Review summary of the :
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The included USB cradle is a basic black plastic type with rubber feet for grip and a stable viewing position. Insertion and removal of the device was perfectly possible with one hand - what else can be asked from a cradle?
 | For power users, the A620 offers a very comprehensive concoction of a settings dialog
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Specifications
The original A620 was one of the fastest Pocket PCs on the planet, and this updated model might just retain that title: as well as a 400 MHz processor, the unit boasts a 64 MB ROM, offering a whopping 31 MB flash disk for user files, and 64 MB of RAM, of which 55 MB is available to users. The whole lot runs off an impressive (but non-removable) 1300 mAh battery, which gives enough juice for several hours or more of use.
Software
The A620BT is running the Windows Mobile 2003 platform, with all its concomitant speed increases to match the beefy system specs. Screen redraws and application loading proved snappy if not instantaneous, so we were very happy with the performance of this device.
Several of the system tweaks have already been mentioned, but there are plenty more where that came from: the A620BT has power saving abilities, including automatic power management and what ASUS are calling Advanced Performance Enhancement. Judging from the speed of the device, it works. A full backlight control with 255 settings is included, and the Pocket PC can autorun devices inserted into the CF slot. An automatic backup utility is also included in ROM, as should be standard nowadays, and this can save to a CF card or the flash disk at low power or the user's instigation. A separate backup tool allows just PIM data to be backed up too. Other included goodies are relatively few: a ClearType-enabled Launcher and a puzzle game called Jawbreaker. Oddly, no applications are available to install from the companion CD aside from the usual Microsoft offerings. Bundled accessories are limited to a rigid and tough synthetic slip-case, which although it won't win any design awards is functional and its inclusion is appreciated.
Availability
The ASUS MyPal A620BT is available now for a recommended price of $400 USD.
Price and availability
The will start selling for TBA () in November 1999.
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