Customer Reviews

Casio Cassiopeia E-100 Palm-Size PC

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Functionality, that's what this machine is all about. For all those palm heads that say, simpler is better, why are companies such as Sony and Visor scrambling to manufacture PalmOS devices with added features? Stick with WindowsCE, they are already on version 2.x, working on 3.0 and have experience developing Palm size PC's with color screens so don't worry about this platform being dead. If you buy a Casio, you won't regret it. If you can think of something to do on this machine, it will be able to do it. 131mhz, 16mb ram, 16mb ROM, TFT Color display, this thing has more punch than my last laptop. Sure it's a little temperamental, but so are most SOTA technological wonders. To all those who say the Palm is more reliable, I say, you are probably right...now take your Palm, get back in your horse-and-buggy and get out of the way of progress!

For those of you considering the HP 430SE, don't. I've seen both in the store and the Casio has a FAR superior display. To get an idea of what I'm talking about, go to any computer store, and ask to see a laptop with a DSTN display (notice the ghosting as you move the cursor, slightly blurred display, ...), then ask to see another laptop with a TFT (notice the razor sharp display, rapid response to onscreen changes, wide viewing angle...) display. You will no doubt like 99% of people go with the TFT display. The display is the most important item on any computer as you are looking at it 90% of the time you are using the machine. Don't compromise on display quality, and Casio is the ONLY company right now who manufactures a Palm Size PC with a TFT display. Sure, HP has the bragging rights to the fastest processor (133Mhz vs 131Mhz) but those 2mhz ain't going to save your eyes.

I use this technological wonder every day. Task management, scheduling, email, scrabble, spreadsheets, mp3 playback in stereo, if you can think of a use, there is software for it. One note though, when you go to buy this or any other Palm Size PC, invest in some screen protectors, because no matter how careful you may think you are, writing with a sharp object on a smooth as glass, plastic surface, WILL make scratches...

My $.02 ..

I have had both the Palm V and Cassiopeia E-100. The Cassiopeia is empressive when demoed but when it actually comes down to what you will use the Palm V is a lot easier to use and carry around. The Cassiopeia display doesn't work well outdoors cause you can barely read the screen and the battery runs out in a day or two ... where the palm 5 you can carry around for a month or so.

If it's just basic PDA functions you need, a Palm is probably a better choice. But for a power user looking for mobile Web access, real mobile email (using your own ISP), MP3, audio recorder, etc, you can't beat a Cassiopeia. Combined (using infrared) with my Nokia 8810, I find it a great handheld Internet solution. Plus you can play DOOM!

BTW, I'm synching it with Win98 and Outlook 2000 with no problems. I know the previous reviewer had trouble, but I'm guess that's due to his particular setup, rather than any limitation with the machine. Win Activesynch 3.0, it's been totally painless for me.

I was in the market for a PDA, I was losing track of my calendar, contacts and todos. I did my homework and researched all of the products that are available today. The full color and "compactness" of the Casio E-100 is such a life-saver. I knew several people who had the 3COM Palm Pilot - but the green screen with gray type just wasn't friendly on my eyes. The CASIO E-100 gives you the ability to record by voice and drag the file it creates to your regular computer desktop. It synchs perfectly with Outlook 2000 (which I currently use). It also permits the user to choose which items to synch - just in case you do not want to select your entire inbox (especially if you are a mail hog.) It comes with 16MB of memory and is expandable to 32MB in a spare PDA slot. You have the choice of using an "online" keyboard, or you may write "freehand" using the stylus. The writing recognition is very easy to use. After using it for one day, I knew how to write instead of tapping on the "online" keyboard. I would be absolutely lost without my CASIO.

I have just recently purchased The E-100 after long months with the Palm Pilot III. I rate the E-100 WELL above the III. The set up is a snap. I also downloaded MS Active Sync 3.0 which makes the sync both at home (Win 98) and at work (NT) much much easier. I was disappointed in the audio play back. The quality is there, but not the volume. Also the file download is slow. Other than that I am very please with the E-100 and so far, would recomend it to anyone.

I bought the E100 a few days ago and I am very satified with the functionality of this product. Unlike palm pilot which is good for mainly storing contact information and todo list, I can do a whole lot more with the E100. There are tons of CE shareware available from download.com and zdnet. I have installed the MP3 player, Microsoft map, a picture viewer, and the AudiblePlayer. Very impressed with the audio, video, and its expandibility. I did have to struggle a little to import my palm pilot data to the E100. Casio has a third party program in their support page which allows you to do this through Microsoft Outlook (97, 98, or 2000). Telephone support was very good. I called Casio 3 times during the day and I was able to get a live person within 2 - 5 minutes. Buy a 16 MB Flash. It is well worth it. I am putting my palm pilot on the shelve.

Moved up from a Palm pilot profesional to the E-105. The product was very solid, the color excellent. The size was a little large but given the features a good tradeoff. I needed to sync the E-100 with two different PCs (Windows98 & WindowsNT). The sync with NT worked flawlessly but I was never able to sync (using Active Sync 3.0) on my Compact Presario (Windows98/Outlook2000). Customer service was never able to resolve the problem as to why it would not sync on Windows98/Outlook2000. Without the sync ability the usefullness of the product was eliminated and I had to go back to the Palm. Seems to be a good product with older software/systems (WindowsNT 4.0/Outlook98) but seems to lack compatibility with Windows98/Office2000 products. Most likely a WindowsCE problem, not a E-100 problem but the two are a package deal.

Excellent product, with its CD quality audio output you can use it like a walkman . Itz more than just a PDA , its a life style. Use it to store audio files,pictures, mail,PIM,games and whatever comes to your mind

I recently purchased the E100 after owning the E15 and a PV200A. The E15 was a little hard to see and the PV200A, while very reliable, did not have handwritting recognition. I compred the E100 to the Palm, and for the money the features of the Casio are much better. I have had absolutely no problems and utilize it extensively for note taking and contact storing. I am currently on my 4th day of using the same battery. This is a great product with appealing upgrade capability. Recommend to anyone looking to buy full feature PDA.

The cassiopeia E-100 is a great mp3 and video player! (very easy to use the win CE player) All you have to do is go to casio's website and look up E-100 and they have a link to Microsoft's download page for the winmedia player for CE.
After that you just install the player on the cassiopeia; drag and drop all the mp3s you want in to the /my documents folder and when you run out of space on your E-100 just get a compact flash card (DIRT CHEAP on EbAy) and drop it into the expansion slot and your ready to go! The only
problem with it is there is ALOT of problems loading games on it
so if your looking for a "gameboy/pda" get a Palm IIIc (I also have a Palm IIIc and that is a GREAT game system but that cant play mp3s)