SJ33 Worth Upgrading From SJ30?

[popeye]

Can get the SJ33 for $225. Have the SJ30 and like it. Is the battery that much better/longer? Is it worth it? Any substantial differences? Help appreciated, thanks.

[AlbertLu]

1. Built-in MP3 playback.

2. MIDI sounds (I believe its called)

3. Physical size longer.

[Jake K]

It also has the faster 66 mhz processor.

[Gazpacho]

At this moment, a Zire 71 is a better buy. Would mean though that you cannot use your memory stick anymore.

[n4cr2k]

I upgraded from an SJ30 to an SJ33 and never regret doing it. The 66 Mhz processor will make a noticable difference over the 33 Mhz. The memory stick has better read and write access time. The built in MP3 playback is a plus. The flip cover is a handy feature. Although... I think i'm starting to outgrow my SJ33 and am getting eager to buy a new clie.

[popeye]

That was why I was going to upgrade and wait. But after reading and seeing the price drop, I would think that Sony will be coming out with a new model to compete with the Zire 71. I am sure they do not want to lose any market share especially with purchase of Handspring. Now the question is when and what options/upgrade!

[madmaxmedia]

The differences are pretty clear, the main one being mp3's. If you want mp3's then it's a good choice. You can buy the SJ33 for real cheap now (close to $200.) Your other options-

1. Zire 71- Great overall PDA with OS5 and great screen, but sound quality just doesn't match the CLIE. This ended up being a dealbreaker for me.

2. Wait a couple of months for the next model to succeed the SJ33. If the Zire 71 uses a Sony screen, that's great news and we can expect new CLIE's to use this screen (or better). It will also be OS 5, and Sony will make sure the audio quality is still top-notch. I wonder if the OS 5 NX models still have a DSP (if needed for optimal sound.)

If you're not sure you want to upgrade, then you probably don't want it that badly, and I would probably recommend waiting for the new CLIE's to be announced. Then decide.

[PDA gadgetfreak]

I have an SJ30 too. I don't want MP3's so that's not an attraction. I've overclocked it with Fast CPU ($15) and that helped speed tremendously. Doesn't seem to hurt battery time to much either (if you're selective on which apps to overclock). For me, not enought difference, I'll wait to move up to OS5 or 6 unit later. But hey, sometimes we just want our new toys!

[Don M]

Originally posted by popeye
Can get the SJ33 for $225. Have the SJ30 and like it. Is the battery that much better/longer? Is it worth it? Any substantial differences? Help appreciated, thanks.

Not sure if this is important to you, but when the SJ33 first came out, I took my memory stick from my SJ30 and did a full restore (from BackupBuddyVFS) to an SJ33 at a local Best Buy and the end result was that the SJ33 had almost exactly 1 meg less of RAM. I guess that has to do with the MP3 Player. Anyone know? Anyway, I have no need for an MP3 Player, so I went back to my SJ30. The SJ33 was noticeably faster in accessing the Memory Stick though, but I had gotten such a deal on the SJ30, that I didn't consider switching ;)

[petraman]

I have an sj-30, and I just use FastCPU to get it over the edge, I got a great deal on a Mp3 adapter from my friend, and I, personally, think that the SJ30 looks cooler. To tell you the truth, I couldn't care less if the SJ33 has round buttons, I just like the cool rectangular buttons on mine. So, I guess I have a different view, mainly because I don't want to get the SJ33 because I'm saving for the new NX73 when I comes out

[AlbertLu]

Originally posted by petraman
I have an sj-30, and I just use FastCPU to get it over the edge, I got a great deal on a Mp3 adapter from my friend, and I, personally, think that the SJ30 looks cooler. To tell you the truth, I couldn't care less if the SJ33 has round buttons, I just like the cool rectangular buttons on mine. So, I guess I have a different view, mainly because I don't want to get the SJ33 because I'm saving for the new NX73 when I comes out

My sentiment exactly.

In my case, I overclocked my SJ30 with Afterburner, and MP3 is redundant to me.

Plus I love the form factor of SJ-30. It hits exactly the right note for me. The length is right for my pants pocket - not obstrusive when I sit down. The thickness is comfortable for my hands.

The buttons are a big improvement over my previous PalmIIIx, so no complain here. Although I wish someone would look into the ergonomic significant of making a tiny indentation at the middle of the buttons so that I can push the buttons easily with stylus, instead of switching between finger and button operation.

Waiting for OS6 ...

[petraman]

What it cost:
SJ30-180.00
Mp3 Adap.-50.00
FastCPU-I think 15.00
Add all it up, and it comes to 245.00
292.00 (Amazon.com)-245
I saved about fifty bucks!

[popeye]

What is the model number or info on the mp3 adapter? Thanks, nice idea.

[Jake K]

Originally posted by popeye
What is the model number or info on the mp3 adapter? Thanks, nice idea.
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=ZZGu5ncVQaWu_Un-7FGk7TgEe-dcq1_8FCE=?CatalogCategoryID=&ProductID=iaEKC0%2eNIRgAAAD11p%2eiJcCF&Dept=hp

[popeye]

Where did you get it for $50. Cheapest I saw was $87. Thanks.

[petraman]

I told you, I bought it from a friend. He just wanted to get rid of it; he bought a NX60

[trayip]

definitly not worth it to buy an sj33 from an sj30. I got an sj30 and i'm waiting for a 320*480 screen with 64 mb. I'd like the nx80, i don't care about price, but it only has 16 mb ram..pisses me off...and i do want a thumboard and graffiti, that doesn't bother me (i connect cell phone and the pda and i can msg and email and whatnot, the thumboard is useful for that). I don't care about size (since i'm a teenager, duh)...just need the 64 mb ram.

Sigh

[buckethead]

may sound absurd, but i just dont like sj33's flip cover.

[Salty10is]

hmm...sj33 is nice...could be a better value. Flip cover is useful, however, some don't like it. The main difference between the sj30 and sj33 is that the sj33 has the faster processor and ability to play mp3's. It is all preference.

[vladn]

Just upgraded sj20 (BW) to sj33 - here are my initial impressions:

things I really liked (in comparison to sj20):
- color adds quite a bit of information in PIM functions;
- screen has much higher contrast ratio than BW sj20 and adjustable brighness, it is much easier on eyes when reading books at night;
- screen has no "inertia" that plagues sj20 LCD - I can use autoscroll feature in ebook readers now !
- nice loud polyphonic alarms with MIDI support, it is loud enough to wake me up ;) - sj20 alarm was nearly useless for me (same as sj22/30), that was primary reason for picking sj33 vs sj22, not the MP3, I really missed polyphonic alarm from T415 that I had before;
- hard flip cover that does not press buttons in the pocket;
- 66MHz and better MS interface HW makes it feel snappier than sj20 although CPU speed was not high on my priority list;

things that annoyed me:
- sj33 is noticeably heavier than sj20 (although not bigger);
- case material is very slippery and attracts fingerprints;
- jog wheel is worse/tighter than sj20 wich is worse that T415, it is a pity to see this downward progression and cost-cutting on such usable feature;
- what is the idea of that superbright green LED shining in your eye when the device is powered up ? not a big deal though, covered LED with tiny piece of sticky paper ;)
- outdoors sj20 BW screen is noticeably easier to read;
- flip cover does not cover MS slot;

despite these things I am reasonably happy with sj33

(skipping MP3 feature - I have little use for it - I have a 15G HD Mp3 player that keeps my music collection)

[orol]

you better buy zire 71 .. you get for the same $$$ even more ..

[Unregistered]

SJ33 FOR $224 WITH FREE leather CASE PLUS $25 GIFT CARD?
Is it worth it?

[Salty10is]

What's not to like about the screen of the Zire 71?

[madmaxmedia]

Another option now is the TG50 for only $240 after rebate from compuplus.com (I ordered one!)

I think that is better than Zire 71 for my personal reasons (better audio quality, flip cover, thinner, metal, etc.)

[Salty10is]

agreed, I'd probably put the TG50 over the Zire 71...but none of the SJ series to this point.