Writing at ZDNet UK, Matt Loney reports on the anticpated April launch of the Linux-powered Sharp Zaurus, citing the retail price as a 'sticking point'. Loney writes . . .

“The Linux-based Zaurus SL-5500 handheld computer will be widely available at the end of April, said Sharp, but the price could be a sticking point. “

” . . . Recent figures from market research firm IDC place Palm as the leading PDA supplier in Europe, with a 38 percent market share. IDC attributes much of this success to price, in addition to a reorganised sales force and improved inventory control. But even with aggressive pricing strategies, Palm is continuing to lose ground to Microsoft's Pocket PC operating system, which is used on devices sold by Compaq and HP. These two companies have 17 percent and 6 percent respectively . . . ”

” . . . While the price of the Zaurus will be comparable to the prices of colour Pocket PC products from Compaq and HP, it will be still be significantly more expensive than colour Palm devices . . . “

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