Ask savvy users to describe an ideal Pocket PC and they'll talk about a small, sleek device with a super-fast processor, easy-to-read color display, lots of internal memory, and at least two expansion card slots. They'll want as much battery power as they can get, and will demand that their ideal Pocket PC accept user-replaceable spare batteries. They'll also want some form of wireless connectivity. Sound like a dream? Well, wake up and take a look at the Toshiba e740 Pocket PC 2002, the latest entry into the world of Pocket PCs.
Toshiba's sleek device weighs in at just over 6 ounces and is powered by Intel's new 400MHz PXA250 XScale processor. It has an ample 64MB of internal RAM and 32MB of FlashROM, and a 64K color display. It has two built-in card slots: one CompactFlash Type II and one Secure Digital (SD) slot. Finally, it has built-in 802.11b wireless capability. The e740 is the first Pocket PC on the market with an XScale processor and built-in wireless LAN capability. This raises the Pocket PC bar tremendously; other manufacturers will have to jump a little higher to catch the attention of potential users.
Sleek, compact, feature rich
At first I thought the e740 was too boxy, but my opinion changed after holding
it in my hands and using it for a few hours. I still like the looks of the first
Toshiba better (the e570) but the e740 starts to grow on you after a while. The
well rounded sides make it very comfortable to hold in your hand. The sides of
the unit have a raised plastic edge that seats perfectly in the channels of the
sync cradle. The plastic edge also provides a kind of non-slip grip while in
your hand.
The slip-on vinyl slip case that comes with the e740 is not my favorite style of case. I prefer a clip-on leather case with an open face that lets me use the Pocket PC without having to remove it from the case. A number of these are available, including the Slim Case from HandheldPlanet
(www.handheldplanet.net). Versions for the e740 are expected in the near future.
I replaced the case that came with the e740 with the flip-open, clip-on Slim Case from HandheldPlanet.
On the left side of the e740 are the recording button, Toshiba Scroller, infrared port, reset button and battery lock switch. The record button sticks out a little, which is OK if you use the voice record feature frequently and like one-handed operation. But the record button is also prone to accidental activation. If you don't use the record feature, you might want to disable it. The Toshiba Scroller is a rocker switch that lets you scroll up and down in applications and move through dialog boxes. Pushing in on the Scroller is similar to clicking a mouse button; it lets you select an item in a list, or activate an option in a dialog box. The placement of the infrared port on the left-side of the e740 is a little inconvenient when beaming data. It forces you to hold the unit awkwardly in a sideways fashion while transferring data. This is one feature I wish they would change and put on top like other Pocket PCs.
Located on the top of the unit are the headphone jack, microphone, CompactFlash slot, Secure Digital slot, CF eject button, and stylus silo. On the top front are the on/off button and LEDs for power/alarm and Wi-Fi status. The four application launch buttons, the navigation pad, and the speaker opening are found on the lower front. On the bottom of the e740 are the USB sync port and the jack for the AC power adapter. Toshiba has placed a metal collar around the sync port, which helps guide the sync cable or cradle connector into the port. There are also two small on/off switches on the bottom of the unit: one connects/disconnects the battery; the other turns the 802.11b wireless transceiver on/off. If you're not using wireless, turn it off to save your batteries.
User replaceable battery for extra power
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