Casio Casio Pocket Manager BE-300

User Reviews for Casio Casio Pocket Manager BE-300

• Reviewed by: Hiigara

  Duration of ownership:

  Strengths: A LOT of programs available, good memory, excellant screen.

  Weaknesses: Doesn't work with ActiveSync without installing Xpod, a replacement OS for the CE (recommended...)

  Overall Evaluation: The BE-300 comes with Windows CE, but I recommend downloading Xpod and replacing it. Xpod will allow you to use ActiveSync OR the included connection program, giving you the ability to install Windows Media Player and other programs that the included program doesn't support. Also adds the option to browse through folders in Explorer. Even if you don't install it though, there are still plenty of programs available, and a lot of games. You can make an external battery pack easily for it, and the CompactFlash slot can support a 1GB IBM MicroDrive, great for storing large AVI/MPEG files (like ripped DVD's) that way you can watch them when you aren't doing anything else.
• Reviewed by: Guilmon

  Duration of ownership:

  Strengths: Price, flashing with eXpod, simple stock interface.

  Weaknesses: Complete lack of software, interface, memory usage, lack of widely available accessories for a modest price.

  Overall Evaluation: I purchased a Be-300 expecting a lot more than what I received. I am a student, so money is tight, but I was looking for a device that was more than a simple organizer. The BE-300 looked like a fine choice, it had a color display, was backed by wince, and was expandable. But once I finally did everything I was to ever do with it, flashing it with epod (3.1 or something,) going back to stock not having enough ram, I decided that instead of investing money in something I really disliked, I'd just return it and get a real pocket pc. Best decision I have ever made. From a software point of view, the be-300 is "what-you-see-is-what-you-get." It is difficult to find any good, or halfwise decent programs for the thing that are worth keeping, and are small enough to last without taking up too much of the precious ram. It's built in interface is unlikeable, except for the color feature. The stock pim functions are like a palm in color, and that's about it. I knew not to expect a cadillac sports sedan for the price, but this was just too unreasonable to withstand. Returned for a full refund second week of use, money saved and put to good use getting an E-310.