The latest, Windows Mobile 2003-powered offering from ASUS is not only the world's smallest CompactFlash-fitted Pocket PC - it's also a slick powerhouse with a stunning display.
Despite being fairly unknown in Western Pocket PC circles, ASUSTeK Computer - or ASUS, as the company frequently goes by - has a reputation for delivering high-quality hardware. This is also the case with the company's most recent Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC-powered offering (breathe here), the MyPal A620. And, although having only one former Pocket PC - the MyPal A600 - under its belt, the A620 comes off as a solid Pocket PC.
 | ASUS' new A620 is one of the first Windows Mobile 2003-powered devices to hit the market
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Externals
With a somewhat squarish design, the A620 appears elegant - yet somewhat large. Despite being the world's thinnest CompactFlash-equipped Pocket PC with a depth of 13 mm, the A620 is an almost exact match to the size of ViewSonic's V35 and V37 models, and belongs to the upper range of currently available Pocket PCs when competing for width and height. Despite its size, however, it offers a solid grip and a sturdy build.
The display of the MyPal A620 is perhaps its most striking feature; it is an unmitigated pleasure to behold its 3.5 inches of crisp brightness, 16-bit colour depth and lovely ClearType rendering. And as befits a touch-sensitive display, there is of course the obligatory stylus, which in this case is a fairly plain and comfortable non-expanding plastic contraption.
Gamers or those simply favouring navigation by means of buttons will be pleased to learn that the tactile feedback of the entire button range of the A620 is utterly excellent, with distinct buttons appropriately recessed to avoid accidental presses. Below the screen are four buttons to reach Home, Calendar, Contacts and Tasks applications, as well as a navigational pad.
On the upper front of the A620, we find the power on/off button in the far left corner, and the voice recorder button placed far to the right. Also, two LEDs are placed in close vicinity of the power button and indicate a wide range of alerts as well as the charging status of the handheld. Lastly, the speaker of the handheld is placed in the lower right corner of the handheld, and its 3.5 mm audio jack to the far left on its top side: both provide adequate audio output, with ASUS collecting extra points for detailed control panel settings for adjusting volume, balance and treble/bass gain.
Connectivity
The A620 does not have too much to boast in the area of connectivity, yet does well what little it does. Its CompactFlash Type II expansion slot provides access to the widest possible range of accessories and storage expansion, while the Infrared port enables connectivity with other IrDA-compatible devices. Also, the enhanced connectivity features of Windows Mobile 2003 provide an edge over competing Pocket PC 2002 devices, and the A620 is also accompanied by a small and lightweight USB cradle.
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