do you really NEED color? (SJ20 vs SJ22)

[hypachris]

I'm torn between an SJ20 and an SJ22. SJ22 is color, while SJ20 is monochrome with a white backlight (making it look like a color PDA with its backlighting, when in reality it isn't.)

One thing which bothers me is that the average battery life for SJ22 is 4 hours with the backlight at 60%. The SJ20 can last a solid 8 hours with the backlight at full power (it only has two options, backlight on or off fully) So the tradeoff for color is that it uses more battery power than monochrome screens.

My question is this: Is color really a necessity in a PDA, especially for those who are not going to put photographs and videos on their PDA's? Or is it more of a luxurious feature just to show off to your friends?

[fargusmax]

If you aren't going to use the multimedia functions, and just need a good PIM pda, then go with the SJ20. If the cost savings isnt much, then i'd go SJ22 and top off the batt every night or so. I had an SJ20, and loved it, but I upgraded to the NX60 for the multimedia and color. Both are a good value.

[Gazpacho]

Actually, I was asking myself the same question at the beginning of this year, when deciding between an SJ30 and an SJ20.

The thing is, there's a reason why people don't have b/w TV sets or computer monitors anymore. First of all, colour makes the contrast much better, which is important when staring at a screen the size of a PDA.

Second, colour can add a lot of information to simple PIM functions such as a datebook, to-do list, and reading an eBook. For example, my background colour is black, and the letters are red-dish when I'm reading an e-book in bed late at night.


And third of all, when you have colour, you really don't want to go back. :) I am using ZLauncher right now, and I have a b/w picture of me and my friends as a background, but the coloured icons make a nice contrast. Your eyes are the most important contact with your PDA, so let's take good care of them.

After all, the SJ22 is a very very good value for money colour handheld.

[danlj]

I had a chance to use an SL20 for a few months and that's when I decided that I was hooked on Sony and bought my own SJ22. You're right that the SL20 probably has a better battery life, athough I haven't noticed a big difference with the SJ22.

The color is a pleasure to use and I made a conscious decision to spend the extra on the color. For me the extra fun of using it means I'm more likely to depend on it for its information value.

The SL20 is a good value if you get it on ebay. The price of the SL30 (similar to SJ22) on ebay is often not worth the price compared to a new SJ22 with no shipping and rebates at amazon.

[Jeffry]

Colour makes ALOT of difference. The difference between monochrome and colour is astonishing.

[rldunn]

It's definitely not a necessity, but it's very nice. I still have my old S320, and I wish that my main PDA weighed that much and had that battery life. But all in all, I could never go back now to grayscale. As others have mentioned, it's not just for pics; even B&W apps now are truly black and WHITE, as opposed to black and green/grey. So, basically, it's not a necessity, but it's not just a toy for showing off either.

[Winky]

Originally posted by hypachris
I'm torn between an SJ20 and an SJ22. SJ22 is color, while SJ20 is monochrome with a white backlight (making it look like a color PDA with its backlighting, when in reality it isn't.)

One thing which bothers me is that the average battery life for SJ22 is 4 hours with the backlight at 60%. The SJ20 can last a solid 8 hours with the backlight at full power (it only has two options, backlight on or off fully) So the tradeoff for color is that it uses more battery power than monochrome screens.

My question is this: Is color really a necessity in a PDA, especially for those who are not going to put photographs and videos on their PDA's? Or is it more of a luxurious feature just to show off to your friends?

I use palmOS device for 3 years,
Palm IIIx (16 grayscale, greendish backlit)
-> Visor Prism (16bit color)
-> SJ20 (16 grayscale, white backlit)

In short, my experience tells me that
"color is not really necessary for most of my purpose"
and
"whether your palm useful or not depends heavily on software funtionality rather than hardware specification"

i.e. you have to choose a suitable appliation software in order to make your palm useful

Exactly what you metioned, the tradoff is "battery life" and "color". To choose between B&W and color model, the first thing to ask yourself is how you use it. But, for non-experienced user ( 0 - 1 year), it's quite difficult to tell.

My recommendation is:
1. If you like to get entertainment (photos, games, movies), then go for color models
2. If you treat palm as a "tool" to organize your personal stuff, then you should make decision based on how long (per day) you use it.
- if you use it for "heavy writing/reading" purpose, then go for SJ20

[buckethead]

color of course!

for me, as corny as it may sounds, you'll appreciate your clie more if it's more pleasing to the eyes thus you'll get less bored with it.

i'd go for Zire if i want a no-nonsense b&w palm device for everyday pim.

[Windboi]

maybe you will be like me... at first thought why need color and thought i can live with my s360 then when i see the color sets and see mine again... i tell you ... then you will see the difference...

Dont just compare the specks, get some ones and play with it.... see the user experience!!!

[bjornkeizers]

I have to agree with the others. I've owned quite a few PDA's, from Palm Pilot Pro's to IIIC, I own a Clie SL10 and a Jornada pocket pc as well.

When I switched to a color PDA in 2001 [A Compaq Ipaq 3630] it made all the difference. Later I also switched my Palms to color; I owned a IIIE and switched to a IIIC. Let me tell you.. it makes *all* the difference.

You may tell yourself.. what do I need color for? I said that too once. The answer is: You don't. But if you do get a color PDA, you'll know where that extra money went. Games look better, books are easier to read; icons look better.. Everything gets better.

You haven't lived untill you've owned a color PDA.

[s360clie]

For me, The best reason for choosing a color device is the support of the software, especially in a Hi-Res one. Most of the software, especially Games, which support/enhanced for Hi-Res only support for using in Color devices. Through I don't think playing/using them on my Sj20 is a poor thing.
I think I'll choose a color device when I buy another new Palm

[hherbzilla]

Color! I had an SJ20 and then upgraded to an SJ30. Trust me, you won't regret it! Plus the SJ20 has a slow screen refresh which is really annoying.

[A1CPete]

There's something that's just more pleasing to the eye with a color screen. I can still use B&W or greyscale, in fact I do from time to time. But I never take it quite as seriously as a color device. Furthermore, color brings out a lot of little details that might otherwise be missed--or at least really hard to see ;)

[Bison]

One thing to consider is date book use. If you plan on using a program such as Datebk5 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) then color is an absolute necessity. It allows me to see SO much information easily. Eg., my schedule is in gray while my wife's is in red. Etc. Also, it allows you to use all of the nice hi-res icons that have been created for programs such as these.

I used a monochrome pda for years. I really don't see color as for multimedia, for "fun" - color opens up a LOT of functionality. Hard to describe until you experience it.

[hypachris]

Hey, thanks everyone for your input. I guess color really is the way to go, especially in the SJ22. I supposed that there REALLY is a reason why black and white TV's and computer monitors aren't that popular anymore.....

By the way, the whole SJ22 vs SJ20 is actually a lot more complicated than it sounds, because SJ20 is selling for US$105 on clearance in some stores (I hear some Targets are selling it for that price), and then SJ22 is for US$200.....so for some people, budget conscious, they're wondering if color is worth an extra $95 to have in the SJ22. Clearance items always get your attention and question your buying judgement :)