Linux PDAs: Archos PMA430 compared to Zaurus SL-C3000

Topic: Hot Gadgets

Posted on Fri, 4 Feb 2005 01:56:43 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Linux PDAs: Archos PMA430 compared to Zaurus SL-C3000

Amazon.com

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French site ArchosFans has a 12min video interview with a Archos Product Manager about the new Archos PMA430 from the Solutions Linux 2005 show in Paris.

As you know we had a video report about the Archos PMA430 directly from the CES 2005. What I did not realize then is that the Archos Pocket Media Assistant pma430 actually runs the QTopia Linux PDA Software package from Trolltech. This is also the same Linux PDA package that runs on the Sharp Zaurus SL-C3000 Linux PDA. So it makes sense to compare the two Linux gadgets a bit.

Quick Comparison between the Zaurs SL-C3000 and Archo PMA430:

Comparison	Sharp Zaurus SL-C3000	Archos Personal Media Assitant PMA430
CPU	Intel XScale (PXA270 and 416MHz)	Could not find this info (email me if you know)
Storage	4GB HDD	30GB HDD
Screen	640×480pixels / 3.7inch	320x240pixels / 3.5 inch
Size	124mm×87mm×25mm	125x79x20mm
Unique Features	Full Qwerty Keyboard, Twistable Screen	Built-in Wi-fi, Video Playback at 704x480/30fps, Video Recording with 512x384/30 fps
Weight	298g	280g
Price	$819.00 (Japanese Market Only) at Dynamism	$799.99 at Amazon.com

So if I look at that comparison above, I wonder why did Archos not put a 640x480pixel display in the PMA430. This is a big advantage of the Zaurus SL-C3000 compared to the PMA430. The other advantage of the Zaurus is of course the QWERTY keyboard. On the other hand the Archos PMA430 has a 30GB drive compared to the 4GB of the Zaurus and of course has Video recording and more powerful Video playback. Another advantage is the built-in Wi-fi. Sharp should have built that into the SL-C3000 as well. The PMA430 is also a bit smaller and lighter as the Zaurus.
This is a tough choice, but I would say if you are looking for a hard-core PDA and you have to do lot of text input and surf the web or use remote terminals than the Zaurus SL-C3000 is the better choice. If want also a personal video player and do not surf the web much and have not much text input needs the Archos PMA430 is the better choice.