Comments on: Review: Sony PEG-SJ20, Part II
Sony announced the SJ20 just over a week ago and said it would be available last week. However, it ran into some delays and is just now beginning to reach stores.
News Editor Ed Hardy has the second half of his review of the SJ20.
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RE: backlight color?
In short, you can't tell what a handheld's screen looks like from a picture. You need to see for yourself. Short of that, take my word for it. As I covered in the first part of this review, the SJ20 has a nice white backlight and good contrast.
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News Editor
RE: backlight color?
RE: backlight color?
RE: backlight color?
What I would like to see is some transparency behind the input area so you can see the icons and writing area when in complete darkness.
RE: backlight color?
wes
YET Another nice PDA from sony...
RE: YET Another nice PDA from sony...
RE: YET Another nice PDA from sony...
RE: YET Another nice PDA from sony...
RE: YET Another nice PDA from sony...
RE: YET Another nice PDA from sony...
The only reason you'd complain is if all you care about is having the latest and greatest, which is purely for bragging/showing-off purposes.
RE: YET Another nice PDA from sony...
RE: YET Another nice PDA from sony...
wes
Memory Stick slot speed
"This doesn't cripple the handheld or anything but doing backups takes a while. There is a noticeable lag opening applications and eBooks from the Memory Stick but, like I said, this is more of a minor irritation than anything else. I chalk this up to the sort of thing you have to expect from a $200 handheld. You just aren't going to get the same performance you get from a $400 one. "
So are you telling us that an expensive Sony model has a faster running Memory Stick slot? I never read this speed issue before. If it is slow than why use it, the 16mb of ram is enough then for the users who buy this.
RE: Memory Stick slot speed
> Stick slot?
Definitely. A T665C has a VFSMark score of 101, indicating that it is slightly faster than the application's benchmark, a Palm m500 with a 16 MB SD card.
> If it is slow than why use it, the 16mb of ram is enough then for the users
> who buy this.
Memory Sticks are nice for doing backups, even if you aren't trying to carry around more than 16 MB of files. There are other uses too, but I get your point and I agree, many of the people who get a SJ20 will never need a Memory Stick for it.
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News Editor
RE: Memory Stick slot speed
RE: Memory Stick slot speed
RE: Memory Stick slot speed (and use)
RE: Memory Stick slot speed
RE: Memory Stick slot speed
Ed, what hacks have you installed? When I used BatteryLog hack to monitor the batter usage of my N610C. For unknown reason, it slows down the performance of momery stick. I just got a VFSMark of 29, the write speed is extremely slow. However, if BatteryLog is disable, VFSMark is about 70.
RE: Memory Stick slot speed
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News Editor
RE: Memory Stick slot speed
Thanks Ed for an informative review and I hope you post the VFS mark for the upcoming SJ30 when its available.
RE: Memory Stick slot speed
LandWare specifically states that Pocket Quicken data must be in RAM. However, other programs can access data from card. You can use a 3rd party apps such as PiDirectII to load read-only data from card, or you can use the MsMount (freeware) to load read-write data.
<><
RE: Memory Stick slot speed
2%? Even 20% would seems slow.
How many seconds to write a file of (for instance) 1 MB?
RE: Memory Stick slot speed
Thanks,
Matt
RE: Memory Stick slot speed
Photo of flip cover?
RE: Photo of flip cover?
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News Editor
RE: Photo of flip cover?
http://makeashorterlink.com/?N5C4217C2
It will re-direct you there.
----------------
Hail the Cow!
No ratings
RE: No ratings
When it's time to buy though, I like to look back at the reviews and quickly refresh my memory by looking at the ratings.
Don't get rid of them!
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Wooo!
RE: No ratings
Now maybe if the ratings were "re-centered" or something...make 3 stars average....then it might actually convey something, but as they were, I say drop em
RE: No ratings
RE: No ratings
(Self-confessed Palm Geek)
360 or 320?
RE: 360 or 320?
ups, it's only on the front page, not on this review...
RE: 360 or 320?
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News Editor
RE: 360 or 320?
>when I mean 320 by 320. I've fixed the article.
That is alright. I have the habit of saying 16 bits when I should be saying 12.
Sincerely, Palm
RE: 360 or 320?
(Self-confessed Palm Geek)
RE: 360 or 320?
Feel in your hand
Good review.
RE: Feel in your hand
www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=3999
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News Editor
Question for Ed
Does the protruding battery compartment made the handheld more uncomfortable or feel more awkward to hold than an S360 or T-series Clie?
RE: Question for Ed
www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=3999
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News Editor
YUCKY STYLUS!!
The People Opposing Sony's Stylus Excuses (POSSE) are now forming a unified virtual front. We are planning to seize Sony's San Diego offices on a secret date, and confiscate ALL pens, pencils and other writing objects in the building. We will then enforce a requirement that Sony America employees USE that ridiculous excuse for a stylus for ALL writing, and see how quickly we can induce the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to list use of the stupid stylus as a health risk.
join us.
RE: YUCKY STYLUS!!
wes
RE: YUCKY STYLUS!!
LUCK-- Labor Under Controlled Knowledge
ghosting
--Devan--
www.tavern.2ya.com
Palm OS apps, news, reviews and such
RE: ghosting
--John Rothlisberger
RE: ghosting
Also the screen seemed to be very slow. You could notice as each icon appears on the "home screen".
I wonder if to make these units less expensive if Sony has eliminated video coprocessor. I understood that All previous sony hi-res had coproccessor for display.
By eliminating Sony could cut cost and improve battery life on the lowend SL, SJ.
Anyone know more?
Comparing it to the S360? Nonsense.
"The SJ20 offers a very good monochrome screen and great battery life... All in all, I think it is a very good handheld for its price and a worthy replacement for the S360 in Sony's lineup."
You should compare it to the T415 and it is not really that worthy. With the extra features, design and price of the T415, I think it's a better deal (although they are discontinued).
RE: Comparing it to the S360? Nonsense.
The t415 had one feature that made it nearly useless: the screen. The SJ20 screen blow it away because of teh white backlight. Smartest thing ever on a monchrome PDA.
RE: Comparing it to the S360? Nonsense.
RE: Comparing it to the S360? Nonsense.
RE: Comparing it to the S360? Nonsense.
<><
RE: Comparing it to the S360? Nonsense.
First you say that he should compare the the SJ20 to the T415 then you say the SJ20 isn't worthy of comparison with the T415.
The SJ20 is about the same size as the S360, about the same price, and has about the same features.
The SJ20 isn't the same size, isn't the same price, and lacks many of the T415's features.
The S360 was clearly the device to compare it with.
Who cares?
I do think it's worth looking at the S360, T415, and the new SJ20 if you're looking for a budget PDA. All have their unique pro's and con's, and each person will have a different set of priorities. For myself, the SJ20 is a significant improvement over both.
RE: Comparing it to the S360? Nonsense.
wes
Windows NT?
RE: Windows NT?
MCP, NT WS 4.0, Server 4.0, Server in the Enterprise 4.0 (and can't get an IT job. Doh!)
RE: Windows NT?
Color PEG-SJ30
I have a brochure of the color PEG-SJ30. The size is the same as SJ20 but pearly silver in color. Here're the specs.
1. 71.8mm(W) x 104.0mm(H) x 16.8mm(D)
2. 139g incl. stylus
3. 320 x 320 pixel
4. 16 bit 65,536 color
5. TFT with backlight
6. Palm OS 4.1
8. 16MB DRAM/4MB ROM
9. Dargonball VZ 33MHz
RE: Color PEG-SJ30
www.palminfocenter.com/view_Story.asp?ID=4004
About all that's left to know is when it will be available in other countries.
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News Editor
RE: Color PEG-SJ30
Can you do a battery test between SJ30 and T665C?
SL-10 Comments
I do have some comments on the author's review. Personally, I think the screen is famazing. (the f is there deliberately, if you get the meaning). The doubled resolution (coming from an original Palm Pro) is simply astounding. I look at my wife's Palm 500 and laugh. She paid more and got a lot less. With the high res downloadable fonts, my primary use (Docs to Go), and the occasional e-book are simply very, very readable. I'm using my Palm (there I go again. I mean Sony) in an office environment, and I've never wanted a brighter screen. There are six of us here with PalmOS type devices - a Handspring, 2 Palm Vs, and now three Sony SL-10s. That's right. After I bought mine, two of the other diehard Palm Pro users (we basically had only used the basic Palm functions before) went out and immediately upgraded. You can actually do rudimentary reference work out of spreadsheets and presentations, which we find invaluable. Not one of us thinks the backlight is useful for anything. Well, maybe if you're using it in the dark...
The only drawback to high res is when you upon an application like Datebk5 that isn't. It looks like pure hell. So poor, in fact, that I quit using it. It's worthless without high-res. If someone knows how to get high res support, please post as a tip, and I'd be ecstatic.
Also, I like the flip over protector. It's nice that's it's attached, and as a bonus, it's detachable if you wish. The size is a lot smaller than my original Palm, and I find it fits perfectly in my hand, and is much more comfortable to use than my original Palm. That said, the stylus sucks. I had a Cross stylus (you've seen it, has a pen on the other end...) which was a joy to use, but it's simply to fat to put in the Sony.
I have a 128Mb memory stick, and find access is glacial when moving things to it from my desktop. Using Docs-to-Go or PalmReader, I've never noticed a delay, which is I suppose the highest praise. Be warned though, that d/l's will take eons.
Before I get to my summary, please keep in mind that I have no use for color, and I don't listen to music. I'm using this simply as a fancy datebook/calendar, and now as a document viewer as well.
So, here's my summary: personally, after a lot (and I mean a lot) of research, I decided to go with the Sony because there simply isn't another black and white handheld that can compete. Palm doesn't make anything, and neither does Handspring. I've never seen an Acer, so I can't comment there. The high res screen just seals the deal.
I do have a few small complaints that keep the Sony from being perfect: memory stick speed (ok in use though), and stylus.
High points: Screen (!), no recharge (definitely a strike against the SJ-20 in my opinion), plenty of memory, memory stick slot, size, flip protector, and price. I purchased mine at BestBuy for $149, with a $25 mail in rebate, and another $25 free cash card, meaning my total price was about $99. I don't know when the sale is over, but show me another PDA with all these features for $99.
Keep in mind that these are just my rather long winded opinions, and you're more than welcome to disagree.
Thanks. And please let other people know what you're opinions are!
RE: SL-10 Comments
Strength of IR Port?
No SL or SJ-series in Japan?
Anyone care to speculate why that is? (And is it possible that they've got an improved screen in the T400??)
RE: No SL or SJ-series in Japan?
RE: No SL or SJ-series in Japan?
I asked Eugene, PIC's unofficial Tokyo correspondent, about the SL10 and SJ20 and he said no one releases monochrome handhelds in Japan any more. Apparently, Japan has reached the point where a handheld has to be color in order to sell well.
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News Editor
SJ20 in Europe/Germany
sony.de announced the SL10 and the SJ30 but not the SJ20.
I wonder if the SJ20 will be released in Europe?
RE: SJ20 in Europe/Germany
Sony, please bring the SJ20 to Europe!
RE: SJ20 in Europe/Germany
But they don't give a release date.
www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=PEG-SJ20
When will the SJ20 hit Canadian shelves?
RE: When will the SJ20 hit Canadian shelves?
USB Slave or master ?
I was wondering weather the SJ-20/10 have a USB slave or a master ? If its a slave then i cant use it to do anything other than sync (right ?) if its a master, then i probably could add more devices like a usb modem / keyboard etc and control them using the Clie.
56k-MODEM connected directly (by cable) to SJ20?
I used to check my emails with the Series5... (fast connection... no window-uploading like on DOS-computers...)
-is it possible to connect a modem via cable directly to the sj20?
my other curiosity:
-how do apps like wordthink work with the higher resoulucion ?
thanks and compliments for the complete reviews...
RE: 56k-MODEM connected directly (by cable) to SJ20?
incredible...
the programs name is wordsmith and not wordthink...
best buys
i thought i saw one for 149.00 but can not recall where any thoughts
want to who has the best price on sony sj20 i thought i saw it some where for 149.00
Compatability Issues
SJ20 in a jeans pocket
I've just lost my Visor Edge, I loved to be able to walk around with it in my front jeans pocket. It was really slick. I see that the sj20 is a lot thicker, but it is also smaller. Would I walk around with it?
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backlight color?
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