Pocket PC Devices: Acer N311 Review

The Acer n311 is one of the pocket pc devices running Windows Mobile 5.0 that does not have phone functionality but it is only a PDA. The device is manufactured by Acer and it combines high performance at a very low price. The Acer n311 costs only 170 GBP. The characteristics of the Acer n311 with the 3.7” high-brightness transflective TFT LCD (65,536 colors) with 480 x 640 (VGA) resolution display and the Samsung S3C2440 processor at 400 MHz, packed in a 110 (L) x 70 (W) x 13.7 (H) mm device, make it one of the most powerful and astonishing PDAs in the market. There is also a less powerful Acer Pda with the same size and screen as the n311 but with no wi-fi and a Samsung processor at 300 MHZ, the Acer n310. The Acer n310 is sold for 144 GBP.

One of the best characteristics of the Acer n311 is the bright display and the compact design. It is one of the thinnest and smallest PDAs but with a great 3.7 " VGA display. In the front panel, just below the display there are 4 buttons which provide access to the main functions of this pda (quick-launch application buttons for: Today, Calendar, Contacts, Messaging). Between the buttons there is a small 5- way joystick which enables you to move between the menu and selections. On the side there is a dedicated 'Notes' button and the lock button.

The Acer n311 comes with the traditional cradle used for charging the device and also for sychronization. The Acer n311 cradle can also be used to charge a second battery. The expansion slot of this Acer is SD/MMC expansion slot (SDIO Now!compliant). The device also has support for USB Host 1.1,USB Client 1.1 and Serial port. This essentially means that you can connect your device for example to an external hard disk, flash disk, usb keyboard etc. The transfer speed of such a connection is not very good but it is sufficient.

The software that comes with the Acer n311, besides the standard Windows MObile 5.0 applications, are a software for backups and Pocket Tv Pro. This backup software helps you make backups of your data by selecting through a number of options and the Pocket Tv Pro is a player for MPEG and MPEG1 files.

For connectivity the Acer n311 offers support for bluetooth 1.2 and Wi-FI (802.11b). You can use the bluetooh to connect to other devices and peripheras but not to bluetooth headsets. The WI-FI connection can be used to connect to wireless networks and to the internet (through WLAN). The Acer N311 offers a small utility making it possible to obtain some information on the signal and the network.

The battery life of the Acer n311 is 6 hours but this may vary depending on the usage of bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Acer N311 Review Conclusion

The Acer n311 is one of the best choices around for those who want a PDA with out phone functionality and with out any special connectivity options like 3G or built-in GPS. The Acer n311 has an excellent VGA display and a very compact and light design. It can be used for all PDA related fuctions (emails, calendar, notes, appointments, office mobile) and for surfing the internet (with Wi-FI). Last but not least the price of Acer n311 at 170 GBP is very attractive and reasonable.

Acer n311 Specifications