Rating: 
Summary: Looked promising...
Review: ...but no Mac support? Bummer. It seemed promising as an alternative to all the new Windows-based devices, but then I see the only OS's supported for syncing are Windows-based! If there had been Mac support, this would have been my Christmas gift to my hubby! Guess we're back to Palm.
Rating: 
Summary: Best PDA I've ever used
Review: I've been using PDAs since the first Palm came out way back when. Since then I've used an HP Palmtop, Palm VII and most recently a Compaq iPAQ. They all have their pros and cons. Now I'm using a Zaurus, and so far this is the best I've used. It's like a true handheld computer... very powerful and feature rich. One definite advantage is the tons of free software out there for the Zaurus. Everything from games to personal finance management. This may be my last handheld. I love it!
Rating:
Summary: Best PDA on the Market
Review: I'm Very pleased with my Zaurus. It's really more
like a full computer than a PDA. I'm typing this
using my Zaurus' 802.11b connecrtion to the internet. I can also highly recommend the Linksys WCF12
compact flash card for use with the Zaurus. Cheers
Rating: 
Summary: I wanted to like it.
Review: I bought this for my husband as a present. He never had a pda, but needed the organization one could provide. He is not a computer geek, but graduated with info systems degree, so he is not completely out of the technology field. He could NOT get this thing to syncronize with Microsoft Outlook. Yes, we tried the manual (to no avail) called the customer service people. They were nice, but they couldn't do it either -- three different times. They told us that "product development" would have to call us. They never did. We called again 5 days later. "Oh, they never called you? We will ask them again." We said "don't bother, we are taking it back." I really thought this was nice with the keyboard and the options, and that I didn't have to be a slave to Microsoft stuff, but I guess trying to work the two companies together isn't always easy or effective. No, I don't want to have to learn Linnux, or Unix or even DOS. That is why Windows was so successful, we didn't have to know how it worked or much programming to just use the thing. Unfortunately, with the Zaurus, you couldn't "just use the thing" in our case, anyway. It is going back. If you want a pda to actually assist you with your data, hence the name PDA (e.g. EASILY answer e-mail, plan schedule, check internet info, maintain addresses, store and retrieve documents/photos, etc.) look around more or try this out before buying. If you want to do fancy stuff, maybe this is more for you. I have a feeling this item will be copied (nice screen, size, little keypad, etc.) with a more widely-known operating system and I will buy it then. It may be unfortunate that the companies making the money aren't the ones thinking up the stuff, but thems the breaks. I just want the thing to work "quick and dirty" -- I know some of you will get that reference!
Rating: 
Summary: Embedded is power,
Review: The most notable attribute mentionable is the sheer force behind this device. Unlike the Pocket PC operating system (OS), this little Zaurus is running an embedded distribution of the Linux OS. Need I say more? The possibilities are endless. Sharp hosts a great Internet site that's for application distribution and support. It's at myzaurus.com. Here you can get applications, updates and documents. You can download the console for running terminal commands. There were a few quirks that I experienced with loading application packages. There is an auto-reboot after you finish installing a package or a group of packages on the device. I could not get the Zaurus to recognize more packages after the first reboot. Without looking into it more, I loaded as many packages as I could at once, and then let it do the auto-reboot. If you have a problem with the system that a software restart does not fix, you can reset the system to factory defaults quite easily, and restore from backups. The procedures are clearly documented in the manuals that accompany the device. The sync worked as well as I could expect. I did not try the Intellisync software on my desktop because the instruction manual stated that only one of the two sync software choices can be installed on your PC system at one time. Personally, I love using this PDA. Everything you need is built-in. The fact that you have support for both SD memory and CF memory cards opens so many doors for expansion. The onboard mini QWERTY keyboard is outstanding. There is a software keyboard and text recognition application that comes with it as well. Just the games that came loaded on the unit displays its superior graphics capabilities. I tested my IPAQ with the Pocket PC 2k2 OS, and the Zaurus on my friends wife, who knows nothing about computers, to see which she thought was more intuitive to use for basic word editing, solitaire, etc. She was lost on the Zaurus. She didn't like the text recognizer on the Zaurus, but found the Pocket PC text recognizing software much easier to use. The text recognition software on the Zaurus is not as forgiving as the Pocket PC version, or you have to train it to your handwriting style. Overall she did much better using the Pocket PC. Generally, I would rate the Zaurus as being more geared towards the advanced computer user, or someone that is good at reading manuals and taking the time to learn. If you want a good "no-brainer" PDA then I would recommend a Palm or Pocket PC.
Rating:
Summary: new forum (zaurushacks.com)
Review: Bought this pda and i loved it so much i created the zaurushacks.com forum for people to meet, exchange info, troubleshoot, etc. hope to see you all there. -joel
Rating:
Summary: Very good PDA. The most practicle on the market
Review: One shall not underestimate the advantage of the integrated keybord, it is very practicle and quite easy to use. In any case it is more convenient than any other character entry method (virtual keybord or character recognition.) Features - Quality / price, it is by far the best PDA on the market. If you compare it to the latest sony clie that comes with a keybord also, then you realise there is a clear capacity - performance advantage for the zaurus. Beside I could take advantage of the many applications available as open source software from the linux community. I am definitly very enthusastic about my new zaurus !!!!
Rating:
Summary: the Zaurus
Review: I love my Zaurus. Partly because I prefer Linux over Windows, but also because of its excellent features. Wireless (802.11b) networking was (is)no problem. With that I get High-speed mobile internet access throughout the house and near the house. Set up the SSH server and log in and any difficulties entering info or transferrring data are gone. Setup the Samba server and share files across the network with relative ease. SD and CF slots are a SWEET extra! Nice color display also. New apps are coming out daily and the Linux OS make it easy on developers. We still need a port for AvantGo however. Lastly, tcp/ip over USB makes non-wireless networking easy.
Rating:
Summary: The Best on the Market
Review: Simply put, I prefer the Linux operating system over both the Palm OS and MS Windows OS. If this was a Linux world, I don't think there would even be a dispute, since the software availability limitations would no longer be an issue. I like the stability of Linux vs. the limitations of any of the Palm based products, and wouldn't even put them in the same catagory for comparison, unless you are only wanting a basic PDA function-wise. That leaves the MS based products as the only viable competitors, none of which, in my opinion, offer the same extensive packaging as the Zaurus. The Zaurus is convenient, and out of any of the actual hand-held computer-types, is the only one thus far that incorporates a built-in keyboard and dual expansion slots which support both SD and CF memory cards. This in and of itself almost makes it worth it, as it is much easier to enter data as opposed to the hand-writing program. The multi-media functionality is a plus as well, and the unit has a pretty complete suite of software which comes with it, as well as additional software which is available. I also like the Hancom spreadsheet, WP and presenter, all of which are compatable with other common suite programs when sync-ing with your PC. The OS and additional software is by far more open than MS, and in many cases I have used the WP to compile info for homework assignments. I am sure that more Windows OS products will begin to incorporate many of the same features, but if you can tolerate some of the limitations of software availability for the Linux platform overall, this would be a great choice. There is also a fringe benefit in the consideration of the Zaurus as being the only Linux based product so far (at least to my knowledge). For some reason it has caused the purchase price of the product due to demand to drop substantially in contrast to what the product is capable of and in comparison to similar MS based products. Some retailers are starting to sell them for 335.00 new.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent device but needs quality applications
Review: This is an excellent device. Overall performance is great. I just wanted this for the small key board. You can enter data pretty fast using your thumbs if you practise little bit. I was a Psion Revo user, the PIM applications are not as good as Psion's. Sharp needs to do more on those. Any how, I can find lot of them on the Internet. You can use this little thing as your web server if you want! Isn't it cool?
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