Who's getting the TG50??

[Jeffry]

I'm interested what y'all think...

I have to see it in person first since the small screen really bothers me.

Also, that flip cover will make the device at least 40% longer.

If the TG50 is good, then I'll just trade-in my SJ33 for it.

[yOyOYoo]

The screen does look small when in comparison to the T665.

How small is the screen compared to the sj33 and the TT? Are the screens the same size?

Im really tempted to get it because of the style and the compactness and overall sleekness of the unit. The hardcover is really nice and it grows on me. I'm kind of tired of the clamshell on my NR70v cuz its kinda annoying opening it just to be able to use the hardkeys. I do use the keyboard on the NR70v from time to time, just not sure I want the keyboard space taking of space of a potentially bigger screen on the TG50. Gotta see it in person first.

What would be a great feature would be if the TG50 had the status skin from the NR, NX, NZ screens. That way it'll be easier to open certain programs as well as menu, home easier (i know it has hardkey buttons for this feature...)

[Importluva]

I'm happy wit my NX right now. However, this device looks very good,and I'm pretty sure that sony has a winner on their hands. I wouldn't be surprised if the first shipment of these sells out right away.

[Baker1369]

If I hadn't bought a nx60 and become spoiled on hires+ I would have gotten one...it is damn sexy in my opinion.

[T1000X]

I'm waiting to see it in person before deciding. I do know that my next PDA must have some sort of built in wireless communication capability. If the TG50 isn't what I hope it is, I may wait for a NX70V like model with built-in Bluetooth.

[GoldenTiger]

I just bought an NZ90... I'll wait for the next high-end model.

[sindu]

I know the screen size is bothering lots of people, including me. But I think it can be an optical illusion. I had cancell the NZ preorder when I first got a wind of the TG. The form factor, BT, OS 5 and MS Pro are what I really wanted.

[quiller]

the problem with the screen is that we're used to seeing the large 320x480 screen on the NX/NZ series or the traditional silkscreen and LCD from the T-series. in comparison from photos, it looks like the TG50 is maybe a millimeter shorter than the T665, but can you really tell the difference? It's definitely larger than the T|T, that's obvious.

in reply: 40% longer because of the flip screen? have you seen any comparison photos or specs? when compared to the T665 it is maybe 1/3 of an inch longer, but not enough to make it obvious or even cumbersome.

[ChuToy]

I wish the battery were user-replaceable. I just don't think battery replacement should have to be a customer service issue...just something we do ourselves--buy the new battery and put it in. Second, though I doubt I would often need to swap in a new battery in a typical day, there are times when I am travelling that I really run the battery down fast on my current PDA. It would be nice to be able to swap in a freshly charged spare. And even sweeter if that spare could be charged in its own special slot in the cradle as is the case with some PocketPC's currently out.

That's my nit to pick. :p Otherwise, this is the most promising candidate to replace my current older Pocket PC that I've come across so far. The design just knocks me out and hey, I'm happy it looks to be compatible with some existing accessories like the game controller! And the projected price is acceptable. The small screen doesn't bother me--less glass for me to crack. The thing has to survive in my purse, after all. And sometimes in a backpack or pocket.

However, I'm still keeping an eye on some things that may be coming out in the next few months. I'm in no huge rush.

p.s. I just realized I gave myself away as being a person looking at this machine as a potential PocketPC "convert", in a manner of speaking. I realize and respect some longtime Palm users may be having conniptions that this design isn't living up to what you were used to and expecting. I hope my views don't offend anyone here.

Sadly, I suppose my enthusiasm for the TG50 will just be the proof to the arguments I've seen that the TG50 looks to have been designed for people who don't have a clue what a Palm device is all about. :o Doh! Well kinda sorta maybe--but you need to realize I'm researching and trying to learn what Palm is about--what it does well, what it can't do. So there. :D :p

[c0mm0n]

Having a fx77, i'll jump ont thios new clie as soon as it's available in paris !!

any news on pricing ?

[sindu]

I am so desperate for this unit that I will order it from Hong Kong Sony and had my Hong Kong office courrier it to me.

Chutoy,
Your current PDA is PPC and that is why you need a second battery. You won't have that problem with Palm. Research around this forum and there are serveral discussion about Clie battery or PPC vs Palm.

[SprSaiyan8]

I just bought an NZ90... I'll wait for the next high-end model.


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[jiserrab]

I think Sony was confused with everybody asking for virtual grafitti. They give it to us, sort of, only on a 320x320 screen. We need to be asking for a 320x480. i think that will clear some things up. ;)

[sixty-four]

Originally posted by sindu
I am so desperate for this unit that I will order it from Hong Kong Sony and had my Hong Kong office courrier it to me.

Chutoy,
Your current PDA is PPC and that is why you need a second battery. You won't have that problem with Palm. Research around this forum and there are serveral discussion about Clie battery or PPC vs Palm.

sindu,

Li-ion battery performance degrades as more and more current is cycled through it (i.e., used and recharged). It would be nice to be able to buy a new battery and pop it in when the unit's battery life starts to decline.

I wish my current Sony 610 had this feature. When I did a battery test on the brand new unit, I was getting nearly 9 hours of use on a single charge. Now, with regular use for over a year, I get less than 7 hours. Not a complete disaster but still not like brand new. Keep in mind that the TG50 sucks a lot more juice than my 610 so the battery will be taxed even harder.

[kwajkat]

When looking at the TG50 screen size and the SJ33, it looks to me like they are about the same size, if you put your finger across the graffiti screen part. They are all smaller than any of the NR/NX/NZ series screen unfortunately but guess that is the price for going cheaper!

But what do I know!

I am still torn between getting the TG50 or going with the NZ. Price is what is holding me back with NZ but then I look at the $400 for the TG50 plus taxes which would put it about $450 then if you get a case, that is another almost $50...............

[kwajkat]

When looking at the TG50 screen size and the SJ33, it looks to me like they are about the same size, if you put your finger across the graffiti screen part of the SJ33. They are all smaller than any of the NR/NX/NZ series screen unfortunately but guess that is the price for going cheaper!

But what do I know!

I am still torn between getting the TG50 or going with the NZ. Price is what is holding me back with NZ but then I look at the $400 for the TG50 plus taxes which would put it about $450 then if you get a case, that is another almost $50...............

[macktv]

I really love the look of this but don't think I'd really buy one as I can't see myself spending more than £200 on a PDA as I don't use all the functions that much but I just like gadgets.

One thing though, does anyone not think this looks a bit like the Siemens IC35? Now that would have to be the best looking PDA I've ever had!

[ErnieB]

I'm ready for the TG50.  I have an NR70 now.  Hires+ is nice.  So is virtual graffiti.  Still, I think I could do without either one as long as the form factor of the TG50 is significantly smaller.

The keyboard is very attractive.  I have to carry an external keyboard with my NR70, and I don't care for that.  I'm thinking the TG50 keyboard will be a lot more usable than the micro-keys on my NR70.  I know the NZ has the same basic keyboard, but I can't see spending that kind of money, or lugging around a PDA that big.

Don't know about the screen size, but it's hard to have a small form-factor PDA with a large screen.  As long as it's bright and readable, I won't complain.

[donaldekelly]

So the keyboard on the NZ and most likely on the TG50 is much more useable than on the NR and NX models? This seems like it would be very significant in a decision on which to buy if you did not like grafiti much. Is the built in keyboard / thumbboard that much better?

I tried the NZ once in the store - keyboard seemed not much better than the NX - but I have differentz perceptions everytime I look at them in the store - depending on how much coffee I just drank, how much sleep I got, whether the display models are worn or broken or uncharged.

[ChuToy]

About the keyboard...one problem I have had so far testing out the keyboards on the NR, NX, and NZ models is that the keys themselves are very flat. On the NZ they are spaced nicely, but I just seem to have a bit of trouble hitting these flat keys compared to the more convex keys on my husband's Treo 300.

I find myself typing with my fingernails (which are shortish for a woman's) rather than my fingertips. Kind of decreases accuracy. I have more luck with rounded keys. Maybe it's just more of an issue for me because I am a woman and I do have fingernails to get in the way a bit. Again, not very long ones, but a bit longer than your average man would keep. I have very small hands and fingers so you'd think I'd have an easy time of it no matter what. Surprisingly, not as easy as I thought. My first impression on an NX was that I could type well. The funny thing is the more I play around with the demo NX's, the worse my thumboard typing becomes! :rolleyes: FITALY...here I come! :D

[donaldekelly]

Thanks for the feedback.

[quiller]

Maybe the problem with the thumboard isn't the design at all, but simply the fact of where it is designed. in general (and this isn't meant to be demeaning or sterotypical) the average Asian (i.e. Japanese) is smaller than the average American, right? If so, wouldn't their fingers also be smaller?

Hmm... I bet that since us Americans have larger fingers, the thumboard wouldn't be as effective for us. Sony, being so smart and knowledgable, knows this, so instead of the TG50 the U.S. version will be the TG75-- Hi-Res+ instead of Thumboard. :)

[yOyOYoo]

one can dream quiller... hahah =)

[stevo4517]

Yeah, it kinda makes me wish that I waited for this one instead of purchasing the NZ. I really don't take many pics so I think the TG would have been a better fit. However, I only paid $600 for my NZ so I guess you can say that I paid an extra $150 for a 2.0 mp camera and larger screen. The jury is still out on whether the extra $150 is a deal/steal.

[donaldekelly]

The TG50 will most likely not have WI-FI for a year or more.

(Copied from my post at another site):

http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=73949

NO WI-FI for TG50 most likely?

As Ed (Brighthand) said he heard - it will be a long time until a WI-FI Memory Stick would be available. I guess Sony is not interested and San Disk is not ready to get to it. So, who is left?

So, If you want WI-FI from Sony - Get a NX or NZ I guess. Maybe there are other "add ons" that provide it - like a WI-FI sled? Maybe not.

WI-FI is hot - wireless connectivity is one of the best things about pdas these days.

(The internet is what is really appealing to me - rather than any gadget inside any pda. And to do it wirelessly seems to be essential - or why not go to your bigger screen on your wired computer)?

This seems to lead me to a decision to get the NX (70v probably) over the TG50 (no Wi-Fi - only bluetooth). There is already a bluetooth MS - so the NX is more useful if you can deal with the price and the size (which doesn't seem much bigger than my current M500 palm in a Kensington case - so it is not a problem!).

NX = WI-FI and Bluetooth
TG50 = Bluetooth and don't expect WI-FI in the next few years.

Any contrary opinions are much appreciated.

[kwajkat]

Steve, if I could get the NZ for $600 I would go with it. Most 2 pixel cameras here run about $150-200 so you got a good deal as the NZ here are $800. For that reason I will probably end up with the TG50 even though I really like quiller's idea of a 320x480 screen. They will probably come out with that after everyone has gotten the TG or NZ!!

[quiller]

kwajkat-- don't worry, it'll be soon. i have this itching feeling Sony is just giggling behind the scenes about this one: Garmin is coming out with an almost perfect PDA, to my eyes. If they dropped the GPS unit to thin it a bit, they would be selling like hotcakes. Don't be surprised if Sony releases a T-series OS5, Hi-Res+ device. They've cut the competition before, they'll do it again.

[ChuToy]

Originally posted by quiller
Maybe the problem with the thumboard isn't the design at all, but simply the fact of where it is designed. in general (and this isn't meant to be demeaning or sterotypical) the average Asian (i.e. Japanese) is smaller than the average American, right? If so, wouldn't their fingers also be smaller?

Hmm... I bet that since us Americans have larger fingers, the thumboard wouldn't be as effective for us. Sony, being so smart and knowledgable, knows this, so instead of the TG50 the U.S. version will be the TG75-- Hi-Res+ instead of Thumboard. :) I am of Japanese descent, five feet 2 and 100 pounds, with a size 4 ring finger and lots of experience thumbing on various game consoles. Yet I have trouble with the thumboards. So I'm not entirely sure how this design is going over there. Admittedly, my dexterity on the Clie Thumboards does vary. Some days I'm hot, some days I'm not. Overall I do think the very flat surface of the keys contributes to a problem of making good fingertip contact. However I do think the spacing of the keys on the NZ is about as good as you can get and still keep the small form factor.

Well, the NZ owners seem to be very happy with their machines. Maybe it just takes practice and familiarity. Better than what I as a hopeful shopper can accomplish just playing with the store demo units. :)

[quiller]

overall it seems that the "flatness" of the thumbord is a problem. the TG50 thumboard appears a bit more raised then the NZ series, though. it seems quite hopeful... we'll how good it looks once it hits the stores.

[mashoutposse]

They continue to make thumbboard models, which should hint at the sales numbers :) Anyway, the thumbboards require a bit of practice, but that definitely shouldn't be considered a knock against them. You had to practice with your full-size keyboard, right? ;)

[ChuToy]

As I posted under another thread, I could not make use of the thumboard on the TG50. The way I had to use it, my hands were cramping and I could see it wasn't going to be a practical choice for me, personally. :( I'm so bummed. It's a beautiful machine. Very close to my ideal form factor. But I definitely will NOT be buying one. I'm hoping for a long screen and virtual keyboard option in a similar design. And hey, more RAM and a user-replaceable battery would definitely take the sting away from a $400+ pricetag, too.

;)

[neon]

After reading all your reviews I'm glad I held off until I actually get to see what it's like in a store. I have a bad feeling about this. At $400 I'm not ready to climb into a PDA that I may not feel good about the basics. This includes the ridiculous 10.4 MB of available RAM and failure to include the extra ROM that Sony says is in there (8MB versus the measly 4.)

[BBERIC]

Went to the local Compusa today to try the TG50..getting ready to get a second Clie for myself. I tried both TG50 & T665 (because I want a MP3 player with it). I was standing, playing with it for more than half an hour....at the end I got home with the T665.
You know what I mean ?
So, I'm ready to go now (just finished charging for the first time).

[jamesj1k]

Well I got th TG50, saves me from buying a $60 digital voice recorder. Comes in very handy.

James