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Casio Casio Pocket Manager BE-300

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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.

  • Reviewed by: drflgood31

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: It works adequately as an electronic organizer but those can be found for $10.

    Weaknesses: Proprietary interface, lack of well priced accessories, and poor hinges for the cover.

    Overall Evaluation: The other reviews must have been written by Casio employees. They say if you use a third party interface you can use some downloaded programs. How dare they, if casio were a decent company, they would use an interface that allows full use of the product BY THE PERSON WHO PAID FOR IT!!! AND I DIDN'T GIVE IT 4 STARS. I GAVE ONE BUT THE RATING SYSTEM IS WORKING AS BADLY AS THE CASIO.

  • Reviewed by: frugalb

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: inexpensive and powerful

    Weaknesses: short battery life, and requires some geek skills to get the most from it

    Overall Evaluation: The previous review is a slam against eXpod. It is a petty review written by someone with a hidden agenda against the person who wrote eXpod. Ignore his negative comments. Expod makes the BE300 not only usable, but extremely enjoyable. If you buy a BE300, you owe it to yourself to download and try eXpod 6.1 (it is free!) There is a new version (PPX) coming out soon to paid members, and also a version that will work on other PPC's, so he has changed the website name to http://www.ppx3k.com/ Yes, BEE is pretty neat, too, but it is an open source work-in-progress, whereas the eXpod and PPX software is complete and "bug-free", ready for prime time.

  • Reviewed by: goofather

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Does almost as much as any PPC 2000 and is very fun to play with

    Weaknesses: Casio support, screen viewing outdoors

    Overall Evaluation: I have no clue what that guy is talking about. Only thing I can guess is they took the $30,000 when they took eXpod to make thier BEE-OS :) You can keep eXpod, just give the $30,000 back. Seriously, just check out www.ppx3k.com for yourselves. These childish business tactics are rather unbecoming.

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