The primary emphasis in today’s PDA market seems to be smaller and lighter. Many of the newer models seem to be focused on having limited features while maintaining the smallest profile and lightest weight possible. This appears to work for most users, but there will always be a certain group of people who want a PocketPC with all the features, expansion, and performance they can get. The Asus A716 is designed for this type of users. A user whose main objective is all the features and functionality they can get without worrying about having the tiniest PDA in their pocket.

First, let’s look at the basic specifications:
400-MHz XScale PXA255 Processor
Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003
3.5” Trans-reflective TFT LCD, 65536 Color, 16-bit Display with 320x240 resolution
64MB Flash Rom, 31MB usable for storage
64MB SDRAM, 55 MB user accessible
One Compact Flash Type II Card Slot (3.3V/5V)
One SD / MMC Card Slot
One Navigation button with 4 programmable application buttons
Fast IrDA port with 4Mbps/115kbps
Docking and Power ports
3.5mm Stereo Headphone Jack, Microphone, and Speaker
Integrated Bluetooth version 1.1
Integrated 802.11b WiFi
1500 mAH Lithium Rechargeable Battery
Optional 3000 mAH Lithium Rechargeable Battery
135mm x 78mm x 17.6mm (LxWxH)
197g. weight

As we can see from the basic specifications, this is one “loaded” PocketPC. Containing almost everything a user would want in a PDA, the Asus A716 is a designed for “Power” users.

The A716 features a Type II Compact Flash slot and a SD / MMC Card Slot. I have used it with an IBM Microdrive, Pharos CF GPS, and assorted memory cards. The SD Card Slot is designed for memory expansion and supports all available SD memory cards. Being one of only a few current PocketPCs that have a Compact Flash Slot, the A716 is well designed to support Compact Flash devices such as GSM Phone, FM Radio, GPS, GPRS, and Camera cards.

The 400-MHz Intel PXA255 processor is a solid, proven platform for a PocketPC. This processor can run in different modes to allow the user to customize it to their needs for performance or battery life. The Asus Settings utility allows the processor to be set to Turbo (400MHz), Standard (300MHz), Power Savings (200MHz), or Automatic mode where the A716 automatically senses the needs of the current application and adjusts the processor speed for the best battery life. The A716 run a little slower in overall performance than previous Asus models using the same processor. This might be due to the additional hardware features of the A716. Regardless of this, the difference is very minor, the A716 is still one of the fastest PocketPCs on the market and its performance is better than most models using the same processor.

The A716’s integrated WiFi and Bluetooth provide all the basic connectivity you will need. Both work well and the built-in utilities to set-up and connect to other devices are easy to use. Unfortunately, the A716 cannot use both WiFi and Bluetooth at the same time.

As you can see from the specifications, the A716 is big. It is approximately 30% thicker than most PocketPCs. It is also longer than many other models. And its weight is about 30% heavier than most. The size and weight are the costs of having so many features in one device. The Compact Flash Slot and the user-changeable battery accounts for most of the added thickness and weight.

The application buttons are recessed into the case, so they are harder to “accidentally” push. This is very nice. The Navigation button is comfortable to use and responded well to fast inputs such as when playing games. The power button is at the top and is “flush” with the surface of the case. The A716 does not have a Record button, but the Record function can be assigned to any of the application buttons. Instead of a “Jog” dial, Asus as opted for a three button set on the left side for Up, Down, and Action. The Asus Settings Utility contains a “Wake Up” configuration that allows you to deactivate all of the application buttons so that they do not “wake up” the A716. A Reset button is also on the left side and can be pressed using the stylus. The battery lock is on the left side and can be locked or unlocked using the stylus. The battery lock must be firmly in the locked position for the A716 to power on properly. There is a Backup Battery switch under the battery so that the users can completely power down the A716 without draining the backup battery.

The A716 contains a 3.5-inch, transreflective TFT, LCD display supporting 65,536 colors in a 240x320 resolution. This is typical of most current PocketPC’s. The screen is clear, sharp, and does a good job reproducing colors. It is very easy to read indoors or in normal to low light levels. Outdoors in bright sunlight, it is still easy to read, but not as clear as some PocketPCs. Better contrast would have improved the display in sunlight.