What did you get? I'm looking again too.

I've got a Clie SJ30. I like it, but with Sony getting out of the business I've been looking at getting a faster device before they disappear. The SJ30 has a 33 MHz Dragonball and 16 MB of RAM. I only have to charge it about every 2 weeks and I use it several times a day every day (if only for a minute or two at a time).

WiFi would be nice, but it looks like Bluetooth is a viable option too as USB to Bluetooth adapters are only about $25-$35 (I just want something that will let me easily get info to and from a PC network). A bigger screen would be nice, but apparently there are some issues with some apps not understanding landscape mode on some machines. I don't use Graffiti but rather use the virtual keyboard. Are the thumbboards built into some of the machines really workable?

I don't need a camera (which is on too many new phones too, IMO). I like the MemoryStick interface. MP3 player would be nice, but not essential. Longer battery life is better. PocketPC devices are not on The List.

I'm agonizing among the following:

[link|http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=58-201-024&depa=3|Sony Clie TJ35]. 200 MHz, 32/16 MB, no WiFi nor Bluetooth, no camera, with MemoryStick and stereo headphone jack. Other cons: lots of complaints about the backlight dying. Has this been fixed in later versions? $155.00.

[link|http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=58-201-022&depa=3|Clie TJ37]. 200 MHz, 32/16 MB, WiFi but no Bluetooth, has camera, with MemoryStick and stereo headphone jack. Other cons: Same basic design as TJ35? Backlight problems? Some complaints about short battery life, especially with WiFi, and long charging times. $254.50

[link|http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=58-201-021&depa=3|Clie TH55]. Variable speed 123 MHz, 32/33 MB, WiFi but no Bluetooth. Camera, with MemoryStick and stereo headphone jack. 320x480 display. Transparent lid (that doesn't open fully). Longer battery life than TJ37? Other cons: Complaints about the stylus, backlight required to see display, rather slow at times compared to faster machines, landscape doesn't work as well as on big-screen Palms. Some buttons on the back which are claimed hard to get used to. $389.00.

[link|http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=58-101-127&depa=3|Palm Tungsten C - International Version] ($100 less than US version. What's the difference?) 400 MHz, 64 MB RAM (52 MB usable), WiFi but no Bluetooth. No camera, built-in keyboard (no dedicated Graffiti area). Palm Expansion Slit (SD?). Non-standard (mono) headphone jack. Cover opens like a book rather than flipping over. $299. [link|http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=58-101-117&depa=3|US Version] - $399.

[link|http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=58-101-121&depa=3|Palm Tungsten T3]. 400 MHz, 64 MB RAM (52 MB usable), Bluetooth but no WiFi, 320x480 (expandable). No built-in keyboard. $329.

I've read of infant mortality problems with some of the Palms, and the old display problems with some of the Clies makes me nervous. Some claim the battery life is better on the Clies than on the Palms.

I guess objectively I should be leanding toward the Tungsten C, or maybe the TH55. Having a keyboard (if it works relatively well) would be handy for web stuff and e-mail. But I really don't like having to use "Secure" media on my devices.

I may go nuts and get a faster camera-less version (like the TJ35, assuming the backlight problem has been fixed), and a WiFi or Bluetooth box like the Tungsten C or TH55 and use one for work and one for play. Dunno.

I've thought about a Zaurus SL-6000L, but it's too expensive and does too much (I just want a faster PDA with reasonable wireless access of some sort). I've also considered a Treo 600, but it's too expensive and I don't want to change wireless phone plans yet.

Decisions, decisions...

Thanks for any comments.

Cheers,
Scott.

Post #158,636 by Another Scott 6/6/04 12:16:05 PM Reply	What did you get? I'm looking again too. I've got a Clie SJ30. I like it, but with Sony getting out of the business I've been looking at getting a faster device before they disappear. The SJ30 has a 33 MHz Dragonball and 16 MB of RAM. I only have to charge it about every 2 weeks and I use it several times a day every day (if only for a minute or two at a time). WiFi would be nice, but it looks like Bluetooth is a viable option too as USB to Bluetooth adapters are only about $25-$35 (I just want something that will let me easily get info to and from a PC network). A bigger screen would be nice, but apparently there are some issues with some apps not understanding landscape mode on some machines. I don't use Graffiti but rather use the virtual keyboard. Are the thumbboards built into some of the machines really workable? I don't need a camera (which is on too many new phones too, IMO). I like the MemoryStick interface. MP3 player would be nice, but not essential. Longer battery life is better. PocketPC devices are not on The List. I'm agonizing among the following: [link\|http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=58-201-024&depa=3\|Sony Clie TJ35]. 200 MHz, 32/16 MB, no WiFi nor Bluetooth, no camera, with MemoryStick and stereo headphone jack. Other cons: lots of complaints about the backlight dying. Has this been fixed in later versions? $155.00. [link\|http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=58-201-022&depa=3\|Clie TJ37]. 200 MHz, 32/16 MB, WiFi but no Bluetooth, has camera, with MemoryStick and stereo headphone jack. Other cons: Same basic design as TJ35? Backlight problems? Some complaints about short battery life, especially with WiFi, and long charging times. $254.50 [link\|http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=58-201-021&depa=3\|Clie TH55]. Variable speed 123 MHz, 32/33 MB, WiFi but no Bluetooth. Camera, with MemoryStick and stereo headphone jack. 320x480 display. Transparent lid (that doesn't open fully). Longer battery life than TJ37? Other cons: Complaints about the stylus, backlight required to see display, rather slow at times compared to faster machines, landscape doesn't work as well as on big-screen Palms. Some buttons on the back which are claimed hard to get used to. $389.00. [link\|http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=58-101-127&depa=3\|Palm Tungsten C - International Version] ($100 less than US version. What's the difference?) 400 MHz, 64 MB RAM (52 MB usable), WiFi but no Bluetooth. No camera, built-in keyboard (no dedicated Graffiti area). Palm Expansion Slit (SD?). Non-standard (mono) headphone jack. Cover opens like a book rather than flipping over. $299. [link\|http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=58-101-117&depa=3\|US Version] - $399. [link\|http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=58-101-121&depa=3\|Palm Tungsten T3]. 400 MHz, 64 MB RAM (52 MB usable), Bluetooth but no WiFi, 320x480 (expandable). No built-in keyboard. $329. I've read of infant mortality problems with some of the Palms, and the old display problems with some of the Clies makes me nervous. Some claim the battery life is better on the Clies than on the Palms. I guess objectively I should be leanding toward the Tungsten C, or maybe the TH55. Having a keyboard (if it works relatively well) would be handy for web stuff and e-mail. But I really don't like having to use "Secure" media on my devices. I may go nuts and get a faster camera-less version (like the TJ35, assuming the backlight problem has been fixed), and a WiFi or Bluetooth box like the Tungsten C or TH55 and use one for work and one for play. Dunno. I've thought about a Zaurus SL-6000L, but it's too expensive and does too much (I just want a faster PDA with reasonable wireless access of some sort). I've also considered a Treo 600, but it's too expensive and I don't want to change wireless phone plans yet. Decisions, decisions... Thanks for any comments. Cheers, Scott.
Post #158,656 by jbrabeck 6/6/04 4:41:48 PM Reply	Actually I quit looking Decided that it would be more a "toy" than useful device. At the moment I have enough "toys". Have to pay attention to paying bills rather than buying new toys. Now, if you want to get rid of your old one really cheeeeeep .... Thanks to all for the suggestions.
Post #158,664 by Another Scott 6/6/04 5:56:04 PM Reply	Amazon has Clie SJ30s for $118 and up, refurbished. They're available on eBay too, it looks like they go for $50 - $125 depending on the condition and how badly people want a particular one. If I get a new one in the near future, I'll keep you in mind. :-) Cheers, Scott.

Welcome to IWETHEY!