The point is you have to buy additional things to get the Zaurus' PIM apps up to speed. I've bought some software from thekompany, etc. But I still would never recommend the thing to someone who really wants to:
1) get work done on it
2) rely on it
3) expect a easy, trouble-free experience.
It's a messed up device with lots of problems. I've used the Zaurus 5500 through the original Sharp ROM, to the latest. I also ran several versions of OpenZaurus (which is nice, but screws up lots of the Sharp apps. big compatibility problems)
The 5500 also has some hardware flaws. The SD slot is a POS. It's extremely slow and doesn't really function right.
Also, manufacturers of of expansion CF cards rarely support the Zaurus. You have to go on a time-consuming journey of 3rd party driver searching. And, IF you find a driver, it's usually buggy in some way.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND A ZAURUS unless you are just all about tweaking and goofing around with Linux. You will NEED to know the Linux console. I spent countless hours learning about Linux configuration and commands at the command line.
I didn't use the PIM stuff at all. A paper daily planner would way outgun relying on the Zaurus for that stuff. It hard locks on buggy GUIs and apps too much and loses your data (especially when you have to hard reset the RAM-based 5500.) Oh, and sometimes it doesn't wake up from suspend and you have to reset it. Oh, and synching is almost impossible. The Z locked up on FTP transfers thru the cradle. The cradle software stinks. I used a CF card and adapter for all transfers.
I used my Zaurus for playing MP3s and OGGs in the car, reading PDF files in classes (heheheh), browsing the web in pain (2" screens are worthless for web browsing), playing Doom choppily but with good sound, and playing some of the cool game ports at EonGames.com.
Believe me. I will recommond ANY other PDA for people who aren't hardcore Linux/gearhead junkies. ANY other PDA. A friend of mine who spends his days hacking Linux for a local ISP bought a 5600 and is constantly telling me of the troubles he has with it. This thing has the craziest learning curve in the history of electronic devices, IMO. And, no it's not cuz Linux is tough. It's because things never work like they are supposed to or how you expect.
My overall opinion after this crazy diatribe:
The Sharp Zaurus series PDA is a very expensive, very powerful geek tool for those wanting a portable PC to tinker with. It is not a worthy information storage tool at all. It is a prototype for what could be the most incredible PDA around, but it needs TONS of work, and significantly better support from its manufacturer and 3rd party companies.
