want to debate that, you will be debating hundereds of thousands of people who love this site all over the world.

______________________________________________

As for the product, it does seem pretty nice, i like the SD card and yeah it runs linux, but it will need to become pretty popular for people to make good software for it.

[DA @ Apr 9th 2006 1:22PM]

First of all, I tire of all Engadget insulters. If they suck so badly, what does it say about you that you have nothing better to do than read and persistantly comment?

To endgadget, the Zaurus is indeed more than a pocket dictionary. For more info, see the following PIC thread about a Palm Infocenter moderator who is now a Zaurus user, he describes the unit in detail, and it might give you some Sharp perspective for future products. Good luck.

http://www.palminfocenter.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30120

[Syd @ Apr 22nd 2006 2:46PM]

I've owned all the major Zaurus releases -- 5500, 5600, 6000L, 3100. It truly is a small Linux computer. There are numerous kernels and desktop environments available for it. The best page I have found for this device is here: http://www.users.on.net/~hluc/myZaurus/

I find it most useful as a system administrator, for browsing the web (runs Opera, and netfront), and ssh'ing into other (Linux and MacOS systems). I also have X11 and ethereal running on the stock Zaurus OS, ping, traceroute, tcpdump, and wellenrighter (a wardriver) so I can use it to diagnose networking problems.

The 5500 had a weak battery, and not enough memory. The 5600 was really the first decent Zaurus, nice battery. The 6000L was built like a brick, and you can still find them. Also it had an outstanding screen. The 3100 and 3200 are the best of the bunch however, overall. I'd like built in wifi but actually, the wifi card sticking out makes the thing easier to hold when I type.

Now, you can (and I did) get these for around $600, not $800. The place to go is www.conics.net. I bought one there, and it was shipped to me quickly from Japan, already translated to English. Then all I did was go to the link earlier in this post, follow the directions to add the software I desired. And I was in business.

I also have a CF ethernet card (wired) and a modem card for connectivity.

If you have $600 and are a Linux geek, and truly have a need for a PDA portable device, then this is a good thing to get. If you want a laptop, buy a laptop (I'm a heavy Powerbook user, and a professional Linux developer by day).

And yes, audio/iPod like support on the 3100/3200 is wonderful. As is mpeg movie playback.

[Kev Milne @ Jun 8th 2006 9:25AM]

The Zaurus SL-C3200 edges ever nearer to the Zaurus depicted in the two hacker novels, Z4CK and Digital Force. The Zaurus and its ability to run Linux was quite an inspiration. I'm lucky enough to own an SL-C3200 and its the BIZ.

BTW if anyone wants copies of the books they're now FREE! Have a look at http://www.z4ck.org. Or paperbacks are avialable at Amazon.com

[Aeomer @ Jul 26th 2006 11:25AM]

A few points.

The lack of wi-fi is because the C3xxx range is for Japan where they have always had other options - my PHS Alpha card (mobile phone network) had 128kbps internet access in 1997 when the GSM world had mobile connectivity at 9kbps and no full internet access. In other words you buy the modules for your Zaurus that you need for your network; wi-fi is just one choice. Don't try to judge this device based on low US expectations.

My Zaurus C3000 battery lasts for 7 hours without wi-fi and 3 hours with wi-fi. I can't find any other poweful PDA with that kind of battery life. Of course, simple PDAs low power devices can beat this, but then you lack other cool features.

It's not for teaching English, that's a very secondary use of this device - people are confusing the C3xxx range with the electronic dictionary devices that are so common in Japan. Having said that, the C3000 kicks the butt of ALL DenkouJiten - it's great for people learning Japanese.

There's more to say - but I don't really care.

[Glenn Meyer @ Aug 1st 2007 8:39PM]

You "hear" that it runs Linux? THAT'S your informed commentary?