ux50 or th55

[littiedan]

First off, let me explain this: I want built in wifi and i wanna watch movies. I decided that i'd get the ux50, but the only one i can get is a display model at compusa :( , and i really want a new one. Instead I was thinking of buying a new th55. It beats the ux50 in battery life and would be able to play video in fullscreen, which would make viewing movies and such a lot more fun. But the ux has widescreen internet browsing, a great keyboard, and a clamshell design. I'm trying to decide which one to buy, but i'm stumped...could ya guys help me?

[winexprt]

I know of nowhere that is currently selling BRAND-NEW UX50's. Overstock.com has refurb UX50's though. Brand new TH55's are getting scarce as well. Better decide quick. :D

[cktlcmd]

I have to say winexprt is right. You won't find any new UX40 or UX50 at this time. But if ever you decide to buy a TH55, consider buying the European version for it's Bluetooth and WiFi capability as oposed to a US version with only WiFi. Good luck shopping.

[littiedan]

well im planning on making my purchase sometime this week because i'm really excited, but i still dont know which one to pick. What would you guys decide on?

[cktlcmd]

To me, I value the UX's keyboard and clamshell design. That was my main reason for buying it. Battery power was easily solved by the extended battery (EB40). So I am not disappointed even a bit. Others might complain about a smaller screen as compared to the TH55. But to me a smaller screen also means a smaller unit, thus easily tucked to a pocket, and because of its clamshell design, you don't have to worry about the screen.

[mamut]

And I never saw anywhere how the TH55 helped anyone get chicks.

[evilecho]

If you want a new ux50, have compusa check other stores. I was in the compusa in Overland Park, KS yesterday and they had some still in stock (at a hefty $599).
I too was considering the ux50 or th55 and opted for a ux50. I travel a lot and i'm afraid with no clamshell the th55 screen will break. I wasn't sure about the ux50 screen, but once I saw it in my hands at the store, I was sold.
Mine is on it's way and I can't wait to load it up. :cool:

[littiedan]

If you want a new ux50, have compusa check other stores.
Unfortunately I already tried that. They ordered one down from another store and told me they'd call me in a couple days. I waited for about a week, and after no response I ended up just going down there to see what was up. The guy told me the last one they had in the area was 'defective'. I don't really know what they mean by that though because I thought that it was supposed to be brand new, how could they know if it was defective, if they haven't even opened the box?

I also agree with you cktlcmd,and I just generally like the ux50 more. I really need widescreen for netfront, and a nice keyboard. It's also like mamut said, it's an attention grabber. If the ux was in a lil better condition or if the manager was willing to drop the price down a bit more, I would have definitley bought it on the spot. I'm gonna try to bargain with the mangaer a lil more about the price. I'm not a used kinda guy, so I really want a discount if I'm not gonna buy something new, especially if it's all banged up. I noticed the screen does whine a tad when you put your ear up to it, and i also noticed the crooked screen...how much do you think I could get the manager to drop the price with that? He offered $100 cut; $599 -> $499

ANother note - I did a price check on another compusa in my area, and they said their ux50's were selling for $549.99 --- $50 cheaper! HOw's compusa with price matches?

[cktlcmd]

For that price, I would consider buying the refurbished units from overstock.com. I believe they even look like new ones from what I read. At least you won't worry about any scratches or dings. But do ask about their return or exchange policy first before really commiting yourself into it.

[littiedan]

I was thinking about buying through overstock, but I think I'm gonna buy the ext warranty with it too. I really want a new one though :mad: . . You think the compusa in Kansas will send one over to Pa for me?? :confused: . i doubt it but I guess its worth a call.

[evilecho]

I check pricegrabber.com and found reburbished ux50s with 90 warranties starting at around $415.

If I hadn't found the deal I did, I would have gone that route.

[JustaNoob]

I'm with cktlcmd -- the superb keyboard and integrated BT/WiFi in sucha small package are the main reasons I got this unit. Battery life is average, and not as good as the TH (from what I hear) and the screen is not as big as it should be, but I would still choose the UX over the TH. The price difference is pretty big though, and for that money you could get a nice keyboard attachment (IR or BT if you had the euro version).

I would avoid anyplace that offers refurbs with less than 1 year warranty. There are too many people on these boards who have had problems with screen whine and SCDS who would be up a creek if they didn't have the 1 year warranty from Sony -- myself included. It's worth the extra price to know that your unit will get the attention it deserves. Several places offer extended warranties and while I've never been a huge fan of that idea, it does make some sense if money is no object.

[littiedan]

Well the th really is like a backup pda if i cant get the ux. I've been looking everywhere for a new one, but i cant find any. I also called my lcoal compusa and asked if they could transfer it from ks to pa, but they said no...

[cktlcmd]

I just came from CompUSA in Brick, NJ. I asked if they have a UX50 on stock. They have one! But as soon as the guy said "yes, we only have one left", another person approached me and asked if I wanted it. I said "No, I was just asking". He immediately took it and bought it.

[littiedan]

:eek: AHHHH!!! ARE YOU SERIOUS!? MAN, I have the worst luck. I could actually drive down their w/o a problem too...well I guess that gives me some hope that there are still some out there :o . I guess i'll be doing some more searching


OH and for future references, if anyone sees a new ux50 and lives near pa, tell them to hold onto it for you and contact me! thanks :D

[JustaNoob]

I'm going to amend my recommendation and suggest you try out Compuplus. I've made purchases from them before and they are very reliable, and they offer a three-year warranty for just $23. I can't speak for the warranty (offered through "Mack") but with the price of the UX refurb just $420, you could get the whole thing with a 256 card and three-year warranty for less than $500. THat's a pretty good deal.

[littiedan]

Can anyone comment on the warranty? If I can't find a new one, Compuplus seems like a nice choice.

[littiedan]

well thats does it, i checked some new Jersey compusa's, and no luck :mad: . Now I have to decide whether I'm gonna buy the display model and try to bargain with the manager, or if I'm gonna buy it online. If i do, where should I buy? compuplus or overstock? I guess there's always the th55 too...

[winexprt]

...If i do, where should I buy? compuplus or overstock?..

Totally doesn't matter, since they are both selling refurb units. All that would matter is who's selling it cheaper.

BTW everyone...I just sold my UX50 to a nice member here.

I'm moving on to the TH55. :D

[littiedan]

I'm moving on to the TH55.
Moving onto a th55? What makes you wanna do that? I still havent made a final decision on buying the ux50 or the th55, and having to buy a used item isnt my cup of joe. Lately I've been seeing alot of ppl moving onto th's, and hearing that you're gonna sell your ux and buy a th makes me think twice about going with the ux. Maybe I should buy a th too?


It's only $299 too!! I'm starting to think the th is the way to go? :confused:

[winexprt]

Moving onto a th55? What makes you wanna do that?

Ya got about an hour & a half free for me to list all my reasons? LOL ;) Dont' get me wrong, the UX50 is amazing...but it has definate quirks. And those quirks were starting to get to me, that's all.


and having to buy a used item isnt my cup of joe.

Nor is it mine. But rest assured, Sony refurbished is INDISTINGUISHABLE from a new, retail unit. You would never know the difference. ;)

[winexprt]

It's only $299 too!! I'm starting to think the th is the way to go? :confused:

Another really important thing to consider, apart from the great price on the TH55 right now is the fact if you buy the refurb UX50, Sony will only provide you with a 3 month warranty. That's it.

If you buy a new TH55 you will get a full, one year warranty. Just something to factor into your decision. :)

[littiedan]

Ya got about an hour & a half free for me to list all my reasons? LOL Dont' get me wrong, the UX50 is amazing...but it has definate quirks. And those quirks were starting to get to me, that's all.
Thing is, I'm reluctant in buying the th55 over the ux50, and I really want some solid reasons. I mainly want this pda for video playback and wifi. Both PDA'a are great for this but for different reasons. The th's battery life and large screen makes it nice for watching things, but the ux has widescreen for internet browsing and better overall video playback (heard video was nicer on ux). The only thing(s) holding me back from buying the th is its lack of a landscape mode and/or built in keyboard. I really want some solid reasons, to buy the th55. Stuff like the organizer really doesnt appeal to me because frankly I dont have a busy set schedule. Other than going to school, most of my activities are spontaneous and arent worthy of jotting down in a datebook or w/e. If you don't mind, could u actually list some of the better reasons u decided to dump your ux and buy a th?

[cktlcmd]

well thats does it, i checked some new Jersey compusa's, and no luck :mad: . Now I have to decide whether I'm gonna buy the display model and try to bargain with the manager, or if I'm gonna buy it online. If i do, where should I buy? compuplus or overstock? I guess there's always the th55 too...


I would suggest call each individual CompUSA in your area and ask if you can actually speak to a manager. Ask them personally if they do have it or not. Because when I checked on the internet, Brick CompUSA has it as sold out. But after studying from the library I decided to stop by and check something out. I saw they still have their display UX50 so I asked. Sure enough they have it, but as I said someone was looking for it too. He even asked me what do I prefer, a UX50 or a Tungsten T? I have my UX on my belt bag and could not help but to brag. After the discussion, he was pretty much sold out. May be the store should have given me a commission? hehehe!

[CassWilk]

Hey dudes. I'm new to this site and new to owning a PDA.

I recently bought a UX40 that I had been eyeing at Costco. They dropped the price to $300 so I grabbed one.

[evilecho]

I can not wait til my ux50 arrives. :D

I picked it over the th for the screen of all things. It's a great size for me, I travel and my pda gets a lot of abuse, the th screen looked like it was just waiting for me to break. The th just feels too slim and bendy for the screen to last me long traveling. :(

Also, the th can not go video. Not a big thing, but there are times I need a quick vid capture.

Like I said, can't wait for my ux to arrive. :cool:

[CassWilk]

Yeah, with the clamshell design I don't think I will ever break it. Also the camera spins around so its sort of "tucked in".

[JustaNoob]

WHAT! Winexprt sold his UX?!?!?! I am shocked and dismayed!

Something tells me that he'll regret that decision and be right back here in a couple of months, but I can't tell him that directly because I'm not talking to him anymore. Somebody tell him for me. No UX, no friends here! :)

[evilecho]

No! Don't tell him.
Not til he ships it. :rolleyes:

[littiedan]

Also, the th can not go video. Not a big thing, but there are times I need a quick vid capture.
If you really wanted to, I'm pretty sure you can get video capture on it.

I recently bought a UX40 that I had been eyeing at Costco. They dropped the price to $300 so I grabbed one.
I check CostCO's too! No luck....

[Cyker]

Yeah, you can do video recording on a TH, 'tho not right out of the box ;)

[JustaNoob]

No! Don't tell him.
Not til he ships it. :rolleyes:

So you're the lucky buyer, eh? Well, as the poet says, the UX is the portal to the soul, which I suppose makes you the proud owner of WinExprts collective knowlege and reputation on these boards -- both extensive and impressive. All hail EVILECHO! Now we just need to find a way to transfer winexprts post-count to your account (and his to yours). :)

Seriously, Win: sad to hear that. You've been such a great resource on these boards. I'm sure you'll still help in many ways, but somehow the selling of the UX is like the end of an era. And I'm not known for hyperbole.

[evilecho]

And I'm very fortunate with the deal, or I would have been stuck ebaying a UX50. And that would be a crapshoot.

Now I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa to arrive (via USPS). :rolleyes:

Oh, anyone have a Brando charger/sync they want to part with?

[littiedan]

ATM, i'm kinda leaning on the th55 side. I do want a ux, but I seriously have a thing against used items...

[rkub]

Lol, Win'll be back... Orol tried to leave but the UX pulled him back!! I hope you're happy with the TH Win, I know I'm happy with my UX though... Would love to have a TH as a backup for my UX though... Gonna have to go win the lottery!!

[littiedan]

Can someone confirm if the ux50 has better video playback than the th55? They both do go fullscreen, right? Without any junk on the side on anything?

[GetSource]

AFAIK, neither device does "true" fullscreen. I own the UX50, and the video is beautiful -- but there is a small bar on the right that you can't get to go away. I played with the TH, and didn't notice a way to do it on that device either. Someone who owns this device can correct me. :)

GetSource

[littiedan]

well i actually did some actual searching, and it seems that you can
http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59314&highlight=mmplayer
there's a nice screenshot of once piece too :D at least i think it is :confused:

[GetSource]

lol ... if you follow the link, you'll see the person was just messing with everyone. It's probaly MMPlayer, and not the official player that comes with the Clie. Yes, you can do it with MMPlayer, but that doesn't use any of the acceleration that comes with the Clie. You might get what you want Video-player wise out of that app, but it costs money, and didn't do what I was looking for. Due to it not using the built-in video features, it also uses more battery life ... which is not exactly what I wanted.

GetSource

[DrSpeed]

The only thing I have against the TH55 is that it looks like one of my old Walkmans I used to have in middleschool. Nothing significant, but it does look too familiar to look fresh. "L' UX per me".

[mutantblack]

I am still newbie but I absolutely love my ux50. Because of it's clamshell design, size, spin around camera, video recording, landscape view, keyboard,.....many many more. I did try a th display unit in the store. It just feels like easy to break. and have a awkward position of scroll button and back button.(but u can get use to it) I do like the big screen though. Bigger screen means bigger size. It's just not portable anymore. Not like UX50.

[SimL8r]

WHAT! Winexprt sold his UX?!?!?! I am shocked and dismayed!

Something tells me that he'll regret that decision and be right back here in a couple of months, but I can't tell him that directly because I'm not talking to him anymore. Somebody tell him for me. No UX, no friends here! :)Eh' hem' you DO MEAN Her, dont you? I do believe the "xpert" is a woman bro....

[SimL8r]

I am still newbie but I absolutely love my ux50. Because of it's clamshell design, size, spin around camera, video recording, landscape view, keyboard,.....many many more. I did try a th display unit in the store. It just feels like easy to break. and have a awkward position of scroll button and back button.(but u can get use to it) I do like the big screen though. Bigger screen means bigger size. It's just not portable anymore. Not like UX50.check you sig LOL
you say you play like frist?

[winexprt]

Eh' hem' you DO MEAN Her, dont you? I do believe the "xpert" is a woman bro....

I'm a WHAT!!?

Hmmm..I guess I've been buying men's clothing all these years by mistake. LOL
:eek: :D :p

[dpascar]

Win, I think he may be busting on you for becoming an X-UX Man. Sorry to hear you had to take a step back and grab a TH.. :) Did you inform Evil of all the bugs and erased files on your UX....!!!! lol Dan

[winexprt]

Lol :D

[mutantblack]

thanks for pointing me out Siml8r. :D or i will never notice.

[clie_wannabe]

First off, let me explain this: I want built in wifi and i wanna watch movies. I decided that i'd get the ux50, but the only one i can get is a display model at compusa :( , and i really want a new one. Instead I was thinking of buying a new th55. It beats the ux50 in battery life and would be able to play video in fullscreen, which would make viewing movies and such a lot more fun. But the ux has widescreen internet browsing, a great keyboard, and a clamshell design. I'm trying to decide which one to buy, but i'm stumped...could ya guys help me?

if you could get a European TH55 (the one that ALSO has BT), then by all means, go for it...

[SimL8r]

I couldnt bring it on myself to point out Wins' misgivings, like leaving US to ourselves, but if he does leave the UX in the trash and brings his TH or WHATEVER (Ole' Win will have a CE operating PDA soon) we can still let him play here cant we? well as a matter of fact, we couldnt stop him, so thats settled, WIN you dont have to leave. But you might have to stop wearing pumps

[SimL8r]

I'm a WHAT!!?

Hmmm..I guess I've been buying men's clothing all these years by mistake. LOL
:eek: :D :pLOL ok, ok so YOU DO READ all the post
hehe sorry Winexprt

[SimL8r]

thanks for pointing me out Siml8r. :D or i will never notice. NP,There looks better now

[khad_o]

I'm a WHAT!!?

Hmmm..I guess I've been buying men's clothing all these years by mistake. LOL
:eek: :D :p



HAHAHA...:D :eek: :p had a nice laugh with that one. :D ;)