Long live the clam-shell!

[redvette_ragtop]

Just perused the comments in the current poll and read many saying they didn't want a clam-shell design. I just wanted to voice my opinion that I think the clam-shell design is great! I was a little wary about it when I purchased my NX70V. However, after two months of use, now, I must say that I think it is a terrific design for a PDA. My reasons:

#1 It's both a clam-shell AND a non-clam-shell in one. If I do not want a clam-shell, PDA, I simply swivel my screen and voilá! I've got a non-clam-shell device with virtual Graffiti. (So I'm wondering, what's the big concern, anyway?)

#2 No need for a case. The clam-shell offers a fine protective case without having to purchase one.

#3 It provides a very comfortable way to read documents. With the clam-shell open in the what I'll call the 120° position with the keyboard exposed, the screen is at a comfortable angle for viewing, the NX70V fits nicely in the hand, and the navigation buttons (scroll up & down, jog dial, back button, and QWERTY) are all available. Umn, not to be crude, but this is great for "toilet-time reading." :)

#4 It provides a very comfortable way to read documents No. 2 While eating that morning bowl of cereal, putting it in the 120° position on the table or in the upside-down "V" position really is more comfortable to read documents without having to be hunched over my NX if it was flat on the table. It also is an easier way to share a document with another person. (Make the font size bigger, open up the clam, set it on the table or desk, and there you go!)

#5 The clam gives more flexibility when taking self-timed pictures. It's easy to place it on a table or something by opening it up in the upside-down "V" position.

#6 The clam allows easier use of the camera. This swivel screen prevents from getting a crook in my neck as it becomes a flexible viewfinder like a videocam's.

I love this NX. When I decided to upgrade from my Visor Deluxe, I initially wanted something smaller. After shopping extensively and playing with many PDA's, I concluded that the NX had everything I wanted. As I said at the beginning, I was a little wary about the clam-shell design. I was also wary of the size. Neither has been any consequence to me whatsoever. The screen is superb, the processing speed is superb...everything about this is superb. An absolutely fine piece of engineering.

Got any other reasons for a clam shell?

Brad

[rldunn]

The only other thing I can think of is the automatic hold. When you close the clamshell, the screen automatically turns off, even if the device is still running. This helps with battery life.

[n2ifp]

I am happy with my NX too. There are a few who aren't, but that's fine too. Like application launchers, one can argue until the cows come home over which is the best design:).

[oneeyesquare]

May the clamshell live long and prosper!!!!



Actually the clamshell was one of the prime reasons I entered Sony land; otherwise, the call of the "dark side (PPC)" was upon me....

[anniebluesky]

I love the clam shell design also....as you say it is very flexible. But in reading your post, I saw something:

'The clam gives more flexibility when taking self-timed pictures. It's easy to place it on a table or something by opening it up in the upside-down "V" position.'

I was unaware of this feature. How do you do a timed picture?

[tubbycub]

The design is good but I kinda worried about it's durability. Everytime, I open and convert the NX to tablet mode, I will feel chills going up my spine that the front cover will break or become loose or the electrical contacts will loose due to friction.

[Submicron]

I think the clamshell design is great. I love the screen size and having a built-in thumb-type keyboard. Sony consistently goes in their own direction when developing products, and the electronics industry is so much the better for it. This design is very radical for a PDA and once we have the CF drivers, it'll be almost perfect (my opinion, I could be wrong).

[nike33]

anniebluesky

In answer to your question, start the camera app, to the left of the screen "capture" button is the self timer icon. You click it, click the screen caputre button OR the hardware capture button on the side of the NX. It starts beeping slowly, than speeds up right before it takes the picture.

BTW, by hitting either capture button again, you bypass the timer and the picture is taken instantly.

[ShellyBelly]

When I first saw the clam shell, with the NR, I thought it was a big mistake, but I love it as well for most of the reasons stated here already.

The reading, espically if you are reading for an hour or two, is SO much better do to the bigger screen, holding it by the keyboard half and there for being able to adjust the screen to where ever it can be viewed comfortably (instead of tiring your arm holding it like the older models) and the buttons a lot better then my T615 was!

I had really wanted the TT and didn't because I have so much money into MS's and so on. And I'm not fond of the Sony-silver, but when the Gunmetal Grey came out, I jumped on it. Now I think it was fate that she and I were meant to be together:)

I love this design and wouldn't give it up now even if they did come out with a T-series with the VG!

Keep up the clamshell designs Sont, but get a clue with the NZ!

[Importluva]

I completely agree. I love the design. I honestly do not think I can stray from this design unless something drastic comes along. I owned a iPaq 3835 before my old NR-The clamshell design/magnesium case and hires+ is what brought me back to Palm. Now that I have an NX, I am happier than ever with my PDA :)

[anniebluesky]

Originally posted by nike33
anniebluesky

In answer to your question, start the camera app, to the left of the screen "capture" button is the self timer icon. You click it, click the screen caputre button OR the hardware capture button on the side of the NX. It starts beeping slowly, than speeds up right before it takes the picture.

BTW, by hitting either capture button again, you bypass the timer and the picture is taken instantly.

 

Thanks!!! I never really played with that button before, and didn't know what it did. That is so cool. One more reason to love my NX70 :)

 

[SprSaiyan8]

this is one of the reason among other thing why got a sony PDA

[mashoutposse]

I probably wouldn't own a PDA if not for the clamshell models. I had an N760C, then moved to an iPaq 3835. I was pretty much fed up with how stagnant PDAs were getting, and was ready to forget PDAs in general, then Sony dropped a bomb on us :D

Personally, I wouldn't pay more than $200-300 for a non-clamshell PDA. Heck, I wouldn't even buy a non-clamshell PDA. I'm way past the Palm V stage -- no way am I going to buy an organizer for hundreds of dollars.

It may not necessarily be the clamshell itself, but the fact that Sony just happens to pack so much cool technology into these models. With the NR, we got the 66MHz proc, the huge screen, the keyboard, the built-in camera, and the design itself. The NX brought improvements to all of these (except the keyboard I guess), plus excellent built-in widescreen movie playback, Macromedia Flash, and WiFi (the ONLY thing I turn on my CLIE for nowadays). The NZ has brought built-in Bluetooth (finally), an amazing camera w/ flash (!!!), SmartLithium super-accurate removable battery, A/V output, HTML/PDF/DOC/XLS native support, and yet more refinements.

If I'm going to spend good money on these things, they have to entertain as well as organize -- as far as I'm concerned, the only PDAs that do both well are Sony's PalmOS powered clamshell CLIEs.

[TheUltimate]

I love the clamshell deisgn, and I hope they keep using in ther new clies to come out next!!

[reggae]

you forgot the "TM" in your ad.

[mashoutposse]

Hey, that's just how I feel, bro! :D I just did a torture test on my new NZ90, and managed to take 280 pics with flash on a single charge -- I'm in a pretty good mood :)

[Importluva]

Wow, thats impressive! Sounds like dave's NZ!

Check out my mini review here on the NZ and the SJ33 :)

http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5510

[Spiral]

I have a clamshell, things I dont' like
1) I dont' like to have to worry about the extra moving parts breaking
2) Harder to access buttons for like games. (Opening apps is solved by NR Buttons/Pagedownhack, also Solved on the NZ, but i'm not goign to go pay 800 dollars when i'm happy with my current one)

Other than that it's pretty cool, personally I dont' understand why peopel think taking out the clamshell would free up LOADS of space for all this stuff they want, the keyboard isn't very thick, and there isn't much lost room...

[cdschutte]

I'm an extremely happy T615 owner but after a year and a half am itching for a new Clie.  I use my Clie very frequently and like the clamshell-model large screen size.  I'm planning to upgrade by middle of the year and watching as new models are released (I like the TG50 but really want a larger screen).

I frequently stick my T615 in my jacket pocket and pull it out one-handed on the subway to read AvantGo articles on my way home or to check my calendar in the morning.  Do the clamshell-style owners think this type of use works with the model?  Or should I keep waiting for another T-style model?

 

[Rick 098]

dONT THINK THERE WIL BE ANY MORE(sorry. I hate caplock)T-series. Wait for a hi-res+ TG. If you dont want a clamshell. Personally I love clamshell(well not litteraly of cource!)

[PalmGearJenn]

Originally posted by Rick 098
dONT THINK THERE WIL BE ANY MORE(sorry. I hate caplock)T-series. Wait for a hi-res+ TG. If you dont want a clamshell. Personally I love clamshell(well not litteraly of cource!)

It's too bad, Sony has alot of people wanting non clamshell, VG+. It's funny I never use the keyboard but still like the clamshell, it's easier to see my clie at that angle on my desk..:p

[cliegirl]

i agree with all the pro-clamshell design thoughts here. i love it. it did take a bit of getting used to after my n710c, but i love the versatility. i do worry about durability with long-term usage, but i just try to be as careful as possible to protect it. i hope sony keeps this design around for a while. for the moment, i am exceptionally pleased with my nx70v, and i can't imagine any other of pda style that i'd like better, but who knows what sony (or another company) will come up with in the future... :cool:

[redvette_ragtop]

Originally posted by cdschutte
I frequently stick my T615 in my jacket pocket and pull it out one-handed on the subway to read AvantGo articles on my way home or to check my calendar in the morning.  Do the clamshell-style owners think this type of use works with the model?  Or should I keep waiting for another T-style model?

 

This works with the clamshell. Often, I have my NX "open" like a non-clamshell in my pocket, ready to go when I think I don't want to flip the screen. Other times, the screen is in the closed position.

[T1000X]

As much as I thought I wouldn't be happy with the extra size when I chose the NX70V over the TG50, I've grown to like it. I'm amazed how much Sony has crammed into the current NX series. Some people complain about the membrane keyboard, but honestly I like it better then the one I had on the TG50! I actually use my Clie in clamshell mode most of the time, using the keyboard for data entry and taking advantage of the large screen. I haven't gotten any new eBooks yet, but since I just got paid I will first probably pick up a compatible wireless access point (my current one isn't), and Winhand as well.

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by T1000X
As much as I thought I wouldn't be happy with the extra size when I chose the NX70V over the TG50, I've grown to like it. I'm amazed how much Sony has crammed into the current NX series. Some people complain about the membrane keyboard, but honestly I like it better then the one I had on the TG50! I actually use my Clie in clamshell mode most of the time, using the keyboard for data entry and taking advantage of the large screen. I haven't gotten any new eBooks yet, but since I just got paid I will first probably pick up a compatible wireless access point (my current one isn't), and Winhand as well.

I too love the clamshell design. It is also great that you prop the unit up and twist the screen for almost any viewing angle. You can't do that in a none clamshell design.

Long live the Clamshell !!!

[inertia memphis]

I'm also a big clamshell fan. Back when I first got my ibook (the icebook model with with shinny white case) eveybody was posting on forums about special cases and scratch removal methods, and I say its a cover, its there to protect it, who cares if it get scratched. thats how I feel about my Clie, I love having that big beautiful screen and at the same time not having to have a case, I mean why get a metal case to protect a metal case; then do you need a case so that does not get scrached :-).

I also like it for many of the reasons posted above, but I just have a new one. I devised a home made landscape easel in which the clamshell layout played an important roll.

Here is link to my thread on it:http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11396

and here is a picture of finished product:
http://www.inertia-llc.com/sandbox/temp/clie-easel/image/dsc05776.jpg

OK, so I really did not want to have to work this afternoon, but still I really think I will use this.

[Rick 098]

Originally posted by PalmGearJenn


It's funny I never use the keyboard but still like the clamshell, it's easier to see my clie at that angle on my desk..:p
I agree.

[Rick 098]

Originally posted by PalmGearJenn


It's too bad, Sony has alot of people wanting non clamshell, VG+. It's funny I never use the keyboard but still like the clamshell, it's easier to see my clie at that angle on my desk..:p
TG is non-clamshell.
If they get rid of thge keyboard they could have a hi-res+ tablet.

[inertia memphis]

Yep, but then you are in search of a cover again. My old Handspring Deluxe did have nice plastic cover that snapped on to front or back which was really nice.

>TG is non-clamshell.
>If they get rid of thge keyboard they >could have a hi-res+ tablet.

[michael1960]

Long live the clam-shell!

Yes, yes, yes! :) Actually, the clam-shell design was the reason why I immediately fell in love with my NR70 some time ago. And I really hope SONY will stay with this design and give us another clam-shell PDA after the NZ90.

I am a real clam-shell fan... even my Notebook has the clam-shell design... it's a tablet PC. :p

[Rick 098]

TABLET PC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW
how did you afford it!

[mikra]

I love the clamshell design and its opportunities, too! I would even like it better if they had designed a modell without CF-Slot but with slimmer dimensions.

...But now that  i have the CF-Slot i am waiting for the CF-driver.;)

[michael1960]

Originally posted by Rick 098
TABLET PC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW
how did you afford it!

Well, I just decided not to buy a new car, but drive my 10 year old GOLF for another 5 years or so... ;)

Actually I was looking for a new notebook in this dangerous place called FUNAN IT Mall in Singapore during a trip. I had already decided to buy a Fujitsu Siemens P2100(?) Notebook when I run into a shop that started to sell the first ACER tablet PCs in town. Since I had already decided to spend some money, it was easier to convince myself that I would just have to spend a "little bit" more money to own one of the first tablet PCs in the world.

Believe it or not... most of the time I use it to read PDF documents. I can hold it like a notepad and an A4 page is easily readable on the 12'' screen. :)