The Windows-based PDA market recently saw a number of innovations, including faster CPUs, larger screens, and higher amounts of memory finding their way in to high-end and, especially, mid-range Pocket PCs. Asus' new MyPAL A730 incorporates many of these new features; along with one other that it has to itself (at least for now)—a digital camera built right into the device.

Features
An Intel XScale PXA270 processor running at 520 MHz powers the A730. This isn't quite the fastest CPU to be had in a Windows Mobile-based handheld today, but its close. The Asus offers standard amounts of memory—64 MB each of RAM and ROM.

The A730 has a 3.7-inch display capable of 16-bit (65,536) color and a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels. However, as the highest resolution supported by Windows Mobile 2003 is still a mere 240 x 320 pixels, this doesn't translate into extra screen real estate.

It does, however, result in sharper fonts and an overall crisper display, which is immediately noticeable when compared side-by-side with a typical 3.5-inch display. The A730 lets you quickly switch between portrait and landscape mode via a tray icon, which is certainly more convenient then delving into the settings.

One increasingly common feature that's missing from the A730's innards is an integrated Wi-Fi adapter, though Bluetooth support is built-into the unit. You also get obligatory IrDA, though only at the slower 115.2 kbps rate rather than the much faster 4 Mbps rate supported by the company's A620bt Pocket PC. ((At press time, ASUS released a new version of the Pocket PC, the A730W, with Wi-Fi. This edition sells for about $570.)

Whereas most PDAs make you choose between CompactFlash (CF) or Secure Digital (SD) expansion slots, the A730 offers both, which means you can take full advantage of memory cards and card-based peripherals (making the addition of Wi-Fi more convenient).


Top View with Cards Sticking out of Slots

The most interesting feature of the A730, however, is probably the 1.3 megapixel digital camera with an integrated flash that's built into the underside of the unit. The camera lens and flash apparatus are recessed and flush (respectively) with the surface of the A730, and the unit also has a small protrusion to keep the camera bits from making contact (and being scratched) when placing the device on a desk.


Rear View with Camera Lens

The A730 packs its various features into an extremely small package. Measuring 4.63 x 2.87x .66 inches and tipping the scales at about 6 ounces, it's roughly the same dimensions and weight as the Dell Axim X50 (Review: Axim X50v: Dell Sets the Value Standard … Again), which is impressive considering the A730 offers the integrated camera and a larger display.

The overall look of the A730 takes some cues from the Dell Axim X50, with rounded bottom edges and a dark face surrounded by bright trim. Interestingly, however, the A730 places stylus storage in the bottom right of the unit rather than the more customary top right.


Bottom with Connector

(The location is most likely due to limited real estate caused by the headphone jack and dual expansion slots residing at the top of the unit.) It takes some getting used to, especially for longtime Pocket PC users accustomed to the conventional location.


Stylus Coming out Bottom of A730

The A730's included charging/synchronization dock accommodates the unit only, and Asus wisely addresses the inaccessibility of the A730's stylus while docked by including a second stylus with the unit and providing a place to store it on the dock itself.


Headphone Jack & Slots

Asus also includes a vinyl storage case with a strong magnetic latch for transporting the unit. But the case, unfortunately, has a belt loop rather than clip, so you can't put it on or take it off without first removing your belt.

Battery
One of the downsides of the previous A620bt was its lack of a user-accessible battery, but Asus has addressed this shortcoming on the A730—sort of.

While the A730's 1100 mAh Lithium-Ion cell is indeed user accessible, installing it could be a lot simpler because doing so feels like a minor surgical procedure. Rather than using a design that simply snaps the battery into place on the rear of the unit, the entire back panel of the A730 comes off, revealing the device's battery compartment.

When sliding the cover off, it's difficult to find somewhere to grasp the unit without inadvertently pressing buttons or feeling like you're in danger of dropping the unit. To keep the cover from unintentionally coming off, you must also first flip a lock switch using the stylus, and there is another similar switch that locks the battery into place. Replacing the cover involves ensuring that it is correctly aligned within a pair of guide rails, which they weren't on my first and second attempt.

For those who don't anticipate the use of an extra battery, this process will be a one-time affair and thus not a major issue. However, considering the many power-consuming features of the A730—not the least of which is the built-in camera and flash—having to swap batteries on the road will be an unpleasant experience.

Camera
For those who regularly tote both a PDA and separate digital camera around with them, the inclusion of the digital camera will likely be a significant convenience, as long as you don't need relatively high-quality pictures. At 1.3 megapixels, the A730 camera's resolution is equivalent to that in most mobile phones, which is to say it's below entry-level standards of today's stand-alone cameras.


Full Rear View

Predictably, the snapshots taken with the A730's were commensurate with the camera's capability, which is to say they were coarse acceptable but not outstanding quality, and certainly more than adequate for quick-and-dirty type photos that don't require a high level of detail.

You can control various configuration functions of the via the interface of the included Asus Camcorder application. As its name implies, the A730 can also capture motion video in MPEG-4 format in addition to still photos.

To take a picture or a movie, you can use the A730's voice memo button, which does double-duty when the camera software is active. Using that button while the A730 is in landscape mode feels a bit awkward though; in portrait mode, you can hold the unit a bit more like a conventional camera.


Right View with Camera/Memo Button

And while you'd think that a large 3.7-inch viewfinder would make it easy to view pictures and prospective pictures, the display's high degree of reflectivity makes doing so somewhat difficult. This is especially true when using the A730 outdoors, or when the backlight turns off to conserve battery power.

Aside from the camera-specific applications bundled with the A730 (image editing and photo album software is also included), the rest of the software is more or less standard Windows PDA fare. Asus also includes a few additional games and productivity applications like an engineering calculator, and PowerPoint player.

Conclusion
Inevitably the comparison must be made between the Asus A730 and the comparable Dell PDA, since after all, Dell has become the Wal-Mart of technology. In this case, it's the aforementioned Axim X50 that wins.

While the Dell lacks the A730's camera and enlarged screen, it does provide built-in Wi-Fi, twice the ROM storage, and the same 520 MHz processor CPU in roughly the same size and weight package for about $100 less than the A730 and over $150 less than the A730 Wi-Fi enabled siter, the A730W.


Package Contents

Moreover, for the $499 price of the A730, the top-of-the line Axim X50v offers a bigger screen, a 624MHz CPU, and a separate graphics processor with dedicated memory (though it still lacks a integrated camera). If you're willing to give up the camera, you can get more—perhaps a lot more—PDA for your money.

Alas, the decision to purchase the Asus MyPAL A730 will ultimately come down to that built-in camera for many prospective buyers. If you're in the market for a PDA and want the fastest and most features for the least possible price, the A730 isn't the best choice.

But being able to carry one gadget that does the job of two has some inherent value, and if you're one who values the convenience of a multifunction device and are looking for a handheld that's both capable and versatile, you'll likely find the Asus A730 a worthwhile purchase.