Comments on: Rumor: More Evidence for the Tungsten X and Zire 22

New evidence has been posted regarding the Palm Tungsten X and Zire 22. Signs of the new devices were found within the recently pulled release of the Palm Desktop v4.2.
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Voice Recorder

flevy @ 9/19/2005 4:12:57 PM # Q
The first rumors had the Tungsten X having a voice recorder as well as a camera. Are you saying that the voice recorder is now off the table?

RE: Voice Recorder
InsGuy @ 9/19/2005 4:20:44 PM # Q
That sounds about right for Palm. *^$#@^$%!!!

All good things...
RE: Voice Recorder
AdamaDBrown @ 9/19/2005 4:53:43 PM # Q
Can't say I'm surprised. Palm doesn't seem to view the VR as an important feature, and a camera on a business model is a non-starter.

RE: Voice Recorder
userwaldo @ 9/19/2005 5:00:13 PM # Q
BT v1.2. Maybe we'll see BT Audio suport now.

And I'm still not convinced that the mini-usb isn't the way to go for the connector. I wouldn't be suprized if they end up changing the connector in a year or 2 because it can't do Audio and Video. Oh and by the way has anywone see any hardware for the special capbilites that the new connect is suppose to suport?

The price does sound pretty reasonable for the first time in a long time.

RE: Voice Recorder
palmato @ 9/19/2005 5:09:35 PM # Q
Down at nexave.de someone who claims to have a T(X+) in his hands, started a thread and is answering questions. Since Friday.

Bottom line: no voice recorder, no vibrating alarms, no internal drive. But the storage heap is 114MB, which would make this the first Palm(one) pda to break the 64M barrier.
Other imprtant details:
Garnet 5.4.9, Fat32 (large SD support), wlan and BT

This is the thread link:
http://www.nexave.de/forum/thread.php?threadid=16887
viel Spass ;-)

Moreover: giving credit where it's due...
The info on the palm desktop program having pictures of the Tx and zire, was first reported on the nexave.de forums on September 5. The guy at tamspalm should have given due credit.


--------------------------
Waiting for a TT successor

RE: Voice Recorder
sr4 @ 9/19/2005 5:10:57 PM # Q
While Palm appears to be reducing their price to match the value of their devices, WM devices add features to justify their higher prices, such as the new VGA Acer n311, which is smaller than the Palm m505, with VGA, WIFI, bluetooth 1.2, USB host, SDIO, 400Mhz processor, 64Mb ram and 128Mb ROM, WM5.

I expect it to sell for >$300 (but then its worth it).

http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/6165.html

Surur

RE: Voice Recorder
neuron @ 9/19/2005 5:24:34 PM # Q
Of course it is more than $300 (x30 without VGA was $399.00), I am afaid it will be more than $400, so that it is not in the same level as TX.

RE: Voice Recorder
AdamaDBrown @ 9/19/2005 5:36:38 PM # Q
A little correction: the X30 never sold for $399. SRP at launch was $349 for the highest end model, $249 for the mid-range, and the "going rate" for Dell's sales was $270/$235.

Two versions?
hkklife @ 9/19/2005 5:36:59 PM # Q
I have been maintaining for the longest time that Palm should tidy up their line and offer about four "core" models @ retail. Then they should have one or two "special editions" in black casings that add *SOMETHING* extra (under the hood, not just cosmetic fluff)---more RAM, faster CPU at the expense of battery life, a voice recorder...just something to differentiate them from the meat'n potatoes models and stir up some interest.

Another example would be for next spring having an 8gb LifeDrive with a larger HD & more RAM cache when the 6gb LD2 is on store shelves. Or like PIC's article says, a T7 with or without a camera like they did the Treo 600s.

The limited models could be Palm webstore-only and have a nice markup from the standard models---kinda like how some carriers & resellers have done with the black & silver RAZR cell phones.

I'd rather see $ put into this than (pick any number of the following) gimmicks/scams: Palm Press, Palm retail stores, Palm Pays Back, Michael Jordan & Claudia Schiffer endorsements, etc etc.

RE: Voice Recorder
twrock @ 9/19/2005 6:09:52 PM # Q
WM devices add features to justify their higher prices....

I've long lusted after any number of WM devices. But every single one of them is missing one critical feature: the Palm OS. Now if they could just add that....

The TX looks like my next device, even with the "missing features." No camera is expected in the Tungsten line. But no VR is a bummer. No charging light and vibrating alarm is maddening! Even my cheapy cell phone has vibrating alarm and a charging light.

I'm still waiting for the mythical "color HandEra."

RE: Voice Recorder
tthiel @ 9/19/2005 7:27:51 PM # Q
"While Palm appears to be reducing their price to match the value of their devices, WM devices add features to justify their higher prices, such as the new VGA Acer n311, which is smaller than the Palm m505, with VGA, WIFI, bluetooth 1.2, USB host, SDIO, 400Mhz processor, 64Mb ram and 128Mb ROM, WM5."

First we don't know that the new Palm will be $299. Secondly you are obviously out of touch with Pocket PC prices if you think they are higher.

RE: Voice Recorder
tthiel @ 9/19/2005 7:34:19 PM # Q
"Down at nexave.de someone who claims to have a T(X+) in his hands, started a thread and is answering questions. Since Friday."

This website is in German...duh. Babelfish isn't working with it.

RE: Voice Recorder
sr4 @ 9/19/2005 7:36:22 PM # Q

I know about Dell, but wireless PDA's command higher prices, and the ASP's for PPC's are traditionally higher. If you don't believe me google a bit.

Surur

RE: Voice Recorder
sr4 @ 9/19/2005 7:41:32 PM # Q
"Down at nexave.de someone who claims to have a T(X+) in his hands, started a thread and is answering questions. Since Friday."

This website is in German...duh. Babelfish isn't working with it.

For your delectation.

http://tinyurl.com/c293s

Surur

RE: Voice Recorder
AdamaDBrown @ 9/19/2005 9:23:50 PM # Q
I've long lusted after any number of WM devices. But every single one of them is missing one critical feature: the Palm OS. Now if they could just add that....

Given the number of Palm users I've seen say this same thing, I'm shocked that nobody has yet produced a UI replacement for PPC that mimics Palm.

RE: Voice Recorder
twizza @ 9/19/2005 11:47:08 PM # Q
You know Adama, that is a really, really good question. Heck, the ZZTechs guys could probably have a field day with a shell replacement that mimics the PalmOS. Whew...almost like PPCs for a sec there ;)

mobileministrymagazine.com
antoinerjwright.com
RE: Voice Recorder
ashirusnw @ 9/21/2005 9:30:32 AM # Q
"new VGA Acer n311, which is smaller than the Palm m505, with VGA, WIFI, bluetooth 1.2, USB host, SDIO, 400Mhz processor, 64Mb ram and 128Mb ROM, WM5."

yes but its thicker than the m505 1.4cm vs. 1.1cm. Big difference as the width is what you feel in your pocket.

Waiting for the day Palm makes 1.1cm-thick devices again. I just bought a E2 which I assumed was the same thickness as my old Tungsten E (1.3cm) turns out its 1.5cm which makes a mockery of the whole idea of the V/Vx/m5xx/E range - i.e. it should be THIN.

--
Ash

RE: Voice Recorder
sr4 @ 9/21/2005 10:24:54 AM # Q
The Palm M505 was thicker than you thought.

NC311........ 110mm x 70mm x 13.7mm
Tungsten T5 121mm x 78mm x 15.0mm
Palm M505...114mm x 77mm x 12.7mm
http://euro.palmone.com/uk/en/products/palmm505/palmm505datasheet_en.pdf

With only a 1 mm difference, the real difference is only 8%, vs your numbers, which place it at 27% thicker. Ironically I was able to confirm the numbers from the Palm site only because I can open downloaded PDF's directly on my pocketpc, which you would not be able to on Palm handhelds (besides stolen software of course).

Surur

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Almost official

lvoky @ 9/19/2005 7:28:49 PM # Q
These two rumored devices are almost official now. The press release will be everywhere around tomorrow I think, but Palm today announced the end of the production of Tungsten|T5 and Zire 31. So its obvious there must be some followers going onto the market in next few weeks.
Reply to this comment

Tungsten X GREAT but a LITTLE LATE!!!

jlbunting @ 9/19/2005 7:37:44 PM # Q
The Tungsten X sounds like the perfect handheld for the year 2001 but not for 2005! I am sorry but just can't believe how slow Palm is on getting this "dream" handheld to market. For years we have all wanted a PDA like the T|3 but with WiFi and more Memory. Now we get it and its like 100 years later. I like Palm and have been using them for years, owned on of the first Color Sony Clie 710. But Why are they so SLOW to respond to market demand. We should be seeing OLED, OS6, BT2.0, WIFi a,b,g and Like 1GB memory with 600 mzh. Just look at the evil PPC.. now they are inovative with hardware but their OS is total crap!

RE: Tungsten X GREAT but a LITTLE LATE!!!
twizza @ 9/19/2005 7:49:25 PM # Q
Innovative isnt the word that you want to use. Innovative would denote that they are not only forward thinking, but doing it in a way that is acceptable to the most amount of people; if you will progress and execution. By your own post, you state that the OS isnt good, therefore they are not innovative, but forward thinking towards hardware. Innovative hardware would be faster, smaller, and something else that hasnt been done before.

Concerning Th TXX rumored device; it would be innovation if in the majority of users, they have a better user experience than similarly equipped items that have come out before. Like apple with iPod, its only innovative when someone did it before, but you do it better.

mobileministrymagazine.com
antoinerjwright.com

RE: Tungsten X GREAT but a LITTLE LATE!!!
jlbunting @ 9/19/2005 7:54:57 PM # Q
OK, I concede I used the wrong word "innovative" to describe PPC. PPC is flavorful. They were the first to combine BT and WiFi. It just seems hardware wise they have left PalmOS handhelds in the dust, especially since the death of the Clie. I have a T|3 which I use constantly. I love the PalmOS but its driving me nuts seeing just a reincarnation of the T|3 over and over again. I want to be impressed with a real PDA for 2005 not 2001.

RE: Tungsten X GREAT but a LITTLE LATE!!!
twizza @ 9/19/2005 11:43:33 PM # Q
Sorry to disappoint, but PDAs as a whole are going the way of connected tablets. The revolution in PDAs wont come until screens go OLED and batteries get more power for more time.

But seriously, the Treo lineup is as close to a revolution in innovatoin PDAs have seen in a while. Its not by any means perfect, just an all around good execution that none of its competitors have gotten right. One cannot knock that. In fact, Palm probably should be applauded for not messing up the Treo with the 650 (no comment on what I think of a WM Treo).

mobileministrymagazine.com
antoinerjwright.com

RE: Tungsten X GREAT but a LITTLE LATE!!!
LiveFaith @ 9/20/2005 1:59:16 PM # Q
jlb,

Man, I was just thinking nearly the same thing. This thing would have been a yawner last year when the T5 disaster was released. Twizza's right about connected devices, but boy Palm must have relegated about 3 fresh out of college engineers to refresh the T|E again and not do anything crazy.

I can understand sticking with a successful form factor, but dropping IMPORTANT features that have already been developed and tested boggles my mind. I'm not even talking WiFi g or OLED here. Just vibralarms and charging/alarm LEDs and the VR. Unbelievable to me and this aint no RAZR thin form factor that has kept them from benig able to pack these in.

Don't get me wrong WiFi + BT is better late (real late) than never on a decent sized Palm, and I'm grateful. But the incompetence of throwing away these features tells me that Palm has given up on the PDA and is doin little more than miling what they veiw as the last remaining dollars out before their done away with.

I hope that my T3 will hold out until 2014. This is sad, unless a worthy flagship is in the wings? Just saddened for another season.

See http://www.palminfocenter.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28737&sid=cc3a1df72c14fa100549a90aa1f401e2

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com

Reply to this comment

No...Voice...MEMO?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?

The Turtle @ 9/19/2005 7:45:00 PM # Q
AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!

I thought this would have voice memo!! Forget about a stupid camera, i have enough of those!!

Oh well, i wasn't really holding my breath anyway.

Plus, it still has these problems:
1. Home is only on a button
2. Garnet 5.4.99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
3. 312 Mhz??

I may still get one of these though, because i can still use one of those stand-alone digital recorders. I also like the way it looks and the built in Wi-Fi.

But, i already carry a cell phone and PDA. I would prefer that my PDA has voice memo.

Still waiting for Cobalt...Garnet 5.99999999999999999999999 will not cut it in 2006.

RE: No...Voice...MEMO?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?
joad @ 9/19/2005 8:14:38 PM # Q
Palm is just trying to save us all some hard-earned cash by putting out stuff that isn't much of an upgrade.

Give them a break - I was tired of upgrading twice a year anyhow, and with the snail's pace of marginally upgraded handhelds it means the 3-year old PDAs aren't at all obsolete.

Palm - if it works, it'll work (for now) ©.

RE: No...Voice...MEMO?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?
ozz @ 9/20/2005 10:16:40 AM # Q
Isn't there a hack or software that will emulate a voice recorder that could be added to the TX? I think I read about one somewhere????
RE: No...Voice...MEMO?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?
hkklife @ 9/20/2005 10:19:31 AM # Q
Without a mic (and adjacent mic cutout built into the casing) onboard, what'd be the use?

I am sure you could do an SDIO mic or USB interface mic via the Athena connector but what'd be the point in a kludge like that?

Remember, as Kirvin says, VR isn't that important on a new Palm device as most new cell phones & some MP3 players have that feature built in!

I still cannot fathom how they saw fit to put a voice recorder in the Zire 72 but not in any Tungsten released in the past two years.

RE: No...Voice...MEMO?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?
twizza @ 9/20/2005 10:36:15 AM # Q
The 72 had a video recorder, it needed a mic.

mobileministrymagazine.com
antoinerjwright.com
RE: No...Voice...MEMO?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?
hkklife @ 9/20/2005 11:20:58 AM # Q
Sorry Twizza, I have a Zire 72 sitting in my desk drawer at home and it most certainly has a voice recorder as well as audio AND video capture. It has a side VR button very similar to the LifeDrive's as well as a mic on the back panel.
From Ryan's PIC review of the 72:

"Audio
The Zire 72 has a rear mounted speaker in the metal mesh below the camera lens. The speaker is quite loud and mp3's and voice memos sound very clear, though most will opt for using headphones (not included) for listening to music. For listening to music files, the Zire 72 ships with the RealOne player. The microphone is also hidden behind the rear grill, which is used for the voice and movie recorder."


RE: No...Voice...MEMO?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?
twrock @ 9/20/2005 12:40:24 PM # Q
hkklife, I think twizza meant SINCE it had a video recorder, SO it needed a mic. I don't think he was suggesting it didn't have one, just that there is a special reason why it would have one vs. the Tungsten line.

I'm still waiting for the mythical "color HandEra."
RE: No...Voice...MEMO?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?
twizza @ 9/20/2005 1:00:29 PM # Q
twrock is right. the z72 needed a mic since it had a vr. the tungsten line doesnt have a cam, and doesnt 'need' a mic. though some might argue otherwise on both counts.

mobileministrymagazine.com
antoinerjwright.com
RE: No...Voice...MEMO?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?
hkklife @ 9/20/2005 2:55:16 PM # Q
Ok, thanks for clearing up that one, twrock. Twizza, I figured your knew yer PDAs better than that ;-)

But remember---no one REALLY needs a VR in their PDA as that functionality is built into most modern cell phones & many MP3 players! ;-)



Reply to this comment

where's the update for the tungsten C?

drw @ 9/20/2005 1:20:38 AM # Q
How long must I wait for the update to the tungsten c? I want a full featured bluetooth plus wifi pda with a thumbpad. Handspring already did the test with the treo 180 and 180g models and guess what? USERS PREFERRED THE THUMBPAD 180 OVER THE 180g GRAFFITI MODEL. I really liked my treo 300 till the hinge broke. The treo 6xx series thumbpad I don't like because the buttons are too close together.

Wish I had enough money to buy the PALM company. I would go in first day and tell them exactly what to build. They wouldn't need to THINK or INNOVATE at all, only EXECUTE or be FIRED.

---
David

RE: where's the update for the tungsten C?
LiveFaith @ 9/20/2005 2:12:17 PM # Q
Dreaming seems to work better than reality since 2003:

http://www.churchoflivingfaith.com/images/tc2adhalf.JPG

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com

RE: where's the update for the tungsten C?
Be_True @ 9/20/2005 11:44:22 PM # Q
Yes, I want one of those TC2's.

With 128MB memory or more,
I'd even put up with needing bigger pants pockets!

Chris

Tungsten C, Palm IIIxe, Wizard OZ-9520

"Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati"

RE: where's the update for the tungsten C?
Gekko @ 9/21/2005 12:32:12 AM # Q

it's in the landfill where your antique T/C belongs.

Reply to this comment

Sell Palm to Apple...

Manicorp @ 9/20/2005 8:36:13 AM # Q
If you want innovation, they should just sell Palm to Apple and be done with!
If apple had the hardware, they'd innovate and produce a beautiful PDA with all the bells and whistles.

I'll probably upgrade to T/X but this won't be my ideal PDA. I'm upgrading from T3 because of support for larger SD cards. I'm tired of switching card to watch movies and listen to MP3 files. I'll consider LD2 or LD3 in feature. Hopefully LD3 will strike a nice upgrade like T3 was for Tungsten line.


RE: Sell Palm to Apple...
whydidnt @ 9/20/2005 2:08:52 PM # Q
Hmm, I agree that Apple produces beautiful, easy-to-use hardware. But they would not be leaders as far as innovation is concerned. Look at the MP3 players out there that offer a lot more feature/functionality than the iPod - things like built in encoder, FM stereo, movie playback, etc. The problem is none of them have figured a way to top Apples great interface. Most POS users I know already love the interface, it's the hardware/software combo that's an issue.

I don't think Apple would help Palm innovate at all as far as features such as voice recorder/etc. are concerned.



RE: Sell Palm to Apple...
LiveFaith @ 9/20/2005 2:14:35 PM # Q
Innovate VR etc! Whaddayamean? The work was done on VR, LED, SelectButton-clock and vibralarms from 2 - 4 years ago! This is what baffles me so. They just throw this all away.

Dollar general store toys have most of this stuff and they are huge benefits on a PDA, but nope. My old Nokia sludge-phone had vibralarms and my kids battery toys have LED ... I'm bewildered.

Sorry. ... then I see the X51v is announced. Uggggggggh.

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com

RE: Sell Palm to Apple...
sr4 @ 9/20/2005 2:34:00 PM # Q
Livefaith, just jump ships. You will be happier for it (except pure play PDA's tend not to have vibrating alarms even on the PPC side). The few exceptions are the Ipaq 55xx series and the Garmin PPC's. Of course there are a number of PPC phones who all have vibrating alarms.

Surur

Reply to this comment

No camera, no sell

adamsmark @ 9/20/2005 2:07:21 PM # Q
I understand that some business do not allow employees to bring cameras to work. So, Palm should market two versions of the Tungsten X, one with a camera and one without. I use my camera as a "photocopier," catching images of documents I want a record of. Given that most cell phones have cameras, a PDA should have one too.

I'll buy the Tungsten X if it's got a camera.

RE: No camera, no sell
LiveFaith @ 9/20/2005 2:19:53 PM # Q
Better get the Veo. Oh, I forgot it won't be compatible with OS 5.4.99999999. Ooops.

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com
RE: No camera, no sell
Timothy Rapson @ 9/20/2005 7:38:17 PM # Q
I also use my Zire 72 camera to take pictures of text. I want one with a 3 Megapixel camera and Optical Character Recognition.

I would also like a little better video recording for my daughter's singing recitals, so I don't have to buy and carry another camera to replace the one my other kid took when she got married and went to grad school.

I just don't think Palm is going to produce that. It would only make too much sense. They are too busy dropping features they already had up and working as LiveFaith noted above. It is maddening. Sony finally makes the perfect PDA, the TH55. All Palm needed to do was make a PDA just like it and keep the volume up and production going until they could sell them for $99 and make money on every replacement, upgrader, or accessory for it. But, no. They keep this silly one step forward and two step back dance going.

I am not going to dance with this TX. I'll set this round out until they update the Zire 72, mine breaks, or they offer them for the $118 I paid for my Zire 71 on closeout.

Reply to this comment

Two years, same design

dagwud @ 9/20/2005 3:34:45 PM # Q
The TE was introduced 2 years ago. I didn't like it then because it was blocky and clunky, in my opinion. T5 was the same thing. TX is the same thing but black.

I'm still waiting for something that's roughly as svelte and sleek as an M515 or a Vx.

Some of us are shallow and don't need/want all the extra tech. We just want it to do what we need and look good in the process.



--
PalmPilot Pro (1997) -> III (1998) -> Vx (1999) -> m500 (2001) -> m515 (2002) -> ???

Reply to this comment

Before I buy an X - has Palm's hardware quality improved?

gravy @ 9/20/2005 5:23:01 PM # Q
I have owned a Palm Tungsten E for almost 2 years. This was my first Palm built handheld (I had a Sony Clie previously). I am interested in upgrading possibly to the new Tungsten X or T5. But I am concerned with Palm's hardware quality. I have had many hardware problems with the Tungsten E. Most notably:
-Power button failed almost a year ago.
-buzzing sound while it is on (since day 1).
-reset button is not reliable (since day 1).

Less significant are:
-the logo and labelling on the case wiped off easily.
-the flip cover comes off too easily (scotch tape fix helps).

From reading through the forums I know that others have had similar problems. Was the E a lemon or is this the type of lax quality control I should expect from Palm?

Thanks,

Gravy

RE: Before I buy an X - has Palm's hardware quality improved?
AdamaDBrown @ 9/20/2005 8:55:52 PM # Q
The E is notoriously cheap and prone to failures. From my experiences, the build quality on the newer devices is a lot better.

RE: Before I buy an X - has Palm's hardware quality improved?
AdamaDBrown @ 9/20/2005 8:55:52 PM # Q
The E is notoriously cheap and prone to failures. From my experiences, the build quality on the newer devices is a lot better.

RE: Before I buy an X - has Palm's hardware quality improved
gravy @ 9/21/2005 10:04:37 AM # Q
What timing! Palm Infocenter just posted this article on Treo defect problems:
http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_story.asp?ID=8091

Well I consider the Treos a high end device so this does not look good. Whether a device is high end or low end should have no bearing on its durability and overall quality. The Tungsten E is a less expensive device because it has far fewer features than the T3 or T5 handhelds. This should not mean that the E has more defective parts. Actually it should be the reverse. Cheaper devices are more simple and should be easier to test and ensure quality than a device loaded with extra cutting edge features.

What to do with $500 for a handheld burning in my pocket. Palm does not make it easy.

Gravy

Reply to this comment

Is the discontinued T5 still a better handheld?

Caspian @ 9/20/2005 5:40:17 PM # Q
My first thought, when reading the reviews of this yet to be released handheld, was that this might be my new PDA. But, as I look at TX specs, I am wondering why I wouldn't be further ahead to buy one of the newly discontinued T5s. The TX is using a slower processor, offers less RAM, and offers no portable drive option. The TX offers WiFi, which I currently use, but could live without.

Those of you using the T5, do you have an opinion about the performance of the TX processor compared to the T5? Do you know how the TX processor speed will compare to the TH55?


David
Palm III> Palm IIIx> Palm IIIc> Sony T615> Sony T665> Sony TH55

RE: Is the discontinued T5 still a better handheld?
ozz @ 9/21/2005 12:45:43 AM # Q
Caspian, I, too, was about to buy a T5 but after reading user's reviews like the ones below on CNET, I decided against the T5. There are a total of 241 reviews which is a pretty good sampling. And, while there were a number of raving reviews, the average review score is 5 (out of a scale of 1-10). It was after I read one too many low-score reviews about serious problems that I decided it wasn't worth it. I'm betting the farm on the T/X...Palm, please don't disappoint me!

http://reviews.cnet.com/PalmOne_Tungsten_T5/4852-3127_7-31132059.html

RE: Is the discontinued T5 still a better handheld?
ozz @ 9/21/2005 12:54:12 AM # Q
Caspian, after you've read a good sampling of these reviews, let me know what you think about the T5. Remember, these reviews are from real-world users....not necessarily power-users, but everyday Joes who have a short fuse for poor quality or continuous problems with their tech products.
RE: Is the discontinued T5 still a better handheld?
Caspian @ 9/21/2005 9:29:50 AM # Q
Good advice, thanks. I will check out the T5 reviews.

David
Palm III> Palm IIIx> Palm IIIc> Sony T615> Sony T665> Sony TH55
RE: Is the discontinued T5 still a better handheld?
hkklife @ 9/21/2005 11:42:19 AM # Q
I am a long-time user of the POS and have owned a wide array of OS5 Palm models (T|T, T2, T3, T|C, T5, LD) mostly replacing them due to digitizer woes time after time.
The C, my 3rd T3 and the T5 were the only units I ended up using longer than a month (the LDs were returned within their trial periods) that did not suffer any digitizer problems whatsoever.

That said, the T5 is a servicable midrange handheld but still not a proper flagship device. I'm somewhat more enthusiastic about the T7, almost entirely because of its improved wireless functions (BT 1.2, wi-fi) and its good battery life. The T5's battery life is quite good when brightness & BT are turned down/off but it quickly drops when you do 10 mins of BT per day and/or have the brightness slider set halfway.

My T5, despite the latest patch, is still not as swift as my T3 or my T|C were. I'd say that the 416mhz CPU is basically going to waste due to NVFS inefficiencies and/or the limitations of FrankenGarnet. That extra 100mhz is likely just burning up battery runtime as well. I'd expect the T7's CPU to be tuned for efficiency and, hopefully, include some OS tweaks for speedier response.

If I had to recommend a course of action, I'd say to wait a few weeks longer and see:
A. The T7's launch price (hopefully $300ish)
B. How initial reports are to the T7's speed, stability, and battery life are

If it's not overwhelmingly positive, you'll still be able to pick up plenty of new T5s at good clearance prices. $300 makes a LOT more sense for a handheld with those specs than the $400 I was expecting. I'd take battery life & stability over slightly slower CPU performance anyday.

I'd trust PIC & BargainPDA user reviews more so than ANY other site--this includes Brighthand, 1src and certain sites with plenty of hopped-up 12 year olds writing about how their dad's PDA sucks (Amazon, Cnet, Epinions etc) or how cute their cats are. Don't make the mistake of letting the PALMyannas on other mobile sites mislead you!

RE: Is the discontinued T5 still a better handheld?
ozz @ 9/21/2005 4:35:15 PM # Q
I assume your reference to the T7 is the same as the rumored TX. Yes, I'm going to wait til the TX comes out and give it a couple of weeks and see if the initial reviews are positive then look for some introductory offer or something....but this TX comes closest to what I really want....except I also wanted the voice recorder also.... :-(
RE: Is the discontinued T5 still a better handheld?
hkklife @ 9/21/2005 4:43:02 PM # Q
Just give 'em another year. If Palm is still in business as an independent entity this time next year, we're likely to see the dual wireless, slim, plenty o' ram, voice recording/charging LED miracle we've been awaiting since 2001!

I wouldn't count on a return of the vibrating alarm however. I think that might have been part of the reason for the flaky digitizers on the T|Tx series.

I am calling the TX the T7 as I assume that's what it'll be upon launch. Palm's likely saving a real T|X for something that breaks the mold and/or uses a different casing than the tired old T|E design.

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Bluetooth 1.2?

just_little_me @ 9/20/2005 10:25:10 PM # Q
I don't believe it... I'm willing to bet my left t3sticle on it having BT 1.1! You heard it here first!


JLM.

RE: Bluetooth 1.2?
AdamaDBrown @ 9/21/2005 2:06:59 AM # Q
Out of curiousity, who do you imagine would want your left testicle enough to place such a bet? :)

RE: Bluetooth 1.2?
just_little_me @ 9/21/2005 8:49:40 AM # Q
It's solid gold... and because of its size I imagine it would be worth quite a bit on the open market...! :)


JLM.

ps. Has everyone got the 26th in their diary's...? ;-)

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