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Finally saw a Clie in real life...
By: ToolkiT @ 01:09 AM

Sony finally has a Clie here down under...
They only carry the T615C and I played around with it for a minute...
I must say I'm impressed...

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By: Toby @ 02:09 PM

I had the opposite reaction. Until this past weekend, one of the techs that I supervise was the only one in the office with a PocketPC. He got a free Palm VIIx with a computer order he placed, and after trying it out for a while, decided that he preferred PalmOS over PocketPC. He didn't want the VIIx, though, since he was looking for color. This past weekend, he wound up getting the T615C, so I was able to test one more than a few minutes in a store. The size is nice, but the display just screams 'don't stay far away from a power outlet' to me. In indoor light, it was unusable without the backlight. It's really making me reconsider the whole color PDA thing if this is the best that anyone can do with a color screen (not that it necessarily _is_, but just that many seem to rave over Sony's screens).

By: ToolkiT @ 03:38 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Toby
I had the opposite reaction. Until this past weekend, one of the techs that I supervise was the only one in the office with a PocketPC. He got a free Palm VIIx with a computer order he placed, and after trying it out for a while, decided that he preferred PalmOS over PocketPC. He didn't want the VIIx, though, since he was looking for color. This past weekend, he wound up getting the T615C, so I was able to test one more than a few minutes in a store. The size is nice, but the display just screams 'don't stay far away from a power outlet' to me. In indoor light, it was unusable without the backlight. It's really making me reconsider the whole color PDA thing if this is the best that anyone can do with a color screen (not that it necessarily _is_, but just that many seem to rave over Sony's screens).

I only tested inside the store did not try outside..... but you might be right about power usage...

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By: raptor @ 06:12 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Toby
The size is nice, but the display just screams 'don't stay far away from a power outlet' to me. In indoor light, it was unusable without the backlight. It's really making me reconsider the whole color PDA thing if this is the best that anyone can do with a color screen (not that it necessarily _is_, but just that many seem to rave over Sony's screens).

No matter how much I love my T615C now, I must admit that I don't think it's the best example of the CLIE's line of hi-res screens. The colors are washed out, the outdoor visibility (while MUCH better than the Prism/IIIC generation tech) isn't as good as it could be, and it does hit power a bit more (more the fault of the smaller battery, methinks).

If you can, check out an N series CLIE and see if you feel any better about it. While I don't have one (and I've only played with one in the stores on an occasional basis), I do believe that the sidelit screens fare a little better in all the above situations. The T615C's claim to fame was cramming all those features in a thin metal case (color, indoor/outdoor viewability, 16MB RAM, metal case, jog dial, improved speaker, MemStick slot).

Then again, I could be wrong. I'll know soon, though, one of my friends just spent his tax refund on an N760, so I'll get to "compare and contrast" between the two when he brings it in.

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By: VTL @ 04:42 PM

I've said this elsewhere - often enough that maybe I should give it up - but I can't stand the buttons on any of the Sonys. They are too small and have poor tactile response IMHO, particularly on the T - series.

It's the only thing that's keeping me from buying a Sony when my Prism gives up the ghost - assuming I don't go for a Treo instead.

By: Toby @ 06:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by raptor
No matter how much I love my T615C now, I must admit that I don't think it's the best example of the CLIE's line of hi-res screens. The colors are washed out, the outdoor visibility (while MUCH better than the Prism/IIIC generation tech) isn't as good as it could be, and it does hit power a bit more (more the fault of the smaller battery, methinks).

The color wasn't the issue AFAIC as much as the visibility was. Evidently I was too harsh on the M505 originally since the first time I looked at one I didn't turn on the backlight. The Sony's screen without the backlight was just as unviewable. With the backlight on, it was pretty enough, but I don't know if I'm ready to sacrifice battery life yet.

quote:
If you can, check out an N series CLIE and see if you feel any better about it. [...]

You mean they haven't discontinued them all yet?

By: raptor @ 03:47 AM

quote:
Originally posted by VTL
I've said this elsewhere - often enough that maybe I should give it up - but I can't stand the buttons on any of the Sonys. They are too small and have poor tactile response IMHO, particularly on the T - series.

If you want an understatement, we'll call the T-Series buttons "subpar".

I DO game with my device, and I'm hoping/holding out for a gamepad type of accessory. For what it's worth, the T-Series buttons themselves aren't devilspawn (you just can't tell what's what by touch alone), but that rocker switch/dial/waste of plastic is.

I just find that I use the stylus/jog dial combo much more now.

quote:
Originally posted by Toby
The color wasn't the issue AFAIC as much as the visibility was. Evidently I was too harsh on the M505 originally since the first time I looked at one I didn't turn on the backlight. The Sony's screen without the backlight was just as unviewable. With the backlight on, it was pretty enough, but I don't know if I'm ready to sacrifice battery life yet.

IMHO the M505 with backlight on was still dark. Not as abyssmal as some people have claimed (just my opinion), but pretty bad.

With no backlight on, yes, the T615C's screen is unviewable in anything but direct sunlight (and maybe not even then in some cases), but so's the screen on my step-dad's Ipaq 3800 (again, opinion). I wouldn't use either device without the back/sidelights on. So yes, it would be a battery drain.

Then again, the Sony's screen is about as viewable as my Gameboy Advance's screen, and THAT has no backlight!

quote:
You mean they haven't discontinued them all yet?

No, I think that's in the pipe for next week.

But seriously, if you can, check one out. I THINK that they're a little better in terms of "light off" viewability. I also believe their battery life is also superior (you sacrifice a lot for the T615C's slim case). Of course, I won't fully experience one for a coupla days still, so I could be off my rocker (it happens, hehe).

I'm not trying to get you to buy a Sony or anything, just trying to make sure that you don't judge all CLIE's by the T615C alone.

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By: Toby @ 02:43 PM

quote:
Originally posted by raptor
[...] With no backlight on, yes, the T615C's screen is unviewable in anything but direct sunlight (and maybe not even then in some cases), but so's the screen on my step-dad's Ipaq 3800 (again, opinion). I wouldn't use either device without the back/sidelights on. So yes, it would be a battery drain.

Ultimately, I think that's probably why I'm unlikely to get a color screen within the near future. Viewability and battery life are important to me.

quote:
Then again, the Sony's screen is about as viewable as my Gameboy Advance's screen, and THAT has no backlight! [...]

Don't they have some kind of light attachment for those, though?

By: septimus @ 03:06 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Toby
Don't they have some kind of light attachment for those, though?

even better:

www.portablemonopoly.com

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By: BobbyMike @ 03:08 PM

They do, but the "worm lights" don't really do it for me. My son has a GBA and I can't really play it. The lights make a hot spot on the screen and while the screen has great color resolution, but is too hard for my 'old' eyes to see. Glare is a big problem too.

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By: Madkins007 @ 03:21 PM

www.the-gadgeteer.com just posted a review of the 615's and they had some good to say about most of it- but they did not particularly care for the buttons either.

To my eye, the buttons make the thing look quite '70's somehow.

My next PDA may well be a Sony, but I'm sticking to my Prism for now (at least until the prices come down more!)

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By: GSR13 @ 03:54 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Toby
Don't they have some kind of light attachment for those, though?

My wife has the Cobra light for her GBA and goes it through batteries super fast.

Of course, there are other alternatives and I am sure some of them provide their own power source.

As for the backlight on the PDA, I have owned the Prism and now the 760. Personally, battery life has never been an issue. It was more so with the Prism and a SpringBoard Module than it has been with my CLIE. Lately, I run the CLIE on 3/4 to Full brightness and I could really go a few days without a charge.

If you are want or need to go weeks without charging and you use it heavily, then color is definately not the way to go.

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By: Jupe @ 04:06 PM

quote:
Originally posted by GSR13

Lately, I run the CLIE on 3/4 to Full brightness and I could really go a few days without a charge.

That's been my experience with my 760 also. I put it in the charger every night and at the end of the day it's never below 70%. I have gone 3 days between charges and was only down to 15-20%. I use it regularly throughout the day - maybe a total of 2-3 hours runtime in a typical day. I also sync daily via IR which uses a good bit of battery power.

Like GSR13 said, if you need it to go for more than about 3 days on a charge maybe it's not for you. For me charging it overnight every day or so is not a hardship. I have never felt the least bit limited by the device's battery power. Your mileage may vary.

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By: Toby @ 04:30 PM

quote:
Originally posted by GSR13
[...] If you are want or need to go weeks without charging and you use it heavily, then color is definately not the way to go.

I'm not necessarily looking for weeks, but I have gone 10 days without a charge before.

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