Laptops as a class were born only 22 years ago. In 1981, he released the first portable PC Osbourne one, a kind of miracle, weighing 11 kgs and the size of a suitcase inveterate traveler ... revolutionary for that time unit, the processor with the legendary Z-80A 4Mhz and 64 kilobytes (!) Of RAM cost about 1800 U.S. dollars and sold, it must be said to cheers. During this time, the industry traded twenties, becoming one of the most promising hi-tech areas. And now in the jacket pocket can carry digital assistant, according to the characteristics superior to his great-grandfather a hundred times. Modern handheld computers - the center of a huge number of advanced engineering solutions. But forgive me for this digression, we go directly to our topic ... Not so long ago, Intel has once again updated the range of processors for PDAs. Innovations mainly touched FSB, which was the "bottleneck" and did not allow for full power to implement the possibility of processor XScale. The new version of the processor is running at 200 MHz. Also, developers have optimized the power consumption of such a "pebble" that should have a positive impact on the battery life of devices. In the first series introduced its new handhelds on the "rocks" the company Toshiba, releasing just two models e330 and e750. Our review is devoted to PDA's flagship line - hi-end handheld e750.
What's in a box
Completion of this machine is pretty standard. In addition to the device in a box is a cradle, manual, warranty card in English, driver CDs and charger are not adapted for the Russian outlets. Frankly, it was very sad when it was discovered that the coveted handheld, you can not immediately "feed" and proceed to the tests - will have to look at his adapter or go after him into the store.
No first contact
PDAs Toshiba is not the first year in the Russian market and are familiar to experienced users. The original design line, excellent build quality has always been hallmark of Japanese manufacturers. e750 is made in the best traditions of the genre - the severity of the lines, metal case with black plastic trim, fits the hand, does not creak. The model looks stylish and solidly, not to say that heavy, but pulls his hand just enough to allow good tone. However, in regard to the design of machine almost repeats proshlogdny hit - e740. This is not surprising, because by and large manufacturers have changed the processor. However, consider the building of our new items more closely.
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Above, on the plastic panel has two slots for memory cards: CF and SD, both closed with special plugs. Here, microphone and headphone jack. At the usual place, right, is the stylus. Plastic pen itself, but rather weighty and durable. The body is sitting tight and very reliable. The front side of the panels are the power button, battery power and work Wi-Fi. On the left edge of the shell button to call recorder, Jog-dial, an infrared port at the bottom and a small hole for the button reset, which can push the sharp end of the stylus. There is also a lever for removing the battery. Hardware buttons on their application in position. No only the keys "Notes", both in principle and all of Toshiba. Instead, the Home button to call the launcher (application manager), but about it later. Programs that are invoked by pressing the Softpedia keys are often run with some delay. Joystick for e750 - five-way, quite sensitive, but when it is pressed direction is not strictly fixed, because of what the cursor often jumps on the application that called on the diagonal.This, of course, affects the ergonomics of the overall model, ie, detracts from the user machine. (Especially hard times have fans to play on your PDA.) In the lower right corner of the front side are mesh dynamics. At the base of the CCP are the usual power socket, serial port, switch, battery backup and Wi-Fi module. Moreover, recent recessed into the body and pressed with a little effort the sharp end of the stylus, which eliminates the random deactivation device.
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Gifts from the manufacturer
Scope of delivery has not proved particularly abundant. The same can be said about software. In addition to the standard means of Pocket PC 2002 on a typewriter were all pre-installed two programs: Data Backup - toshibovskaya proprietary software for data archiving and launcher Home - an alternative to the standard launcher that shows running applications, allowing to group and place the program in the menu tab, change the style, and so etc. The program is beautiful and in principle have the right to exist. In short, this is a matter of taste. By the way, this tool was originally assigned to the button Home, which was mentioned above. More on the disks were discovered Adobe Acrobat for Pocket PC, a program for viewing images from the Photo Base of ArcSoft and several programs for use with video projectors, including those on Wi-Fi.
Filling
Zest e750 that is one of the first handhelds based on PXA255 processor 400 MHz. Engineers from Intel has long been accused of that in the XScale processor family, they too carried away with "race for megahertz," disregarding other vital parameters such as the system bus. In the new PXA255 this moment was accounted for, and bus bandwidth increased up to 200 MHz. Besides the fast CPU, a PDA is a graphics chip from ATI Technologies, which has a positive impact on video playback. Clip with a bitrate of 900 kb / c and the highest quality sound is played virtually no loss of personnel and any delays. In general, the road is quite possible to enjoy watching a movie or listen to music. However, if the spread mysyu on the tree and turn the imagination, this machine can find a lot of original applications. For example, among the potential - the use of PDAs as a videophone that operates on the protocol IP? In the presence of special software (such as free Microsoft Portrait) and digital camera that plugs into the PDA slot. Naturally, all this is possible if the quality of Internet connection. The box in which the machine is sold, shows a special module with USB, with which you can connect the PDA to an external monitor or projector. Accessory this course will be optional for us, the Russian Pocket PC users, unfortunately, is not available, therefore, in his test failed. However, the remarkable fact. Such a decision could cool useful to those who are on duty must carry mobile presentations. Again, strong graphic part of the PDA will realize the maximum visual tools in commercials. As you already understood, USB-interface module is the host and allows you to connect various peripheral devices. However, here everything depends on the drivers to work together such couples. Pocket PC does not have its own database, and hardware manufacturers have not yet incorporated this operating system supported list. It is known that, in principle supports the e750 "home» USB-keyboards from Microsoft, but because the plug-in we have not got to assess the duo we did not have.
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Newcomer Toshibu developers supplied by three types of memory - 32 MB ROM, 64 MB RAM and 32 MB of nonvolatile Flash.Of particular value for prudent Users represent the last (32 MB Flash), which are reserved for data storage. Information that is written in them is retained even after a hard-rezet that it dispassionately tested empirically. Really will not disappear! Use and enjoy ...:)
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The presence of two expansion slots significantly increases the chances of the CCP. Universal Compact Flash of the second type can be used in conjunction with palm very wide range of peripherals: from memory cards and mikrovinchesterov to Bluetooth modules and systems, GPS. SDIO slot compatible with all SD, MMC cards. Thus, using, for example, a wireless module, you also have the opportunity to work with memory cards. Toshiba e750 is equipped with a transflective 3.8-inch screen, which is 0.3 inches longer than most of the camp PDA Pocket PC. With the increased diagonals do not change the resolution on the screens of handheld devices - the same rigidly mounted Microsoft 240x320 pixels, because that is now a little dazzled. To the naked eye can see individual pixels. However, the picture on this screen goes bright and sharp. Although the inclusion of observed horizontal "banding", which, however, quickly goes away. Such an effect is observed in almost all handhelds from this Japanese manufacturer. Despite all the "buts" e750 screen produces a very good impression. The brightness is regulated by four positions. Values are perfectly balanced and allow you to quickly find the optimum.
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The handheld comes with a lithium-ion battery 1000 mAh. Optionally, you can purchase the battery at 3000 mAh. He is somewhat thickens the unit itself, but if we take into account the fact that the running time will increase three times, then it can be sacrificed. In order to save energy worth to reduce the CPU frequency to 200 MHz.
Field trials on the duration of the following results: - a game of Everquest on the 400MHz and the maximum level of illumination - about 4 hours
- reading a book at 400 MHz with a minimum illumination level - about 11 hours
Internet
Toshiba e750 is, above all, the handheld for use in wireless and global networks. Wi-Fi module includes the appropriate button located at the base of machines (we told her about your little). His work indicates the orange LED on the front panel. During the presentation, representatives of the Toshiba models have stated that this machine is much more stable wireless connection. We normally do not believe in the word and decided to see for themselves all over. Indeed, the developers have not been deceived. Network device is located less than a minute after the start of the module, and using only the default settings. I must say that the e750 perfectly suited to the web. Duplex sound system suitable for handheld mode IP-phone: the sound can be simultaneously listen and transmit. Video without any problems can handle streaming video. It is a pity that Wi-Fi networks are not yet in Russia proper distribution. Public access points are available only in "Sheremetyevo - 2" and hotel chain Marriott. In one way, and field tested our prototype.
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Our PDA proved to be a good idea and as a mobile Internet terminal that operates on the GPRS-connection. During the drafting try and e750 was combined with a mobile phone Siemens S55.Communication was performed as the infrared port and Bluetooth on a CF-module with support for this wireless standard on the company Pretec. (Incidentally, when installing it found that drivers written for Pocket PC on ARM processors that do not work on the new XScale and want to download the latest version from the developer, so be prepared to do this.) Connecting to the network BeeLine is less than 10 seconds, regardless of the method. The presence of a powerful new processor perfectly justifies itself by visiting the "heavy" sites. Pages are opened and formatted quickly. Scrolling of the contents is available almost immediately, there is no inhibition at boot time. In short, work on the web for Toshiba e750 is very comfortable, especially if we take into consideration screen size and communication capabilities. The only pity is that the machine is not equipped with built-in Bluetooth. Although this problem, as you know, can be easily solved if the buy the blue tooth on the CF-carrier.
Dry figures
By tradition, we met and performance testing using the popular utility VOBenchbark. Presenting the results:
| Toshiba e750 | Toshiba e740 | Mitac Mio 528 |
| Floating Point | 12.68 | 12.64 | 8.03 |
| Integrer | 26.95 | 26.91 | 15.83 |
| Bitmaps BitBit | 138.03 | 213.31 | 11.95 |
| Bitmaps StretchBit | 5.82 | 8.81 | 0.55 |
| Filled Ellipse | 3.73 | 1.93 | 1.07 |
| Filled Rectangle | 11.21 | 8.95 | 1.38 |
| Filled Rounded Rect | 2.04 | 1.20 | 0.92 |
| Text | 6.03 | 3.66 | 2.64 |
As can be seen, e750 is not much different in this respect from last year's e740. However, subjectively machine runs very fast. The strategy Age of Empires, even when a large number of units on screen, no brakes, the sound is not interrupted. The game runs quite smoothly and evenly.
Conclusions
Toshiba e750 - really solid, powerful machine. True, appraise its performance is difficult, since at this time produced a bit of software that is optimized for the new type of processor. Nevertheless, the PDA works very fast and has great potential for expansion. As a handheld device, e750 can handle virtually any tasks assigned. Benefit, and performance, and memory allow. For a rational approach, this PDA can become a major partner business user. Coupled with a reliable Internet connection e750 provides its owner and access to information and communication (IP-telephony, e-mail, ICQ). Given the potential connection to monitors and projectors, as well as a USB-host, the handheld will be able to largely replace the laptop. Built-in Wi-Fi, of course, extends the scope of the machines, but only for those few corporate users, which offices are equipped with such a network. It would be desirable to have on-board Bluetooth. For the domestic market while its absence negative. Oh, and for the comfort of a wireless PDA with a mobile phone - golubozuby "communication protocol while the best option. However, it is safe to say that if you want to CCP "executive" class, the Toshiba e750 is very good choice. Handheld, you can purchase online stores computer in the palm for $ 699. The authors, translation:
