Diamond Multimedia Mako Mobile Internet Organizer

The Diamond Mako features a horizontal touchscreen and keyboard in a package only an inch longer than a palm-sized PDA. It offers not only the usual array of PC-syncable address book, agenda, and calendar functions (compatible with Outlook, Lotus, and several other PIMs), but also includes software compatible with Microsoft Excel and Word.

The Mako is designed for people with a limited PDA budget who have spreadsheet and word processing work to do and little patience for carrying a hefty and expensive notebook PC. With accessory software and an add-on foldable keyboard, you could convert a Palm handheld to act like a Mako, but it would be a costly and clumsy conversion.

Since the Mako carries only 16 MB of RAM, the Mako's software condenses your files, then converts them to full size in the compatible PC-based Microsoft or Lotus format. Our Windows PC treated the Mako as it would any other connected drive (via serial port), making file access and transfer relatively seamless via sync or Windows Explorer drag-and-drop. The Mako's cradle allowed us to also connect the AC adapter, so we could link and charge the Mako at the same time.

But you will pay for your portable penury. The Mako's one-quarter-sized monochrome VGA screen (480 x 160) is not backlit--and screen contrast isn't that fabulous to begin with. The lack of backlight preserves battery power, but you'll need optimal lighting conditions to work effectively.

The Mako's keys are proportionally tiny, which makes touch-typing nearly impossible. As illogical as this sounds, we also found the keys either too sensitive or not sensitive enough. And as a consequence of necessary compact compromises, certain keys are awkwardly placed--for instance, the "-" (dash) key requires a combination-function keystroke. Considering that most people have long-practiced keyboard habits, these quirks are far more annoying than you might think.

And because of the Mako's horizontal design, it is less handy than a palm-sized PDA. For instance, simply finding a phone number or checking on the address for your 3 o'clock appointment really does require two hands.

The Mako's software is based on the EPOC standard, the increasingly popular European mobile-computing platform. Even though there is a dearth of EPOC-compatible applications in the U.S., especially compared with the thousands of Palm- or Windows-compatible options, most of the major add-on application bases are covered. However, the Mako's wireless Web and infrared capabilities can be used only with a GSM cell phone, which is gaining ground here, but is still a poor relative to more common CDMA and TDMA phones.

There are people who swear by Psion-based products, but the money saved here might only be worth it as a temporary and low-cost transition between pen and paper and a real notebook PC. --Stewart Wolpin

Pros:

• Small and lighter and less expensive than notebook PC
• More functionality than palm-sized PDAs
• Built-in keyboard
• Included spreadsheet and word processing programs compatible with Excel and Word

• No screen backlighting
• Tiny keyboard
• Limited accessory software
• European-compatible wireless and IR standards

The Diamond Mako automatically converts files from Microsoft Word and Excel, Lotus SmartSuite, Corel Office/Novell/WordPerfect, and other popular applications. It also offers automatic e-mail synchronization with Microsoft Outlook and Lotus cc:Mail. Mako's e-mail and Web browser are configurable to most POP3-based ISP or corporate accounts, and setting up e-mail access and Internet service is easy with the included eSetup application. You have the option of sending and receiving e-mail or browsing the Internet by connecting via infrared to the optional 56 Kbps Diamond Mako travel modem or through a compatible data-enabled GSM digital phone with infrared capabilities linked to a GSM network service provider.

Organizer functions include a memo pad, to-do list, datebook, world time, and a calculator. Data entry is made easy with the full 53-key QWERTY keyboard with hot keys. The touch screen interface also allows you to customize and use command icons.

The Diamond Mako comes complete with Epoc Connect 5.01 software and its own docking station for easy connection. The included power adapter plugs directly into the docking station, so the Diamond Mako charges automatically every time it's docked.

The screen on the Mako is excellent. It is a high-contrast LCD that is as sharp as the Palm Vx. What sets it apart from Palm devices is that it is about 50% larger, and is laid out horizontally. This makes it significantly more useful as an eBook reader compared to the Palm. Its 16 shades of gray allow for a very attractive user interface, with detailed icons and drop-down menus. The screen also acts as an input device when used with the included stylus. One interesting feature that the OS handles is a global zoom. From any application you can increase or decrease the size of the text, without actually changing the structure of your documents. The only downside with the display is the lack of any sort of backlight. Psion did include backlighting with its 5mx model at the cost of contrast and clarity. I have seen both, and prefer the display on the Mako. Adjustable contrast can make the screen readable in any indoor situation, but not in a darkened car or movie theater.

The keyboard on the Mako is a love-it or hate-it affair, and will probably be the deciding factor for most customers, even those who love the PDA's other features. The keyboard is small, with each key about the size of an M&M candy. They're too small to allow regular touch-typing, but you can get up to a good speed with two or four finger pecking. Doing this assumes that you have a flat surface to set the unit on. I am able to type on it virtually as fast as a normal keyboad by cradling the unit in my hands and typing with my thumbs. The Graffiti system on the Palm is fine for entering short bits of text, but can be excruciatingly tedious when working with large documents. This is not true of the Mako keyboard. As a matter of fact, I wrote this review on one and pasted it into Amazon. The keys provide a bit of tactile feedback when pressed, but they do not go down very far. To make typing a little easier, the OS allows you to set "keyclicks" to off, quiet, or loud, so that you can hear a clicking sound as you type. Another thing that makes the keyboard nice is that you can do practically anything on the Mako without using the stylus. This isn't true if you're using a drawing program, of course. Since the stylus doesn't need to press against the screen very often, this can reduce or eliminate the screen scratches so common on other PDA's.

The Mako is a very powerful and full-featured PDA. Its processor is speedy, and its internal rechargeable battery is convenient. The built-in applications are superior to Palm's in almost every way, and it would cost if you were to purchase similar yet inferior software for a Palm device. This includes the Word Processing, Spreadsheet, and Database programs. The keyboard may not be for everyone, so I would recommend trying one out before making a purchase if at all possible. The lack of a backlight may also be a problem for some. Although the Mako is just a PDA, it's advanced features and keyboard make it feel like a mini-PC. You will be missing out on a great product if you fail to check out the Mako when you shop for your next PDA.


Wow! What a great device   December 27, 2000
Brian Olson (Olathe, KS United States)
48 out of 48 found this review helpful

I asked for this for Christmas to replace my aging Palm Personal w/2MB upgrade. Essentially, I was disappointed with the cost and features of the new Palms and Visors and wanted more stability than the Windows CE/Pocket PC devices could offer. Plus, I really don't need a color screen for what I do.

I started looking around for alternatives and found the Psion Revo/Revo Plus. When reading about it, it almost seemed too good to be true. I found out that Diamond (er, S3 or SonicBlue or whatever) is selling the Revo Plus as the Diamond Mako. I finally found one I could play with at my local Worst Buy, and I was hooked.

The 8MB of ROM/16MB of RAM are perfect for me, and the EPOC O/S blows the CE and Palm O/Ses away. It multitasks and has keyboard shortcuts for just about everything (although you can still used the included stylus). I have found that by holding the keyboard in both hands and thumb-typing, I can enter data at least 2-3 times faster than with Graffiti on my Palm. The included apps are also amazing. In addition to the standard organizer (Agenda, Contacts, etc.), the Word and Sheet (MS Word/Excel equivalents) applications blow the Word/Excel viewers and editors that I have used for Palm out of the water. Plus, you don't have to pay an extra $40-$60 for them.

Additional great features are the rechargeable batteries and the EPOC Connect software. I can drag and drop files to and from my Mako when it is docked.

I could go on and on, but I highly recommend that, if you are in the market for a new PDA, you check out the Psion Revo or Diamond Mako.


Great pocket computer   February 24, 2001
cyber_shadow
33 out of 33 found this review helpful

The Diamond Mako is exactly what I've needed. Far cheaper than a laptop computer, it synchronizes easily with Microsoft Outlook (the scheduling software used at work) and creates Word and Excel files. I've needed something portable that allows me to write and format documents on-the-go.

I use it to gather research, write sections of my dissertation, write articles for publication, keep track of appointments, and plan work-in-progress.

Although many people claim one can't touch type on it, I can. My fingers may be somewhat smaller than average and I've touch typed for over 30 years. It's great to have a computer that will fit easily in any pack or purse, does not rely on handwriting (which I hate), will synchronise easily with the Outlook platform, and produce documents that are compatible with the software platforms I use.

I've used it for hours without having to find an electrical outlet (although I do carry an AC adaptor when I'm on-the-go). The only drawback is that it doesn't have a backlight, but since that (and color) would be a major battery drain, I would rather not have either.

I frankly don't understand the popularity of the palm-type schedulers; I'd far rather have a built-in keyboard.


I thoroughly tested iPaqs, Palms, and the Revo/Diamond wins!   May 8, 2001
David B. Slagter (Palos Heights, IL United States)
27 out of 27 found this review helpful

For those who really and truly need information at their fingertips all day long - the Diamond/Revo is hands down a better and more powerful machine. IT IS IDENTICAL AND MADE BY PSION! This is actually the Revo PLUS since it has 16mb of ram and much more software.

I have tested in the REAL world the iPaq 3650, the Palm m500 and the Visor over the past year. All are really nice but none are as user friendly. The fact is that writing with the pen is just plain cumbersome, slow and downright dangerous when you're driving.

The Psion/Diamond software offering is outstanding and let's face it THE KEYBOARD IS INCLUDED FOR ONLY 1 INCH TALLER THAN A PALM M500!

While the Palm Platform has more software in-total - the Psion/Epoc library has everything you could ever want.

THE ONLY THING THIS THING COULD HAVE IS BACKLIGHTING. BUT THEN YOU MAY AS WELL HAVE THE PSION 5MX.

I opted for the smaller and sleeker size of the Diamond/RevoPlus over the 5mx, which by the way I also owned and tested.

Synchronization is a breeze and having real world Excel, and Word documents with you make sense when you have a keyboard.

The Diamond is priced incredibly, watch this one take off. It's funny because Psion has been around for 20 years and they just keep on developing better and better units.

Hope this helps those who are undecided. I promise this: I don't work for Psion/Diamond. If you use this unit you will ALWAYS come back to it even when the slightly smaller size of the Palm sways you away from time to time.


Started with the Palm, moved to Ipaq and settled with MAKO !   June 28, 2001
Vinayaga Raman (India / United States)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful

If there is one word to describe the Mako, it's "Awesome".

I started with the Palm IIIx and used it for a year before moving on to Palm V. The Palm's were great, did the basic jobs, let me play games and take my notes and email with me. That is where the functionality stopped.

Then I moved to the Ipaq. Again a great device on its own terms. But the high cost and terrible battery life in addition to the bugggggggy OS made me look for alternatives.

That is when I decided to try the Mako. I always believe that what sells well in Europe never does well in the US, whatever the reason. The Mako is a twin brother of the Revo plus and they are very very popular in Europe !

What does it do ? All that the Palm is capable of and most of what the Ipaq could. But wait, throw in these features and you have a winner:

1. Battery life while not on par with the Palm's is sooooo much better than the IPaq. I hardly charge once a week with a heavy use.

2. Half the price of a IPAQ and slightly above the Palm's.

3. FULL Office functionality on a wide screen. I cannot emphasize enough as to what this means. This is the one feature that drags the mako miles away from the Palm. The wide screen actually lets reading word and excel files practical and useful.

4. Very very stable OS. This is one of the few OS which was build on a 32bit platform. That in laymans terms simply means more stability and speed.

5. Lots of free programs available on the Net.

All I would say is, Go out right now and buy it ! You will not regret it till the day when you have to use it in the cinema hall (No backlight. The one bad point in the device).

One word of caution though. There is some known problems with the batteries and unless charged properly the first time, they usually get messed up. There is a lot of info on the net about this problem. READ them first before you open the mako box.