Okay... I am new... Did the search

and found some conflicting info.

So:

I heard the 680e does not have a modem and the CF slot is unusable because of a plate of some sort.

I notice the "e" model was purchased through Tiger Direct with the installed plate.

I read another thread (but did not completely understand it) that mentioned the missing record/play buttons.

So what is the difference between the 680 and 680 "e"??? Are there issues with certain distributors/retailers?

Thanks + I am glad to be aboard!

The 680e does Not have a modem. The CF slot is a retractable door on the bottom of the 680x 690x, 7xx.

Exactly what C:Amie said.

However, we are starting to hear of people buying "refurbished" units from retailers, like TigerDirect, with the CompactFlash door closed off and even the front voice recorder buttons missing.

As always, buyer beware.

When you say "closed off", do you mean it is not usable at all?

Also,

Can the CF slot AND the PCMCIA card slots be used at the same time???

Yes,
You can use both slots @ the same time, but the more you use @ once the less time you get out of the battery....

the 680e that is found now, has a different base plate that does not have the CF slot cover that can be flipped open. (or so I heard)

but if you can somehow use the CF slot, both the CF slot and pccard slot can be used simultaneously.

So is that CF slot accessable or not???

For such cases of different base plate, the slot *cannot* be used as it is.

For those that have the CF slot with normal open cover available, CF slot & pccard slot car *can* be used together.

hmmmm,

Well I gues that counts out all of the (refurbished) 680e's I have seen for sale.

Thanks for the help.

You can actually *remove* the plate you know?

That is what I did to fit my microdrive in at least.