Should I buy NEW Palm TX-when is a Palm TX too old?

[kcdavid]

My Palm TX is about 2 years old. When should I buy a new one? I know I should probably buy a Palm Treo, but I do NOT want cell phone contracts at this time. How long with heavy use will a Palm TX last?

One can buy them still at Best Buy brand new? So, when should I do this? (LOL) I know it is when it stops working, but will this "sexy beast" be on sale forever? Tell me please. :confused:

[MleB]

Yeah, the first (and only) generation TX came out about two years ago. Who'da thunk it?

Still, Palm hasn't even hinted at a replacement and seems hell-bent on simply being a hardware provide of smartphones to the wireless industry. Displays of Palm devices at Best Buy, Staples, et al are looking pretty thin - if they exist at all. Meanwhile, two years old is practically considered geriatric in full-size computers and almost primeval in handheld devices, with new models almost coming out almost monthly. But rarely from Palm.

Question: Is there something wrong with your current TX that makes you think it needs replacement? Or are you simply thinking of buying a 'new' one as a preemptive strike, to stash in a drawer, firm in the belief there may never be a TX2? If your current TX runs fine, I'd just keep using it - but can well understand the desire for an alternative.
I've had a 680 since the beginning of the year and I found its whole form/function/quality to be lacking (smartphones are an oxymoron and none do everything well - or even adequately, IMHO) and have gone back to my 'old' TX and a real cell phone, with far better results.

My local Staples still carries the TX and even includes the UWK with the purchase - thus getting rid of two old products at once. But how long will Palm keep promoting the TX (or when will the retailers simply give up on PDAs) and when is the ideal time to buy another TX or a ....? Ask folks who bought an iPhone how quickly things change without warning......

[kcdavid]

MleB,

You write like a professional. Anyway, thanks.

[Palmisok]

what exaclty do you feel is getting old? There are some sites that have good new and used Palm TX parts if anything breaks down and it's not as expensive as getting a brand new one.

[WildCelt]

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a new traditional handheld from Palm. It is pretty clear they do not plan to release another one.

If you are still interested in the TX, simply purchase one when you see it on sale. If you do not plan to use it now, store it in the freezer (which will slow the battery chemical process to a trickle). Of course, keep it as dry as possible!

[dmccunney]

My Palm TX is about 2 years old. When should I buy a new one?When the old one dies, or when a new one comes out that you like better.

I know I should probably buy a Palm Treo, but I do NOT want cell phone contracts at this time. Why buy a Treo? It's a smartphone that runs PalmOS, and offers the standard Palm PIM apps as well as being a phone. If you need a "converged" device, it's a decent choice, but converged devices are always compromises, because they try to do everything, but don't necessarily do any one thing well.

If you aren't interested in acquiring a cell phone, there's little point to a Treo. The TX has a bigger screen, more RAM, and built-in Wifi.

How long with heavy use will a Palm TX last?How is yours lasting?

Palm still sells the TX, so you can get another if yours fails.
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Dennis

[alsa]

well, I just bought a TX in 2007 when it was released in 2005. I also got my Clie UX in at the end of 2005 when that device came out in 2003. Before, I was getting new Palms/Clies pretty much right after they came out (a week or two after they were first available -- Palm 3x, Palm Vx, Palm IIIc, Palm m505, Clie NR, NX, TJ, TH).

This transition (from Clie UX50 to Palm TX) has been the smoothest transition software-wise for me since any handheld migration from 1998 to today. The kinks in the TX have been worked out since it was released 2 years ago, and the device seems very speedy overall, and I enjoy it immensely. There isn't much I would want from a device like this at this time except I hate the stupid Power button (again!). I haven't liked ANY Palm power buttons ever. I have always remapped one of the hardware buttons to power.

I hope to enjoy the TX for a year or two until I see something new from the iPhone maker (I am keeping my fingers crossed that Apple will allow non-Safari based programs for the iPhone/iPod Touch). Until then -- it's the TX for me.

[kcdavid]

I love my TX. I was just concerned about the general lack of pdas just now.

The I-phone is a great idea looking for a competent corporation. As it is offered now, it is worth nothing to me. I have to laugh. (Sorry all I-phone enthusiasts, but compared to even my 2 year old TX, it is a big piece of potential-years down the line) I'm (meee) actually hoping that Microsoft takes advantage of this opportunity to offer something decent in that line (full 4 inch screen, small package computer/phone).

Thanks for all the information, to-date.

[Gregte]

It is rumored that Apple is coming out with a PDA in early 2008. Supposedly it will have higher resolution than a full VGA and also have a multitouch screen.

If you wait for MS to come out with anything you will have to wait for Apple to make one first so MS will have something to copy. ;)

[hgradeca]

It is rumored that Apple is coming out with a PDA in early 2008. Supposedly it will have higher resolution than a full VGA and also have a multitouch screen.

If you wait for MS to come out with anything you will have to wait for Apple to make one first so MS will have something to copy. ;)


Well, I have seen several pictures of this PDA, and although it looks great and is extremely thin, ti is way too big! It reminds me of Apple's Newton :P and we all know how that thing ended ;)
So, I'll just use my good old LifeDrive until Palm makes something better than it. And even then, I won't stop using it, as I didn't stop using my old m100,m125 and T3. :)
I just hope that this PDA will show PAlm that PDAs are still a valuable thing to develop. :)
Palm is simply the best! :cool:

[MleB]

Sorry, but Steve Jobs hates PDAs.

The iPhone and iPod Touch have been built as content retrieval devices so that users can bypass their computers to access iTunes, Apple's real cash cow. All other features on these devices appear to be happy accidents (internet access) or the barest minimum PIM software, probably included under duress from Marketing.

The TX - even at 2 years old and without the pretty bells and whistles of the Apple products - is a far superior all-purpose device, with multimedia not limited to a locked down, pay-to-use format. And has 3rd Party software - much of it free - available.
Still, Palm continues to falter with badly realized products (or none at all) - why they didn't take the TX's basic form and and add cell phone capabilities to it (beating the iPhone release by more than a year) or have a TX2 on the market by now, is quite beyond me.

[dmccunney]

Well, I have seen several pictures of this PDA, and although it looks great and is extremely thin, ti is way too big! It reminds me of Apple's Newton :P and we all know how that thing ended ;)Don't think of it as a PDA, because it isn't. It's much closer to a UMPC. Those have yet to demonstrate a compelling use case -- why buy one? -- but they exist. Apple has shown a flair for innovation, and an understanding of folks actually use devices. We'll see what they think people will do with this device, if and when.

So, I'll just use my good old LifeDrive until Palm makes something better than it. And even then, I won't stop using it, as I didn't stop using my old m100,m125 and T3. :)There are still lots of devoted T3 users out there.

I just hope that this PDA will show PAlm that PDAs are still a valuable thing to develop. :)
Palm is simply the best! :cool:If Palm could come up with a PDA that would sell as much as the Treo, they'd do it. The question is what kind of PDA that would be.
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Dennis

[kcdavid]

The iPhone and iPod Touch have been built as content retrieval devices so that users can bypass their computers to access iTunes, Apple's real cash cow. All other features on these devices appear to be happy accidents (internet access) or the barest minimum PIM software, probably included under duress from Marketing.

MleB

THAT is what I think. :(