The Vandem Clio C1050: Thank Goodness for the Upgrade!
Written: Feb 08 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: rotating screen, excellent battery life, good processor
Cons: a little slow for the clock speed, cramped keypad, very heavy
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| dcnaylor's Full Review: Vadem Clio C-1050 |
I write this opinion mainly on the Clio C1050...a review of the unique but slow performer C1000 can be found on the structurally similar but tripad-less Sharp PV-5000 or structurally identical PV-6000.
After reviewing the aforementioned Sharp PV-5000, this H/PC is a refreshing breath of fresh air. With the closest challenger in processors to the HP Jornada 820 (168MHz to 190MHz, respectively), the system speed is very good, upgrading from the horrendous 73.7MHz processor of the Clio C1000/Sharp PV-6000. With 32MB RAM and 24MB ROM, it comes loaded out of the box. A 56k v.90 modem keeps you connected to the web, and it has slots for both the Type II PC Card and CompactFlash cards. The most unique feature, though, is the touted 180 degree rotatable screen. This allows you to use it as an easel, a presentation screen (even though a VGA out port would still be useful for large meetings), or as a standard H/PC screen. This is very useful for college students and businessmen who don't have time to type information. Equally amazing is the battery-it lasts just under 10 hrs on a charge, very close to the record-setting HP Jornada 820 battery charge. Basic software is relatively standard.
It does have a few drawbacks. For example, despite the much faster processor in the Vandem Clio C1050, it is still a little sluggish. Most light users wouldn't notice, but medium to heavy users will get a little upset. Also, the weight is very close to unacceptable at a huge (for the class) 3.5 pounds, almost as much as a sub-notebook. This is a big drawback, as this class of machines is supposed to be more portable than notebooks and sub-notebooks; this is the entire reason for the hybrid H/PC class. The keypad is not as comprehensive as others, and is rather cramped. As mentioned before, the ultra-useful VGA out port is not available. A case for the machine is a near-necessity for the protection of the machine. Reliability rates have yet to be seen.
This machine fills a niche, and its unique features and excellent specs make it an excellent choice for some. For most H/PC users, though, the ruggedly tough and faster HP Jornada 820 would be a slightly better choice. As a consumer, your best bet is to check them both out. The Jornada 820 is a slightly better overall choice, but the Vandem Clio C1050 might fit your particular needs better.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dcnaylor
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Member: Giuseppe Naylor
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 3 members
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