For most people familiar with the computer industry is not a big secret that some companies in addition to creating their own products, manufactured under their logo, are still OEM-producers, that is selling their models of other brands. Moreover, OEM-products may have the same technical platform as its own product. The most striking example in the field of handheld computers in this regard is the company Mitac, which are eager to produce light Pocket PC platform, not only for themselves but also for several other companies, including Russian Rover Computers. Was no exception and the company ASUSTek Computer, which released its latest ASUS MyPAl A716 and simultaneously sell the company's platform Fujitsu-Siemens. Remember overview Pocket LOOX 610BT/WLAN? Now a natural question: Is there any difference in handheld computers, which are based on the same platform, but "to mind" has brought different companies? It turns out there is. Especially if fine-tuning the company does ASUS. As you may have guessed, today we will focus on your Pocket PC ASUS MyPal A716.
Design
The first thing that catches your eye when you see our today's hero is his size. Called novelty miniature only with great reserve, especially if you remember the previous model ASUS MyPal A620BT, which differed truly compact size and elegance of execution.
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In the A716 the developers added an SD slot and the module Wi-Fi. The result was an increase in the length of 1 cm (if this is excluding the antenna, which adds another 1.3 mm) thickness of 4 mm and a weight of 56 grams. The only dimension which has not undergone any significant changes in the width, - model became thicker by just 1 mm. Believe me, the naked eye, this difference did not appreciate. There is a feeling that the size of the device developers think the last thing. Apparently, the cornerstone were placed the functionality and usability. And here it must be admitted that in terms of usability and ergonomics of the model is very, very successful. It is a pity that the dimensions of the guys a little guessing. Similar to the functionality of Pocket PC Mitac 558 and Rover PC P7 still smaller. But back to the description of the machine. On the front panel directly under the display is large and comfortable navigation button, around which are four, not too far from the tiny application buttons. These keys are made of durable plastic with a special engraving on the surface, which allows for better contact between the fingers and the surface of a button. In addition, this button is very easy to locate by touch.
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Exactly the same engraving and applied around the central navigation button. It prevents slipping a finger to navigate.
Jog-Dial wheel there, but instead there are two scroll buttons "up" and "down" button and "choice." By manipulating these three, it can be a great comfort to work with the computer menu. Naturally, all the control buttons - flash, and you can easily customize them according to your needs for any selected application (for scrolling pages when reading e-books or switching between tracks when playing music). At the lower end freely housed connector cradle or a data cable.
There is also a microphone grille, which is two small holes. It is curious that a special button start recording on your computer is not, so the location of the microphone purely arbitrary. For recording is convenient, for example, to adjust the button "choice", which is located on the left side of the case. To connect the memory card or plug-ins, there are two slots - one CF, and the second SD / MMC / SDIO. Both of them, as expected, placed on the top end computer.
There is a connector for stereo headphones and an antenna module wireless communication standard Wi-Fi. Antenna design can hardly be called cutting edge - the majority of companies in their new models, or use an antenna with a more elegant design (HP iPAQ h5550/55), or even refuse to external antennas, preferring integrated (HP iPAQ h4150/55). However, if you do not often use the Wi-Fi, then the antenna can simply twist and stored in a carrying case.
Infrared port, reset button located on the left side, and a connector for AC adapter - on the right.
Supplied
The set includes a microcomputer itself, a small cradle, AC adapter, USB cable, belt holster, documentation, and two software CD. The bag is made of synthetic fabric with leather inserts.
This cheholchik intended to wear on your belt, and therefore has a special clip and magnetic latches. Externally something like case of model HP iPAQ h5550/55 and is a nice addition when purchasing a computer.
Iron
Processor
Apparently, considering that from the good deed goes unpunished, the developers decided not to change the well-proven processor from Intel. While the PXA255 series already considered obsolete. The most recent samples of handheld computers have on board or PXA261, or just brand new PXA263. How justified such a move by ASUS, shown by further tests.
Memory
RAM size is quite decent - 64 MB, of which 55.79 MB available to the user. Volume ROM too solid - 64 MB, of which 25.05 MB placed under a custom section, which you can use to store personal data or system backup.
Expansion card
As a memory card you can use a memory card formats CF and SD / MMC. In addition, you can use plug-ins in the format of CF or SDIO. It is clear that the presence of the coaxial expansion slot provides ample opportunities for extending the functionality of your computer. For example, the simultaneous use of SD memory cards and GPS expansion module format CF for the navigation program on the roads of Moscow.
Communication capabilities
Of the communication capabilities includes:
- Fast infrared port
- Port USB 1.1 (via adapter)
- Module of the wireless connection standard Bluetooth
- Module Wireless 802.11b standard production company ASUS (WL155).
Display
According to the magazine "Consumer: computers and software, which has developed a special technique for measuring the quality of the original displays, handheld computers, the screen A716 has a record high maximum brightness level.
The maximum brightness is 165Kd/m2. Such a high brightness level does not possess any of the tested earlier handhelds. The minimum brightness level is about 35% of the maximum level - 55Kd/m2. Figure - obviously overvalued, with the eyes would be enough 20-30Kd/m2. Levels of backlighting - eight.
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Adjustment is carried out through the settings menu ASUS Settings. Transflective type backlight equally well perceive information at any level of illumination, ranging from the minimum, regardless of whether you work in an office, in the dark or public transport. The image contrast is not worse than 96% (1:50). Problematic is to work with the image on the A716 for street lighting. Talking about comfortable perception of information is possible only from the penultimate division of the backlight. Unfortunately, the display backlighting off about any normal perception of the text can be no question, the contrast in this case, for whatever ambient light is not working, is very low. The lights could be removed completely, as in recent models of palmOne. However, the developers felt that such a function would be useful to the user, for example, when you need to make a system backup, and battery life is not enough for the minimum level of illumination.
Multimedia
A set of multimedia in our CPC is absolutely standard for a family of Pocket PC: voice recorder, speaker and stereo headphone jack. The only difference in the setup program recorder (sensitivity and microphone volume level) and headphones (balance, bass).
Dimensions and weight
Size Model - 135h78h18 mm (without antenna), and weight - 197 grams. With the antenna length increases by 13 mm.
Food
As the power supply is used removable Li-Ion battery with 1500mAch. It is, in general, and is one of the reasons for such large-sized PDA.
In addition to the standard battery is also a backup Ni-MH battery, activated by a special lever on the back of the computer, right behind the battery.
Performance
The previous model of handheld computer company ASUS (A620BT) actually has seven modes of operation. Such a large variety of modes was achieved by hardware acceleration functions, which increases the performance of your computer, but significantly reduced the runtime system.
When creating a new computer A716, developers have gone the other way, highlighting the five operating modes: - turbo mode
- standard mode
- power saving mode
- turbo mode + enable automatic mode (APS)
- standard + enable automatic mode (APS).
Even such a relatively "small" number of modes of operation for most of today's computers is absolutely fantastic. Gone was the function of hardware acceleration, it replaced the Automatic Power Saving (APS), which can only work in "turbo" mode and standard. This feature allows you to not reducing the CPU clock frequency, lower power consumption. We present the results of performance testing program SpbBenchmark, for clarity, comparing them with data for A620BT.
If we compare with the data on A620/620VT, we can see that the new model of performance is virtually identical to its predecessor. In general, it is not surprising, considering that the processor has not changed, and the other components are unlikely to be updated. So the A716 is one of the most powerful handheld computers at the moment.
Runtime
Battery life was measured by a standard technique in a few (most typical) modes Pocket PC: - in read mode program MobiPocket Reader with automatic scrolling speeds 25-28 characters per second
- While playing MP3 files from your computer's memory (display off)
- of video playback with the flow of 600Kbit / s of memory.
While reading the battery life varied depending on the illumination of 5.5 hours to 9 hours (see chart), when playing videos rookie lasted 3 - 5 hours, and during playback of MP3 - nearly 14.5 hours. So Serious is the difference between video playback and reading due to the fact that when reading e-books computer operated in power saving mode, but for normal viewing video requires mode turbo mode + APS.
Software
Operating System
On the ASUS MyPal A716 is running Window Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Premium Edition. In addition to standard applications running at the CCP has a number of noteworthy special programs.
ASUS backup
The program for data backup as a memory card, and in the custom section of ROM.
ASUS launcher
Simple application manager.
WiFiME
Program to configure the wireless connection.
It is interesting that by using their own wireless adapter, WL155, search the network and connect to it by the record quickly - the whole process takes a few seconds. Additionally, the program lets you change the adapter settings so that increase energy efficiency systems and thereby increase battery life on your computer. The only drawback is the need to turn off the Bluetooth adapter before turning on the Wi-Fi module.
Bluetooth Manager
Manager of wireless connections has not undergone significant changes. Powered by the program from the company WIDCOMM.
This program allows you to wirelessly: - to search for other devices with Bluetooth
- go online (via mobile phone)
- connect to Bluetooth-network
- connect to your phone
- synchronize with your desktop computer
- exchange data.
In addition, Bluetooth Manager, of course, supports the wireless headset.
Additional software
The sales package is a disc with the bonus software: - PaPaGO5 - navigation program on the road with support for GPS. It is a pity that the program is suitable only for residents of Taiwan, and connoisseurs of Chinese
- MapKing - complete map of Hong Kong
- PocketPainter - program for editing and creating images
- MoneyTracer - a program of financial management
- Presentation DX - Viewer for Microsoft Power Point presentations on a Pocket PC. A huge plus is support for animations
- Engineering Calculator - calculator for engineering and scientific calculations
- RealOne Player - Music Player
- PocketBook - program for reading electronic books with the support of the Chinese
- Acrobat Reader for Pocket PC
- Dung Cleaner - a classic game Lode Runner
- Reversi - Game Reversi
- Guess Color - color guessing game
- Gobang - a board game, the analog Reversi
- Moster SIP - support for 12 different kinds of keyboards.
Price
Buy ASUS MyPAl A716 can be priced at $ 500-530.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would like to list the pros who will get the owner of A716:
+ Paired CF slot and SD / SDIO
+ Friendly governments
+ High-bright display
+ Built-in wireless connectivity - Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
+ Built-in backup battery
+ Large amount of custom section ROM
+ Decent battery life
+ Protective cover. Number of advantages is impressive, but there is one big disadvantage - it's dimensions and weight. Compared with the previous model A620VT, the novelty looks like a heavy brick. Besides A620VT already had most of the above advantages. So should I buy A716? ASUS A716 is needed, primarily to those users who require maximum performance, combined with a decent battery life and certainly the presence of coaxial slot CF / SDIO module and Wi-Fi. Analogues in this model a few - Mitac 558, Rover PC P7 and Pocket Loox 610BT/WLAN, but they lose A716 in both performance and battery life. Therefore, there is no doubt that the A716 will enjoy a certain popularity, but, unfortunately, is not as big as ASUS A620BT or HP iPAQ h2210. The authors, translation:
Dr. Pocket
