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This is probably not the product which one wish to use daily. A synchronisation with today's computers is not easy (no matter if Windows ones or Linux or Mac ones). But it's a piece of Linux handleld history and there still can be use for it. The display is surprisingly readable and it's PIM appplications, while not perfect, can still be easily used. It can also exchange basic PIM data (calendar events, todos and contact) with other similar computers (Palm Pilot ones, for example). It is also possible to take quick notes, make and save simple sketches or to listen musit (please note that ! GB SD card and 2 GB CompatFlash cards are maximum that in can use). The keyboard is tiny but one can learn to use it for relatively fast typing. For easier use I recommend to install operating system on the SD card (one can use the "Cacko/Crow" OS for that). There are some things which can be issues for modern uses: - battery life in full use is only abou 3 hours (but it can endure more than a week in suspend) - there is no USB for connection nor for charging, a special Sharp AC adapter must be used a spoecial cable is required for its synchronisation with a computer - there is no wireless (no WiFi nor Bluetooth) and the compatible CompactFlash WiFi cards are usually useless in modern WiFi networks. But ethernet cards in CompactFlash format usually works (but do noc expect any wonders here, the device has no WWW browser which can survive in modern WWW environments). If you really want to use a Zaurus, I recommend the clamshell ones (SL-Cxxx), they have better LCD, better keyboards and usually a much bigger battery. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I've been trying for ages to find this product, it has plenty of storage and using the Linux OS which is stable and very usable. A thoroughly recommended buy.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The Sharp SL-5500 ('Collie') is now available fairly cheaply, and this was a good-quality unit and the first that I have had with a box. Since it was supplied with OpenZaurus already installed, I have not needed to make any changes because it's quite usable. There are many projects that such a unit could be used for, including robotics, a wi-fi access point, DNS/DHCP/web server (dnsmasq and a small web server), emulation or as a portable wi-fi tool. I'm currently experimenting with distributed processing and I may make this part of a cluster, and at present I am doing tests to see what the StrongARM CPU is capable of. The display is a 320x240 front-lit reflective TFT, and is easily-readable in bright daylight. With units of this age, the screen light - possibly CCFL - starts to dim a little, depending on use; this model's light was still quite bright. One drawback of the SL-5500 is that the built-in speaker can only be used for the occasional beep or warning sound: there are a number of fixed sounds which can be sent to it, and that's your lot - so playing mp3s through it is not possible. Fortunately, all you need to do is plug a small set of amplified speakers into the headphone socket, and it's sorted. I would recommend this PDA to anyone familiar with Linux, and who is willing to experiment a little. The default Sharp software is stable but limited, and so I'd recommend installing OpenZaurus (3.5.4) with either a choice of Opie or GPE (for the quality of applications, I recommend Opie). The Angstrom project have been working on a 2.6 kernel for some time, but I have stuck with 2.4 because it's fast and well-tested. One note of caution: 64MB of RAM and a 206 MHz StrongARM CPU was a very good specification for 2002, but not so for 2010 - so don't expect the Collie to run complex apps such as Firefox - try gpe-mini-browser instead.Read full review
For all us Linux aficionados here's a PDA which runs a GNU Linux flavour. This little machine is reputed to be quite rare. There were two on e Bay at overlapping periods when I won this, and certainly there was fair interest. Physically the machine is quite chunky, it's not a Palm, Blackberry or I Phone in it's styling. It's not ugly by any means though, coloured in a silver finish with a nice big screen. Any criticism of it's size is not valid really as it's older than the aforementioned three, and is probably of retro interest anyway! The Linux version it runs is Qtopia based Embedix Plus. QT software being a subsidiary of Nokia. Hardware wise that biggish frame contains an Intel SA-1110 Strong ARM processor running at 206 Mhz, 64 MB Ram, 16 MB Flash, and generously both a Compact Flash and SD card memory slots. Launching applications feels nippier than a Dell Pocket PC I owned with similar hardware specifications. The screen when calibrated is nice and responsive, you don't feel as with some touch screens that there's a huge layer in between your point, and what it's touching. Aesthetically the icons and the GUI are functional, not beautiful pretty, but nice to look at. Everything on screen is spaced well and easy to read. There's no wallpaper image, so I suppose this is why it looks a slight Spartan compared to more modern PDAs or Mobile Phones. Applications it comes with are the standard Text Editor, Voice Recorder necessary types amongst others, plus a few interesting ones such as, Opera Web Browser, City Time so you don't miss that connecting flight,and Hancom Presenter for viewing Powerpoint presentations on the go. Obviously being Linux a wealth of software is available for it, whether it's applications, or tweaking to your hearts content. Over and all it's a great little PDA with a lot of settings to play about with, a nice screen, useful quick action buttons, good applications, and as I investigate further I look forward to delving in to the library of available software. Finally I'll say for those of you perhaps nervous about what you've heard of Linux and installing software, this PDA has a package manager so it's just a download and automatic installation, similar to Debian, Ubuntu and like.Read full review
An Awesome Device that is much more than just a PDA. This thing can be used as a MEDIA PLAYER too! Supports MP3, MP4, and JPG It can be a mobile email tool, a fun games console, or a Media Player. True Genius device. Buy one now you wont be disappointed.
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