Entered CNET Catalog: 08/31/2002
SKU: A600PPC
Manufacturer: Zayo USA LLC
Manufacturer description
ZAYO A600PPC is the fastest, slimmest, lightest Pocket PC on the market today.Product summary
The good: Slim and lightweight; fast performance.
The bad: Bare-bones software bundle; narrow vertical viewing angles; cramped cradle.
The bottom line: The Razor Zayo A600 is a fast and slim Pocket PC, but a couple of small issues keep it from being ideal.
Average user rating: from 20 users
3.0 stars
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 09/23/2002
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| Cards are used to suggest scale. | No playing cards actually come with the unit. |
Another thing that'll catch your eye are the blue lights that flash behind the hot keys when you press a button or touch the directional keypad below the screen. A cheap thrill, sure, but several tech elitists around the office were nevertheless impressed by such gimmickry. Not to be left out of the fun, the cradle also has its own blue light that illuminates when the Zayo is inserted and powered on.
In the way of buttons, ports, and controls, the device has everything that you'd expect to find in a Pocket PC. An infrared port, a stylus, and a microphone accompany the aforementioned SD slot on top of the Zayo; a power switch, a jog dial, a record button, and a reset button live in the thumb zone on the PDA's left side. The only aspect found here not common to all Pocket PCs is the DC-power input on the Zayo's bottom, which allows you to recharge the device sans cradle.
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| Power, record, and scroll: things to do with your thumb. | No cradle? It's no problem to power up the Zayo on the road. |
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 Decked out like the Fonz in a faux-leather jacket. |
The preproduction Zayo A600 test unit that we looked at didn't have a case, but shipping models will come with a leatherette protective jacket. The Zayo's computing muscle is provided by Intel's PXA-250 XScale processor. A step up from the previous StrongARM chips, the XScale can run at 400MHz yet uses less power than its 206MHz predecessor. The Zayo also has 32MB of ROM and 64MB of RAM onboard for storage and add-on applications.
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 There's a slot for SD media but not for CompactFlash cards. |
In terms of software, the Razor Zayo comes with the basics but little else. You get the standard Pocket PC 2002 package, which includes Outlook 2002, Internet Explorer, MSN Messenger, and Microsoft Reader, and Pocket versions of Word and Excel. While the extra applications that typically come bundled with Pocket PCs are mostly limited versions or demos, it's nice to have them to test the capabilities of your new gadget; we were disappointed that Razor failed to include them.
The software features that set the Razor Zayo A600 apart from its competitors revolve around the Asus motherboard at the heart of the unit. The Asus settings in the control panel offer some advanced features not found in other PDAs. The Mode setting lets you optimize the processor's performance; you can toggle between Turbo and Power-Saving modes or configure the unit to switch automatically. With the AGC setting, you can adjust the microphone's sensitivity and gain levels. Asus also provides a rudimentary backup program for stowing your vital data on external storage, such as an SD card.
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| The Turbo mode kicks the processor into overdrive. | You can crank up the mike if you like. |
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 The Zayo's fast processor allows for high frame rates. |
The A600's battery life is average. While the product literature rates the battery life as up to 12 hours, that figure is probably calculated with the backlight off and without running applications. Our real-world tests showed that battery to have a lesser lifespan. Listening to MP3s with the screen at medium brightness, we got 3 hours, 2 minutes of life out of the A600's cell.
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 The unit's display gets a tad dark at the top. |
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 20 user reviews
thanks mark
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Cons:
Review: I took your advice and took a look at the Asus version. I don't need the CF jacket, so the standard package was good enough. Although it seems I could always pick that up. The software package and accesories that come standard are more plentiful than what came in the Zayo box. Needless to say I sent back the Zayo box. Did you free shipping with yours? It appears I just missed their special but emailed them and they gave it to me anyway.
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 20 user reviews
Lightest, Slimmest and Most Powerful Pocket PC on Earth!
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Cons:
Review: As sceptical as I was at first, I soon realized the power behind the name. I got the Asus A600 Deluxe Model, which is not only the version sold in Asia and Europe, but also to Asus Resellers in the US. I can't imagine why this is the top seller in the Pocket PC market. The talk about horrible speaker placement, I think is perfect. The only reason it would suck is if you were playing a game and trying to listen to the sounds through the speaker. In my opinion, it's a sexy machine and tops the Toshiba e740 I returned after I found this one and is a fraction of the size. Also, GREAT mpeg video playback. I got mine from a new site a friend referred me to, proportable.com.
User Rating:
3.0 stars
out of 20 user reviews
Slim and powerful
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Cons:
Review: I unlike most of the morons who are rating this product actually own it. The Zayo is not only the fastest pocket pc but overall the smallest with the exception of the ipaq 1910 which is only 200 mHz. For this reason alone the zayo is worth its price. However it does have a few drawbacks. First off the screen is a little dim compared to other pocket pc's. Not a major drawback unless you plan on using your pocket pc to watch tiny video files. The screen is bright and colorful enough for anything else. Unless you place it side by side with another pocket pc(which I have) you are not going to notice it. Secondly the battery life is only average despite the manufacturer claims. The guy who is comparing the zayo to the giant bulky dell axim is obviously an idiot since the axim isn't really portable at all and actually gets really low benchmark scores. I'm guessing he had the unit on automatic which makes the processor run according to what is needed which drastically reduces processor speed. Put it on turbo and the thing goes alot faster. I personally would love a brighter screen but I would like a pocket pc that actually fits in my pocket. You are paying for the units small size and speed. Good luck fitting the axim in your pocket.
User Rating:
1.0 stars
out of 20 user reviews
WHY WOULD YOU BUY THIS!
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Cons:
Review: i used this pda for several hours and I have to say it is just junk. Used side by side this product was much slower then the dell axim i was also looking at. It has a small case but the speaker is in a stupid place (on the thumbpad) The screen was far too dim and the colors not vibrant enough. For the money you spend on this you can buy a Dell Axim, or a Toshiba e740. Dont waste your money and the notice please how all the people saying this is good are upgrading from Palm devices which pale in comparison to modern pocket pc's
User Rating:
4.5 stars
out of 20 user reviews
The BEST Pocket PC
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Review: I bought the original ASUS MyPal A600 (the manufacturer for Zayo, only sold in US while retains the Asus brand name in Asian and Europe) in Taiwan during the Info Month Exhibition. The price was US$530 for the executive edition including the CF/battery jacket, leather case, travel USB sync, etc. Before buying it, I already had an eye on it. After owning it, the slimness, lightness, chic-ness, and the sheer power of the A600 [the Asus wrote a program for increasing processing power that beyond the built-in XScale PXA 400MHz, and saving battery power by scale down the speed] impresses and delights me very much. Just playing with it [read ebooks, watch movies, play games] or simply looking at it makes me feel that this is the machine that worth every $$ and more! And yes, Asus beats the pants off the rest of the pocketpc's in the market in terms of quality, design, and technology!
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 20 user reviews
Generally Excellent PPC
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Cons:
Review: I have the Asus A600 Deluxe version and for the money (it seems to be cheaper outside the US), this is a very good ppc. Easily the smallest,thinest and most stylish machine around (makes the Toshiba 335 look like a brick in comparison), it offers the same options as most other X-scale machines but in a SMALL form factor, albeit this unit is actually faster in most benchmark tests (as you would expect coming from ASUS), my unit also came with a HUGE bundle of extra software, case etc, the only minor flaws for me the lack of a transflective tft screen and the not-stunning battery life when the unit is on 'turbo mode' (400mzh), although if you set it to 'automatic' the machine decides for itself how much juice the software needs and so significantly adds to the battery run-time. Overall, i have to say i'm very impressed that Asus managed to get such a fully spec'ed machine into a case only slightly bigger than my old Palm V.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 20 user reviews
Perfect Upgrade for Palm Users...
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Review: I bought this after losing my Palm IIIc and was impressed with how much MORE I got for the same cash only 1 year ago... Palm/PDA old-schoolers will find the shape & interface familiar & easy to adapt to & the unit is just amazingly well-featured, even for the most jaded technophiles. Techies might find the change of software reshreshing rather than painful, since exported database files are simple to import & there are much more settings to screw with compared to PalmOS... Kinda like the difference btw MacOS & WinXP/2000. Forget what our "PDA researcher" said, & just try to enjoy the novelty of seeing an a$s hole type on the computer (can it do 10-key?). This is the kook that thinks he's a Bible scholar 'cause he went to a catholic middle school. The "expert" who will always be a stubborn fool, because his brain said "disk full" @ age 10 (maybe, he figures: it took all my brain cells to learn what "paq" is, so I must already know all you CAN know... It IS all I can know...<drool>
. Mr. Troll, your opinion is as useful as a "Vote Reagan" sticker if you really think this PDA is the "worst" of anything. Not one feature on the other PDAs was cool enough for me to even notice after 2 hours of playing with all of them, side-by-side.
. Mr. Troll, your opinion is as useful as a "Vote Reagan" sticker if you really think this PDA is the "worst" of anything. Not one feature on the other PDAs was cool enough for me to even notice after 2 hours of playing with all of them, side-by-side. User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 20 user reviews
Asus MyPal A600
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Cons:
Review: If you're looking for the Asus MyPal A600 instead of the Zayo REbranded model, email odea1226@aol.com.
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 20 user reviews
"I like it a lot"
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Cons:
Review: I have been using this for about a week and I am impressed. This is the upgrade I have been waiting for. Size of a palm, very fast. Would be nice to have some bundled software with it. Can’t have everything I guess.
User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 20 user reviews
I want the Asus, not the Razor
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Cons:
Review: This Zayo A600 is a rebranded Asus A600. I want the original Asus A600. Why did they decide to sell it as a Razor Zayo!? Argh!!
User Rating:
0.5 stars
out of 20 user reviews
Very good PDA, Psyke!
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Cons:
Review: I've been researching PDA's for years, this is the dumbest thing yet. For those who think it's good, this is because you probably don't know anything about PDA's. C'mon, Razor the people who made those scooters? For $500-650 this ain't worth it. I can get a toshiba e740 with the same amount of memory + wi-fi for just $480. One thing i'll have to say, that the size is good the and weight. But it doesn't have compact flash memory, and cost more. If any of you wrote a good reveiw, you don't know anything about PDA's. I still can't get why you people like this, maybe it's because you want to see your name in CNET.COM? I really don't know!
User Rating:
5.0 stars
out of 20 user reviews
Just buy it from Asus
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Review: I know a guy at Proportable.com and they have the Asus MyPal A600 - Which is what the Zayo is, just rebranded. I've been playing with it for a couple weeks now. It's the most powerful PDA out there and also the LIGHTEST. Well Worth it. Contact me if you have any questions, I could get you in contact with someone who sells them.
User Rating:
3.0 stars
out of 20 user reviews
A good pocketpc in my hand.
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Review: I bought A600 to replace my Palm M100 and found it very lovely. I like it very much. It fits my trousers pocket so that it's very convenient too! The only drawback I found in a week is that the alarm is too gentle.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 20 user reviews
Razor Zayo A600 Pocket PC
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Cons:
Review: Graphics and Other capabilities better or equivalent to Compaq 3950. Price is better.
User Rating:
4.0 stars
out of 20 user reviews
Slim and fast
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Review: Lightest XScale machine I'd ever seem so far. The performance is very good according to my own test and other reviews on websites.
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 20 user reviews
The only PPC fitting to your pocket
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Review: The lightest, slimmest pocket PC. It's really a good stuff for mobile users. I like it!
User Rating:
1.0 stars
out of 20 user reviews
Looks just like a normal Pocket PC
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Cons:
Review: Nothing creative or special about and there is no wireless, keyboard, MP3 nor camera.
User Rating:
3.5 stars
out of 20 user reviews
Who's actually TOUCHED this PDA?
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Review: Please don't post ignorant, biased opinons of a product you obviously haven't even seen in person yet. It degrades the quality of real opinions. Just because its not a sharp'paq' doesn't mean it isn't a worthwhile product when given a chance.
User Rating:
3.0 stars
out of 20 user reviews
Not bad. A good buy too
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Review: Though it does not bundle others software with it, its still worth the money. Noting is free. Others brand PPC may provide bundle software but who is paing for it? The consumer.
User Rating:
3.0 stars
out of 20 user reviews
The best budget pocket pc
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Review: As all pocket pcs are good this one is good too, enough power for all your uses thge miniamal software set is no biggie because you can download software off the net. 3/10
