How fast does the CPU feel?

[gklinger]

I understand the TH55 has the same CPU as the UX50 but I've never used a UX50 so I'm curious how fast the CPU is, particularly incomparision to the 200MHz CPUs found in the NZ series? How does it compare to the 400MHz Xscale in the Tungsten T3? Sony always seems to have slower CPUs and less (usable) RAM than they could/should.

[Maverik]

The thing with the UX/TH CPU is that it changes its speed based on the load that is placed on it. It can be as slow as 8MHz or as fast as 123MHz depending on what you're doing. From my experience with the UX50 this is alright in most cases, but there are a few progs that don't/can't take full advantage of the CPU and are slow.

Unless Sony worked on it a little more for the TH series, I expect that it will be cumbersome to a lot of users.

[Alejandrico]

Nothing is faster than T3
Am I wrong?

[gklinger]

Originally posted by Maverik
The thing with the UX/TH CPU is that it changes its speed based on the load that is placed on it.

The Intel XScale (http://www.intel.com/design/intelxscale/) does basically the same thing although saying "changes its speed" is a bit of an oversimplification. Also, when comparing CPUs, it is customary to compare maximum speed so the power saving functions shouldn't be a factor. MHz doesn't scale (no pun intended) across architectures so it isn't fair to say the 400MHz XScale used in the Tungsten T3 is inherently faster than Sony's "Handheld Engine" but it may well be.

I'm curious about how fast it 'feels'. Is the UX50 (and therefore the TH55) snappy? Is it as snappy as a T3? Just looking for feedback from those that have used either or ideally, both.

[Maverik]

I've played around with a T|3 store display model and my friend has a UX50. So I have used both, and the T|3 definitely feels "snappier."

As for the oversimplification, I'm used to talking in simple terms as most of the people around me usually have no clue what I'm talking about when I talk technical.

Again it all comes down to what you're planning to do with the unit when it comes to Sony's Handheld Engine. It seems to work great ("snappy" almost 90-95% of the time) on the UX50 for most uses but there are definitely times when it seems to bog down. I didn't notice any hesitation when I used the store T|3, but then again it didn't have any custom apps on it or anything.

[EDIT] Overall, I'd say that the T|3 seems faster to me, but that's not to say that the UX50 is slow by any means. If they optimized the engine for the TH55 (which is probably a given) then I would assume that it may very well compare (feel wise) to the T|3 in most cases.

[iboar]

I know that UX users who run GPS mapping software are complaining about the lack of speed. I suspect that any processor intensive application will be sluggish on the Sony HH engine, if for no other reason than developers probably aren't going to take the time to write special code to optimize its performance. I wish Sony would quit trying to re-invent the wheel and stick with industry standards. I'm afraid Clies will become like the Beta format if they don't. They are really good at adding bells and whistles and cutting edge technology, but everytime they deviate from the rest of the industry fewer applications are compatible.:(

[winexprt]

I fear the same thing iboar. I feel like we're seeing two roads diverging in a wood...(sorry Mr. Frost) one Palm & the other Sony. I just hope they don't move too far apart...standards wise.

[lostether]

As far as PIM stuff goes, the Sony is plenty fast. Heck, the old 8mhz processors were fast. The question is beyond this functionality where do you want to go? Sony specifically targets multimedia in its devices and the UX, as well as the TH55 I imagine, is amazing in this respect. The audio and video capabilities are without equal.

Sony is embracing WiFi as a standard feature on all but their low end machines. I can tell you from the implementation of WiFi on the UX that Sony is doing an excellent job. I wouldn't even consider the T3 over the UX50 or the TH55. A T3 with WiFi might be able to compete for my dollars, but it would still lack the multimedia aspects of the Clie line that I love so much.

[jhintonh]

Good Evening-
I agree with lostether, I love WiFi. And as far as Sony straying from the PalmZen path with its "innovations", I agree. I really appreciate Sony's willingness to innovate. We would not have a usable JogDial if not for Sony. Or cameras on board. Or 480x320 screens on a PalmOS device. But the beauty of a PalmOS product and its value over a like PPC device has always been (at least for me) its stability and large selection of applications (read software) to chose from. Once Sony starts monkeying around with the OS and processors, etcetera, they start carving into that rather healthy pie that is the PalmOS software library. That is where their innovation should stop: at the line where existing applications become extinct because of changes in CLIE hardware, etc.
-Jhintonh

[gklinger]

Originally posted by Maverik
As for the oversimplification, I'm used to talking in simple terms as most of the people around me usually have no clue what I'm talking about when I talk technical.


I'm sorry if I sounded like I was condescending as that wasn't my intention. I can totally relate to having to use simple terms when talking about technology. I'm use to family members giving me blank stares which remind me to use terminology like "the spinny thing in the corner". :)

Your post was informative and it confirms my suspicion that the T3 'feels' faster than the UX50 (or any Clie for that matter). Most of the time processing speed isn't a concern for me but I'm really into retrogaming and one of the reasons I want to get a new (speedy) handheld is so I can enjoy the emulators (NesEm, Gizmo, Xcade etc.). It has been my experience that you can never have enough speed when it comes to emulating so I want to make sure I get something reasonably powerful. Sony's industrial design is top notch and I like the Clie zeitgeist (I can't think of a better word) but my experience has been that Clies are rarely the fastest PalmOS devices out there. I've actually been considering a Tapwave Zodiac (http://www.tapwave.com/) as it has my prefered form factor (sort of), a fast CPU and lots of RAM. Dual slots is also appealing.

It looks like I have a big decision ahead of me.

[joejoe]

Speed should be measured against battery life. From what I have read on PDAFrance, the TH55 has a *lot* longer battery life than the T|3 (which some users underclock & use autodimmer with).

If your focus is speed, the Tungsten T line would seem preferable.

[Maverik]

Originally posted by gklinger
I've actually been considering a Tapwave Zodiac (http://www.tapwave.com/) as it has my prefered form factor (sort of), a fast CPU and lots of RAM. Dual slots is also appealing.

A very good pda if you ask me. It is designed for games, with the analog stick and shoulder/trigger buttons. Very cool.

[gklinger]

The Zodiac is very cool. What surprised me was the size. It looks very large in the photos but when I had a chance to use one, it fit quite nicely in my hands (which are fairly small). Spec wise, it's the best PalmOS-based device I've seen even though it's oriented towards games, which isn't my primary use for my PDA. I would prefer a tablet oriented PDA with the same specs (preferably from Sony). In the interim, the TH55 looks like a winner.

Hrm. I wonder if I could justify having two PDAs...

[kwoodall]

I'm curious about a few things in the new THs - does Image Converter do higher resolutions like 480x320?

I also wonder if the new PIM software is backwards compatible to older units?

Kermit

[abid786]

Originally posted by jhintonh
Good Evening-
We would not have a usable JogDial if not for Sony. Or cameras on board. Or 480x320 screens on a PalmOS device.
-Jhintonh



Or MP3 players.

Hence, the "Walkmanization" of the PalmOS. :D

Abid