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Sony Clie PEG-UX50 Review
securitas writes "In case you can't wait until September to find out what it's like, Walt Mossberg reviews the Sony Clie UX50 (as previously discussed). He likes it, but with reservations. The keyboard lacks predictive text (unlike the Handspring Treo and RIM BlackBerry) and the Clie Mail e-mail software can't read graphical e-mails and has poor attachment support. The audio player only reads files from a particular directory. He likes the 802.11b WiFi and loves the 450x320 screen. The biggest problem? The $700 price tag ($600 for the non-wireless UX40 model) - equivalent to a low-end laptop - especially since it doesn't come with a Memory Stick. If you can read it, here's a Japanese Clie UX50 review and PalmInfocenter press release rewrite."
With new small input devices, and things like 7.1 surround sound being implemented in portables (new ps handheld) all we need is a better way to display output and pdas could potentially replace pcs.
Currently I don't own a pda, because I really don't think I would use it. The technology is cool, but coolness doesn't justify the price tag. However, if the current trend continues we could have a device that could be used as your primary computer in a few years. Think talking on the phone while driving is dangerous? Imagine talking on IRC.
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i skip the article. :)
Could it play Quake 3? No? Then it WON'T replace PC's.
That issue a shampoo about thesis lack of predictive texture one thesis keyboard. I ample using predictive texture right now and I think it's great!
Sure it's a nice device, but I agree with Mr. Mossberg... it's too expensive. For $700, the price of a low-end laptop, I'd expect a lot more. Maybe someone would like to buy me one and I wouldn't have to worry about the price?
Has anyone else heard that story? I heard it 10 years ago, and it still hasn't happened. All together now; "No portable computer will ever replace the desktop you have at home." Oh, and as far as your 7.1 sound in the PSP, that only means that it has the capacity to implement it. It still only has 1 tinny speaker, 2 if you're lucky, and if you really want 7.1 you will be tied to a tv, and that defeats the purpose. As for the rest of your comment, I don't currently own a pda either, but i really wish i did. Certainly not this one, as the price is pretty outrageous. But replace a desktop? These things won't even replace a laptop.
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As we continue to move add with technology, let's not forget that the all of this comes from somewhere after all. It's the programmers, the designers and the users that make up the bulk of what we use today and though we are constantly dicated by doctrine (ie advertisements, public speakers and the like) ultimately it's the masses that dertermine what is useful. It's not the number of features that matter... it's the usefulness.
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Is that a Sony Clie in your pocket, or aren't you really happy to see me?
I'd rather go in for something heavier and bulkier when chicks're around.
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If you can afford a $700 PDA, I'm sure you can afford a memory stick as well. Unless of course, you have one of those already because the memory stick is an extremely popular (and useful) storage device. Oh wait... nope. How about an SD or PCMIA slot instead since this IS a "mini" laptop.
Is that including SCO licence?
Can we build a Beowulf cluster out of it? NO
JESUS when will they get a clue???
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(Funny though, after Microsoft themselves killed their HPC clamshell market and told the world HPC was dead and keyboardless pen-driven PDAs were the future.)
However, the new clamshells are still significantly overpriced when compared to devices in their category (compare to a Ipaq 2215 @ half the price). In the same breath you have Sony pushing devices such as the U101, which is a PDA-like laptop. Granted its 2x the price of the Clie clamshell, but it can run linux and is a fully fledged 'PC'. This race can't go on forever, and more manufacturers are making sub-laptop devices running desktop OS's. I predict that the lifespan of the clamshell Clie' is limited because of this, and it may not be a good buying decision unless you are a current Clie' user with hard-on for the product line.
The best current bets seem to be the Sony U101, Fujitsu 2120, Libretto L5, and JVC subnotes. Alternatively if you want the super-small form factor, go with the clamshell Zaurus. At least you have linux on it and are not left with a device that may die when discontinued!
I have the U101 and a HP 2215. I hardly use the 2215 as of late. Nothing beats being able to run the apps I use on the desktop on a smaller form factor. Nevermind the fact that Microsoft Pocket IE is totally useless.
You should be able to sync to a Macintosh using Mark/Space's The Missing Sync just like I do with my ancient (over a year old!) NR-70v
Why are you reading this article? Don't you know there's a power outage? Geeze...
Here's the problem: this device will not catch on, just like most of the other high-power PDAs that havn't caught on, because it does way too much. At the very least, it does way more than the average user will need/want. And for $700!! Why should a somebody spend that kind of money on a tiny device with limited power/resources instead of putting that cash toward a laptop? The expected answer is smaller size, better form factor, extreme portability.
But you know what? This smells just like all of the hype surrounding previous PDAs, WAP phones, now 3G phones, picture-capable, etc.
I want to know when businesses are going to realize that the only thing people want (and more importantly, will use; or even more importantly, what they will actually pay for) is a phone to make calls, a PDA to keep your address book and calendar, and a computer for everything else?
Many people complain about the price of this PDA. Sure it is expensive, but it does cost a lot of money to develop and manufacture powerful hardware in such a tiny form. A 1GB MemoryStick is more expensive than a 80GB harddisk, but remember you can't put a harddisk in your wallet. Some people want a powerful PDA in their pockets and are willing to pay premium for it. If you don't care about size, keep your desktop and don't complain!
personally, I dont think pda's will replace the conventional computer... they'll just be another accessory to the computer, though mobos are getting smaller and embedded systems are becoming popular.. I think people will still want towers or similar types of cases to modify and add power to..now.. for typical user.. pda's will prolly be another cell phone thing.. for hardcore computer geeks.. pc's will still be a major thing.. and pda's will be a side thing. personally, I couldnt sit there squinting my eyes at a tiny-ass screen all day.. maybe when cd's are are the size of cheerios and hard drives are even smaller and pda's can display holographic displays... then MAYBE.. but we still need the conventional keyboard, becuase really, even if voice command stuff comes into play, you still need keyboards to have manual control. there's just some things that need to stay.