Asus MyPal A626

Description: The Asus Mypal A626 is a Pocket PC-based, consumer-oriented handheld device.Compared to other consumer-oriented handhelds on the market, it is midpriced at around $270.You can expand the memory of this unit using Secure Digital (SD), or MMC media.The Microsoft Windows mobile 5.0 operating system comes installed on this handheld.

Pros: Offers IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, IEEE 802.11b, and IrDA wireless capability, which is considerably better than some similarly priced handhelds.By way of comparison, the typical cost of a product with a comparable set of wireless capability is $430.Also, this handheld runs on the Microsoft Windows mobile 5.0 operating system, which is somewhat more advanced than some similarly priced handhelds.

Cons: Since this device runs on Pocket PC, it will work only with Windows, not with Linux or Macintosh operating systems.

Suitability: A consumer-oriented handheld, suited for every-day use.Also, this handheld should be adequate for viewing color images (given that it supports 64,000 colors at a resolution of 240x320).You can use the Bluetooth capability of this device to connect to cell phones and other devices that are similarly enabled.The Asus Mypal A626 supports MP3 playback, meaning you can listen to audio tracks which are stored in memory.This PDA includes Wi-Fi (802.11b) compatibility and can be used to access the internet at various wireless enabled "hotspots".

Value: Overall, this handheld has great features for the money.Nonetheless, take note that about $240 is the estimated street price of PDAs with similar processing power.

Suggestions: (1) If you think you'll enter large amounts of data, consider getting an external portable keyboard for your PDA.(2) To see how this PDA stacks up against our Editor's top picks, check out the Handhelds Feature on CNET Reviews.

CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.

• Manufacturer: Asus
• Part Number: 90A-S5A1002T

• General

• Product Type Handheld
• Width 2.8 in
• Depth 0.6 in
• Height 4.6 in
• Dimensions (W x D x H) 2.8 in x 0.6 in x 4.6 in
• Weight 5.6 oz
• Features Anti-glare

• Processor

• Processor Intel XScale 312 MHz
• Processor Intel 312 MHzXScale

• Memory

• ROM 256 MB - Flash
• RAM 64 MB - SDRAM
• Installed RAM 64 MB
• Supported Flash Memory Cards MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card
• Compatibility SDIO
• RAM technology SDRAM
• Installed ROM 256 MB Flash

• Display

• Display Type 3.5 in TFT active matrix - Transflective
• Display type 3.5 in TFT active matrix
• Image 16-bit (64K colors)
• Display Resolution 240 x 320

• Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0
• Software Notes, Tasks, Calendar, Contacts, ActiveSync, File Explorer, Voice Recorder, Microsoft Word Mobile, Microsoft Excel Mobile, Microsoft Pocket Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint Mobile, Windows Media Player Mobile, Microsoft Internet Explorer Mobile

• Input Device

• Input device type Stylus, Touch-screen, 4-way navigation button
• Type Stylus, Touch-screen, 4-way navigation button

• Audio

• Supported Digital Audio Formats MP3, WMA
• Audio Input Microphone
• Audio input type Microphone
• Audio Output Speaker(s)
• Voice Recording Capability Yes

• Telecom

• Modem None
• Modem None

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 1 SD Memory Card
• Wireless Connectivity IrDA, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
• Interfaces 1 x Headphones - Output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x USB
• Port / Connector Type:Interface 1HeadphonesOutput, 1USB
• Connector Provided Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
• Expansion slot(s) total (free) 1 SD Memory Card
• Cable(s) included 1 x USB cable

• Power

• Battery installed (max) 1 Lithium ion
• Power Device Power adapter
• Voltage Required AC 120/230 V
• Power supply device Power adapter

• Miscellaneous

• Cables Included 1 x USB cable

• GPS

• GPS Navigation None

• Battery

• Installed Qty (Max Supported) 1
• Technology / Form Factor Lithium ion
• Capacity 1200 mAh

Asus

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.asus.com/
• Address: 44370 Nobel Drive, Fremont, CA. 94538
• Phone: +1-510-739-3777
• Email: tmd1@asus.com
• Fax: +1-510-608-4555