Introduction
Casio has been building its Cassiopeia line for a long period of time now, and has since branched its Portable Digital Assistant [PDA] line to cover professionals and students in different environments. They have professional models like this EG-800, as well as models to cover price ranges, wants, and needs for all customers.
The new line of Casio PDAs has also established Internet hookups via wireless Internet protocols and desktop computer connection backpacking. And in this model, it also features an infrared IrDA1.1 port for wireless networking.
The rugged design
The EG-800 is a bit bulky but it definitely deserves its professional title with its ability to take a large manor of abuse and splash. The PDA is about the size of a Small Kleenex box and about 20 times as heavy, but yet, it can still fit in your pocket with a bit of jamming. This particular model comes in an ombre blue colour and contains a sleek rubberized closure for any opening holes leading into the device such as headphone jack an AC adapter ports, to prevent water damage. The design is sleek, and combined with a rich 240 x 320; 65,536-color display makes for an excellent viewing experience. The colours really come in handy when one needs a good clean game of solitaire to pass the time in good true colour.
Thinking in perspective as to who this product is designed for, suggests to me that it is suited to someone working in an industrial environment. This unit looks like it would be great for someone who works frequently in a construction zone, warehouse or any other similar environment where there is a greater chance of such a device getting knocked, dropped, or splashed. Another feature which would be ideal in an industrial environment is that the EG-800 has a wider temperature range than most PDAs in which it can be used (-7ºC-50ºC or 20ºF-122ºF). This means you can safely use this device in a refridgerated lab, or use it in prolonged heat. Think about taking along a regular PDA to an industrial site.. I bet with any hard fall or long exposure to heat/cold, or water would render the device useless.
Technical Specifications of the CASSIOPEIA EG-800
| Display size |
240 x 320 |
| Display |
Hyper Amorphous Silicon TFT color liquid crystal, 65,536-color, touch-panel display |
| OS |
Microsoft Windows CE 3.0 |
| CPU |
VR4122 (150 MHz) |
| RAM |
32 MB |
| ROM |
14 MB FROM to Load Application |
| Serial port |
RS-232C |
| USB Port |
Client Port |
| Infrared port |
IrDA1.1 |
| Card slot |
Compact Flash card type I/II |
| Power supply |
Lithium Polymer Rechargeable Battery (small/medium size), Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery (large size), AC adapter |
| Battery life |
Large: approximately 15 hours Medium: approximately 8 hours Small: approximately 4 hours |
| Operating temperature |
23°F to 122°F |
| Shock resistance |
29.5 Drop to Plastic Tile over Concrete |
| Splash resistance |
IPx II |
| Size |
3.35 (W) x 5.31 (L) x 1.00 (H) |
| Weight |
Approximately 10.33 oz. |
| Color of Device |
PANTONE 19-4014TP (Ombre Blue) |
Charge time on AC or car adapter
S - 3hr
M - 5 hr
L - 10 hr
Charge time With Rapid charger
S - 2hr
M - 2hr
L - 130 minutes
Capacity of the Batteries
S - 875 mah
M - 1450 mah
L - 2625 mah
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