Difference btw OS 4.0 and 5.0

[Unregistered]

Hello,
I just came across this board. I am considering on gettin a Clie,
I need to get rid of my Treo 90 and would like a better screen.
I can get a NR70 for less than $300.00. I was wondering what is the the diffence btw opearating systems which i don't mind getting the Nx60 if feasible.
I use my Treo basically for school and a few games and ebooks.
I would like to eventully listen to MP3 once i get the hang of using it and would like to me able to plays movies also once i get the hang of it. I hope this makes since, any help would be appreciated.

Alicia

[grifter]

OS 5 supports the ARM processors that run at much higher speeds.  The NX60 has a 200MHz ARM process while the NR70 has a 66MHz Dragonball processor.

The new OS 5 Clies also have a better digital camera and voice record capabilities.

There are other differences, but these are a few of the major changes.

Hope this helps.

[rldunn]

I just upgraded from an NR to an NX a week and a half ago, so let me mention the biggest differences:

1) Processor speed as grifter mentioned
2) OS5 supports high density icons, which look incredible. Makes the whole screen shine.
3) NX has movie recording and voice memo capability, and almost all of the built-in apps are high-res+ (full-screen display), and as grifter mentioned, the pics are 4 times as big.
4) The back button is too stiff to be usable on the NR, but works great on the NX.
5) With OS5, you don't have to mess around with high-res support for apps that have graphics and don't support it natively. These apps, like Zap2016 and Babydraw work perfectly in OS5, which surprised me.
6) The NX allows you to tap on the MS and sound icons on the status bar to get the current MS space and sound settings, even allowing you to mute all sounds and change the levels. Very convenient.

I expected negatives in moving to OS5 in that hacks weren't supported, and there was no support for an app like NRButtons, but with OKey and McPhling5, I really haven't missed the other stuff at all.

[alicia4065]

Thanks for the fast reply.
I guess I will be a new owner then.

Alicia:D

[Hakaida]

On a somewhat related topic, can anyone here tell me why some of my mp3 files that used to play just fine on my N760C no longer work on my NX70V? The odd things is that some do play and some don't. And some tracks that play can be from the same album as some that do not.

Thanks to anyone who can give me the answer as to how to get them to play on the NX70V.

[pigburger]

Funny how NX slanted this is. The camera features that everyone mentioned are a mute point since Alicia is looking at the NR70 and the NX60. All the features you guys are pitching don't seem to key in on what she is looking for. Both units have phenomenal screens, hi-res+ (for added viewing area, very handy for ebook reading), jog dial, and mp3 player. The NR actually has more available memory (15 megs) than the NX (11megs). All the launcher features that rldunn described, such high density icon support and memory stick space, are available in almost any third party launcher such as Zlauncher, which for $12.95 is a bargain and adds gobs of functionality. There's also freeware called Switchdash which does a great job sorting out the hi-res assist issues that might arise.

Another difference between the OSes is that I believe 80% to 90% of the software previously written to run on OS 4 or below will run on OS 5. Not everything though, so you might have software on your treo that you use might not work on OS 5. But the nice thing with palm software is, if something doesn't work in OS 5, chances are there is a similar program out there that will. But you should definitely keep that in mind.

There is a noticeable difference in processor speed, the NX is a lot faster than the NR in software that is optimized for ARM chip. But coming from a treo both are going to be noticeably faster. Either way you go, is a huge step up, but the NX is the larger jump. With publishers rewriting their software to take advantage of the ARM processor, the speed difference is only going to get greater. Will you be able to tell the difference between the two while reading an ebook or playing bejewelled? Maybe during loading, that's about it, what takes a full second on the NR, might take a half or less of a second on the NX.

The NX will also support the larger 256, 512, and one gig memory sticks. This is great for the larger capacity than the standard 128 meg memory stick but they will come at a premium price, at least initially. 128 MS holds about 2 hours of music, or about 100 megs worth of ebooks and a full RAM back up with some room to spare. The bigger sticks are useful for power users who want everything on one stick, which I think allot of people complain about but really don't need the extra capacity as an average user.

And finally the styling. Both appear very similar but there are subtle differences. The back button on the NR is poorly designed but is relatively functional, the NX has it here. The more major difference is the textured casing and compact flash "hump" on the NX. I actually like both of these features on the NX, but they do add very slightly to the bulk. I think with the hump, the NX sits better in my larger hands, but that is strictly a personal preference that I know a lot of people disagree on. The hump on the NX can only be used for the wi-fi lan card, so if you don't have a wi-fi network set up, it really has no other function. To me the NX's textured case does feel better in the hand then the smooth casing of the NR, but again, this is a personal opinion that I'm sure people will disagree with.

In conclusion (Big Breath), you really can't go wrong either way. The NX (for the moment) is the latest and greatest and will more than meet your needs. But for the money, I think you really can't beat the NR70, with the $200 or so you saved you can get a 128 meg MS for around $50 and then get a boatload of quality software. I love my NR70 and don't plan on upgrading anytime soon.

Please feel free to correct any of my statements, my son got me up way to early this morning....

[wnm]

Actually if you are looking for a system as you described I would try and get my hands on a T665. They have been discontinued, but are still available, and the prices are dropping. I think its the best valued handheld on the market, with speed, fast MS access, great screen, excellent form factor and MP3.

[pigburger]

I think going from the treo, the main feature they are looking for is the keyboard, the TG50 might be a better suggestion. If the keyboard isn't an issue, the T665 would be pretty damn good too. Just my guess though...

[rldunn]

Originally posted by pigburger
All the launcher features that rldunn described, such high density icon support and memory stick space, are available in almost any third party launcher such as Zlauncher, which for $12.95 is a bargain and adds gobs of functionality. There's also freeware called Switchdash which does a great job sorting out the hi-res assist issues that might arise.When I was talking about the high-density icons, I was talking about them throughout all apps, not just in the launcher. For example, HandyShopper2, DateBk5, and McPhling also have high-density icons in OS5, plus the OS has a bunch built-in for things like Hotsync and pop-up messages. Not a huge deal, but it does make things look better.

Another difference between the OSes is that I believe 80% to 90% of the software previously written to run on OS 4 or below will run on OS 5. Not everything though, so you might have software on your treo that you use might not work on OS 5. But the nice thing with palm software is, if something doesn't work in OS 5, chances are there is a similar program out there that will. But you should definitely keep that in mind.Maybe I'm not representative, but I haven't had any software besides hacks that I used on my NR that won't work on my NX, and I have replaced all the hacks with stand-alone apps. I expected apps that needed high-res assist on the NR wouldn't run on the NX, but all of those apps run just fine.

There is a noticeable difference in processor speed, the NX is a lot faster than the NR in software that is optimized for ARM chip. But coming from a treo both are going to be noticeably faster. Either way you go, is a huge step up, but the NX is the larger jump. With publishers rewriting their software to take advantage of the ARM processor, the speed difference is only going to get greater. Will you be able to tell the difference between the two while reading an ebook or playing bejewelled? Maybe during loading, that's about it, what takes a full second on the NR, might take a half or less of a second on the NX.Where I notice it the most is picture viewing, so if you don't think you'll do a lot of that, it's probably not a major issue.

And finally the styling. Both appear very similar but there are subtle differences. The back button on the NR is poorly designed but is relatively functional, the NX has it here. The more major difference is the textured casing and compact flash "hump" on the NX. I actually like both of these features on the NX, but they do add very slightly to the bulk. I think with the hump, the NX sits better in my larger hands, but that is strictly a personal preference that I know a lot of people disagree on. The hump on the NX can only be used for the wi-fi lan card, so if you don't have a wi-fi network set up, it really has no other function. To me the NX's textured case does feel better in the hand then the smooth casing of the NR, but again, this is a personal opinion that I'm sure people will disagree with.I never notice the hump when I'm holding the NX, but I do notice it when I place it in my pocket. The NR has the better styling here.

And I do agree with pigburger's initial point, that the NR is getting slighted here. IMO, it's the 2nd best handheld ever made. Before I moved up to the NX (which was by necessity after my NR battery died, so not by choice), I thought the pros and cons of the NR and NX were equal and have been pleasantly surprised that many things I worried about were of either minor or no concern, which is what I was trying to get across.

[sebring]

rldunn,

Actually ZLauncher does use hi-density icons, in OS4.1, for any apps that have them available, which includes all the apps you mentioned (except McPhling since there is no icon for McPhling in OS4). They really do make a dramatic difference.

[rldunn]

OK, I must be doing a poor job of explaining this. ZLauncher will display hi-density icons for non-OS5 devices within ZLauncher, meaning that in the list of apps, you see the app's hi-density icon.

What I'm talking about is when you're using Handyshopper, you can associate icons with items in your list, and these can be hi-density icons on the NX, which look amazing, while the NR can only display them as low-density icons. Same thing for DB5. And when you're Hotsyncing, the hot sync icon is hi-density. And for McPhling, the X and the Heart for items in your apps list are hi-density. So basically, all the items outside of the launcher is where the difference is found.

[Jeffry]

can anybody confirm that OS5 has better security features?

[rldunn]

I never use them, so I can't really comment, but the Security app looks the same as I remember it looking in OS4. What specifically are you wondering about OS5 security and I can maybe check it for you?

[pigburger]

My experience with OS 5 is limited to in-store fiddling so I didn't know the extent of the high density icon usage. I also never had it in my pocket (the guys at Best Buy really frown upon that) so I can't speak there either. I don't think you can go wrong either way but personally would wait for a price drop before moving up to the NX. My NR more than meets my needs even though it's been "obsolete" since November.:)

[ScottLP]

OK where can one find the NR70 for less then $300?? Best I've found on the web search engines for a new one is a little under $400. (not sure about buying refurbished ones).

Thanks.

Scott

[pigburger]

No camera, but $325. From a reputable dealer too.

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=292269&pfp=BROWSE

[timewaster77]

I don't own either but from what I have heard from others the video playback on the NX60 is much better than that of the NR70.

[alicia4065]

Thanks guys, for all the info. I like using a keyboard I got so use to using it on my Treo. By the way my local Compusa is selling Nr for less than 300.00 w/my discount and it's not a refurb.

Alicia:p

[pigburger]

That is a sweet dea!!! Good luck, and if you don't have good luck at least you have us to stumble you through it...