I bought this PDA after extensive obsessing over web reviews, product information specs, and visiting the "red shirted" and "blue shirted" sales associates at my local tech retail stores. I chose the Casio BE-300 for its functional ability, and to supplement, not replace, my laptop. I highly recommend this unit for those of you who, like me, need a small, inexpensive, yet fully functional color display PDA to record your calendar events, take quick notes, maintain Outlook-like contact lists, and check basic email. This unit does all this beautifully, and synchronizes well with Outlook 2000. The only strange synchronization I've found is that items sent from the PDA to Outlook 2000 are sometimes misspelled, but never in the other direction. I wonder if this is more due to my "typing" using the stylus and the smaller display, rather than an actual synch problem. The entire synch process is very easy to set up, and operates seamlessly for calendar appointments, to-do tasks, contact lists, etc.
As for the lack of software, I don't use a PDA to play games, use Word, and manage spreadsheets; for those, I rely on "real" computers, with at least a 15" display; great graphics card; lots of RAM and cache; a real joystick, mouse, and keyboard; and a true sound system. I just can't do this cramped by a screen smaller than a floppy disk. I know how frustrating this can be, because in 1982 my "real computer" was an Osborne-I with a 3" screen! So trust me on this; work in an ergonomic environment, and if you seek diversion on those long flights, buy an inexpensive hand held game, and use this PDA for your true business needs.
If you've used Pocket PCs in the past, you will likely be thrown a bit by the menu system; it reminds me of the old DOS shells (such as 1dirplus) that don't give you a functional desktop but require you to work through set menu choices listing its functions and programs. That's actually MORE user friendly when you think about the ease with which you can access your programs.
Lastly, you can easily add basic accessories, such as compact flash memory and modem cards. The BE-300 is the roughly the same size as a Handspring Visor, so if you want to put it in a carrying case, you can use one that is compatible with Visor. The only negative I can say at this time (after one month ownership) is that the battery seems to depelete pretty quickly; I use it daily, on and off, and at the end of each day, I seem to have 50% to 60% left only. That may be normal for a PDA, but seems fast to me.
Though you will see lots of reviews saying that the BE300 has too little software out there and has a 'weird' main menu (not like the windows-type menu for PocketPCs). But if you really 'dig in' and see how much resources there are for development for the BE300, you'll grab one fast!
In my case, my unit's startup screen doesn't even look any close to the default screen and why? Research, and with the help of a lot of BE300 owners and developers for this platform who knows a good deal when they see one (special thanks to all the dudes at the Brighthand Forums for the BE300). My BE300 now has a 'desktop' with the works, including selective wallpapers and startup menus like Windows has! The available software is also growing at a high good rate! Even software that run only for the PocketPC are now being ported to the BE300 (Pocketstreets, various MP3 and video players, spreadsheets).
So imagine...a $149-$199 unit (166mhz MIPS CPU w/ 16MB built-in, beautiful and very clear color screen, and CF expansion) capable running applications that a $400-600 unit can? Hmmm....go figure :-)
And with a full Windows CE Net OS upgrade in the works, the BE300 will definitely make it big time!
Some considerations: get a nice PDA case for protection(it'll fit in the Palm Glove series w/o it's face cover) and get at least a 128MB compactflash card (BE300 supports type I and II) you'll be filling it up with applications, games, ebooks, mp3s, pics, movies in no time. :-) Do get it before they start jacking up the prices!!
Buy Casio Cassiopeia E-200 Pocket PC Now
I was looking for compatibility with certain Win CE Programs.It tells you nowhere that it has its own Casio Proprietary customized operating system, that does not allow running Active Sync (which is the interface between your PC and this dumb PDA)
Instead it has a program called "PC Connect" and very few programs have been written for it. Very dissapointing and deceiving
Read Best Reviews of Casio Cassiopeia E-200 Pocket PC Here
The Casio BE-300 way outclasses everything else in it's price range. I've used Pocket PCs, Windows CE devices, Palms, Visors and several organizers. This device plays videos and displays photos better than the Pocket PCs we bought at work that cost twice as much. Syncronizing email worked well too.The BE-300 has a powerful processor; 133 Mhz (speed) 64 bit (if a 32 bit processor is a 2 lane highway, this one is a 4 lane freeway!). The screen is great, high color and much better resolution than the Palm. The operating system is upgradeable (flash rom) which means it's also recoverable if there is an error you can reload it. Extremely flexible and expandable piece of machinery.
I found it as easy as the other Pocket PC/WinCE devices I've used and much less trouble than the Palm/Visors.
Why is it cheaper? I've read that Casio wrote it's own interface for the brand-new Windows CE 3.0 because Microsoft requires devices running Pocket PC to have a speaker, microphone and infrared port.
Available software for the BE-300 has doubled in the 3 weeks I've owned it. I've contacted services like AvantGo and Mazingo; both were interested in making versions for the BE-300.
Amazon's engine that compares it to other devices is missing quite a bit of information, probably because this is a new device. If I haven't made it abundantly clear, I highly recommend this device.
Check out an on line forum for more detailed information from folks that own them (...)
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I really like the styling, weight and dimensions of this unit. The color display is excellent and it has all of the basic tools you'll need. However, I still haven't decided on whether or not I'm going to return it because of the fact that it's not compatible with most software made for pocket PCs. Casio has been adding quite a few software titles within the past 3-4 weeks but I think it will be quite some time before they will have an adequate arsenal.I actually sold my Compaq 1650 to purchase this unit (mainly for the color LCD). However, I do miss the voice recorder, solitaire and ease of the ActiveSync software with the previous unit. This unit comes with PC Connect/Intellisync and it seems to have a mind of it's own when it comes to performing a syncronization.....sometimes it will and sometimes it won't.
Loading the limited software titles and program files from MyCasio.Com has been somewhat of a challenge as well. However, I was able to download some game titles from Jimmy.Com made for this unit fairly easily. The gaming possibilities are actually pretty promising.
Besides the limited software, my biggest gripe is that it doesn't have GPS capabilities right now. I'm in sales and I hate to be lost while driving around new territories. A GPS system would probably sway me into keeping the unit.
I guess the biggest question for me is do I want to spend an additonal (money) for a Casio E-125 or another unit of greater price when the BE-300 practically does everything all the others will do?
I suppose limited software and hardware applications should be expected with such a new product and if Casio remedies these few faults, they can really gain a substantial market share for a unit that is an overall good buy when you stack up the competition.
