Toshiba e310 Pocket PC

Other products by Toshiba

Product Details

Product Manual [136kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000658CD
• Item model number: E310
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (100 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,302 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 30, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Packaged in an attractive, sleek design, the Toshiba e310 Pocket PC features a familiar user interface and tools powered by Microsoft Windows Pocket PC 2002. It weighs just under 5 ounces and is less than a half-inch thick. Equipped with a 206 MHz Intel StrongARM processor, the Toshiba e310 features a 32 MB SDRAM memory and 32 MB of flash ROM (for future upgrading). It's powered by a built-in lithium rechargeable battery, which recharges via the included USB cradle.

Operating System
Microsoft's Pocket PC 2002 operating system, released in late 2001, offers many enhancements over the previous OS. You'll get improved handwriting recognition, more reliable synchronization, increased security, and the ability to chat using MSN Messenger. It also features new Pocket versions of Outlook, Word, Excel, and Internet Explorer.

Display
The Toshiba e310 delivers brilliant images with its 3.5-inch TFT display. It supports over 64,000 colors and has a 240 x 320 resolution. Active matrix, also called "thin film transistor" (TFT), is the brightest, sharpest, clearest, and most expensive type of LCD flat-panel display that is practical for handhelds.

Expansion
With its integrated Secure Digital (SD) expansion slot, you can easily store and play your multimedia files and carry your important documents wherever you go. You'll also be able to add functionality with optional SD modules, such as the optional Toshiba Pocket PC Bluetooth wireless SD card.

Multimedia
Play digital audio (both MP3 and WMA) and video (MPEG-4) files using the Windows Media Player software. The Toshiba e310 is also compatible with audible.com files, for listening to audiobooks, radio broadcasts, and more. Record your thoughts with the built-in microphone and voice-recording software. You can play back using the small speaker on the front or via the stereo headphone jack. You also get the Microsoft Reader e-book software.

In the Box
The Toshiba e310 comes with a USB cradle, AC adapter, stylus, soft slipcase, quick-start card, and warranty card. It is backed by a one-year limited warranty.

Product Description

PC devices have been slimming down with each successive generation, but Toshiba's e310, which measures only .47 inches thick and weighs 4.9 ounces, is the first to approach Palm V-sized territory. If that weren't impressive enough, the device sports a full-color, reflective LCD; a 206MHz Intel StrongARM processor; 32 MB of both RAM and ROM; and a Secure Digital (SD) expansion card slot. The e310 has all the makings of a groundbreaking product that will have the kind of impact on the PDA market that the original iPaq did.Since the e310 runs the Pocket PC 2002 OS, you can expect all of the usual features, including MP3 and video playback; Pocket Word, Excel, and Internet Explorer; and compatibility with the growing library of third-party software. The SD expansion slot will allow you to add a big memory card for storing applications, data, music, and video clips.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

100 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally......A Pocket PC You Can Love!!, May 8, 2002

By	cdset "cdset" (Saylorsburg, PA United States) - See all my reviews

As a former Handspring Visor Prism user (and a Palm OS enthusiast), I was a little more than hesitant to switch to a Pocket PC with the inferior Pocket Windows OS. After using the dazzling, new Toshiba E310 Pocket PC for about a week now, however, I have been converted, and will never go back to my clunky Visor Prism. The E310 satisifes all my PDA needs and is lightweight enough to carry in my pocket.

Pros:

1) The E310 is very lightweight yet feels sturdy.

2) The E310 has the one of the best color screens I have seen on a PDA. It is very bright and easy to read in any lighting. Where the Visor Prism's screen washes out in daylight making it barely readable, the screen of the E310 is readable in a brightly lit room or outside in the sunlight.

3) Data syncs easily with Outlook 2002 (included on the CD) as well as with Word and Excel.

4) The included MS Reader and Media Player allows me to read books easily and listen to MP3's which I have stored on a 64 mg SD or MMC card (not included). The headphone jack converts the E310 into a very nice MP3 player with excellent sound. (With the Visor Prism, I had to buy a separate Minijam MP3 module which made the Prism heavier and more clumsy looking.)

Cons:

1) The E310 utilizes the Pocket PC Windows OS which I still feel is inferior to Palm OS. There is no way to close a program without going to settings.

2) The colors of pictures (jpegs) loaded onto the E310 don't seem as sharp or crisp as those viewed on the Visor Prism.

3) Headphones and SD or MMC cards must be purchased separately and there is no expansion except for 1 SD slot.

4) Wireless possibilities seem limited right now as there is no expansion slot for a wireless modem (Toshiba does have a Bluetooth card, however, that will enable you to wirelessly connect to your cellphone for internet and email access.)

On the whole, I was quite impressed with the E310. I love using it and feel it is the best PDA i have owned up to this point. Toshiba has successfully integrated form with function. Although I felt that I would never give up on the Palm OS, I have quickly acclamated to the new OS.

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Palm Device - but better, July 4, 2002

By A Customer

What does my title mean? It means the Toshiba e310 is your regular Palm device, small form factor, weightless, looks nice, performs well - but it's only better - it uses the feature rich Pocket PC 2002 Operating System.

When I was shopping for my PDA, I had my eyes on the m505 (from Palm) and then when that was stopped, and the m515 replaced it - I was just a few dollars short of buying it! But, then I discovered this device ... Not only did this device match the m515 in everything, it had SOUND! Something the m515 didn't, I was hoping to use my PDA as a portable MP3 player, and the m515 was just not up to the job!

This thing is a powerhouse! It does everything I need it to do, both for fun and work. I run my own small multimedia business, and the PPC carries all the Excel quote sheets, so I can finally quote on the go! It carries all my partner companies price lists in easy to read Word files.

It can take full motion video - so I am able to plug in an SD memory card and watch my home videos while I'm out and about. And most importantly, it plays MP3s!

However, I've saved the best till last! The combination of this, a bluetooth mobile phone and the bluetooth SD card allows me to send and recieve my email (securely) from anywhere via GRPS! This is what I got my PDA for!

However, a few nags I have with it. The ActiveSync software has a major flaw in it, when you install it, it sets the PPC to "check for connection" every 5 minutes, so therefore, if I leave my PPC in my pocket for an hour, the unit turns itself on every 5 minutes! Wasting a already limited battery life. This can be solved by going into the ActiveSync settings, but the fact remained, it was no where in the manual (which was also very limiting!) and it took me a whole week to figure out what was wrong.

The next biggest gripe I have is (and I only have myself to blame!) is the build quality. It's great everywhere except near the jog dial button, the outer casing creaks and feels very loose around that part.

Also, some MP3s come out with a slight hiss through my headphones, but then, these are just badly made MP3s - but still, the hiss is not present on a decent soundcard.

Overall, I love this device, and give it the highest of recommendations!

EDIT: I've mucked around with sound files and stuff, and found 96K WMA sound files work like a treat through a decent set of headphones... just thought you'd like to know.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My best...... PDA yet!!, September 27, 2002

By	Beeeil (Unionville, PA USA) - See all my reviews

Because of my job and my personal interest, I've had my share of PDAs. I'm not kidding, but I've owned (or currently own) the following PDAs since 1994: HP 100LX, HP 200LX, HP 320LX, Palm Pilot 1000, 5000, Palm Professional, Palm III, Palm V, Palm IIIc, 2xPalm VII, Palm m100, iPAQ 3630, and now the Toshiba e310.

I started out with a DOS based handheld, then switched over to Palm-OS based PDA for about 5 years. For the past 2 years, I've been using the Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC. It has been working well for me, but I've always disliked the iPAQ 3600- and 3800-series for several reasons:

1. It's rather large and heavy, when compared to most Palm-based PDAs.
2. (3600-only) It has no expansion capability except for adding the sleeve, which makes the unit even larger. (3800 has SD built-in).
3. The notorious problem of dust getting under the screen, which is lit by the side-light
4. The screen is bright, but has always been somewhat "milky", or cloudy.
5. The infamous stylus latch is always broken

So it's blessing in diguise that my wife broke the screen of my iPAQ a few weeks ago. It gave me an opportunity to re-evaluate the current Pocket PC market. After researching, I purchased the Toshiba e310 and have been using it for about two weeks.

To put it simply, I love the Toshiba e310. I would venture to say that it's the best PDA I've ever owned. It's not perfect, but it's the best PDA for me at least.

Before I purchased the e310, I looked for a iPAQ/e310 comparison review, but couldn't find it anywhere. Since there are many great general Pro/Con comparisons here at epinions as well as other sites, I'll focus on how this unit compares with the Compaq 3600/3800 series for those who is thinking about switching.

1. Size, weight, and form-factor: The Toshiba e310 is very thin. It's currently the thinest and lightest Pocket PC on the market. At 4.9 oz, it weights the same as a Palm m515 and the Clie 615 (both color). After carrying the iPAQ 3600 for 2 years, this is a very welcomed change.

2. Screen: While it's not as large, the color LCD on the e310 is visibly brighter and clearer than the iPAQ (I can still do a A/B comparison). It also doesn't have the nasty problem of dust getting trapped under the screen that iPAQ is notorious for.

3. Expandability: The e310 does come with a SD slot and there is no way to add a CF slot. After owning the iPAQ for 2 years and having all kinds of CF/PCMCIA accessories (wifi, wireless modem, memory card, GPS, etc), I can say with 100% certainty that I will not need anything other than memory expansion capability in a PDA. This may not be the case with you, so if you need to use CF accessories, look elsewhere. Currently there is only limited SDIO accessories available (memory and BlueTooth), but there will be more available in the future.

The iPAQ 3800-series also has a SD slot built into the PDA itself (not the 3600-series), and it has the capability to take CF and PCMCIA accessories with optional sleeves.

4. Battery Life: Somehow the little unit out lasts my iPAQ by quite a bit. I read a lot of ebooks on my PDA, so I usually have to recharge my iPAQ several times a day (say, 100% to 65% after a 1 hour, especially with a CF memory card installed). With the e310, I find it lasts a lot longer (say 100% to 85% after 1 hour, even with a SD memory card installed).

5. ...

Overall, I love e310's form-factor, screen, battery life, and price. I would highly recommend it to anybody who is looking for a Pocket PC.

(We'll save the Palm OS vs. Pocket PC debate for another day).