TG50 v. T|C Chooser

[TechnoCat]

Due to all the trouble I've had choosing, I built a quick-n-dirty JavaScript/DHTML page for selecting between the two models. Of course, what that means is, it will work in Opera 7 and Internet Explorer, but not in earlier versions of Opera (e.g. 6) or Netscape or Mozilla. (I've verified the Operas, which are my primary browsers, IE, and Mozilla; I don't have Netscape.)

It's just for entertainment. You will probably disagree with the weights I put on things. Enjoy.
http://www.kittycentral.net/tgtcform.html

[X Destruction]

What the heck are you saying the TG50 doesn't record voice memos? It does with an internal mike, that ain't mono (I don't think). I have the TG50, it says get the TG50 for me :p What if you already have it, heh. I think you should change the voice recorder thing though.

[tantousha]

WooHoo!!

It said get the TG for me! I know how to pick'em....

[TechnoCat]

Originally posted by X Destruction
What the heck are you saying the TG50 doesn't record voice memos? It does with an internal mike, that ain't mono (I don't think). I have the TG50, it says get the TG50 for me :p What if you already have it, heh. I think you should change the voice recorder thing though. Will do so immediately. Thanks for the correction.

[Sneezy]

Also, technocat, I wouldn't call the TG a "toy." It has all the "tools" that the TC has, along with a few additional entertainment features that, to me, makes the TG an overall stronger package.

Just my opinion. Good work, anyhow.

[X Destruction]

You're welcome.

[TechnoCat]

Originally posted by Sneezy
Also, technocat, I wouldn't call the TG a "toy." It has all the "tools" that the TC has, along with a few additional entertainment features that, to me, makes the TG an overall stronger package. I agree that the TG50 is the over-all stronger package. The scoring system supports that. But Sony brands it a "Personal Entertainment Device" or something similar, and put the consumer-oriented MP3 and Bluetooth features (and remote control software) rather than the business-oriented WiFi and Documents-To-Go Premium on it. (Sony is, after all, a toy company - pure consumer electronics. And their dratted MemoryStick is proof.)

Don't take that as a knock on the TG50; The difference between answers on that one (gadget) is about 1/3 the difference on the usage question, and can only help towards the TG50 (i.e. answering "Tool" doesn't point to the T|C, because they're both good tools) and half the difference on most of the other questions. The point is that if you DO want a fun toy, the Sony is better, not that if you want a tool the T|C is better.

[steven_wck]

cute.. i got a "Get the TG50" too... but i still wished i had 64/128Mb on my TG50 :P

[Sneezy]

Well, being an "adult" (and I use that term loosely!), I prefer to think of my Clie as a "tool" rather than a "toy."

Trouble is, about 90% of the time I use it as a toy rather than a tool!

[Toomer]

Originally posted by TechnoCat
I agree that the TG50 is the over-all stronger package. The scoring system supports that. But Sony brands it a "Personal Entertainment Device" or something similar, and put the consumer-oriented MP3 and Bluetooth features (and remote control software) rather than the business-oriented WiFi and Documents-To-Go Premium on it.

Without getting into the Docs-to-Go issue -- why do you feel that WiFi is business, and Bluetooth is not? I'm a business person, and guess where I spend a good portion of my day? Out of the office - that's where. And when I'm out of the office and need data access, I'd much rather have bluetooth (paired with my T68i) instead of having to drive around looking for a hotspot.

I simply pop open my email app - hit "Fetch" and it kicks up my internet access via T-Mobile in a few seconds. If this thing had WiFi in it, I'd be screwed (although I'd love a WiFi memorystick option - that'd be useful for me).

[TechnoCat]

Originally posted by Toomer

why do you feel that WiFi is business, and Bluetooth is not? Because as a businessman who deals with networks, security, and handhelds internationally, my strong opinion based on huge amounts of both data and direct observation is that (1) WiFi is big in the business world, (2) Bluetooth is essentially non-existent in the business world in both U.S. and Europe, and (3) Bluetooth isn't making inroads due to perceived control issues. (Not security per se but rather the inability of I.S. to authorize/ban systems easily.)

The products offered for each reflect this. Your use of a T68i for this reflects it also; I know the phone well, and it is hardly considered a business phone. For example, the "autumn" scene (or whatever it's called, with leaves in the background) is a prime example of "consumer-oriented." It's a decent phone and can do pretty much anything a businessman needs, but business tools are not, generally speaking, "cute".

The equivalent business functionality to a handheld talking to email via a bluetooth phone is... a RIM Blackberry. Sure, you'll claim it's not equivalent, and you're absolutely right. There's a lot less the user can screw up on a Blackberry, it won't play card games, it won't surf naughty sites, and it won't let the user send from a personal Hotmail account.

In contrast, WiFi is used in the area I mostly live in, near Seattle, by a drive-in burger chain (BurgerMaster) with iPaqs for the staff to take orders, check what's up, and so on.

I'm not saying Bluetooth has no business function or that WiFi has no home function, but my travels and work experiences tell me that the stereotypes are there for a reason.

[graph101]

There should be a question like "do you prefer easy to press keyboard?" =)


im still deliberating if the keyboard of TG50 is usable or not. help mee

[swinter]

I'm with Toomer on this one: True, there was a WiFi section in the Denver airport when I passed through this week, but I can access my email and company website wherever I am by connecting via Bluetooth to the T39 in my pocket.

Perhaps you should distinguish between static (e.g., in house) business uses and the needs of the mobile professional.

Although I am a big Docs to Go fan, the case for Docs to Go will be much stronger when it goes native this Summer. Increasingly, I find myself using PeditPro instead.

 

P.S. - for graph101: I was a keyboard skeptic (and strongly would have preferred VG with the larger screen). But, I have to say, I have been very happy with the keyboard, which I use almost exclusively except for numbers (which is easier to enter via graffiti than via the keyboard; the Okey utility helps, but it doesn't seem to work in all apps).

[graph101]

Swinter, i agree with both wifi and keyboard. but they really couldve made a better keyboard. the BT is a major feature that the TC does not have. for business the TC is the way to go but for personal use its really the TG50.