An ebay bargain HPC/PDA for writers; an Alphasmart alternative
Written: Dec 20 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Inexpensive, touch-typable keyboard, clamshell design, instant on/off, uses compactflash cards
Cons: No longer supported, a bit large for pockets, display washes out in sunlight
The Bottom Line: Good, inexpensive tool for writers who can touch-type; frequently available on ebay.
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| tyao's Full Review: NEC MobilePro 780 Pocket PC |
NEC MobilePro 780/790
I bought one of these systems on Ebay (actually my first ever Ebay purchase) for about $120 not including shipping/handling. There appear to be many of these available (used systems of course). While the 780 and 790 support WiFi connectivity, this wasn't my purpose. Instead, while I was participating in National Novel Writing Month (http://www.nanowrimo.org), I was looking for a portable system that, like the Alphasmart systems, would allow me to touch-type text anywhere.
The NEC MobilePro 780 (and 790) systems are terrific tools for writers. It is possible to load them with a freeware Windows CE version of the vim editor (see http://www.vim.org for general vim information and http://www.rainer-keuchel.de/wince/vim.html for vimce information) for those who prefer not to have their hands leave the keyboard.
The DSTN screen, which displays 65k colors, is touch sensitive; you can either used the included stylus or else your fingernail as the mouse for the system.
The MobilePro also comes with Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, etc, and you can use Microsoft ActiveSync to synchronize the system with a PC. Alternatively, it can be more expedient to copy files to/from the compactflash cards.
If you are a writer, I strongly recommend this tool.
Advantages:
Not very expensive (~ $100 )
Almost a full-size keyboard: easily touch-typable
Protective clamshell design
Instant on/instant off (Windows CE)
Uses compactflash cards--very inexpensive storage
Battery charge lasts several hours
Some UNIX utilities like vimce are available
Small enough to take almost anywhere
Touch sensitive DSTN display
Disadvantages:
- No longer updated
- WiFi possible with MobilePro 790 , but drains battery
- Too big for a pocket
- Windows CE is buggy and the system sometimes needs to be reset
- Display washes out in direct sunlight
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 120
Recommended for: Students - Stylish and a Best Value
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Epinions.com ID:
tyao
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Member: Tim Yao
Location: Illinois, USA
Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 3 members
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