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Review of New Sony Clie PEG-NR70

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the hardware-to-lust-after dept.

Bryce writes "Here is a detailed review of the new Sony Clie PEG-NR70." Kurt the Pope picked one of these up in Japan and I have to say that it is an amazing PDA. Brilliant screen, and that cool flip open design with a mini keyboard. When I can get one that speaks English, it could be my next PDA (my iPaq died!)

5 of 142 comments (clear)

  1. true test of geekdom by NeoSkandranon · · Score: 1, Interesting

    The question is, how many /.ers are reading that review and thinking "66Mhz, wow i was using one of those just [time] ago"

    For me it's been about two weeks, at dad's office, but i have a pair of defunct 66's around here somewhere

    --
    If you can't see the value in jet powered ants you should turn in your nerd card. - Dunbal (464142)
  2. Clie? Did they get a decent hardware upgrade?? by optisonic · · Score: 2, Interesting

    After looking at the article, it doesn't look like this model is much different.

    I've been researching the handheld market very heavily in the past few weeks and there are not many good choices. All of the decent choices are NOT Palm OS or Linux. :(

    I REALLY wanted a Zaurus 5500 because it has way more potential than any other unit I've seen. Unfortunately there is a significant lack of software that provides desktop functionality. Mail support is kinda weak and there of course is no terminal server client for us that have to manage both Windows and Linux servers. File compatibility is also weak on ALL handhelds that I have seen. This is one of the most important issues, especially in an office environment where you want to get work done and not have to convert to a non-standard (in most offices anyhow) format such as rtf instead of doc. None of them support embedding of images and objects yet but with the next round of PocketPC software, we will have support for this as well.

    Until new hardware is released, PocketPC 2002 has the most useful features and the most commercial developer support. I don't have time to code apps myself as I already work 70+ hour weeks and can't spare anymore personal time.

    There are only 2 handhelds that had features vs. cost that are acceptable.

    Compaq 3870 (the one with INTEGRATED bluetooth)
    Casio Casseopia E-200
    Sharp Zaurus 5500

    The Compaq is best because you don't have to use a slot to access the Internet from your unit. This alone is worth the purchase. No other unit has the same features, screen quality, and support (such as closing apps without having to "end task") in one unit.

    The Casio is best for cost vs features if you don't want bluetooth. As I don't want to permanently use a slot for wireless connection (that could be used for memory etc), this won't work for me.

    The Sharp feels the best, has a great display, a very helpful keyboard, and some very good apps. If they had included support to write and read ms office/pocket office documents, I would buy this one even without bluetooth. No bluetooth, no native file support, no Zaurus for me.

    No matter which you choose, wireless is the ONLY way to use these things effectively (unless you are boring and don't use the Internet and network extensively like everyone I know does). To use wireless effectively, you MUST use a service such as LoudPC. Without it, you are severly limited.

    Palm OS is crippled in comparison and the hardware can't handle the fun stuff that the 64mb PocketPC's can. Maybe a Clie for the kids would be fine, but it is not a professional worktool.

    my 2p

    -bj

  3. Great product by i_luv_linux · · Score: 2, Interesting
    This is a really cool product. But the stock market currently says that Palm is doomed. Palm should make great advancements in their Operating System, otherwise I don't think that they will stand a chance to Microsoft in the future. As the technology develops, pocket PC devices may be quite competitive in terms of portability and battery life which I believe is the number one reason behind the trend for Palm devices.

    Linux may also be a good competitor in this area, but the flagship product of Linux, Sharp Zaurus, seems to be not so successful, if successful at all.

  4. Some issues against this... by theridersofrohan · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Note that this is probably going to sound as an anti-sony rant (and in some ways, it is) but bear with me.


    Here are some issues against buying this:

    PalmOS5 The new OS is coming out soon (Q4). It only supports ARM cpus. This machine has a dragonball (m68k derivative) cpu. Will you give $600 for this and not be able to upgrade it to palmOS 5? You will not be able to run ARM apps either...

    Resolution support: Few apps support sony's 320x320 resolution (the one that older clies have). Very few support this one's. Sony seems to be flooding the market with new APIs when PalmOS 5 is going to tackle the screen size issue...

    Low battery life. The battery life on this is extremely low (4 hours AFAIK? check palminfocenter.com)

    Memory Stick. It's big (physical size), expensive, proprietary, and does not hold too much data. It locks you into an all exclusive and very expensive sony world. And don't forget the MagicGate sticks folks!

    Sony's ATRAC3 (the lovely DRM-enabled music format)

    Few peripherals. Palms, Visors, and even pocketpc enjoy a much greater variety of peripherals... A stowaway for your sony? A GPS module for your sony? Don't think so...


    sorry for ranting :)

  5. Palm VIIx etc. by gruntvald · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Everything Palm does is better done by other companies, but, damn it, why does no-one else do wireless internet? It's the only thing that keeps me on it.