UX or Zodiac??

[Kitten]

I'm looking to upgrade from my current Clie (SJ22). I was all ready to get a UX and Sony announces they are pulling out. So now the question is, do I go for a UX or a Zodiac 2?

I want a PDA that works primarily in landscape, hence why I'm concentrating on these 2. None of my current accessories are going to work for either, so that's not a concern for me. I'm going to use the PDA at work and for work a lot, but I'm buying this one on my own. Any advice? Thanks!

[JAmerican]

I'm looking to upgrade from my current Clie (SJ22). I was all ready to get a UX and Sony announces they are pulling out. So now the question is, do I go for a UX or a Zodiac 2?

I want a PDA that works primarily in landscape, hence why I'm concentrating on these 2. None of my current accessories are going to work for either, so that's not a concern for me. I'm going to use the PDA at work and for work a lot, but I'm buying this one on my own. Any advice? Thanks!

Zodiac does not have a great web browser from what I hear and no keyboard. It is also a gaming handheld. The pros about it is that it has two SD card slots and great battery life. It also can go from portrait to landscape.

The UX has poor battery life but a great web browser and keyboard. I was looking into getting a Tapwave but I need a keyboard. Thats my first priority.

JAmerican

[Kitten]

Ah, the keyboard...I go to a bunch of meetings and like to take copious amounts of notes. That way always have who said what when (you'll never believe how often this is a problem). Back to the keyboard though, is it easy to use little UX keyboard for long periods or should I be getting a infrared keyboard with the new PDA?

[JAmerican]

Ah, the keyboard...I go to a bunch of meetings and like to take copious amounts of notes. That way always have who said what when (you'll never believe how often this is a problem). Back to the keyboard though, is it easy to use little UX keyboard for long periods or should I be getting a infrared keyboard with the new PDA?

If you can type fast, then you can get a IR keyboard. But once you get used to using your thumbs with the UX keyboard, you can type a lot. I usually have the upper hand because in class when I have an assignment to do, I can type it out while everyone is writing it down. Then I can use Card Export II when I goto my school's library to print out what I just typed using the USB port. The UX is very Unique. The USB port is a great addition in that you don't need a cradle to connect to your device and can carry it around without worrying about losing your USB cable because any Mini-B USB cable to original female USB will work.

JAmerican

[.PoNeH]

Bottom line: If playing game is important to you, I would consider a Zodiac 2 as the UX is basically terrible to playing those complex games due to lack of ability to bind keys to the keyboard. But it will run the most popular handheld games like Bejeweled, Chess, and Billiards with flawless performance.

I would go for the UX50 anytime over the Zodiac. As Jam said, it has a flawless web browser and an amazing keyboard that makes your life much easier.

[JohnKes]

Zodiac2 - the good:
- the big screen
- 2 SD slots
- 128 MB RAM
- large battery
- switch from landscape to portrait mode with no slowdown
- optimized for gaming
- can use Palm's universal IR keyboard

the bad:
- need to buy a card for WiFi
- browser is terrible. Can't buy a good browser that goes 320x480
- big: 5.6” x 3.1”

See:
http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/tapwave-zodiac2-review.html

[JAmerican]

Zodiac2 - the good:
- the big screen
- 2 SD slots
- 128 MB RAM
- large battery
- switch from landscape to portrait mode with no slowdown
- optimized for gaming
- can use Palm's universal IR keyboard

the bad:
- need to buy a card for WiFi
- browser is terrible. Can't buy a good browser that goes 320x480
- big: 5.6” x 3.1”

See:
http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/tapwave-zodiac2-review.html

Thanks for coming to kill the bias JohnKes. I tried my best to present both sides but I know more about my device then I do yours.

JAmerican

[Kitten]

The gaming aspect is unimportant to me. I only play solitaire, mahjongg, and hmaki on my Clie. If I really want to play a game, I'll get the GameBoy Advanced or GameBoy DS out.

This is what I want:
* Take notes during meetings with executives
* Check email from around the house
* Read a book on the commute home
* Listen to some music. I don't expect anything great, just good.
* Edit my spreadsheets & docs (this is why I really want the landscape)

Does that help?

[JAmerican]

The gaming aspect is unimportant to me. I only play solitaire, mahjongg, and hmaki on my Clie. If I really want to play a game, I'll get the GameBoy Advanced or GameBoy DS out.

This is what I want:
* Take notes during meetings with executives
* Check email from around the house
* Read a book on the commute home
* Listen to some music. I don't expect anything great, just good.
* Edit my spreadsheets & docs (this is why I really want the landscape)

Does that help?

Well still depends. UX is the way to go but the battery is bad. You would need the extended battery which is sold out. If your gonna use your device a lot, I'd say Tapwave. If your gonna use it every so often but mostly for notes , try UX50. Still I'm leaning toward UX due to keyboard but the battery is reall y bad.

JAmerican

[.PoNeH]

Honestly, I think the UX will be a safe buy. For what you want to do, it seems like your UX won't drain the battery much. WiFi is what will drain your battery, but it seems like you're mostly concerned with checking your email, which means you'll connect, and disconnect. I think, since you ranked the ability of taking notes as your primary need, the UX is the ideal device to get. There are no other devices out there that has a comparable keyboard. And no matter what anyone says, Graffitti and Decuma are annoying for taking down notes. Go for the UX, you'll love it. Perhaps, you could cough up another $20 or so and purchase a secondary cradle to be left at work, that way you'll never be out of juice.

With the same token, I have an extended battery and I am recently trying to get used to not using it. I find it way too bulky to pocket it. It doubles the thickness of the UX. I learned that if you charge it daily, which you probably will, you'll be fine.

[JAmerican]

Honestly, I think the UX will be a safe buy. For what you want to do, it seems like your UX won't drain the battery much. WiFi is what will drain your battery, but it seems like you're mostly concerned with checking your email, which means you'll connect, and disconnect. I think, since you ranked the ability of taking notes as your primary need, the UX is the ideal device to get. There are no other devices out there that has a comparable keyboard. And no matter what anyone says, Graffitti and Decuma are annoying for taking down notes. Go for the UX, you'll love it. Perhaps, you could cough up another $20 or so and purchase a secondary cradle to be left at work, that way you'll never be out of juice.

With the same token, I have an extended battery and I am recently trying to get used to not using it. I find it way too bulky to pocket it. It doubles the thickness of the UX. I learned that if you charge it daily, which you probably will, you'll be fine.

I agree about the EB40. It's not even that powerful but it's bulky. djboa found a way to keep your device charged without using a EB40, it lasts longer than an EB40 and cheaper. Look here...

http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79862

JAmerican

[.PoNeH]

Hahaha, that is so funny. Isn't there other USB battery packs available? I doubt that she is going to take her time to build one of these timebombs...it's really affordable though.

Hey Jam, I saw from your picture of the UX40 that you have a wallet case for it. Which one do you have, and does it add a lot of bulk to the unit? Now that I am not using the EB40, I figured I would try one of these cases out. Does it hold cash and credit card? I was wanting to have an all in one wallet case to keep everything and substitute my wallet. I am kind of skeptical of sitting on my UX though, since it will be in my backpocket if I do decide to do that.

Does the alluminum case have any accessories slots? Or just the memory sticks slots?

[Kitten]

I hope there are other usb battery packs available. That looked like it could be dangerous. So, are there any other things I should get/avoid for the UX?

[djboa]

check the other thread, there are a bunch of links to nice premade battery packs ... none as macgyverishly nerdy as mine though :)

[JAmerican]

Hahaha, that is so funny. Isn't there other USB battery packs available? I doubt that she is going to take her time to build one of these timebombs...it's really affordable though.

Hey Jam, I saw from your picture of the UX40 that you have a wallet case for it. Which one do you have, and does it add a lot of bulk to the unit? Now that I am not using the EB40, I figured I would try one of these cases out. Does it hold cash and credit card? I was wanting to have an all in one wallet case to keep everything and substitute my wallet. I am kind of skeptical of sitting on my UX though, since it will be in my backpocket if I do decide to do that.

Does the alluminum case have any accessories slots? Or just the memory sticks slots?

The leather case I have on my device now adds less bulk than the JC40. It acts as a case and a charger. The thing I didn't like was that Brando only added one Memory Stick Slot in the case and no room for walletries (if that is a word). From pictures I saw, the metal case has two Memory Stick holders. I haven't used it yet nor have I received any of my Ebay stuff yet but its coming.

EDIT: Deleted stuff about site, its back up again!

JAmerican

[Elfyn]

I have both a UX50 and a Zodiac2. They are both absolutely fabulous devices. I think in the long run you may be happier with the Zodiac and an IR or bluetooth keyboard. If you're going to be doing a lot of editing and note taking the UX50 keyboard (and screen) are just too small for extended use. I read tons of ebooks and listen to lots of music. I prefer my Zodiac for both those uses, especially the bigger screen on the Zodiac for reading. The battery life of the Zodiac is much better than the UX50 too.

While I think you would be happy with either device, at the end of the day your eyes and fingers will thank you for the Zodiac's bigger screen and an IR keyboard.

[JohnKes]

I would agree with Elfyn. My eyes are too old for a small screen and my fingers are too old for a small keyboard to use a UX. (OK, I'm only 40 but some days my eyes don't focus right) The Palm IR keyboard is nice to use - same feel as a laptop keyboard. You can touch type on it. Of course, with the large size of the Z and the IR keyboard, you will be carrying 3 times the volume of gadgets compared to using the UX. Think about usability vs portability.

And the UX has that odd partitioned memory, which most people eventually get used to. I just got a 1GB SD, so I now store apps on my 256MB and music and videos on the 1GB. It's easier for me to keep organized and updated.

[Kitten]

I wonder how the Zodiac will look at work.... I'm going to use it at work a whole lot and I'm young. I'm hoping to avoid comments like "Is that your Gameboy?"

I guess my question is, how is the Zodiac received at work? Actually, same thing for the UX... Do people thing neato or kiddie toy?

Also, are there any IR keyboards to avoid? Whichever I get, I might get a full size keyboard. One that would work with both would be great.

Thanks!

[JohnKes]

My coworkers are too old to think that my Z2 is a GameBoy. Also, I have only shown them the basic apps - DateBook, AddressBook so they don't know any different. I don't play games at work since it could be considered wasting company time*, and it's noisy.

Here is a review of the Palm IR keyboard. It's old, so the $40 price has expired:
http://www.tapland.com/news_arc/?id=427
I have used a ThinkOutside-designed keyboard before, and it is fantastic!

* I should be working right now ;)

[.PoNeH]

The UX is definetely the best eye candy device out there. Everybody that sees me using it thinks that it is a compact laptop, specially because I have the Windows XP theme intalled.

[Elfyn]

I am a business owner and no one mistakes my Zodiac for a Gameboy unless I am actually playing games on it. ;) Most people are interested in it because of its unique looks rather than thinking it's a gaming device. When they find out all it can do they are blown away. Both devices fall into the neato category rather than the kiddie toy category.

I think the PalmOne IR keyboard works with the Zodiac, but I'm not sure of this.

Also note. If you're concerned about size, it's true the Zodiac and a keyboard would be a bit bigger than a UX50. However since you are a woman and probably carry a bag like I do (I can fit tons of stuff in my bag) the size might not be such an issue as for a man trying to fit all that gear in his pockets.

If you plan on doing a lot of reading your eyes (young or old) will thank you for the larger screen on the Zodiac.

P.S. The battery life alone is one reason to give the Zodiac consideration over the UX50.

[JAmerican]

The UX is definetely the best eye candy device out there. Everybody that sees me using it thinks that it is a compact laptop, specially because I have the Windows XP theme intalled.

If your going for looks, the UX is the best. No questions asked. The swivel screen. It's compact nature. It's color (UX40 - gunmetal siver or UX50- metallic white). It's store away camera for later use. It won't be exposed, like some other devices *couch*TH55*cough* :D ;) .

They do say a picture is worth a 1000 words, sooo....

http://img215.exs.cx/img215/5208/img56684zb.jpg
CLIÉ UX40

http://img215.exs.cx/img215/6561/img56574kv.jpg
CLIÉ UX40

http://img215.exs.cx/img215/173/img56501em.jpg
CLIÉ UX40

http://img137.exs.cx/img137/1213/img56796jj.jpg
CLIÉ UX40

http://img215.exs.cx/img215/9830/img56530hv.jpg
CLIÉ UX40

http://img215.exs.cx/img215/131/img56616uj.jpg
CLIÉ UX40

http://img215.exs.cx/img215/7359/img56564bn.jpg
CLIÉ UX40

http://img240.exs.cx/img240/5924/img57178dc.jpg
CLIÉ UX40 and CLIÉ UX50(from left to right)

http://img224.exs.cx/img224/8549/img571118eb.jpg
CLIÉ UX40 with leather USB charger

ALL PICS TAKEN BY ARANG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JAmerican

[Kitten]

Well, dang that's pretty. Arang can take some beautiful pictures. I guess I'm lucky that's not a ppc or I'd be considering it.

Size isn't really a factor. Right now the SJ22 is in it's metal case, in my purse, and the keyboard (Sony's so it won't work with the new device :( ) is in it's bag, in my briefcase/bag. I have a cute little bag I was using to carry them, but I wanted to carry a smaller purse, so the keyboard was relegated to the briefcase.

I've gone to the CompUSA and checked out the Zodiac a few times. Everytime I go, I walk over and check out the PDA's (** Sad note: they used to in the front of the store, right when you walked in. But they moved them to the back of the kiosk and put digital cameras out front). The Zodiac looks and feels much nicer than the T5. I wish there was a UX for me to "hold" in my hand, but no luck. I played with one when the first came out and it seemed pretty good.

Since Uncle Sam is finally coughing up my refund, I'm going to get the PDA soon. Thanks for all your help, and if you have any more suggestions I'd really appreciate it.

[SonyStyle]

get the ux if you dont mind the small screen

[Kitten]

I just got an UX50 on eBay and it's being shipped tomorrow! Since Tapwave seems to be sticking around for awhile, I can get a Zodiac latter if I need it.

As a thank you to those who helped me with this, I have Gmail invites if you're interested. Send me a Private Message if you want it.

Thanks again! :) :) :) :) :) :)

[siskodata]

I hope there are other usb battery packs available. That looked like it could be dangerous. So, are there any other things I should get/avoid for the UX?

Just a note as I already said in that thread Djboa's battery pack is the simplest, cheapest and easiest battery to have and to make. How someone can say that that is dangerous is beyond me no TNT required. lol

Welcome to the UX family. ;)

[cruzan]

What is the software running on that UX with the girl and the big clock and a couple applications showing?

Also, I have the metal case (New in Box) and the leather charging case and do not want them if someone wants to make me an offer :)

[jjesusfreak01]

What is the software running on that UX with the girl and the big clock and a couple applications showing?
It looks like AppShelf.