Torn Between Two... Well... PDAs, Part 1

[Jeff Kirvin]

<a href="http://www.writingonyourpalm.net/column020527.htm">http://www.writingonyourpalm.net/column020527.htm</a><br /><br />My next PDA will likely be either the ultra-slim Toshiba e310 or the jaw-dropping, twistable Sony NR-70V. Which should I get?<br /><br />Okay, I admit it, I'm feelin' like a fool. There are two really interesting PDAs on the shelves at my local CompUSA, and I have to buy one of them. I just can't decide which one to get. My budget is around $600, and I have to buy retail. And yes, I know I'll kick myself later for not waiting to see the new iPAQ models and PalmOS 5 devices later this year, but the gadget-lust has become overwhelming. I have to buy either the Toshiba e310 or the Sony NR-70V.<br /><br />Read the rest <a href="http://www.writingonyourpalm.net/column020527.htm">here</a>.

[denivan]

That twistable sony seems like a good idea, but I hate the fact that when you twist it to be a normal handheld (http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/images/nr70v-7.jpg), that you cover all the hardware buttons. Personally I think this way it's unfair to judge the formfactor of the sony against others, because how would you feel that you have to turn and twist if you want to use a hardware button? Furthermore I think that Sony is good at making things 'Sony Style', but the current PalmOS is just a waste of time for them imo. I really can't understand why they don't make a sony style pocketpc.

By the way, it still seems big to me : http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/images/nr70v-10.jpg

The build in quality is really really bad, but becaus it's sony all reviewers keep saying 'it's better than nothing'. No it's not, it's much worse than nothing. The quality is so bad, you'll end up never using it, so it just takes up precious space.

Most reviewers used to say that they disliked thumb style keyboards, and now they like the sony one.

In my opinion it's a good concept, but not ready to be made today. First of all : why up the resolution like that, when you can't play divx or when your camera is a ****e resolution? Second of all : it should be smaller, for those Palm people out there, one of their main arguments was that a palm could fit in your shirt pocket. I can't see them doing that with this ;) Third, this is only good if you allready have Sony stuff. I have lot's of CF memory so I can't see myself investing all over again in Memorystick memory. Fourth, if you're carrying this : http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/images/nr70v-6.jpg then just get yourself a small HPC, at least that will justify the addition of a keyboard.

Don't see this is a rant against Sony, I think they have many good concepts and products, but at the moment i think PalmOS isn't mature enough for what Sony's trying to do.

Greetz

Ivan

[PlayAgain?]

You may find this interesting....... http://www.infosync.no/news/2002/n/1874.html

[lawnman]

I feel your pain Jeff :wink:
I have played with the new Sony at Circuit City and IF there was any way I would switch platforms. . .the twisty Sony would do it. It has a great screen and I didn't find it too big. The 'Dark side' may be clouding our judgement. . .must. . .resist.

[Timothy Rapson]

I just love the camera. I pull it out and people swarm around. The fact that I can carry, and easily carry. pictures of my family and just anything I see around my day, right with me all the time is so cool. I will probably never buy another PDA without a Camera.

The screen is gorgeous halfVGA. Once WordSmith, Laridian, and a nice paint program supports the high res, I will be in heaven.

It is much smaller than my sleeved Ipaq.

I am having a little trouble getting used to syncing. But, I had the same kind of problems with the Ipaq. It is just not as simple as it was on my Mako. I have no idea why it has to be so complicated to organize files. At least it is easier than the keeping track of the piles of floppies I had on my Atari ST 20 years or so ago.

WordSmith, TinySheet, and YiShow Launcher at hi-res on that beautiful screen are the top of the PDA technology right now. The Toshiba, while a great buy compared to other PPCs, is no more impressive than a Sony T650.

Tough choice though. The real question for me, and the real, cost is the cost of time and effort to reconfigure, relearn, and redo everything on your PDA to work a different way. If you do go for the Sony, you will have to set aside a week when you are not very busy.

Sony!

[mwab]

GET THE SONY

It is a great device and has lots of features plus the speed and simplicity of the palm OS.

(Please no flaming for my complementing the Palm OS)

[ojlittle]

Right now, I have a Casio E-200, Audiovox Maestro, Toshiba e-310, Sony T615c & Sony NR70V. I just got the Sony 4 days ago, to play with & then probably return. I know that is evil but the stores don't have any software on them & I need to test. Anyways, I'm now trying to sell my Casio E-200, Audiovox Maestro, & Sony T615c. I want to keep my e-310 & Sony NR70V. (I always like to have one of each, & in my opinion the e-310 & NR70V are the best). If I could find programs for the Sony that match the ones I have on the PPC, I would be fully converted. The only one I can't find is Pocket TV Browser. When that prog comes out for Palm (1-2weeks) I will probably sell my Toshiba as well. Anyone looking to buy let me know.

[Take1]

The 'neat' twisty thing called the NR70 doesn't really capture my intrest as it does many others. Twising it regularly will become old quick and the OS... well the OS.... could be called 'simple' but I'd rather call it limited (try managing and running programs on the MS ... talk about pain in the a**). The thing is heavy and huge to boot -- for a gadget freak that might not make a difference, but having a T-415, and an e310 the NR was simply a backward step sizewise and batterywise IMO. As an OS the PPC is simply more powerful and fexible (think of all the codecs that it can run) -- If Sony made a full-screen T-615 sized unit running PPC or OS75 with a 320 x 640 screen, I'd get one immediately!

I'm waiting for the thin xScale HP iPAQ -- hope they keep the iPAQ screen and audio but retain the battery life and cover of the HPs in that unit.