POLL: Which one do you want?

[Moose or Chuck]

Yes, a Casio can run two PC Cards. Especially with Casio's new PC Card sleeve for the E-200. And it could before with a small CF->PC Card adapter.

[Warren]

Wait, so I can get a sleeve for my EM-500 to use CF cards? That would be so sweet. <br><br>Oh, and Casio will thriumph, not Compaq . Compaq was rated number one because it's USER FRIENDLY, do you people want to use a USER FRIENDLY device? I think not! Plus I like the Casio better, better screen, better placement of buttons (in my opinion, and the d-pad doesn't have the speak in it, so your finger doesn't muffle the sound), better design (in my opinion), and the name is cooler, CASIO! Say it with a super Japanese accent, CAAAAAAAAAAAAASIO! It just sounds cool. And Casio makes cool keyboards (the musical ones! Not computer ones!).

[AdNauseam]

No one has really done a step by step comparison of the devices yet.<br><br>They both share mmc slots, 64/32 ram/rom, strongarms, similar button configs and reflective screens(I actually would prefer one half the time, as my casio's screen isn't good outside, without cranking up the backlight), .  Ipaq probably has slightly better software, but we can't comment on this until the e-200 is out.  They also both have PC card sleeves.<br><br>The differences are that the Casio has a CF II slot built in, and USB host support.  This is good, as you won't be forced to buy peripherals that are designed specifially for the PPC.  You can also attach printers and such.  Battery life will be affected, but it's a small price to pay.  And you can get a small cap for the base which will allow backwards compatability with the e-1XX ports, and give you a usb port as well.<br><br>Hmm...think that's it for the e-200<br><br>On the other hand the ipaq can come with bluetooth, which is great if you already have it, or are willing to invest in it.  It also is basically an updated design of the original, with all the kinks worked out.<br><br>I personally will go with the casio, as it has USB, which I'd find useful(quake with a mouse?) and CF II support built in, which allows me to use my cards.  The Ipaq doesn't have as many features and costs just as much.<br><br>Of course this is baring any problems like the button press issue(Palm did it right, why can't PPCs?), or a device failing easily(like the original ipaq)

[Dan East]

Don't forget that the USB support is totally dependant on drivers. Just because you plug it in doesn't mean it will work. Vendors have historically been extremely slow to produce drivers for Windows CE devices, be it CF devices or otherwise.<br><br>Dan East

[Matt Keys]

Yes, Dan is correct. Personally I think we will be seeing the majority of drivers coming not from the manufactors, but by programmers like bitbank and so on.

[AdNauseam]

But the important thing is that the hardware already exists, and is easy to obtain.  <br><br>It isn't hard to write drivers (well compared to designing and bringing to market a custom piece of hardware) and  generic drivers will probably be made availible by casio.   And most usb devices will run with generic drivers.  I can think of keyboards, mice, usb keychains, probably drives and printers as well.

[cc1012]

Can anyone tell us the price level for Ipaq and also the price for Casio?

[superman]

Both are MSRP $599. If you want bluetooth in the iPaq, you have to pay an extra 50 bucks. Usually, if you look around, you can find both of them for $100 less than MSRP.