Asus A636 questions

[robby21]

Hello everybody,

I plan to buy a PDA soon and I think about the A636.

Can someone tell me about the battery life in Wifi use ? also the A636 have

802.11b and not 802.11g,

is it slow when surfing on the web ?

Also about the GPS function, I have no idea how it works, how about the maps,

can we have new maps if for example you go on another country for travel, do

you have to subscribe to something ?

thanks all

[robby21]

Also how about Skype, do you guys think that 802.11b will be enough ?

[RedRamage]

I don't have a whole lot of knowledge about the 636, I have a 696. But here's a bit of general knowledge:

First of all, the 636 is a few generations old. The 639 replaced the 636, and then the 696 is the newest ASUS GPS enabled PDA. I'm trying to find stats on the 636 and not getting them so far. My understanding is that is doesn't have the fastest of processors, which makes sense being two generations old. It also is limited in not having a large amout of internal memory. I'm pretty sure it also is running PPC 2003, which is an older version of MS operating system.

Here's how some of other ASUS devices compare:

A636N - This version, denoted N (perhaps for networking?) has b+g wireless.

A639 - A step above the A636, it has a slightly new face. The internal guts are pretty much the same as the 636, except it also sports bluetooth and has 1 gig of internal memory for storing maps. Not sure what OS it runs.

A696 - more than just a step up from the 639, the 696 has a complete re-design of the unit. It has a faster processor than the previous models and also does away with the swivel antenna, instead incorporating an internal GPS antenna. The A696 does NOT feature the large internal memory of the 639 but does run WM 5 or 6 (WM5 is upgradable to 6) which allows for High Capacity SD cards of 8 Gigs or more.

BTW, there is also a 626, which is just a 696 without the bluetooth.

Okay, that's what I know on model numbers. Now, for GPS:

There is no fee for using GPS, it just receives the sat signals and plots your position from there. The 696 comes with Destinator program and maps. I know my came with US and Canada. Units sold in Europe probably comes with European maps.

If you want additional maps for other locations, or new updated maps for your existing locations (roads change over time after all), then you need to pay for them. And those maps can be pretty expensive. You do not need to use the software maps included with the PDA (if the 636 has any).

[The Loc-Man]

I have a A696 also, and its a great device. I live and bought it in the UK, and you get no GPS software included with it, not even Destinator, so you will need to get some buying in rip off UK again mind!

With the internal antenna, I get a great signal in my car, and makes the deive look much neater

[Barry Rau]

"BTW, there is also a 626, which is just a 696 without the bluetooth."

I just wanted to point out that the A626 is exactly the same as the A696 and does have BT but does not have built in GPS. I have an A626 w/WM6 upgrade, they are nice units and can support SDIO GPS or external BT GPS.

Cheers
BR

[The Loc-Man]

I upgraded fromn an iPaq 2210, which had BT, and an external BT GPS unit.

I wanted an all-in-one device, ie GPS,BT,WiFi, Win Mobile for everything books, apps, games etc.

Cant think really what else you need. the A696 is great, its so convenient having an all-in-one, just take one devic ewith you for travelling, rather than I used to do, power up external BT GPS, switch on iPaq, ,make sure all charged, get them connected etc etc.

Asus A696, switch on away you go!

I still have to sel my iPaq and external GPS actually, there both in great nick still, how much you reckon I'll get, all boxed, brand new condition, screen protectors always used, Official Tom Tom iPaq 2210 car kit charger etc