Sony PEG-TH55

[brahamt]

So does anyone know about Sony's plan to replace the NX80/73? I like that form factor a little more than the TH55 (though I like the 55).

[sUnShInE]

I feel like everyone's saying the same thing: Once both models are out, we'll all hit the closest retail store and check both models out and then decide what we want (and go buy it online for cheaper ). It is exciting that good product is coming out now though.

Btw, Brighthand has a well-written review on the 55: http://www.brighthand.com/article/Sony_Clie_TH55_Review

Summation...

Value

The TH55 is going to have to compete against other handhelds with Wi-Fi, and it is priced very well to do so.

At $400, the TH55 is $50 less than HP's iPAQ h4155. It is a bit more expensive than Dell's Axim X3i, plus it offers features neither of those models do, like an HVGA screen and a camera.

It is the same price as palmOne's Tungsten T3, which doesn't offer Wi-Fi.

Conclusion

Two years ago, Sony led the pack in offering feature-laden handhelds at low prices. Last year, it seemed to concentrate on very high-end models, some costing well over $500. With the TH55, Sony is once again offering a model that has a good feature set at a good price.

[nathansu]

Originally Posted by gvtexas

SonyUSA is now showing (and accepting orders) for the TH55 ($399.99) and TJ37 ($299.99).



This is the first time i've been really torn about preordering (and not waiting until the first price drop) a pda, since the 55 is near zactly what I've been waiting for. Trouble is, there's always a few "oops" with any new model, so what's going to be the oops for this one? Or should i wait to see the new Palm T-whatever?

Decisions, decisions....


Main differences (per Sony's spec sheets):
55 has 123mhz Sony Handheld Engine cpu, 37 has 200mhz i.MXL cpu (have to think the 55 is better/faster/more power stingy, but no facts behind that)
55 has voice recorder, 320x480 screen
55 is .10 thicker, .38 taller
55 can sync via wifi
55 is 1.5oz. heavier

Personally, the screen size is the drawing card of the 55. I miss my HandEra's huge screen, and although the 320x320 Sony screens are nice, that extra real estate is mighty handy and makes the wifi almost usable.

This sealed the deal for me. BestBuy.com has it on preorder for 319.99! 399 was questionable, but at 319 with these unbelieveable features, I cant pass it up. And, I wouldn't suggest you guys passing it up either!

edit:
Oh the link might be a good idea http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....6&type=product

[sUnShInE]

broken link

[nathansu]

Originally Posted by sUnShInE

broken link

Yeah, like two hours after I posted best buy *sold out* of the preorder. I didn't manage to get in on it - but some friends of mine did.

[gvtexas]

Well...I finally broke down and ordered a TH55 today from Amazon. Paid for next day shipping, so I should have it in the morning. Will post some initial impressions when I get through wiping the drool off it...

[radleyp]

I played with one in a store yesterday. It's a very nice machine, slim, light and attractive. But since I don't need Wifi, it presents no advantages for me over the T3, and has certain disadvantages: the screen seems not quite as bright, and the hardware buttons - for some reason, a problem with Sony units - are oddly positioned and small (this is why, I am sure, the new PIM functions are accessible directly from the screen). I will wait from OS6 to buy a new PDA. Philippe Radley

Originally Posted by gvtexas

Well...I finally broke down and ordered a TH55 today from Amazon. Paid for next day shipping, so I should have it in the morning. Will post some initial impressions when I get through wiping the drool off it...

[gvtexas]

Originally Posted by radleyp

But since I don't need Wifi, it presents no advantages for me over the T3...

As a step-up pda for me this is perfect. As a lateral move, of course not. The real market for the TH55 are those with older, slower PDAs. And the wifi is a biggie for me (otherwise I wouldn't do it), so that's a plus.

My take on the OS6 models is that they will be $$ more than the relative bargain the TH55 is at $400. I hope I'm wrong, but i get the feeling that Sony will first stuff OS6 into high-end PDAs.

[TadW]

... there are still rumors that OS5-based PDAs could be upgraded to OS6 once OS6 is out.

[gvtexas]

Originally Posted by TadW

... there are still rumors that OS5-based PDAs could be upgraded to OS6 once OS6 is out.

...and the check's in the mail, it's only a cold sore, no more taxes, etc. Hope that's true, but tend to want to file that with those other historical lies...

[Alexander Turcic]

Gary, do you like your new PDA? Should I order it now too?

[gvtexas]

Originally Posted by Alexander

Gary, do you like your new PDA? Should I order it now too?

Oh yeah...it's been a treat to play with. There are some weird things about it though, so there's more of a learning curve with this model than any I've had before. There are some strange design-related issues with it that can mostly be fixed by using a case: the back button is easy to tap, causing it to turn on and open the previous screen; if you forget to close the camera cover, you can accidentaly snap a picture; and the power button is plain strange (still haven't gotten used to it).

But...the screen's gorgeous, unit is very responsive, form factor is fabulous, love the smoked plastic cover, and the wifi works well but I'm already tired of the native browser and mail programs and am looking for replacement. Wifi worked first time at Starbucks under non-WEP network, and worked first time at the office in a WEP-enabled network, but I cannot get it to work at home yet with my LinkSys router (am not alone on this...big threads at ClieSource regarding this issue).

All in all, it's a keeper, but there are some changes of habit to take place to adapt, and a few early-adopter wrinkles to iron out, such as the wifi under LinkSys wireless router home networks.

The other oddity is that you can't do a full backup from your old handheld to start with. There are some problems with non-5 OS issues at play. So the transition is a little strange (haven't finished doing it yet either...they provide a migration tool, but require your hotsynce names to be different on the two PDAs for it to work).

All these issues, to me, are minor compared to the positives. Go for it, I say.

Edited Monday. Forget to add two things: I love the little telescoping stylus, although you'll read others hate it. Problem is I'm going to have to buy some spares because it's very easy to lose! Also, major disappointment when I loaded iSilo...doesn't run in full screen!!! There is a T3 fix out, and supposedly a Th55 fix on the way, but I have had to use Palm Reader Pro to play with.

[TadW]

... how did your battery perform (preferably when reading ebooks)?

[gvtexas]

Originally Posted by TadW

... how did your battery perform (preferably when reading ebooks)?

Haven't timed it formally, but gut feeling is that it's much, much better than my sj30...running the wifi does eat the battery faster, though. Plus, I'm in the zone of playing with it all the time, so probably abusing it more than normal. Will do some more precise timings when i get a chance.

[TadW]

Cool! Longer battery lifetime is what I need.

Btw, I don't know if you can answer me this question, it is somewhat off-topic, but would you say Wi-Fi 802.11 is compatible between the US and Europe? I remember that I bought a Netgear card once in the US, and I couldn't get it to work in Europe (perhaps it was the Wi-Fi router's fault).