Unveiling Eten M600 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Eten M600 Overview

The Eten M600, released in the fourth quarter of 2005, is a versatile pocket personal computer that integrated mobile telephony with a PDA. This device, crafted for functionality, stands out for its robust specifications and design, making it a unique artifact in the realm of early smart devices.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 111.7 x 60.7 x 22 mm and a weight of 165 grams, the Eten M600 is a compact device that balances between portability and usability. Its body accommodates a Mini-SIM slot, which was standard for devices of its era. The design, although not as sleek as modern-day smartphones, was considered refined at the time with its usability prioritizing effective communication and personal management.

Display

The device features a 2.8-inch TFT resistive touchscreen capable of displaying 65,000 colors. The screen's resolution of 240 x 320 pixels ensures a decent display for both text and graphical interface. This screen size and resolution were relatively standard during its release, perfectly balancing energy consumption and user interaction.

Operating System and Performance

Eten M600 runs on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 PocketPC, a prominent operating system that allowed users to take advantage of a vast array of productivity applications, including Pocket Word and Pocket Excel. At its core is a Samsung 2440 400 MHz processor, which facilitated smooth operation of tasks, though basic by today’s standards. Paired with 64MB RAM and 128MB ROM, the performance was adequate for handling simple multitasking scenarios common in its time.

Storage and Memory

The device offers 64MB of RAM and a choice of storage expansion via an SD/SDIO card slot. This expandability option was a crucial feature, allowing users to store additional applications, documents, and media, which was critical given the modest internal storage and the relatively large file sizes even in the mid-2000s.

Camera Functionality

The Eten M600 is equipped with a 1.3 MP rear camera that includes an LED flash, enabling users to capture photos even in less than ideal lighting conditions. While basic, the camera was a significant feature that added personal value to the device, catering to the rising trend of digital photography.

Connectivity Options

Connectivity was a highlight for the Eten M600. The device supported Wi-Fi 802.11b, which provided wireless internet access in compatible zones—a major advantage for business professionals using it for email and web browsing. Bluetooth 1.2 further enabled wireless communication and accessory connectivity. However, the absence of EDGE connectivity limited data transmission speeds, relative to its GSM and GPRS capabilities.

Sound and Alerts

The device includes a loudspeaker and supports a variety of alert types, including vibration and downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. The exclusion of a 3.5mm audio jack means audio playback would require the use of proprietary connectors or adapters, a limitation compared to other gadgets which include a standard headphone output.

Battery Life and Power Management

Powering the Eten M600 is a removable Li-Ion 1440 mAh battery. It provides approximately 4 hours of talk time and up to 200 hours on standby. This battery life was considered reasonable for the time, ensuring users stayed connected through the day without frequent recharges.

Market Reception and Pricing

At its launch, the Eten M600 was priced at around 310 EUR, positioning it as an affordable professional tool for communications and personal organization. Despite being discontinued, the device highlights the technological advancements and design philosophies prevalent in mid-2000s mobile devices.

Conclusion

The Eten M600 is a fascinating piece of technology history that embodies the features and limitations of its time. Its balance between functionality, connectivity, and portability demonstrates the ongoing evolution in PDA designs leading towards modern smartphones. While no longer available on the market, it remains a symbol of innovation and practicality from the early days of mobile computing.