Acer n50: middle-class "high flying&quot

Company Acer - the youngest player in the PDA market. Despite the fact that the shops packed with products, Dell, HP and Fujitsu-Siemens, it is stubbornly trying to break into a new area for her business. The first model, Acer n30 and n35, in great demand not used, but the lack of consumer interest did not complain, because belonging to the most affordable price range. But the hand-held computers for more affluent users in the asset Acer until recently was not. The company filled this gap by releasing Acer n50 Basic and Acer n50 Premium. These PDAs differ in the number of onboard memory (64 MB RAM with 128 MB of the first against a second), a clock speed of the processor (312 MHz - a Basic vs. 520 MHz - for Premium) and bundling (Premium comes with a cradle equipped with USB-host). Of the total mass of the current at the time of their Pocket PC identifies the presence of two memory slots and two wireless interfaces for reasonable money. Model Acer n50 Basic visited our editorial offices, so that its present review. The box PDAs flaunts proud inscription High Flyer. Let's see how the CPC meets this description.

Technical data:
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition
• Processor: Intel PXA272 312 MHz
• Memory: 64M RAM (60 MB user available) and 64 MB of Flash ROM (25 MB available)
• Screen: 3.5 "(89 mm) transflective TFT, 240x320, 65536 colors
• Memory Expansion: SD / Multimedia Card, Compact Flash I, II
• Kommmunikatsionnye possibilities: IrDA, Bluetooth 1.2, Wi-Fi (802.11b)
• Battery: Li-Pol, 1060 mAh
• Audio: microphone, speaker, 2.5-mm stereo headphone jack
• Dimensions and weight: 120 x 70 x 18 mm and 150 g.

Compare Ad novelty with its closest competitors, "brothers" HP iPAQ hx2110 and HP iPAQ hx2410, you can, use the "Compare devices" in the "Catalogue of the CCP." On the comparative picture shows Acer n50 Basic in conjunction with HP iPAQ hx2750, which in size and appearance almost indistinguishable from low-end models - HP iPAQ hx2110 and hx2410.

Supplied

Frankly, the delivery is not rich. The box showed up only the necessary minimum in the form of: Mains Charger, Sync cable, tissue cover, software CD and user manual. It is a pity that there was no place for the cradle. The latter comes only with an older model, Acer n50 Premium. Docking station for the new Acer differs from the majority of analogs not only the presence of an additional slot for charging the battery backup, and USB-host. Since in our tests involved only low-end model, then the cradle, respectively, failed to see. However, according to authoritative estimates of foreign testers, it works fine, that is, copes with its main task - to connect to PDA external USB-devices such as USB-drive and keyboard.

Appearance

In comparison with previous models Acer, our hero looks pretty appealing. His body is made of silver plastic with black plastic straps on the sides of the same. n50 can not be called a miniature, but it is not surprising for a unit with two expansion slots. Housing PDAs - rectangular with rounded corners, arched top and bottom ends. Subjectively reasonably good design innovations still far from models from leading manufacturers. The handheld is simpler than his "classmates" from leading brands. Could it be as a plastic housing or the fact that the side plates slightly creaking. In general, the impression at first sight ambiguous. The layout of controls - a standard. Under the screen - the block of traditional hard buttons and a joystick. Shortcuts: Today, Calendar, Contacts, Inbox. Large, grouped in pairs buttons - comfortable, with good tactile feedback. Designed by the same joystick as the lever is poor: first, it is round, so pressing the "up-down" and "left-right" is easily confused. Secondly, the sealing ring from being accidentally pressed too far in favor, so that prevents comfortably manipulate the joystick. However, for both design "features" of the model can be used. Above the speaker is bi-color indicator light that shows low battery and wireless interfaces work. Solution - a common, but in our case is also elegant. At the top end settled connections for memory cards SD / Multimedia and Compact Flash, covered with plastic plugs. Here - a silo, and headphone jack. Stereo - unconventional, to 2.5 mm. Unfortunately, complete with palm adapter not included 2,5-3,5 mm. Omission - quite annoying, considering that this adapter is a penny. At the bottom end - built to synchronize with a PC and a removable battery holder. Battery is removed therefrom. Slot is compatible with previous models. By cozhaleniyu, as we mentioned above, the cradle to the machine is not attached, power is connected directly to the sync cable. The right side is empty as usual, and on the left have settled down the power button and reset, as well as quite unusual for the PDA, but useful control - switch to Hold, a blocking screen and the buttons from being accidentally pressed. That is, in fact, all the controls. In general, the appearance of the new product from Acer can put a solid four. We now estimate its stuffing.

Processor, memory, processing speed.

Heart Acer n50 Basic - Processor Intel PXA 272 processor with a clock frequency of 312 MHz. The solution - a familiar, it is his use HP for my younger two-slot PC iPAQ hx2110. Memory capacity is also common: 64 MB RAM (including 60 MB free) and 64 MB ROM (free for user data - 25 MB). Total available to users received 85 MB RAM. Testing means surprises SPB Benchmark has not brought, except that, as in the case of the Acer n35, have failed one test (File Explorer large folder list). Apparently, this brand of PDAs have any features in the firmware. Acer n50 quite unhurried. He is a bit behind its nearest neighbor in the class (already mentioned hx2110) how to speed file system, and Speed ​​of the processor. However, judging by the synthetic tests, the difference - a small, so it will not be felt in everyday life. In VideoTest new PDA made gangbusters, taking a position between two "brothers" - HP iPAQ hx2110 and iPAQ hx2410. Test results showed that the new PDAs by virtue of playing any video - both mobile and unconverted in the "pocket" format. Detailed test results - in the attached file.

Screen

Pretty standard 3.5 "(89 mm) transflective matrix. Lights - Bright, with 20 levels of brightness, which is enough to work in any conditions. Pleased that the minimum level of illumination is not too high, so that when working with a PDA in the dark eyes would not be very tired. Viewing angles - not bad, about 50-60 degrees vertically and 45 - horizontally. The only negative - on the screen at an angle against a dark background bands appear sweep. In principle, the effect is not very noticeable, but it is still there. More serious complaints to the screen there. But the screens look like the two rivals, Acer n50, and HP iPAQ hx2000, at maximum illumination.

Expandability

Y Acer n50 Basic are present, as already noted, two expansion slots - CompactFlash Type I / II and SD / MMC / SDIO. C using one of them can increase the memory and the other will serve to extend the functionality - for example, to connect the GPS-receiver, or a CF LAN card, or even a small digital camera.

Battery

Battery for Acer n50 quite capacious - 1060 mAh. However, if we recall that the PDA has a Wi-Fi module, this capacity may even seem inadequate. Let's see how long the machine will run on regular batteries.

Testing time work was carried out on a full charge the battery until the warning Main battery low (approximately 20% of the remaining charge) in four different modes:
1. Stress test. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are included, brightness and volume maximum, the CCP continuously lost "hard" video. Opening hours - 2 hours 20 minutes.
2. Normal operation. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off. Speaker volume was set at half the maximum brightness - in the first division of the minimum. CCP is continuously lost in the cycle of the video. Hours - 4 hours 10 min.
3. Reading e-books. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off, the light - in the first division of the minimum, the reading program was carried Haali Reader mode avtoskrolla. Hours - 7 hours 40 minutes.
4. Play audio. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the screen turned off. Play was conducted by Koss Porta Pro headphones at maximum volume. Used the program GSPlayer, files with a bitrate of 192-256 KBps played out from a memory card SD. Hours - 9 hours 20 minutes.

In principle, the result - normal. Acer n50 confidently took his place among neighbors in the class: its battery is better than the iPAQ hx2110, but worse than that of an older model line - iPAQ hx2410. In addition, the battery - Removable, so you always have the opportunity to buy another one "in reserve".

Sound

With the sound of the new machines, things are not very good.He is - quiet and muffled, not enough treble. This does not mean that the CCP will not do to "role» MP3-player, yet his sound does not get that clarity and depth that is inherent in hi-end handhelds like the iPAQ hx4700 class or Fujitsu-Siemens Loox 720. Hardware EQ is not the only available adjustment - earpiece / headphone and microphone recording level. By recorder complaints. He was pretty well recorded speech at a distance of 1,5 m from the interlocutor.

Wireless interfaces

Bluetooth

Fortunately, Acer did not skimp on this wireless interface and set a new PDA the most convenient for today Bluetooth-stack by Broadcom. Connect BT-devices by means of a special manager, all services can be customized to your liking.

Wi-Fi

All Wi-Fi Connection Acer n50 made by the operating system. To control access points and the signal from them is present utility WLAN Utility. Unfortunately, it offers only basic features. For a more detailed analysis of network adapter configuration will have to use third-party software.

Infrared

Here we have nothing new to say. Infrared - standard, not heightened. Use Acer n50 as a remote control home appliances will not work.

Software

On the Acer n50 is running Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 SE with all standard applications, which are often listed in our reviews, and probably familiar to you. A list of additional software is limited to just one tool - for backup of user data.

Conclusions

Acer once again proved that he can produce a quality product at a reasonable price. Despite some minor shortcomings, the model of n50 can quite compete with even the master of industry. Nevertheless, manufacturers still have work to do. It would be nice "enrich" bundling and to think about improving the design of the machine. In general, Acer n50 Basic - competitive "strong middling ', albeit not entirely consistent with the loud name High Flyer. Recommend it possible for users who need a PDA with CF-clotom and two wireless interfaces at an affordable price. C on the other hand, how interesting will this PDA in terms of current market realities (universal "telephone" handheld computers, the transition to a new version of Windows Mobile 5.0 and the associated expectations) - one more question. But, probably, for starters, this new product will be a good choice. Acer n50 Basic will cost $ 350, which slightly exceeds the value of hx2110 and nearly fifty cheaper hx2410.

Cons:
• Small Fire
• not the high quality of execution case
• low sound

Pros:
• two slots for memory cards
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• reasonable price

PS As we reported in the Russian representation of Acer, delivery to Russia, high-end model lineup, Acer n50 Premium, not yet scheduled. The authors, translation:

Eugene Bundina