TG-50 is weak!

[Unregistered]

I was so excited about the TG-50. I've had a palm vx, clie 760c and recently switched to pocket pc (viewsonic v35). I like palm os better, so I've been thinking of switching back. The TG-50 looked like the ideal thing... my dream pda.

So, I went to check it out this morning at Circuit City. Totally disappointed.

1. The keyboard is terrible. Much harder to input than the NX70 or the NZ70 (they had them all on display, so I was able to compare). I don't understand how anyone can get used to the small keys and spacing.

2. Screen is not impressive. After using a pocket pc and then comparing it to the NX70's screen, the TG-50's screen in puny. Come on, Sony... you could have done much better.

3. Not significantly better than the T665. Sure you've got bluetooth and voice recorder, but then after that it doesn't seem like a huge upgrade.

So, now I'm lost. I want to switch back to palm os. I don't like the TG-50. The NX70 is too big. The Tungsten T is ugly.

What can I do?

[iJITSU]

Stay with what you have and wait for another device.

[rhart00]

did you get the viewsonic model that it advertised as having 64mb but only has something like 35mb? I thought we had it bad.

Anyways, I would wait also if I were you. This board seems to believe that clies are replaced every couple months, so that means that there should be a replacement to the NX out any day now.

[RyanSalahi]

How can there be a replacement for the NX's any day now as there are relatively new?

[yOyOYoo]

First of all, you should register

secondly, head on over to compusa where they are having a clearance on the t665c for $229. Get it to tide you over until a better clie or palm os5 model comes out.

[heydave]

Alright, I just registered (I wrote the first post). :D

Maybe I should just keep my Viewsonic. Btw, it is the model where they said it had 64 mb, but turned out to have only 35 usable. I was pretty upset.

Maybe I should just go and get a T665. I saw that special at CompUSA also.

But I really would like bluetooth. sigh.

If they would have taken the same keyboard from the NX or NZ and put it on the TG-50, then my opinion might have been different. But when I compared the keyboards, the TG-50 keys are harder to press, and there's less spacing between the keys. In other words, it's a smaller keyboard.

For you clie users... don't switch to pocket pc unless you have to. Palm is much more intuitive and simpler. And stick with Sony... I left... and now I'm seeking to return.

[RyanSalahi]

A question...What can u with the bluetooth enabled TG50? What does bluetooth allow u to do? Surf the web? Hotsync? email?


????????

[heydave]

I'm really looking forward to bluetooth cause:

1. wireless hotsyncs with my notebook computer (especially when I'm not home). All I need is a $30 usb bluetooth adapter.

2. sending/receiving email through bluetooth-enabled phone

3. occasional web surfing through bluetooth-enabled phone. ie., mapquest, or yp.yahoo.com.

4. i've got the sony pc120... it's a bluetooth enabled camcorder w/digital camera. i would like to see how the remote camera works.

5. another use i'm pondering. i can remotely control my desktop at home through a bluetooth pda (and bluetooth phone). if you're desktop is running windows xp professional, you can get files and also keep it working (i do a lot of video encoding and such) through remote desktop function.

i see a lot of future for bluetooth, especially when they get a newer protocol with faster transfer.

[quiller]

Originally posted by RyanSalahi
A question...What can u with the bluetooth enabled TG50? What does bluetooth allow u to do? Surf the web? Hotsync? email?

all three. wireless syncing, for me, is the biggest buying point... i'm going to have to see the TG50 to make an opinion on the keyboard, and i've seen the wavy lines on the T665 and they don't bother me... so, personally, i think the whole "TG50 sucks" thing is out of proportion: none of the reviews thought so, so why does everyone here?

[heydave]

quiller, I think it's just me on this post with all the TG-50 complaints (i started the complaining as the unregistered user).

One clarification though. I wouldn't go so far as to say the TG-50 sucks... I just think it's weak... compared to what Sony could have and should have put out... like a
1. bigger screen
2. keyboard that's easier to use (like the NZ or NX)

I shouldn't bash Sony though. I'm thankful that they're innovative and they try to put out good products. I'm actually a big Sony fan. (I think that's why I was disappointed with the TG-50. I think I had too high expectations.)

[jaggrey]

I thought the keyboard on the TG was the same one as on the NZ.:confused:

[quiller]

Originally posted by heydave
1. bigger screen
it seems most people think the screen is barely smaller than the T665... are you saying you want 320x480 resolution or a physically larger screen? as is, the screen is 2.8" compared to 3.0" on the T665. without making the thumboard any smaller, how are they going to make the screen larger?

Originally posted by heydave
2. keyboard that's easier to use (like the NZ or NX)

all the reviews have said the TG50's thumboard is [much] easier to use than the NZ series, and the NZ is already easier than the NX. in fact, everything i've read has pointed to the TG50's thumboard as being the best of traditional PDA thumboards. maybe the Treo's is better, but that's a smartphone, so it should have higher priority over the screen, etc..

[peakpro]

I own a NZ90. I tried out a TG50 at BB today for about 30 minutes. In my opinion the keyboard on the NZ90 is better, but not overly so. I did not find the buttons ont e TR50 hard to press at all.


I was however a little disappointed in the cover. It seemed a little cheap and filmsy to me. And the screen was too small when you take into account he wavy line area.

A nice unit but nothing special IMO.

[wilsonch_98]

I guess we should take the price tag into account. Sony just can't put best of everything into one model, or the price tag would not be $300

[heydave]

I hate to be part of a big complaining thread, and I know I should look to the brighter side. :cool:

But to reply to quiller's comments/questions above. First, with the screen, I think I just got used to a physically larger screen with the pocket pc, and the TG-50's screen really looked puny. It's not that much smaller than the T665, but in a new model I would expect a physically larger screen if at all possible.

As for the keyboard, you just got to try it out. Maybe for you it (and some others) it won't be a problem. I just got a chance to try out the NX, NZ and the TG-50 altogether in the same store and one right after each other. I noticed that the NX and NZ were smooth and easy to input, but the TG-50 was significantly much more difficult. The keys were stiffer and the keys had less spacing from each other. I think this is where Sony messed up. The spacing on the NX and NZ were just right, but when you crunch it up even more it just ruins the keyboard. At least for me.

I'm guessing Sony will get their act together with the next TG model. Hopefully a 320x480 screen w/virtual graffiti... and it'll be what a lot of us are looking for.

[wilsonch_98]

heydave,

Just wonder how stiff it is for the keys? is it like pressing on mobile phone buttons? or like pressing ATMs buttons?

Please try to describe, as I am thinking of pre-order in my city (HKG). THX

[hotpaw4]

If they added a bigger display and a larger keyboard to the TG it would be too big too put in ones pocket... unless they made the keyboard flip out. oh wait... they already did that: it's called the NX series.

[heydave]

wilsonch_98,
I think you can get used to the TG-50 keyboard if you really wanted to. It's not unusable by any means. I just got let out my frustration because I wish it would at least be as comfortable as the NZ or NX. My suggestion is that, if you can, try checking out the unit in person first. You can make up your own mind. The pictures on the Sony site are just so cool-looking, it can distort your decision-making.

[wilsonch_98]

Thx heydave,

I will try some of those keyboard as soon as i can :)

[yOyOYoo]

hotpaw, there seems to be some aluminum around the current screen, i'm sure sony could have stretched the current 320 x 320 screen to at least the same size as the t665. Its sorta disappointing that they didn't.