Sharp Netwalker - FAQ - Frequently asked questions

	Netwalker PC-Z1	Netwalker PC-T1
Input	Physical Keyboard, QWERY layout, key pitch 14mm	Soft virtuell keyboard or handwriting recognition
Size / Weight	16x11x2 cm, 409g	15x9x1,8cm, 280g
Battery	non removable 1620mAh - 10h stand by, 4h of real-world usage	removable battery 2300mAh (EA-BL14) - 10h stand by, 4h of real-world usage
CPU	Freescale i.MX515, 800Mhz - 512 MB RAM, 4 GB store flash (2 GB for user space)
Display	5" WSVGA 1024x600, Touchscreen
Communication	WLAN 802.11b/g WPA2	WLAN 802.11b/g WPA2 + Bluetooth
Slots	speaker/headphone jack 3,5mm, USB-A, USB mini AB 2.0, microSD(HC)
OS preinstalled	Ubuntu 9.04 ARM
Software preinstalled	Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird, OpenOffice.org, Presentation/Spreadsheet/Word Processor/Drawing, Mozilla Sunbird
Accessories	Stylus, Power adapter, manual	Stylus, Power adapter, manual and additional pouch
PRO/CONS	+ nice real-world keyboard (Zaurus successor!) - week battery	+ 30% leighter + stronger battery - no easy-to-use-keyboard - unattractive compared to other pure tablet designs (too small LCD, too slow, too expensive)

Preinstalled is Linux Ubutu 9.04 ARM (japanese customized veriant), what else do you need ? :-) There is no way to install Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7 on it. If you are desparate in changing the OS, see kernel-flash instructions here, Debian port and Android port is on the way. Also Windows 95 is emulating well :)

All Ubuntu language settings can be used, this means all common languages are available. The unit can be localised to your local laguage very good.

The Sharp Netwalker comes with all you need to start: power supply, battery, stylus. Units purchased from Pulster.de have a Euro-power adapter and a english quickstart-guide included. Sharp original pack does not include: USB cable, CDROMS, printed manual. The PC-T1 also has a pouch case included.

The mains power supply has an input of 100-240V, which means worldwide use. The power cord with Japanese plugs can easily replaced with a European one (Z1) resp. an adapter can be used (T1). We already include a european cable/adapter for free. The power adapter from Z1/T1 can not be exchanged (different voltage and different plugs).

Netwalker PC-Z1-W/B/R = white/black/red and PC-T1-B/S = black/silver. In general we prefer black units, however the black Netwalker is quite a bit tricky with fingertips. This time our favourite color option is red. It's far from sissy, but a classy eye-catcher, check real life picture (link).

Please click here: Sharp Japan Software Downloads. You will find a Flash Player, Ebook reader software and more. Extract archive file and click on install.sh. With the Adope Flash player you have a YouTube-viewer in your pocket now.

Sharp compiled a list of working accessories here (link). It states that these external USB devices can be used: harddrives (not bus powered), DVD-drives, wireless router, mouse, keyboard, headset and memory sticks. Besides David Samblas from Tuxbrain.com explain in this How-To (link) how to attach a external monitor/projector, so you can use your Netwalker for presentations !
Users report to work: cameras Canon EOS400D, Powershot S50. Zaurus C1000 and Openmoko as USB-network-client, USB stereo headset Logitech PC960.

The battery is not removeable on Z1 and can not be changed by the user (for this Sharp Japan is offering a service, opening the unit means loss of warranty for Sharp Japan). The T1 uses a 2300mAh removable battery, wich can be replaced from the user easily with product code EA-BL14.

Please create file ".Xmodmap" in your home-directory like this (example adds German 'Umlaute"):

keycode 49=Mode_switch
clear mod3
add mod3 = Mode_switch
keycode 38 = a A adiaeresis Adiaeresis
keycode 32 = o O odiaeresis Odiaeresis
keycode 30 = u U udiaeresis Udiaeresis
keycode 39 = s S ssharp
keycode 26 = e E EuroSign

After reboot, confirm startup of this keymap, otherwise start it manualy: xmodmap .Xmodmap
Now you can enter special characters using the Japanese key (bottom row 4th key from left, next to 'Alt") + character key.

Most easy option is to use internal WLAN/Wifi card. For HSDPA/UMTS/EDGE/GPRS the Huawei E160 USB-Stick ("Fonic Surf-Stick" (old variant!) works "plug and play" perfectly fine. Also validated from users to work: Vodafone K3765 UMTS-stick (with sakis3g), Delock 61147 USB-LAN-adapter (Delock driver modul mcs7830.ko) and AVM Fritzbox 7050 USB.