Upgrade Now or Wait

[jwittman]

I currently own an NR70V, but lately I find myself drooling over the new NZ. What can I say, I am a sucker for shiny new things.

Anyway, one of the biggest draws for me is the improvement on the camera. I don't have a digital camera yet, so I was thinking that instead of buying just the camera, I'd go for the combo unit. I'm not a huge picture taker, so I don't require the best of the best in a camera. But it would be nice to have a decent quality digital camera with a flash that would be with me all the time.

I just don't know if I can justify spending that much money on the NZ right now, since I AM pretty happy with my NR. I'm kind of on the fence with it. I think if the NZ had more RAM, I would be leaning more in that direction. Also, in reading various reviews, it seems that a lot of people are unhappy with some of the design aspects of it.

What I'm wondering is, should I wait for Sony to come out with a new and improved NZ? Last year after I purchased my NR, Sony announced the new NX shortly after. I just don't want that to happen again. I know that Sony is pretty consistent with producing new Clies, and I don't exactly have to have the latest and greatest, but I'll be disappointed if I purchase the NZ and they come out with one that has more RAM and some design improvements a month later.

Another thing that would be a cool addition is an FM radio tuner. I wonder why they haven't included that in any PDAs yet? I think I'll start another thread on that one.

[the_iceman]

All I can say... is welcome to the world of Hi-Tech Electronics.

You face the same issues... as people who are going out to purchase almost any electronic piece of equipment (especially computers).

Hard to justify buying a $2,000 computer... when you will be able to wait for 6months and get it for $1200 or less.

Sony seems to have taken this approach with the PDAs. They are putting them out very fast ..... with a few releases per year. Keeps the market flooded and gives them the feedback on what people are buying... and what features they like.

I bought myself a NZ90... and I will already assume that in 4months there will be something better. I have resolved myself to keep this for at least a year.. and be happy with it.

I think the NZ is a very good unit. the camera is very nice. It has a nice spot-meter for metering light to get a good picture... and not risk having too much darkness to it etc etc etc.

Built in blue-tooth... and so much more.

I've been taking pictures with my NZ90 at 1600x1200 and 800x600 and they come out great! .... Sure.. you can't compare it to some of those nice digi-cams... but for a built in cam.. that is as small as it is.... it takes VERY nice pics.

I like the 200mhz processor.. and that seems to be enough power for me for now. I was coming off of a Handspring Pro with a 33mhz processor. So as you can imagine... this is a HUGE step-up in processor speed.

Unless you are really waiting for a CLIE NZ90 type of handheld with maybe built-in-WIFI.... the NZ90 is really a very complete package. I really don't think you will be disappointed at all.

just my 2 cents.

Happy PDA Hunting!

[oneeyesquare]

The CeBit show is right around the corner. I'd a least wait til after that in case SOny has any suprises for us....

[Importluva]

Yea, i would wait as well.

[ClieMarty]

well, according to news, sony will present "only" sj 22, sj33 and tg50 as brandnew.

it's like iceman said: whenever you buy, it's too early in terms of money and it's probably too early in terms of features.

i myself though about waiting to the point when sony will come up with something with vg and integrated bluetooth to replace my nr70. instead, i "ebay'ed" an nx70 some hours ago. for me it's speed, voice recording and wlan which justifies the money. so if it should be the camera in the nz for you then go and get it. now or a little cheaper every month you wait ;-)

[T1000X]

It is so tempting to get the NZ90 when it has the main features I want, plus a nice 2MP digital camera. I keep trying to tell myself to hold off and see how the TG50 is, but the NZ90 is quite persuasive with it's features and awesome 320*480 screen. My only concern with the NZ90 is it's size, and the fact it will probably never work with my Clie Gear KB11 folding keyboard unless and adapter is made. It also won't work with my Game Controller I have and love.

[n2ifp]

I too would wait and see what new gee-whiz clie comes out next! If not, there will still be NZ clies available, maybe even cheaper too;)!

[ralchizar]

If you are happy with your current PDA, why take the risk of not liking the NZ? Personaly I love it, but it is not for everyone.
By the way with the camera thing, it is perfect for those who are just regular joes when it comes to cameras, it will do everything I want it to, and a little more:D

[kwajkat]

Choosing between the NZ90 and the TG50 is the same question I am facing. I really like the 320x480 screen on the NZ but already have a 3.3 camera so can't jsutify in my mind the extea money for the NZ. Although..........I understand that Sony is coming out with a new camera attachment for the TG plus the game controller will work on the TG. One thing I have noticed is that application designed for the hires screens don't necessary work on the hires screen which are smaller such as the SJ33. Looking at the pictures and seeing the NZ up close, size isn't that much of an issue especially since I have an IPAQ.

[oneeyesquare]

Size has been grossly overplayed.... Best thing tp is go down to a CompUSA or Circuit City and actually hold it. Even nicer if there's a NX nearby. Frankly the TG5o looks like a major step down to me, I'd sooner buy an NX70 or 60 than that little tiny screen and funky graffiti method.... I'd wager the NX will get Bluetooth added soon and would be quite suprised if Sony doesn't announce a new "midgrade PDA" at CeBit. The NX has been out for almost 6 mo. and I think the NZ was designed to be a level above it. We'll see....No-one had a clue about the NZ before they announced it...

[davy19]

i doubt they will come out with anything that will top the NZ90 for at least 6 months, say maybe around october

Reason being is they do not want to hurt sales for NZ90 too soon.

[Winston_Smith]

Whn I saw that they had added a 2mp camera onto a Clie, I breathed a heavy sigh of resignation. Sony has tried to tack on every widget they could think of to the NR/NX/NZ series, but (IMHO) they've often done it poorly. For example, yes, the NZ has a 2mp camera, but it's fixed focus and doesn't have a real viewfinder. From the reviews I've seen camera mode eats battery power like its going out of style. There are better ways of having a convenient camera.

For example the object of my current techno-lust:

http://exilim.casio.com/z3s3.cfm

3.2mp, 3x optical zoom, less then an inch thick and the size of a credit card.

[oneeyesquare]

I'm thinking more of a warmover for the NX. Add bluetooth and maybe kick the pic resolution up a bit... Shoot might as well throw in Picsel while they're at it. Not better than the NZ. As it stands now the PDA's on either side (NZ and TG50) will have Bluetooth. I would think that they'd want it in the midgrade model as well. Just speculation...

[jwittman]

Thanks to all who helped me decide whether I should purchase the NZ now or wait. I don't know if it's because you were the first poster Ice Man, but by the time I finished reading your post, I was convinced. And I couldn't be happier! I absolutely love my new NZ!

[the_iceman]

Even when the NZs came out.... it didn't drive the prices of the NX's down that much (20% maybe?). Palm drove down the price of the Tungstens, I believe, to try and retain their marketshare of PDA Users against the Clie NZ Model. If you really want to wait for the next best one... you will probably wait for a bit (Mid-Year to End Of Year) for a new CLIE model... of which I don't see the NZs really droppin more than 20% initially in cost.

[jlbunting]

I upgraded to my new NZ90, and love it. I figure Sony will not come up with a NEw Top of the line model like the NZ for about 6 months. If the do come out with something bigger and better> I bought the CompUSA Replacement Warrenty ( I looked at the Warrenty as Tech Upgrade Insurance)
I can upgrade in the future for no major cost, if SONY does Top the NZ.

[the_iceman]

I'm sure it is more of a 'When' Sony Tops the NZ'... not 'If Sony Tops the NZ'. When they do.... and if they pack more goodies into it like more Internal RAM and WiFi and Built for the new Pro Sticks.... I'll be eBaying my NZ for the newer one :)