Periodic updating of the model range has become a characteristic phenomenon of the market for handheld computers. At least for the past six months, virtually every major manufacturer of handheld managed to provide improved versions of handhelds in the lines or even form a new model series. Was no exception, and Toshiba. Announced this fall, two new handheld computer - e400 and e800 - are planned upgrade. This article focuses on the younger typewriter - e400.
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Oh, and, in principle, a reason to upgrade is quite significant - it is out of the operating system Windows Mobile 2003. Of course, many manufacturers have tried to install it on already produced a model, but are faced with certain difficulties (eg, Dell). So we decided not to play with fate, and benevolence of its users, just released a new model. Perhaps in this way looks rationale output model Toshiba e400 (to be precise, this 400-I series, consisting of two computers, since there is still a model e405, intended for sale in the U.S.). But is not that simple, since this model the average price level contains a large number of changes compared to its predecessor e350, providing new opportunities for mobile users.
Design and Ergonomics
Primarily, the changes relate to the design, which has become even sleeker and more ergonomic, but retained the traditional forms of austerity for Toshiba. It is not that used by design repels, rather, on the contrary, it draws and disciplines. Probably, it should look like the perfect PDA, without any extra "souvenirs" to distract attention. Commitment to the handheld form factor e400 stands easily with the size of 125h77 mm it weighs 137, the True, with these parameters can be found many computers, but as far as thickness, here Toshiba outdid all - only 12 mm.
So the opportunity to work with a computer with only one hand is very real, good company took care of this by combining into one "block" all controls on the front panel, which was not in previous models. Five-way arm is surrounded by four shortcuts of applications. Structurally, they are separated by a small barrier to a mistake by pressing and are very easy to move.
But the main working tool is, of course, a stylus, for which there is a place, as usual, on the top right hand side. Stylus, in accordance with the latest trends, is extensible and very easy. Note that the use of light stylus is not very convenient (although it is a matter of habit), but seems to have become accustomed. Producers are not going through the ghostly comfort to increase the mass of devices for a few grams.
Screen
A significant portion of the front panel display is, which is a special subject. Toshiba has long kept talking about how it intends to use higher-quality displays in its new PDA (especially the resolution and brightness). If the improvement of the first parameter to judge by the example of e400 is difficult because it is used for standard Pocket PC resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, to improve the playback quality picture company really worked seriously.All 65536 colors look on the screen just fine. Running a little ahead, we note that the screen resolution of 640x480 pixels is an older model with an index of e800, a review which will appear shortly.
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The company did not disclose details of its new manufacturing displays, reporting only that they're based upon an improved transflective matrix. By the way, the display has a decent 3.5-inch diagonal and structurally more recessed into the casing, which allows them quite comfortable to use in sunny weather, and use protective film, if necessary. To some extent, the new screen and more sensitive to the touch of a stylus, which can not but rejoice.
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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 maximum brightness of the display Toshiba e400 is 126Kd/m2. Today it is the best result of all commercially available PDAs (though in eldest Toshiba e800 screen a bit brighter). Close to the brightness level of only a Mitac 558. It is commendable that a minimum level of brightness is not too high - 12.8Kd/m2 (like Sony NX-60/70 or Sony TG-50). This brightness level is sufficient for comfortable work. Even at minimum backlight display provides high contrast in both the office and on public transport or on the street. But with backlight OFF talking about a comfortable perception of information is possible only under strong sunlight.
"Iron" component
Despite the "easy» Toshiba e400, filling this computer commands respect. The heart of the CPC is a 300-MHz Intel XScale new line PXA261, which is considered more effective in terms of energy consumption. With regard to the amount of memory, here e400 fully meet current requirements - 64 MB SDRAM memory as RAM plus 16 MB of ROM is sufficient even for demanding applications. Took care of the company and the preservation of critical data in case of battery discharge. 32 MB of memory (so-called Flash-Disk) will retain all operating information to which you can easily apply later to charge the battery. In the role of the last acts of lithium-ion battery capacity of 980 mAh.
Communication
Communication capabilities Toshiba e400 minimal, but the company believes that the USB and infrared ports is sufficient for synchronization and communication with the outside world. True, when necessary, use a memory card slot for SD, which also supports MMC cards and features full support for SDIO (slot is located on the top). This fact allows us to use a large periphery of this form factor: External Bluetooth or Wi-Fi modules, digital camera and even GPS-receiver (about the output of such a device recently ran in our news). Although you can use the slot for its intended purpose - for memory expansion. For example, to write to the card a couple of hundred favorite songs and enjoy them at your leisure. Of course, e400 - not your Sony CLIE, but the built-in codec AC-97 in a pair of stereo headphones (for which there is a special connector) provides a quite decent sound quality. You can certainly use and built-in speaker, a traditional "grid" which is seen to the right of the keyboard shortcuts of applications, but that's not it. Naturally, there is our heroine and a built-in microphone.
Performance
To evaluate the performance report the results of testing the device a set of programs SPB Benchmark:
Test results show that the level of innovation performance is closest to the iPaq 1910 and if anything, and ahead of an older model, very slightly, and on some parameters (say, speed of compression zip'om 1 MB file) significantly ( more than 37%) lags behind. Not difficult to see that a serious competitor machine running on faster processors, e400 can not.
Runtime
As for battery life, the CCP we were pleasantly pleased. Given the size of Novik, the test result is excellent. Video program PocketTV "twist" a little less than three hours (at maximum brightness illumination). In the organizer computer worked about two days (daily in the CCP searched and read e-mail contacts for 1,5-2 hours).
Software
As already mentioned, the operating system is Windows Mobile e400 model 2003. A set of related software is quite impressive: there are Pocket Office (Word and Excel) and the same "pocket» Internet Explorer, ActiveSync 3.7 and the latest Windows Media Player version 9, a couple of traditional games (Jawbreaker and Solitaire), as well as the usual organizer . There are several utilities and from Toshiba. Among them are: Voice Recorder (voice recorder) and a few specialized applications (redundancy of information management, backlight, power management, etc.).
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Separately consider only one application, which appeared recently, and PDAs from Toshiba got them one of the first. This program Voice Command from Microsoft, which is designed to control the computer with voice commands. Of course, she only understands English, but who knows, it may take time, and we may be able to communicate with the computer in Russian. The existence of this application attached e400 raid "intellectual" with regard to Toshiba, it considers the possibility of voice control technology to further the evolution of handsfree. Voice Command allows you to "voice" to open and close different applications (currently not supported by all, but it's a matter of time and desire to Microsoft), to navigate in some applications (eg address book) and even duplicate controls Windows Media Player 9.0. Of course, such a system can not completely replace manual data entry, but it is the first real step towards voice recognition computer. Now, if more and speech recognition. ...
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However, such ideas have been Toshiba, the e400 planned to use a unique system of its kind «Text-To-Speech», intended to transform the spoken language (English only, of course) in the text. Currently this system is being finalized, and possibly in subsequent releases, it will be released.More details about the program's Voice Command can be found in our mini-review.
Price
As the start of deliveries to Russia at the launch of new models in Moscow Mission Toshiba was named in December. However, according to our information the CCP will go on sale, likely not before January. According to updated information, the approximate price of e400 will be around $ 430-450.
Output
Toshiba e400 is a worthy continuation of the traditions of the average price segment. Unmatched simplicity and compactness of the CCP, its improved ergonomics, great display, and a good selection of software make the model the best value for users who prefer a classic design and high performance at a reasonable price. Yes, and use voice commands to control the computer opens a new page in the history of Pocket PC, where the handheld computer is beginning to play the role of intelligent assistant, and not just a powerful calculator and a notebook handy. The authors, translation:
