Customer Reviews

Casio Cassiopeia E-115 Color Pocket PC

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Note: This is actully a 4 1/2 stars

There are two types ofpeople, those who are organized and those who aren't. For thosepeople who aren't, one of the best solutions, at least to get your days activities in order, is to buy a PDA. But then there is the problem of which ones to choose. Right now there are two that top my list: The Cassiopia E-115 and the Palm Vx (that review will be up shortly after this one).

A Powerhouse in a rather small package: Sporting a very high 131 mhz processor and 32 Megs of ram, a fancy 16 bit screen as well as the new OS avidly named "Pocket PC", the Cassiopia E-115 has almost gotten to that fine line that's one step above a PDA and one step below a laptop. Not only does it have programs built into it like outlook, notepad, word, and internet explorer pocket, but it also allows you to play MP3's and movie files on it in full 16-bit glory. Also, unlike it's rival PDA, the palm Vx, it recognizes your style of writing, freeing you from having to learn the grafiti handwriting style programed in Palm Vx OS. And switching back and forth between programs has been made even easier by the addition of a navagation wheel that is located on the front of the Cassiopia. For instance, if you're using internet explorer pocket and you want to get back to word, simply press the button and the screen changes back to word (and Vice Versa).

Trouble in Paridise: Like it's previous models, the 100 and the 105, the 115 has a rather short battery life of only 6-8 hours, which means that after a full days use it has to be recharged. Also if you use it's modem (sold seperatly), mp3 player, or video player during the day, it will use up the energy in the battery even quicker. Another problem...it's rather bulky and heavy, at around 10 to 12 oz with the battery, compared to the Palm Vx at only 4.5 oz with the battry. Finally, the transfer rate between the Cassiopia and the computer, with the included cradle, is rather slow, at only around 28.8 kbps, which can make mp3 or large file transfer tedious and time consuming when compared to the transfer rate of the Palm Vx (although it can't play MP3s).

Which one is for me?: The answer to the question of which one to buy comes down to what you really plan to do with it. If you need a very powerful and easy to use portable device that can replace your large laptop, then you need the Cassiopia. However, if you want a slim and stylish PDA that is very simple to use and that will organize your life rather than complicate it with more programs and systems than you need, Get the Palm Vx. (my review on that one should be up soon...).

The Highs: Great OS, beautiful visuals, powerhouse of a PDA...

The Lows:...However it's a bit pricey at around 600 dollars, short battery life, relay between computer and PDA is slow, not a huge jump from the E-105 except for the extra 16-Megs and the OS.

The Lowdown: Casio has been able to create a great line of PDA's that have a nice blending of the best of Palm with the best of a laptop. However, it may not fit the likes of everyone who tries it. And until the price comes down a bit, you might want to go with the E-105... And [for its price] the Palm Vx still leads overall in the PDA department.

Power: 10

Organization: 8

Style (ie. looks, weight, etc.): 7 1/2

Extras: 9

Visuals: 9

Overall: (Not a Sum) 8

Revuman: Too much of a good thing is never enough...peace!

This is the much improved Windows CE device and I have to say it is awsome. The cool 16-bit color display beats Palm IIIc's 8-bit and also has so many feautures. Unlike the Jornada 545 it has a Type II slot so you can add IBM's microdrive hard drive (340 MB) so you can add all the MP3 you desire. It may be heavier but it's worth it for all the added features and 32 MB RAM and includs things like pocket Word and Excel and MP3 player also and eBOOKS which are great. Also it has 8 hours continuous use until recharge! Some people say they have problems with Windows CE but with mine I've had no problems and is much better than any palm. All in all I say if you can afford it you sould purchase this product now!

I bought a Palm IIIc. I returned it after a week and bought a Cassiopeia E115. Best decision I made. For most people like me who use Windows NT at work and have a PC at home, it is just much more functional. All software comes built in (unlike Palm) - I have Word, Excel, Outlook and Money. For Palm I would have to shell out more money to buy a worksheet app or a word processor. The Pocket PC, when plugged in to the PC, appears as another folder on the Desktop. You can drag and drop files between the desktop PC and your pocket PC. Simple. With Avantgo channels (or your own custome channels)- you have all the dowloads you need to keep you occupied on an airport or in a plane. With a faster processor and a simpler OS, Pocket PC is now a serious threat to Palm. To all Palm FANATICS - the writing is on the wall. I am not a big Microsoft fan - but if you are going to plunk down the money, might as well make is useful. Fortunately or unfortunately, Windows CE based machines will take over the real palm computing arena. Palm will be beat in 24 months and will have the low end, organizer market.

Well, I'm cheating a little here, because I'm still using my old Cassiopeia E-100. But I didn't see anyone else saying too much about the microphone, which has been an absolute life saver for me! I spend at least 2 hours in commute time each day, and I'm not free to use a stylus or a pen during that time. When that great idea hits me, I can use one hand and record my ideas, and still keep my eyes on the road. That feature alone made the Cassieopeia stand out among the crowd. And one of my best surprises was being able to record a bit of a song off the radio and take it to the store where the clerk could tell me the title. Much easier than me humming a few unrecognizable bars.

Overall the product is exemplary. Honestly the best money I've spent in years.

Not accustomed to products that I can use straight from the box, as I was unwrapping my Cassiopeia E-115 I was prepared for an ordeal, and lots of time consulting manuals & maybe even the 800 number techies. Much to my delight I found that from the moment I hit the ON button, I was actually USING my new pocket-PC rather than playing with it while struggling with a steep learning curve

In fact, the controls & menus of the E-115 are truly easy to use, making a book unnecessary. The Cassiopeia designers have put together an absolutely instinctive product, allowing me to quickly master what I had expected to be the intricacies of menus, not to mention handwriting recognition. Instead, within only a few minutes I was able to enter names into my contact list, add items to my "to do" list, and set appointments in my date book. Later, using auto-Sync to transfer documents and other material to & from my PC & laptop was effortless.

Out of the box the audio is high quality, the display crystal clear and the colors vivid, and an easy on-screen adjustment let me fiddle with the contrast settings until they were absolutely right for me. Among my favorite features are that the E-115 turns itself off (after an interval that I can adjust) and again turns itself ON to remind me of an appointment or task with an audible alarm as well as a flashing light. Add the "snooze" button, adjustable to re-remind in intervals from 5 minutes to a week, & the reminder function is an even more powerful feature, and one that is infinitely customizable!

I'm an independent contractor who works out of my home, often on the road & as such it's not unusual for me to be found doing paperwork at the table of a restaurant. Prior to this I was lugging around my Compaq Presario and struggling with how to best keep track of what data was on what disc. Now I'm walking around 10 lbs. lighter, & routinely toss the E-115 & its optional bi-fold case into my tote bag for ready access to absolutely EVERYTHING! I'm finding it infinitely easier to make notes, update my schedule & access information on the go. Not that I'm immune to the call of a quick game of solitaire, or random 5 minutes with Pac-man, it remains that this gem is a TOOL, and a powerful one with quick responses.

From recording an audio "note to myself" within the body of written a reminder to quickly updating notes on a current project, using the Cassiopeia continues to be the fulfillment of a fantasy. Don't wake me, folks; I'm exceptionally happy with this dream.

You can not get a better review than that first one about the E-115 PocketPC on its basics. But I didn't see anyone explain what those extra bells and whistles are. Or how they can be productivly used. One of my main reasons for going to CE then to P/PC was because when I was handed both systems as a demo. I immediately recognized the windows GUI of CE. Since I already understood how that worked from the desktop it took minutes to be completely up to speed on the unit.

Now with the new E-115 P/PC You can add to the productivity of the dayplanner, tasks and notes with the additional Avantgo.com, Audible.com software and Pocket IE browser. You have the advantage of presetting web sites and graphical content as well as MyYahoo and daily newspaper for static review. Meaning when you sync your P/PC in the morning it can automatically load all of the web content that you predetermine for web surfing when you are at long stop lights, heavy traffic or in a boring meeting. Many majors have a PDA version of their content like the Wall Street Journal and New York Times.

Another handy feature is the Audible.com player that you get with it. You can playback recorded books and reviews that can be sent to you daily. I also get the WSJ this way for playback using headphones or out loud.

This is my third Cassiopeia so I was an old pro at the handwriting by the time I got this E-115. The Calendaring features are easy to figure also. It did thow me a curve to find some of the edit features that used to be so easy to get to on the older units. But later noticed you just have to tap and hold to get a whole new series of menus. They actually have a demo of the the first time you boot up a new machine but I didn't seem to get the drift right then. :-)

One problem I have noticed on my machines is it can still be a little finnicky about sync'ing with PC Outlook and other programs at times. And their conflict resolve it worthless from a help standpoint. I have found the the quick fix to this is usually the Microsoft norm of rebooting. On the back of the P/PC there is a reset button that resets all programs without deleting any data.

I hope you enjoy your E-115. I never leave home without mine.

- e

I have been totally impressed with the power and flexibility of the Cassiopeia Pocket PC. Navigation through the applications is a snap. The game graphics are amazing. The digital music player is so convenient. I can wait in line and listen to music and play a game at the same time. The capabilities are astounding, for example, I am able to dial in with a modem and read my AOL email. I highly recommend this PDA!

I sold my junky old Jornada 430se and made the choice to pay that little bit extra to get the casio machine as opposed to the new jornada. Sorry HP, but the "fake 16bit colour screen" and the absence of the casios d-pad really won me over. Also the casio series are the only models which are supported by the superb games. One up for Casio, one down for Palm and Jornada.

This is one impressive device. I am a devoted Palm user and have owned several, but I have to admit I am very impressed with the power and capabilities of this PDA.

First, the screen. I own a color Palm IIIc, and overall I am extremely happy with it. However, the screen resolution is only 160 x 160, and looks a little grainy, but it's okay. By comparison, the Casio is 240 x 360, and is just drop-dead gorgeous. No contest there.

My Palm IIIc has only 256 colors but the Casio is full 16-bit with 64k colors. By comparison, the Compaq iPAQ is only 12-bit. The HP is also 12-bit (not 16-bit as advertised--a little scandal there). Still, I would kill to have 12-bit color on my IIIc. The Casio's screen is active-matrix but the Jornada is passive-matrix, so it "washes out" when viewed at an angle. Still, the screen brightness is very good. Not sure about the iPAQ, but the Palm does have an active-matrix screen, and the screen brightness is excellent. In fact, it will light up a whole room in the dark. But the Casio's screen brightness is also excellent.

I noticed one thing about the new iPAQ's screen. Although it is noticeably brighter than the Casio's, because it is backlit, it looks somewhat "milky" under lower-light conditions. I work under somewhat low-light conditions much of the time, so for me the Caso has an edge there. The iPAQ is better for bright light conditions. Still, both units have excellent screens.

The Casio has 32 megs of RAM. The HP and Compaq have 16, and the Palm has 8 megs. The just-released iPAQ 3600 ups this to 32, like the Casio. However, you're going to need that 32 megs of RAM, since the memory-hungry Windows CE apps will eat that up quickly. On my Palm, I have over 100 apps and utilities in only about 7 megs of space, and still have 1.2 megs left over for other stuff.

I haven't tried the MP3 capability yet, but I read that a couple of songs will pretty much use up all the RAM. Also, I understand downloading is slow, up to a half hour for a single song. So I'm not sure how practical this feature is yet, but still, there is no doubt multi-media is part of the future of Palm-top computing.

The battery life at 6 hours is acceptable. My Palm Vx will go for 40 hours or about a month between charges--but this is a monochrome unit, so it's not a fair comparison. However, my IIIc color unit, although Palm states 8-20 hours of battery life, really won't go more than about 2-3 hours on full intensity in my experience. Most of the time I find I can run it at about 2/3 intensity and extend the life somewhat.

The Casio at almost 10 ounces is heavy compared to the Palms, which range from 4.4 at the low end with the Vx to almost 7 ounces at the high end with the IIIc and the wireless VII. You can carry the Palms your front pocket, but this is really not practical with the Casio. Still, I don't mind the extra bulk given all the additional power and capabilities. Iin my opinion, it is powerful enough to substitute for a laptop on most trips.

The final thing I wanted to mention is the natural handwriting recognition is very nice. The Graffiti system on the Palm takes some learning and getting used to. At this point I am pretty expert with Graffiti, but I found it was nice to use my own handwriting for once. There is a program for the Palm, called Jot, that will allow you to use your normal handwriting. I've tried it and although it's an excellent program, it's still not as good as the Window's CE devices.

Although I love my Palm, I have to say the Casio and similar devices really look to be the future of Palm-top computing. The high-res color screen, the multi-media capability, the digital voice recorder, the ability to use Windows apps, the ability to use a fully graphical web browser instead of a web-clipping app like on the Palm, and the ability to add IBM's 340-meg Microdrive through the Type II slot are all powerful features. None of these features are really available on the Palm.

All in all, this is a great PDA. Whether you're a died-in-the-wool Palm afficianado or a recently converted Pocket PC user, you're looking at the future of Palm-top computing. And in this device most of that future is already here.

When I took the E115 out of the box, I was terribly disappointed. Casio have failed to improve on design lessons learned since the E105. It is slightly bogger than its closest rivals and the thing that strikes you above all else; it is immensely frail. It is undoubtedly the old lady of the Pocket PC world.

Rheumatism, it seems, is not a predeliction of the old. The compact flash cover is flimsy, as is the sync cover. The stylus fits only loosely into the device. It's also quite heavy and a little too big to be shirt pocket size.

However, despite its shortcomings, of which there are many, I can't help but love it. The screen is second to none; it offers crystal clear images at a surpisingly high resolution. The battery life is very respectable. The short cut keys speed up operation no end. The sound quality is amazing and the operating system truly is a Microsoft triumph.

I am terribly impressed with this little device. My filofax has been sacked and the laptop no longer accompanies me on lengthy road trips. I can prepare 90% of documents and letter using my E115 and email them to my secretary for completion. The entertainment packages are when the device truly comes into its own. Styled not too disimilarly from a Game Boy, boring journeys seem to slip by. The level of software support for the Cassiopeia is impressive.

If you're going to buy a Pocket PC, buy this!