The more I use it, the more I like it.
Written: Apr 23 '04 (Updated Apr 28 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Beautiful display. Build in WiFi. Fast Processor. Easy to use.Compact size.
Cons: Missing Bluetooth but could be added via the SD slot.
The Bottom Line: Get it while it is still available.This might not be the latest model but it is good enough for just about any task you can think of.
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| eddiey18's Full Review: Toshiba e755 Pocket PC |
Right out of the box, this Toshiba works great with my notebook running Windows XP. Microsoft Activesync 3.7 is user friendly and easy to use. Syncing the Toshiba with my Acer Notebook is less than a minute. I use MSN service and MSN has an Intellisync program, which can sync the Toshiba to MSN and the Outlook at the same time. (I can only sync my Office Calendar and contact to MSN but I was unable to sync my PPC to the MSN.) The ability to sync to MSN is great as this allows me to get my schedule on any computer this is connected to the net.
Using Office XP, My Microsoft Outlook is configured with 2 mail boxes. One connected to my company's exchange Server and the other to MSN mail server. I do not sync my Toshiba with my desk top at work. I only sync this Toshiba to my personal notebook. The Outlook on my desk top at work has 2 Calendars, one is connected to my company's exchange server, and the other is connected to MSN mail server. With both my company's exchange server and MSN mail server on Microsoft Outlook enables me to selectively copy and paste the items in my Work Calendar to my Personal Calendar. When I log on the MSN with my notebook the copied items appear. When I sync with the Toshiba, it would have all the stuff I want. Complete control, I have my entire personal schedule and only the items that I want in the work schedule on my Toshiba. Since I sometimes need to send my schedule to others at work, I just cc myself and send the file to my MSN account. When I open and store the Schedule on the laptop, the Toshiba will get a copy the next time I sync.
The strip down version of the Word and Excel works well enough for reading. I have installed Adobe Acrobat reader, Resco Utility Package for Pocket PC which includes the Resco Picture Viewer. WorldMate, Pocket TV, HP Mobile Printing and Monster Chinese Reader are just about most of my current installed program.
Having both a SD and a CF slot is one of Toshiba's best features. While the HP /Compaq line is very versatile with the use of sleeves. The addition of the sleeves makes the device awkward and heavy. I added a 258 MB SD Memory card and I dropped in one of my old 15 MB Memory CF card in the other slot. The on board Flash ROM memory is 31 .10 MB. I had a lot of Memory with this device and it is still very sleek and small.
I have a Minolta Dimage X and it uses a SD card for memory. With the Resco Picture Viewer, I can read and edit picture taken with the Minolta with my Toshiba PPC. This is great as viewing pictures on the camera is not that good. The Toshiba's screen is great for viewing. I do not have to wait to get the camera home before I can really look at the picture.
At the time of purchase, this Toshiba has the fastest processor (Intel ® PXA255) and a relatively big beautiful display (3.8 inches). I got my unit on Ubid for a grand total of $300.00. The price I paid was for a mid range PPC/Palm and I got a top of the line device. While this is a refurbished unit, I could not find anything not new about it.
This Toshiba has WiFi built in and it picks up my home WiFi network with ease. I down loaded the HP Mobile Printing program and it is supposed to allow me to print wireless to the HP printer. I never did have the time to figure how to make it work yet but the capability is there. I found some information on the web that allows PPC with WiFi to sync with the computer. However I use an after market sync cable to sync and charge the Toshiba when I travel and see no need to sync wireless yet. The sync cradle is ease to use but heavy, I leave it home.
I can surf the net or get my email from the device using the WiFi network at home. My company is deploying WiFi network and while the notebook connection is well supported and works well, the support for PPC is limited. I am waiting for my IT guy to get all the bugs work out with the PPC WiFi access.
Various reviews on Toshiba e750/e755 state that the look of the device is plan or not attractive. I thought otherwise, I found the Toshiba is well designed and good looking. The case feels solid. The placement of the left thumb scroll button is at the right place. The unit feels good in my hand. The device can be wakening up with the 4 buttons at the bottom and the side recording button on default setting. While this is great for connivance, I recommend that the function to be turned off. You do not want to turn on this device by accident and drain all the battery. The side recording button can also be remapped to do something else. While the recording button is at an easy place to access, it can also be push inadvertently when pulling the device out of it case. You would need to reload all the programs if you drain all the battery from the device. My advice is to back up the PPC with either one of the memory card or with the on board 31.10 MB ROM, and with the computer you are syncing with. Restoring with a memory card/on board ROM or from the computer is easy. I have restored a few times on the road with the SD card and it just works. If you use a hand held device, I suggested that you backup it up every time you load a new program.
The soft reset button locates on the left side and requires the push of the stylus. The stylus is cheap looking and is just made from some black plastic. I promptly replaced it with a metal and plastic one with a build in ball pen. The hard rest and WiFi on-off button is located at the bottom of the unit. I always leave the WiFi on as it can be turn on and off via the touch screen. There is no need to turn off that WiFi from the bottom. Stay away from the bottom as you might do an unintended hard reset and lost all your data and program.
Since it is always in the cradle or connected to my sync cable. My Toshiba is always fully charged and I have never run out of juice when I take it along with me. You can turn off the WiFi and reduce the processor speed from 400 MHz to 200 MHz to reduce power ususage. I just turn off the WiFi via the the touch screen and never bother to step down the the precessor speed.
MP3 music plays very well on this device. MP3 music sounds better on this Toshiba than my laptop using Window Media Player (9 series) with head phones. Install an Ipod like skin on the PPC and with a large memory card, this device will function as a look alike Ipod. The phone jack is located at the top of the unit and you can leave the Toshiba sitting in the cradle, you can hear music as long as you want and still have the Toshiba fully charged. The only draw back is that it will not play ACC files from iTunes.
There are games and e-books that can be loaded on this device. Personally I don't use either as I live in LA Metro and I commute by driving. For those people who commute by other means, this might be a good device to get rid of boredom.
After I bought this Toshiba, I started to search for applications that I can use with it. There is tons of software available. There are software that allow you to copy a DVD movie to a memory card and watch movie. Sprint has a wireless CF card that you can put in this Toshiba and you can surf wireless and get email as if you are connected to a land line. I use Verizon wireless and Verizon do not have a wireless CF card. This is the only advantage that I can see that HP/Compaq has. With a PC Card sleeve, the HP/Compaq could accept a PC card and that means you can use any wireless phone company's PC Cards. I am considering switching to Sprint when my Verizon contract expires to get that Wireless CF card.
I have download maps, driving directions in both DOC and PDF files. It prevents me from getting lost when I am traveling. There is also GPS software and receiver available to add to this device. While this sounds a great thing to have, I resisted as I do not want to keep adding stuff to this device and it would defect the purpose of owning a PPC. I do not need a device that can do everything, just the things I want it to do. The point is that this Toshiba is very versatile and can be tailored to suit just about every need.
This Toshiba has a fast processor, beautiful 3.8 inch screen, compact size compare to HP/Compaq hand helds, large on board memory, built in WiFi. My Toshiba runs Window Pocket PC Version 4.20. Microsoft just released an update to this and Toshiba announced that update will be available to owners. This update would allow this device to view both portrait and landscape.
While this Toshiba e750/e755 is being replaced by the new e800 series. It is still available at some places for a discount. If you do not need the VGA display, save some money and get this e750/e755. The only different between the e750 and e755 is that the e755 has Arcsoft Software that allows you to read and edit picture files. I uninstall it as I use Resco. Resco read TIFF files directly taken from my Minolta Dimage X.
There was no really need for me to get this Toshiba other than just wanting to play with a new gadget. But the more I use it, the more I like it. I keep finding new things that I can do with this device. This should keep me busy for quite a while trying and testing new applications. It is like the microwave oven that we never did have and after we have it, it is a thing that we must have.
One last tip, Handango is a good place to shop if you need to purchase software for your hand held. You can get a 15% discount at Handango by joining Geekzone. It is free to join.
http://www.geekzone.co.nz
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 300.00
Recommended for: Business Executives - Powerful and Professional
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Epinions.com ID:
eddiey18
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Member: Edward Yee
Location: Southern California
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 1 member
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