Get T665 or wait?

[jumpyg]

I've read a lot about the T665, and I'm very tempted to pick one up before the sale at CompUSA is over on Thursday. Right now I have a S320, so the 665 would be a big step up.

Is the battery life that bad? I probably use my Clie two hours or less per day, so I guess I'm a moderate user. I plan on playing MP3s occasionally, gaming occasionally, but primarily using the datebook, contacts, and other basic programs. I'm also interested in the multimedia capabilities of the 665.

How annoying are the hard buttons? The middle rocker seems like it would hurt your finger after a while. I also suppose playing games using the buttons is all but impossible.

Is not having OS5 going to be an impediment? To me it seems like OS4 should be viable for several more years. On the other hand, I really don't like the fact that you only get 11mb usable RAM with Sony's new devices.

I'm hesitant because I can only afford a new handheld every two years or so (well, that's what my wife tells me) and want to make the right decision. I've been thinking about holding out until Sony releases a similar device with better battery life, OS5, and Bluetooth (don't need BT, but it would be cool).

Thanks for any help you can provide! :)

P.S.:
Anyone know about/like the metal case for the 665 by InnoPocket?

[rolando]

I have the T665. Although I don't use up the full battery every day, I have to remember to charge it every day. I'm constantly monitoring the battery level.

If it was me, I'd either get the SJ33, even if it costs more, or wait for a higher end device to come out (assuming that one's coming...).

As to waiting for something new, what features are you likely to desire that the T665 or SJ33 doesn't have? Figure that out, then decide whether you think a new device with those features is on the horizon. Keep in mind that it will probably cost more than either the T665 or SJ33.

For me, a high res plus screen, like the NRs, etc. is the only thing I'd be really sold on. But, I'm not really sure that one is coming with that feature.

Rolando

[d]

I've read a lot about the T665, and I'm very tempted to pick one up before the sale at CompUSA is over on Thursday. Right now I have a S320, so the 665 would be a big step up.

huge step up for sure

Is the battery life that bad? I probably use my Clie two hours or less per day, so I guess I'm a moderate user.

for your use, if you're willing to charge daily, you wouldn't run into much problems with the battery, but if you're gonna get on a long train ride expecting to play games while listening to MP3s, you'd better bring that AC adapter (same can be said for most PDAs).

I plan on playing MP3s occasionally, gaming occasionally, but primarily using the datebook, contacts, and other basic programs. I'm also interested in the multimedia capabilities of the 665.

If gaming and multimedia are high on your list, PPCs are better than OS5 PDAs which are better than the T665. Don't let anyone tell you different. Of course that may change since OS5 PDAs have the hardware to challenge, but the T665 will never play very long high quality videos (given the memory cap on memory sticks), and the game selection isn't great for any Palm OS PDA.

How annoying are the hard buttons? The middle rocker seems like it would hurt your finger after a while. I also suppose playing games using the buttons is all but impossible.

The up/down rocker makes action games had to play, but the gaming accessory from Sony works well by all reports. For most non-game purposes, the rocker isn't that annoying, though I'd much rather have regular up/down buttons.

Is not having OS5 going to be an impediment? To me it seems like OS4 should be viable for several more years. On the other hand, I really don't like the fact that you only get 11mb usable RAM with Sony's new devices.

I'm hesitant because I can only afford a new handheld every two years or so (well, that's what my wife tells me) and want to make the right decision. I've been thinking about holding out until Sony releases a similar device with better battery life, OS5, and Bluetooth (don't need BT, but it would be cool).

The T665 is a wonderful PDA, truly. However, If you don't plan on buying another PDA for a couple of years, I recommend waiting for the next round of OS5 PDAs to come out before deciding. Even after COMPUSAs' special is over, the T665 will be available for the same price or less. PDAs don 't get more expensive, they get cheaper!

[jumpyg]

As to waiting for something new, what features are you likely to desire that the T665 or SJ33 doesn't have?

I looked at the SJ33 and it's a nice device, but I really don't care for the flip cover and the plastic body. I know I would hate cleaning it off all the time. Plus it makes the whole thing too thick for my tastes.

On the other hand, I know that the SJ33 is supposed to have much better battery life.

[LanMan]

I am hoping to upgrade to the T665. I ran VFSMark on my T415 and it came in at a dismal 17, Benchmark 206%, and Speedy a lowly 142%.

VFSMark Results

File Create: 18%
File Delete: 10%
File Write: 4%
File Read: 15%
File Seek: 18%
DB Export: 15%
DB Import: 29%
Record Access: 23%
Resource Access: 25%

VFSMark: 17

Compare them with tanker_bob's results with the T665:

"Well, how about the performance increase? I ran VFSMark on the T665C:

File Create: 74%
File Delete: 49%
File Write: 25%
File Read: 133%
File Seek: 157%
DB Export: 70%
DB Import: 112%
Record Access: 135%
Resource Access: 133%

VFSMark: 98

By comparison, my T615C came in at 51 when overclocked to 51 MHz w/FastCPU (fastest it would go) with the same memory stick, and 43 at its standard 33 MHz. This increased MS access speed was my major reason for upgrading, as I use my Clie extensively as a reference library reader with MBs of references on the MS.

For my T665C, Benchmark 2 comes in at 310% and Speedy 2.2 at 272%. According to the database in Speedy, the NR70V comes in at 262%, a T615C at 175%, and a Palm m515 at 157%. My overclocked T615C came in at 253%, but didn't feel as fast as the T665C. The difference in speed, even over my maximumly overclocked T615C, is most significant in memory stick access. This was important to me because I have a large number of references on the memory stick, and access times were getting frustrating. The improvement is very noticable. "

The rest of the review is here:

http://tankerbob.com/palm/

Hoping to enter the fast lane soon. <><

[jetro]

Considering its price today, I'd say get it. I have been waiting for so long to upgrade to a sony os5 with a t665 form factor but, it hasn't come until now. I saw I good deal for the t665 and I dare say this is the best PDA considering price/feature/performance.

I borrow a couple of PDAs from friends to try out and I think that sony has the best screens and multimedia capabilty among those I tried (these includes 515, tungten t, sj33, IPAQs). Yeah PPCs might have better multimedia capability, (maybe, until CLIEs/tungsten came out) but I just dont want a PPC, now back to the topic :)

about your concerns:
- batterry life is a bit bad. I'd say 2.5 days, and I use my PDA around 3 hours everyday (thats about 45 mins MP3 and 2.25 mins business apps/ebooks/games). But get into a habit of charging everyday and this limitation will not bother you.
- yes hard buttons are near impossioble for games. no remedy here, so if games is a priority, drop it man. For ordinary PDA stuff though, I'd say the buttons are pretty much OK. Of course, jog dial makes life easier on this department.
- I share your thoughts that OS4 will hold out for a couple of more years. OS5 devices' speed are indeed noticeable especially when viewing video but I'd say t665 speed is not bad at all. Its like a bmw could be faster that a honda civic but the civic is not slow at all. In other words, t665 speed is pretty decent plus the fact that you will be comparing this on a 33mhz (?) s320, so you will appreciate the big improvement.
-video on a tungten is, I believe, better than a sony (NRs, NXs) but in audio... sony rules (yes, t665 included) Note, again, that video on sony is not bad at all (though, this time, flicker on t665 is noticeable on full screen). Generally though, images (pictures, text, etc) are displayed better on CLIEs than any PDA

and oh, bluetooth? there is the MS blue tooth card. Hope that sony release this in US. Its available in Japan for around 120 USD. Thats it, hope this helps you decide

[Mastervtec]

I got my second t665 from compusa about 2 weeks ago, (took in my receipt and got $70 back since it was only 2 weeks ago I paid $299!!!). I had a t665 that I got rid of in december, I then went to a ppc, stay away from that garbage, then I tried the SJ33, good pda, but a bit fat, greasy cover, no extended ir, and plastic body, so I found myself back with the t665 again, I love it!!!

As for the innopocket hard case, it is very nice, It holds the clie nice and snug, and, on the inside of the cover opposite the clie I put a piece of tape and hold 2 memory sticks there, they fit nicely without bothering the screen when I close the case!!

[quiller]

i would suggest getting the T665 now. any new device that comes out soon is going to be a higher-end model that really won't have a lot of innovation, just the little changes that the TG50 needs and, possibly, a T-series with VG.

I have a T615 and an soon to be upgrading to the TG50. I had a T665 for about a week and loved it, but I went back to my T615 because I needed the $300 back in my pocket for awhile... I'm good on finances again so I'm just waiting until the TG50 comes into town.

As for the T665 over the SJ33, I highly prefer the T665. For one, the battery life is not too much of a nuisance to me, considering even if I had a 30 hour battery life I'd be letting it charge every night. The thickness is a huge spec to me. I can barely feel my 615 in my pocket, but trying the SJ33 out at BestBuy, it felt like I had two PDAs in my pocket... Especially with the price so low, go with the 665.

[sonyfan]

The 665 is the better pda. The form factor is awesome, the screen is terrific, and those of us that have one, love it. You can always wait for something better, but then you miss out now. As someone above mentioned, there isn't a 665 upgrade on the horizon (TG?). As for battery life, I think it lasts plenty long enough. Also, if you really are concerned, just get an extra charging cable and keep it with you. I have one in my vehicle. With the low prices going on now, I recommend getting the 665 now.

sonyfan

[Red Boats]

I'm returning an NX70V, which is a lot better in a lot of ways than the T665, and yet I'm keeping the 665 for a while. Why? The size, the speed, the overall package. Most of what you want and little of what you don't want. The NX70 has even more of what you want, but too much of what you don't, inluding size and weight and that twist-around screen which seems charming at first but wears thin quick.

You might want to wait, too. The 50 is coming, and there is said to be an upgrade to the NX70 coming. All withing a couple of months, say the jungle drums.

[jumpyg]

Thanks everyone for the insightful comments on the T665.

It's obvious that the 665 owners love their PDAs, but I still think that I'll wait. For now I can get by with my little S320. Hopefully Sony will release another midrange product that suits my needs, or else the 665 goes down further in price.

I'm also eyeing the Tungsten T, but I don't know about the slidy mechanism, and I've always preferred Sony products.

Thanks again!

[Red Boats]

My guess is that in a month the T665 will be $150 or less.

[Mastervtec]

Originally posted by Red Boats
My guess is that in a month the T665 will be $150 or less.

Nope, I disagree, in a month it will still bring around $200, IMO.

[jumpyg]

Well, if it's $200 or less in a couple months and there isn't anything better on the horizon, I'll probably spring for a T665. Did I mention that Memory Stick Pro support would be nice in a Clie? I assume that older sticks will work in the new devices, but not the other way around.