The Pepper Pad 3

I consider myself to be reasonably computer-literate - I have 20+ years of experience as a Software Engineer, and have owned a handful of PCs over the years, plus more than a handful of digital gadgets. However, very little of that has been with non-z/OS or non-Microsoft systems.

When researching this device, I found that much of the available information was in Linux-speak and very technical; there wasn't a lot of information and detailed user experiences available in layman's terms. Pepper.com only has a high-level overview of the device. The website does host an online community forum, which is very useful if you know what questions to ask, but not a good way to just get a feel for what this thing can do and whether or not you want to own one. A Pepper Pad wiki is being written, and while it does seem to contain a wealth of useful information, it is definitely geared more towards the techies. The Linux-laced explanations and directions are like a different language to me. And I know at least a few things about computers; I can only imagine what the novice users must think.

So, I decided to try to fill in the blanks a bit. My goal is to share with you my experiences with the Pepper Pad 3 in regular-speak, as I learn to use it, and as I explore ways to make it as useful to me as possible. Another personal goal is for me to write this lens entirely on the Pepper Pad, to help me get used to my new gadget, and to also evaluate its capabilities. Hopefully my efforts will either help you with a buying decision, or, if you already own one, to help you maximize its usefulness.

I am always on the lookout for the perfect mobile device, one that offers a lot of capability yet isn't too cumbersome to carry. My most recent mobile device has been a Dell Axim X50V PocketPC. I have been pleased with it, for the most part. I like its portability, its VGA screen, and its builtin wifi. I would often take it on trips with me, and found that for the types of tasks I needed it for, it could replace my laptop. I used the Axim to keep an address book and personal calendar, store notes and lists, keep a trip journal for my travels, listen to music, watch movies, backup photos from my digital camera, and get online (via wifi and compact flash modem) to check e-mail and perform basic web browsing tasks.

However, the Axim does have its share of shortcomings. All data input is on its touch screen using a stylus. I find entering any amount of text this way to be very tedious; writing by hand is very inaccurate, and tapping on the on-screen keyboard is way too slow for a skilled touch typist. Online, I struggle with the limited capabilities of Pocket Internet Explorer and the device's short battery life when its wifi is on. And although the Axim's VGA screen is a major step up from previous PDAs, my aging eyes are finally beginning to struggle as I try to view it.

After using the Axim for 2 1/2 years, I decided it was time to begin looking for a replacement. I looked at some new PDAs, some internet pads, and the latest UMPCs (Ultra Mobile PCs), and found them to be either a step backwards, not a big enough step up, or way too expensive for what they offered.

Then I spotted a reference to the Pepper Pad on engadget.com, and started researching its capabilities. It was difficult to find a lot of user experience-type information, but what I read I liked. Multimedia support, a bigger screen, a capable web browser, longer wifi battery life, and an intriguing split keyboard design all caught my attention. At a retail price of $699, it still was a bit pricey, but a computer sale at Amazon.com plus a handful of Amazon reward certificates brought the price down to something I was more willing to pay.

I have to admit I wasn't too excited about the limited software applications that the Pepper Pad supported, the lack of Personal Information Management software (like an address book and calendar), and the fact that installing anything not approved by Pepper Computer would void its warranty. But there seemed to be some additional free Linux applications available that might enhance the usefulness of the device. And if I did decide to install these programs, I might even learn more about Linux along the way.