Registered: Oct 2000
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Price of the Edge

I was in Best Buy last night and was looking at the PDA's they have on display. I was surprised to find the price difference between the Visor Edge and the Sony Clie S320 (I think that's the right model). The Edge was $284 (on sale) and the Clie $160. Looks to me like Sony is pulling a Handspring move.

Let me explain. When Handspring first came out, they had two big things going for them. #1 was the Springboard, the first expansion slot built into a Palm PDA. #2 was the incredibly great price. They were the least expensive out there. In fact they were so low, they forced Palm to reduce prices.

Now it looks like sony is doing the same kind of thing. With the Clie S320, you get the Edge form factor (well, maybe a little thicker, 0.15" to be exact), the same quality of display (160x160), and 4MB Flahs memory.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not switching to Sony. I'm just observing price differences. Besides, I couldn't justify changing PDA's anyway. I've had no trouble with my VPl since I traded up using my Best Buy extended warranty (I love warranties when they work for you, never had trouble with the other visors, just traded up).

Now, here's what's I'd miss if I had a Clie S320. I'd miss the advanced calculator. I use that thing more than I could have ever imagined. I'd miss Datebook+. Of course I could always just get Datebk4. I'd miss the ability to have a bunch of cool modules. Yeah, I know, there haven't been many coming out recently, but you have to admit, there aren't as many modules for any other Palm PDA right now. Sure the Clie has MP3 capablities and they're getting a Memory stick camera in November, but that's nothing compared to the number of modules for the Visor.

So, I hear what your asking: "What's your point, Bozo?" Ok, maybe you're not calling me a Bozo, but that's a nice way of putting what some of you are thinking My point is that Handspring and Palm need to do what Handspring forced Palm to do over a year ago. They need to reduce prices again. Be competitive with the new guy. If not, the new guy will end up taking 1/4 of the market share (or however much Handspring has grabbed).

Well, sorry for the rambling but, I feel that needed to be said. Once again, let me assure all of you, I'm not "defecting" as some of you would say. I'm not going to go out and sell my VPl so I can get a new Clie (probably wouldn't be the S320 anyway, more like the T415). I'm happy with what I've got and I'm sticking to it (until I can justify spending money I don't have anyway, which will be a long time).

signing off,

- Burns

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Registered: Nov 2001
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Are you sure?

Are you sure the cheap Clie has MP3? I think only the higher end ones have that.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: London
Posts: 7

I noticed on Wednesday that the European Amazon site had the Edge for �189. Thought it was a mistake and nearly bought it on impulse to replace my ageing Deluxe. The European Handspring site reduced its edge price to �199 yesterday so its now much more comparable in price to a Clie

Graham

Registered: Oct 2000
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They sell the MP3 adapter for the S320 as well. It's $130 but it is compatable. I think the trick is that they say you can play the music from the Memory stick. They do not mention playing it from the Clie's memory.

- Burns

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quote:

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grayam wrote:
I noticed on Wednesday that the European Amazon site had the Edge for �189. Thought it was a mistake and nearly bought it on impulse to replace my ageing Deluxe. The European Handspring site reduced its edge price to �199 yesterday so its now much more comparable in price to a Clie

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Japan is selling the edge for 19900 yen which is equal to around $200 US dollars.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: London
Posts: 7

quote:

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Originally posted by Burns


Unfortunately, Graham, the US$ equivalent of �199 is $291, so the price difference is still quite large.

- Burns

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Not over here I'm afraid. The Clie Peg-S300 is still around �190 (~$275) and the 320 I don't think is even available. I was just pointing out to any europeans here that, The Edge has come down. That we pay over the odds compared to you is a given

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Plainview, NY
Posts: 116

Ebay Auction for America

I just received my brand new Edge > On E-Bay Auction for America
Purchased for$225 + $7.00 Shipping
ALL $225 GOES TO AMERICAN RED CROSS SEPT11 FUND > ALL UNITS DONATED BY HANDSPRING
(See my other Thread)
God Bless America
dabirk (Grandpa Geek)

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BUT IF IT IS PLEEZ FIX"

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 65

quote:

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Originally posted by A. Yee
Japan is selling the edge for 19900 yen which is equal to around $200 US dollars.

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Registered: Nov 2000
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Re: Price of the Edge

quote:

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Originally posted by Burns
So, I hear what your asking: "What's your point, Bozo?" Ok, maybe you're not calling me a Bozo, but that's a nice way of putting what some of you are thinking My point is that Handspring and Palm need to do what Handspring forced Palm to do over a year ago. They need to reduce prices again. Be competitive with the new guy. If not, the new guy will end up taking 1/4 of the market share (or however much Handspring has grabbed).

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Well, neither Palm or Handspring have the money to win a battle against Sony. Both of them combined could not come close to the financial resources of Sony. Both companies only have enough financial resources to announce a new product every quarter. Because if the product they releases flops, then they're screwed. Sony on the other hand, in the last 6 months has released over 4 new products, and more if you count the ones on Japan.
Clies - S320, T415, T600, N610C, N710C, N760C
With that variety, and money, that can set whatever prices they want. However, I believe Palm dropping the m505 to $399 probably helped Sony's decision to drop the N760 to $449. Sony's products are superior to all competition, especially the low end. The high end is debatable on form factor and price. Even with lowered prices, Palm and Handspring will still have a tough time competing against Sony.

Palm's software division is gonna be taken over by Sony, Handspring, who knows...the Treo might save them for a year or so. They not only need to reduce prices, they need to release something that is worthy to compete with Sony.

Sony will rule the handheld market eventually, it's inevitable. Microsoft has the money, but they'll never appeal to consumers, they'll eventually figure out they're losing money, and pull out.

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nelson.hsieh
good artists copy, great artists steal. . .

Registered: Jun 2001
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 108

Sony ruling the PDA market

I hear a lot of people saying that "Sony will rule the PDA market". Don't you think that PDA's are just one little teeny part of the entire sony pie? They make so many things that make them so much money, they probably don't care if they own the market or not. It would be interesting if someone could find out the actual % of Sony's yearly sales that came from Clie's.

The Clie is a fantastic product. Nothing beats the screen quality, and the MP3 features of the higher end models are nice, but I don't think they will put anyone out of business any more than they killed other VCR, TV, Laptop, Radio, etc... manufacturers that they compete against.

Anyway, we all know in our hearts that the "Royal DaVinci" will eventually dominate all PDA's


Doug