Should I exchange the SL10 for SJ20?

[Linsifer]

My husband just bought me the SL10 from Costco for $99.99. Well, when I tried to read what's on the screen, I find it very dark or glaring under certain light. Even the backlight doesn't seem to do much. I honestly don't think my older eyes will be able to handle this. I heard that the SJ20 has a better, contrasting white screen and much easier to read. Is it worth getting the upgrade? I know it has 16 mb. Also, can the consumer change the rechargeable battery? I don't want the PDA to be "disposable". I want to be able to replace it without it costing an arm and a leg. I wish they had the versatility of using either AAA batteries or the rechargeable one like my walkie talkies.

Please e-mail me as well as posting here. I need to know because my husband wants me to go out and purchase the SJ20 if that will work better for me. I just don't want to act hastily.:)

Linsifer@aol.com

[Experiment 626]

I have the SJ-20 and am very pleased with 'readability' of the screen. I am unfamiliar with the SJ-10 other than what I've seen on the internet.. I've never seen on working IRL.

As far as batteries go.. the reason I have the SJ-20 mostly was for the recharable battery.

[Berto2112]

Yeah, I'd upgrade to the SJ-20. I've used other palm devices before that had the regular green backlight and the white backlight of the SJ-20 is far better. The screen can be read anywehre. In pitch black, in pure daylight, under flourescent lighting...anywhere. The rechargeable batteries are better too. They have a good charge life, and the batteries themselves have a very long life without losing charge potential. I recommend an upgrade. The memory increase itself it worth it if you plan on installing software.

Berto

[Linsifer]

Well, I went to Staples and checked out the screen of the SJ20 and I was disappointed to see that the screen when not backlit still has that green cast and for me, hard to read. Sure, it's lighter when the backlight is on, but that drains the battery, doesn't it? Also, I know something else that really bothers me, although it looks nice in theory. The font is just too fine and light for me to read effectively. I need something a little bolder. In the meantime next to it was the Palm m130 with a $50 rebate, making it the same price as the Clie' SJ20. I also have a couple Staples gift cards. Anyway, the m130 is colored, but better yet, the font is easier to read! AND, you can adjust the font between 3 different sizes right then and there. I could make it bolder and larger if I wanted. It's funny, even though the Clie' has the 320x320 resolution, I almost prefer the 160x160 of the m130 if it means being able to read the screen easier. Well....Staples was out of them so I'll call when they get more. I know it's being discontinued, but they all are sooner or later.;)

[Jeffry]

Originally posted by Linsifer
Well, I went to Staples and checked out the screen of the SJ20 and I was disappointed to see that the screen when not backlit still has that green cast and for me, hard to read. Sure, it's lighter when the backlight is on, but that drains the battery, doesn't it? Also, I know something else that really bothers me, although it looks nice in theory. The font is just too fine and light for me to read effectively. I need something a little bolder. In the meantime next to it was the Palm m130 with a $50 rebate, making it the same price as the Clie' SJ20. I also have a couple Staples gift cards. Anyway, the m130 is colored, but better yet, the font is easier to read! AND, you can adjust the font between 3 different sizes right then and there. I could make it bolder and larger if I wanted. It's funny, even though the Clie' has the 320x320 resolution, I almost prefer the 160x160 of the m130 if it means being able to read the screen easier. Well....Staples was out of them so I'll call when they get more. I know it's being discontinued, but they all are sooner or later.;)

The SJ20 is meant to be used with the backlight ON. You still get a whole lotta battery juice out of it... over 4 hours at least.

You can buy the coloured version of the SJ20 (the SJ30) with the price of the M130. I personally think that the M130 is too overpriced and it's old technology. Believe it or not, the M130 displays only about 33 000 colors VS. SJ30's 64 000 colors. If the CLIE fonts are a problem to you, there's always hacks out there that will improve the thickness.

[Jake K]

Linsifer,

I have seen the SL10, but only in the store. I know that it can be very hard to read if it isn't very bright out. If you have the money you should get the SJ30 with it's vivid color screen. The batteries on the SJ20 and SJ30 are user replacable but I have never tried opening the cover.

Sadly I have never seen the SJ20 in real life, only in pictures and in reviews. It does look a lot brighter then the SL10 from the pictures though and the 16 mb memory will come in handy.

If it was me, I would upgrade to the SJ20 or SJ30.

[Talula]

I don't see why anyone would find the low resolution screen of the m130 easier to read than the high resolution screen of the SJ20, or the SJ30. I've owned both the m130 and I now have an SJ20. Battery life is better on the SJ20 and I think the high resolution makes the fonts cripser and easier to read.

[adrianl]

It's down to how comfortable you feel installing extra software if you buy the sj20 or sj30.

There are the excellent (free) Lubak fonts which replace the Clie's original fonts which I agree are too spidery. You will have to spend about $10 on Tealmaster or similar to enable the 'hack' (fonthack) which allows the new fonts to replace the old. It sounds more complicated than it is! You will then have a Clie with identical fonts to the very expensive new Palm Tungsten. There are other fonts available too.

These fonts are dramatically more readable than those of m130, especially for doing a lot of reading (AvantGo, ebooks etc). They make using the Clie a pleasure

[KlondikeLip]

I bought my wife an M130 last year and she liked it as her first PDA. Then I bought myself an SJ30 5 months later. She fell in love with it's screen. So I gave it to her. Other than the easier to read screen (for her), she likes the battery life of the SJ30. She's not really good at remembering to recharge her devices(I normally have to put her cell phone and pda on the charger). So she likes the fact that her SJ30 lasts longer than her M130.

It's really up to you. Sony's going to come out with replacements for their lower-cost Cliés soon, so the SJ and T series will be dropping in price.

[aaronrkelly]

I have had an m130 and found it to be a great little PDA...color will definitely be more readable. Go for the SJ30 or the m130, whichever you have the money for. Out of the two the SJ30 is better, but the m130 isnt a bad PDA either. I would rather have low rez color than high rez black and white any day.

[dequardo]

I agree heartily with adrianl's reply. I think the 20 is a much better choice than the 10 but I would also highly recommend the SJ30 if you can afford the little extra. The SJ30 with the Lubak fonts is THE BEST PDA for the money I've ever had. And I've had at least 30! different ones covering the Zaurus, Palm and CE/PPC platforms. Good luck to you.

Mike

[Ricon]

Go for an SJ30 you won't be disappointed.