Looking for a Clie upgrade

[LanMan]

I am interested in upgrading my T415 to a new color Clie unit. However, I don't know whether to buy a discontinued unit, a current unit, or wait for a few months for something new.

Here are my requirements:

* I would like a T665 quality color screen, with decent battery life. I am accustomed to very long battery life with my T415.

* I must have a 66Mhz CPU or better.

* I must be able to display color pics. (I have a newborn)

* I must be able to view short digital movies taken with my digi-cam. I also want to be able to hear sounds on the external speaker when veiwing these movies.

* I need to have the enhanced speaker.


Nice but not necessary:

* OS5 is not mandatory.

* Keyboard, or VG would be nice, but not mandatory.

* MP3 would be nice, but not mandatory.

* Enhanced IR. I rarely use it with my T415.

* Bluetooth. I don't have any BT devices, and won't spend money to upgrade the devices that I have.

Thanks for your advise.

BTW: I am on a budget, and I'm not interested in a clamshell device.

[kwajkat]

Since you are not interested in the "clam shells" how about giving the new TG50 and the SJ33 a look see. I think they are pretty good judging from what I have read about the TG50 and my experience with the SJ33.

[timewaster77]

I too currently own a T415 and have essentially the same requirements as you on my list. I am mostly like going to buy the TG50, unless a VG version of it is released. There are several reasons I suggest it over the SJ33. First of all for $100 more you will get much more. Additionally it runs on Palm OS 5 which allows it to take advantage of the great new apps being released. More over it is much more capable mulitmedia wise, and would be able to play an MPEG directly from a Memory Stick recorded from a Sony Cybershot. It also has bluetooth, which although maybe not currently useful to you will be in the future as more cell phones intergrate it. Lastly it has a higher MS access speeds which is good for viewing pictures, it can use MS Pro and it has an integrated voice recorder. The TG50 will likely cost $400 (or less), the SJ33 costs $300.

[Trager]

I have the same problem -- I own a T415 and the battery life is very important. The other thing that I love about my 415 is how thin it is -- I never have a problem carrying it in my pocket or slipping it into my jacket.

I would like to have a color PDA, especially one with more than 8 MB of RAM (that's probably my biggest complaint about the 415), but it seems that most of them are either extremely clunky or have lousy battery life. I would probably accept the battery limitations if the PDA was anywhere close to the 415's dimensions, but Sony seems to be going in the opposite direction, unfortunately.

[Importluva]

TG50 is perfect for most on here/

Second would be the SJ33

Third, maybe the Tungsten|T

[Trager]

Yeah, I have to admit the Tungsten T is somewhat tempting. The only problem is that I'm used to having a MemStick for backup purposes and I think I'd kinda miss that.

If and when the TG50 appears someplace that I can actually see it, I'll consider it. The reports so far have been a little misleading as to its size and battery life, though.

SJ33 is my third choice. Potentially interesting, but I don't want a built in MP3 player since I have an iPod, and it's almost an inch thick, which is just ridiculous.

[LanMan]

I'm with you, Trager. It must fit in the front pants pocket without bulging.

Is anyone else thinking about the T665? Right now, that unit looks like a winner to me. However, if Sony releases a T665VG with decent battery life, I'm onboard!

[Mastervtec]

I just got the t665 (my second one), I was a trader for week when I thought a pocket pc would be good, wrong was I, Palm is so much easier, so I traded it for the sj33, then traded the sj33 for the t665c. The sj33 was too fat, greasy fingerprint magnet, and cheap feeling, I like the t665 much better!!