Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 PDA

There's an alternative firmware set for this device that can be used to create a mono-enabled system capable of VoIP via WiFi.

So now sharp has given up on america, as far as linux palm pcs are concerned. The scene is desolate, tumbleweeds blow through, and ebay is littered with bargain used and refurbished sl-5500s.

So if you're interested, you're probably looking for a palm pc that does everything, without spending a lot of cash. However, there are some things that you may consider.

First off, the battery supply will probably be finite. Such lithium ion batteries will only last a few years outside of the factory, even if they are never used. A few refurbished and used models come with batteries that are already worn out and don't hold a charge. Mine works fine.

Secondly, the software scene is in a bit of disarray. I'd bet that 90% of zaurus software (that is not japanese) is at least a year old, and has not been updated since. Granted, i was able to find just about everything i want, but i find the stagnancy of the software scene unnerving.

Now, the device is great. It is complex as hell. It will waste a few days of your life if you do something stupid like format a memory card on anything but fat 16, but it truly can do everything. Oh, and i can't sync this thing to save my life. Different ROM versions work with different sync software versions. Not that i care, i just put files on a sd card and move it between the pc and the sl.

Now the hardware is really neat. The design is brilliant in a lot of ways, and 'unique' in one sense. The microphone and the earphone jack are the same jack. You can record sound through normal headphones. Take some time to reread the last sentence. Now the screen cover and the sliding keyboard business qualifies as the brilliant side. Removable battery.. there's even a little door you can open and shut, that protects the sync port. Never seen anything like this.

To get down to brass tacks, this is the best linux pda you're going to get without spending a fortune.

Update -
Spent a few months with this thing, and i can confirm that it can in fact do almost everything. The IR is too weak to use it as a good TV remote, that's about all it doesn't do. I've got wifi and GPS cards that work great. If you look hard enough for software to do something, you'll find it.

I've been running an SL5500 since they came out. Being a Linux geek wannabe type, the Zaurus was a natural. Sure some interfaces are prettier and some PIM apps on other platforms may be slicker but as they say, "Beauty is only skin deep."

My Zaurus sees almost daily use as a network troubleshooting aid on my job in field service maintaining Cat Scanners, MRI's and other medical imaging devices. Slap in a CF network card, configure it to the network and wham! I'm on the network. I don't have to wait 10 minutes for my company issued Win2k pro laptop to boot up. (Did I mention I loathe all things MS?) And yes, besides being a very adept network device capable of a myriad of server duties, it can be a very decent PDA.

The Zaurus is a very capable device with a huge library of s/w downloads available that can make the little guy do just about anything except make toast. (And I'm not too sure that it can't do that.)

The latest ROM (V3.10) converts the calendar and contacts to an SQL based database. A SQL database on a PDA. What will we see next?

The 5500 has treated me so well I just had to add a SL6000L to my Zaurus fleet.

Count me as another satisfied Zaurus user

I purchased my Zaurus sl-5500 over a year ago and have never been disapointed. I choose the sharp pda because of the short lifespan that plagues most pda models (ahem... ipaq...). I had owned several sharp products in the past, including an imported md player , and still have all of them running strong. Sticking by sharp was definitly a good choice, because my zaurus has taken all kinds of beatings and is still running perfect. My zaurus has been dropped in a toilet, fallen out of my pocket while skateboarding, been tossed around all over the place, frozen, and sat on. Although the plastic casing has its share of scratches and dings, the zaurus still performs perfectly. I have it coupled with an ambicom wifi card and have loved its wireless support. I can scroll instant message and surf ubersite from the toilet with ease. I have changed the gui and have added all kinds of software and never had a problem with the system. I was afraid that my lack of knowledge would hurt my ability to use and take advantage of the zaurus's capabilities, but the software is intuitive and easy to use. The zaurus runs great as a stock pda, but it excels in its custamizability and compatability. I would recomend the zaurus to anyone looking for a pda, above any other brand.

Right now the 5500 is around $200 and it is hard to beat this PDA at that price. Sure the 5600 and 6500 have fancier features, but they are still priced too high. The best thing about the Sharp Zaurus running Linux is the enormous amount of free software that has been developed for it. You can make this little PDA do ANYthing! My only gripe is that Sharp hasn't put more effort into making syncing the Zaurus with Linux easier out of the box. It's as if they assumed a Linux PDA would only be popular with Windows and Mac users. How dumb is that? Otherwise, my favorite PDA.