Could UX50 flaws be overlooked if the price was lower?

[jsessio]

Hi,

Yesterday on a whim, I purchased the UX50 from Dell for $542. I'm trying to decide if I should cancel my order based on negative comments on the UX series that I have read in several different reviews . Also, I have read some pretty harsh comments in various user forums about the smallish display, so-so battery life and non-traditional hardware button layout.

Here is my question:
Do you think that people are being too hard on the UX50 because of the high price tag? I'm curious if the flaws make this device "less usable" than other palm devices or if people are reluctant to recommend the UX50 because they expect more from a device with such a high price tag? Would these people give the UX the thumbs up if it were priced like the Tungsten T3 ($399US) or would the cons outweigh the pros at any price?

Thanks,
Jill
My first post!

[lostether]

Personally I love my UX50, and the "cons" you speak of are minor. No PDA is perfect in everyone's mind. Sure the UX is expensive, but at the price you ordered it for, and given the amazing capabilities it has, I think you are getting a bargain. There just is no comparable PDA (Palm or PPC) on the market.

Oh yeah, there have been many positive to great reviews of the UX50, and from what I've seen they far outweigh the negative. Check out the CNet review as an example.

[sputnik]

If you go to the book store and check out the reports about the ux50 there, they are good. I have used it since it came out and I love it, right off the top of my head I can't really think of short comings. I know that there is trash said about all PDA's not just the ux, and most of the stuff I read says if you can afford it go for it. I would say the same. I like the display, it has really smooth edges compared to my NX60 and I could not go back to that one after using the ux. I think as all of these threads have said, it ends up being wether you like it or not, the features are there. I did think the display was small when I looked at it in the store, but that never became an issue.

[Skay]

I didn't realize Dell sold Sony Clies? I don't see them listed online?

Bookstore, reports?

[greenchile505]

what flaws?

are we talking "cons" or "flaws"?

"flaw" would imply defective.

"con" would imply some individual or group does not care for particular design features, including, but not limited to, "smallish display, so-so battery life and non-traditional hardware button layout". (none of these items are cons to me).

i've never paid more than $200US for any PDA, until I bought my UX50. to be honest, i don't know if i would pay more than $699US, and to be more honest i try not to think about the price (or bring it up when my wife is around).

the Sony UX is badass and has no flaws, (as far as i know), and MY only con is Sony didn't include portrait mode options. i would think with their programming resources (think gran turismo 3), they could have shipped the UX with portrait mode capabilities.

// greenchile505

[BelloL]

i agree with all of the above. I bought my NX-70v and found it hard to justify the $599 when I bought it, but i loved it, haven't stopped using it and find it to be the single best thing I've bought in terms of use i put into it and what I get out of it. It had its cons including the bulk, the cf slot sticking out, battery life, on and on - but no one could deny just the sheer amount of things something that small could do, both at that time and even now. Just look at the way people admire it and are dumbfounded by the marvel that is the Sony Clie and you begin to feel better about it. Still, when I saw the NZ-90 come out I found it ridiculous to charge $100 more than I paid for my NX because of a better camera considering the fact that it was even thicker than than the NX with practically the same specs all around. Still, I have friends with NZs and they love it because what it does have and what it can do for them was worth paying for. Hold onto your UX, love it, enjoy it, and sell it if and when the time comes. And yeah, try not to think of the price for too long especially around the misses ;)

[Elfyn]

I agree with everthing lostether says about the UX50 above. You are getting quite a deal at $549.00.

I personally love my UX50. The only possible con I can see is the battery life. This is very easily overcome by either using the extended battery or doing what I do and having charging cradles everywhere (home, office and car). IMHO the UX50 is the coolest, sexiest gadget I've seen in a longtime. Oh, and its very useful too.:D

You need to get the UX50 in your hands and decide for yourself.

Elfyn

[CliePet]

Needless to say, if the UX50 were priced at $400 retail, many criticisms would be stifled.

> Do you think that people are being too hard on the UX50 because of the high price tag?

Yes and no.
People always look for flaws. It is what matters to you that is important.
The fact that people compare the significantly cheaper T3 to the more expensive UX50 tells you many reviews ignore an equity of features for their personal pet peeves (to be a little more fair the UX40 should be compared, but it has a camera and keyboard)

---
> Also, I have read some pretty harsh comments in various user forums about the smallish display, so-so battery life and non-traditional hardware button layout.

My advice:
#1) Move the PDA 6" closer to your face,
#2) get the battery pack or learn to type Dot+Ctrl+S
#3) you can live with 3 hard buttons...

If you consider the criticisms to be extremely harsh, ignore them - and make up your own mind. Also consider who's opinion you are reading. IMHO: Three minutes holding a PDA in your hand at a computer store that is worth hours of reading other people's opinions on a BBS.

FWIW: In my *opinion* the UX50 is currently the coolest PDA around. Even faked up screenshots of a fake UX80/100 model didn't really improve on the core features of the UX50.

If they were sold for $400 each, I'd buy two.

[keeperkeith]

cliepet.....i totally agree.....i have many pdas....
the UX50 blows them all away.
I love to show ppl simpsons episodes on my clie and see their kaws drop cuz of the awesome quality!!

[Mr. Z]

jsessio, nice whim... er choice! :) Whatever you do, don't open the box, charge the UX, and turn it on! Because you won't be sending it back! :)

[pdagal]

I review pretty much every PDA that's available, and I have to say the UX50 is probably the most innovative PDA to come out this year. It's expensive, but it offers an amazing array of features: WiFi, Bluetooth, 480 x 320 display, great keyboard by PDA standards, a camera that takes decent still shots and videos, plays MP3s and movies and more. Wow! Plus it's one of the smaller PDAs on the market (which means a small screen, but you do get amazing portability). And the magnesium alloy case is durable. . . Sure, when anything is cheaper complaints lessen, but given the state of current technology, it's an incredible device. Not flawless, but then nothing is!