NZ90, NX70, or TG50

[Covetek]

Hi everyone,
I am a soon to be ex pocket pc pda owner hehe, I had an IPAQ 3835, which I liked for the most part, it wasnt fancy, but not 'low end' relatively speaking either. But it had a nasty problem where it would randomly (once to 3 times every 2 weeks) turn on, and thus the battery drains if you didnt notice and turn it back off. I complained to bestbuy where i bought it and the tech there was amazingly understanding and said i could return it for the same credit (which is aprox 300) and get a different pda. After looking at the options I regretting that most ipaq's were at 500 for what they had. Then I started thinking of sony's PDAs. I 'could' afford the money but perhaps its wiser to save it for a rainy day (you never know when you need that extra money. Still, i could easily justify even the high end nz90. Just not quite clear on all these products which would be the ideal choice.

NZ90
Seems the nz90 of course is the elite of the pda's period, best of the best bar none. Lots of people complain that sony has recently did tons of upgrades for the pda's which makes them obsolete, but i think not really. the NR70 is your 'entry level' for the large screen clam pda's. the NX70 offers the camera feature and whatever enhancements beyond that. the NZ90 would tweak further enhancements with bluetooth, a decent and functional camera for on the spot uses (which amazingly is more frequent than some people may think) and removable battery, etc.

the NX70 is a lot more 'reasonable' priced for me as if i return my pda, i have to only pay 300 more to get it or so (give or take), but the camera seems kinda useless being at 300,000 pixels. Perhaps useless is a little harsh, but I dont see it being useful for simple, on the spot/with friends/take pictures etc. Still, for at a cost to me of 300 more, it has a large screen and seems to have a lot of functions. But I also heard there are several new nx versions coming down the line in april or may, so maybe its best not to go with the nx70 (or least wait till it drops in price further because of new nx releases).

the TG50, this is an interesting device which would cost me only 70 to 100 more to get. It doesnt have a huge screen, but seems to have a lot of functionality, bluetooth and qwerty.

I have a canon G2 camera, so the 4 megapixel camera is enough to satisify my 'serious photo' needs, but its bulky and naturally cant be taken everywhere. Too many countless times i am walking in the mall or on the street or road and want to take a quick pic. I know the NZ90 is not a serious photographer's studio set, but I am leaning to it for having a decent camera integrated with the pda. Seems very functional to have lots of features all in one. The NX70 I dont know about its camera, seems a bit blurry for people even 8 feet away (for obvious reasons of the pixels on the camera), which seems if that is the case may as well get the nr70). The TG50 seems to be the latest and greatest out, which looks real tempting but not sure if its a gimmick to appeal to gamers or 'media' people with cool cool colors and pretty pretty things etc. Though I did see a tg50 at bestbuy, i did like its keyboard and I heard its backlit, that would be really nice! (is the nz90 backlet keyboard? i am not sure, i think not sorry, not sure).

I mainly wanna use it for an organizer, possibly into programming later (that extra space on the NX, NZ series) would be very useful, and not just for room for typing. Probably use at school for typing documents in the library (I'll probably get a large keyboard that works with the pda in question for it though). I really dont care for games, the mp3 and movie would be nice (when a blue moon happens and someone builds a compact flash driver for my 512 meg cf card thats in the G2 camera). Am not a professional, not a lawyer, not a real estate agent, just a university student. I dont have bluetooth for anything, but I can easily see the usefullness of having a bluetooth. (if buying the nx70, i would have to buy a bluetooth adapter for it, which means a trade off between using bluetooth or a memory stick, and that seems real unpractical.

Anyways sorry for the rambling but I would like to hear your guys thoughts on this if you dont mind. Am leaning to the NZ90, but the extra money its a hassle. Sure some may say buy a cheaper pda and get a small camera, but how many times realistically will you carry that camera around as opposed to a pda (let alone a pda with a built in camera). and having a non wireless pda (non bluetooth/wifi) before, I would like the tg50/nz90 with that non wireless (bluetooth) solution to synchronize/grab files etc.

[Unregistered]

yes, just do it.

[rhart00]

long post, didn't have time to read it all but here are the main things you should consider when choosing between NZ, NX, and TG:

1. actual size of the PDA (course NZ is largest, then NX, then TG)

2. how important is the screen size (NZ and NX are 320x480, TG is 320x320)?

3. How important is having a camera built in (only NX70 and NZ have this)?

4. are either bluetooth or wifi of importance to you? (NX/NZ CF wifi card slot, TG bluetooth)

[Importluva]

I made the switch from the 3835 to an NR to an NX. I haven't looked back to the PPC at all. The three you mentioned are all good pdas, but as you already have the 4mp canon, might as well rule out the NZ. The TG is small and compact but at the cost of the hires+ screen of the NX. You can't go wrong either way. I'd say go for the NX-but if size is a big concern, go with the TG. If Bluetooth is a must, then you might as well get the TG as well. The NZ seems to be out of your price range as well. I'm a uni student too and I find the NX to be very useful.

[gutty]

Originally posted by Importluva
I made the switch from the 3835 to an NR to an NX. I haven't looked back to the PPC at all. The three you mentioned are all good pdas, but as you already have the 4mp canon, might as well rule out the NZ. The TG is small and compact but at the cost of the hires+ screen of the NX. You can't go wrong either way. I'd say go for the NX-but if size is a big concern, go with the TG. If Bluetooth is a must, then you might as well get the TG as well. The NZ seems to be out of your price range as well. I'm a uni student too and I find the NX to be very useful.

small correction, NX don't support native bluetooth, so you need a NZ.

I just changed my NR for an NZ and I quite happy about it. The incredible part is that my wife give me the upgrade as a birthday present; she hates the PDA's in general.

[Covetek]

I understand what you both mean Importluva and Gutty. I think price wise I could go for the nx70 for being at a cost to me of only 200-300 more for it. But it has no bluetooth capability/wireless (without paying an extra amount/compromising for it). Using bluetooth means no extra memory storage. And I foresee someday, oneday, but not today, the compact flash slot being used for storage. I dont see wifi as an immediate need, (i'll be getting the NZ9000 (joke) before I am using a pda in a wifi enviroment). So i'll probably be going for a bluetooth enviroment. I had too many pains in the past wanting to move files without wireless capability on the 'old' ipaq 3835. So i think bluetooth is going to be one of the selling points. But its a tough one.

NZ90 is pretty expensive but its pretty much worth every penny.
but in my trade in situation, the TG50 would cost me less than 100.

BTW I heard mention of the NZ/NX series having swivel problems or loose swivel points? I am starting to get the impresion that the clamshell design is seriously vulnerable to wear and tear. Any of you guys have any comments on this? Or is it just on a few users/units (of course user handling is a big big factor). I am really concerned over this swivel wear and tear issue I keep hearing every other message I catch on the discussion groups.

I have already seen both pda's the NZ90 and the TG50 up close and I dont see any real issues with them at first impression, but I havent really used them at any length. (I dont mind either size).

Not sure but I think its coming down to this ... aproximately 80 dollars for a TG50.

or 480 (400 hundred more give or take), for 160 more pixel length screen, plus 2 mp camera, for the NZ90 (as opposed to the TG50). The camera would be extremely useful for taking snapshots of serial numbers (on computer products that you cant identify without looking up manufacturers site, aka motherboards) and hardware and pages / books that I wanna research later. Any of you guys type at length on the NZ90, or use a full keyboard for it? Does it make much a difference, negligable?

I noticed am not much of a graffiti person, more of a stylus kinda person, so I dont mind the VR graffiti (I prefer it doesnt have it, in comparison to the tungsten T which is nice and basically same price to the TG50 at bestbuy, but the Tungsten comes with a free camera! that has a physical graffiti which i dont care for) So I dont know how well I will like the qwerty in the long run. Ideally I kinda foresee being able to sit down, and with a full keyboard write down documents/notes. Not sure if that 160 pixel is a decsive use for the dollars forked over.

I think I would like to get the NZ90, but what holds me back is just the fact for about 80 more is the TG50 and I only sacrifice the camera generally speaking. (the larger screen size would be nice, but coming from an ipaq with a 240 x 320, even a 320 x 320 tg50 would be nice). Anyone know if any rebates on the NZ90 or the TG50 if I get this through best buy? I got a nasty feeling I may fork over the money only to see some 50 or 100 discount sale/rebate come up in the future.

[oneeyesquare]

I've never heard a swivel problem for either the NX or NZ. I would suggest either the NX or NZ esp. if you want to be able to take unplanned pics. Note that the NX will be more stealthy for pics and has a better video recorder. The NZ takes way better pics and has flash for interior or lowlight shot; however, the video recorder has better color but a "blocky" look to it. The TG screen size is the downfall of an otherwise decent unit and last time I visited the TG forum they seemed to not like the keyboard....
It's your money...

[the_iceman]

If you use the swivel... for opening/closing it ... that means you aren't using your PDA enough.... it should be open at all times.... LOLOLOL :)

[Importluva]

Originally posted by gutty


small correction, NX don't support native bluetooth, so you need a NZ.

I just changed my NR for an NZ and I quite happy about it. The incredible part is that my wife give me the upgrade as a birthday present; she hates the PDA's in general.

I never said that the NX supported bluetooth :confused:

[JerryAllen]

I don't know if this link will work ... but if it does ... it will show the actual quality of the NZ90 camera. I took this image and printed it right out of the camera ... no post processing at all. I was amazed at the result. Take a look ... and as I said ... hope the link works.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1008&message=4654433

Jerry

[JerryAllen]

I just tried it ... the link does work!! :-)

Jerry

[Covetek]

Thank you for the pictures, I think the camera on the NZ90 is really superb. Of course its not an SLR or other high end, but within its enviroment for a 2 mp on a pda. I think its actually really good, (pity on the lack of zoom on it, otherwise it would be complete for a vast majority of users).

I read your link at the camera website jerry, kinda funny how not many people know about the NZ90, and seeing how other people drooled once they realized what it is. Its definately a james bond coolness gadjet (does it have a laser pointer? and remote for car doors/trunks? :cool: ), I could imagine if such a thing was somehow priced at say 400 or less...it would destroy the pda market as we know it. It would be come incredibly 'passe' and old school cuz everyone would have it so fast, it would make the imac look like well...I dont know, but I know it would look like something :p ). Hmm imagine imac type color schemes on the NX/NZ's ??? Kinda like cell phones with customizable cases...wow Sony is the verge of something great, if they could just drop that price down, I know they can sell it for cheaper, though its without a doubt a superior high quality product.

If sony handles this well...ladies and gentlemen, maybe we are witnessing the birth of something great. Kinda like witnessing the first imac commercial ever aired, or the first pokemon show in american TV. As everyone knows...the PDA and cell phone and (insert electronic/digital device except toothbrush) into one package. Short of the cell phone feature, Sony basically blew everyone else out of the water with it, that no one can come close to even rivaling this type of product. I think someone mentioned it was more than a PDA but smaller than a computer...that it was a micronotebook or something. Anyways I'll shut up for now and see what others think. Am still not 100% sure which way i'll go with the pda...I think at this time its NZ90 or the TG50 (that bluetooth would be too practical a feature to resist, as having gone though a non wireless solution on the IPAQ 3835). NZ90...$500 dollars...TG50 $80 dollars... ahhh. Dollar for dollar its a clear idea whats the wisest call...but the NZ90 is so much more than most people can even dream of it being 'just a organizer'.

the NZ90...its transcended. :D

[Jeffry]

http://www.wince.ne.jp/snap/ceSnapView.asp?PID=1215

A factor consider.

http://www.wince.ne.jp/Review/katsuo/CLIE/TG50/m/PICT0076-01.jpg

[Covetek]

Understandable its a factor...but I think its kinda after the fact, Jerry. When you consider that I dont (granted its opinion) find it significantly larger than say an NX70, for getting an removable battery, improved camera, and flash, they take up physical space and I dont see it a whole lot more. Granted eyeballing the NZ90 only and not holding and using it for hours on end can easily change my perspective if applicable. But I find the size is justified for what you get... Like saying a Dodge Viper (heavens forbid Dodge did something right with a car...) or a Porsche/Ferrari should be faulted for being too fast. The NZ90 does what it set out to do, offer a packaged multimedia pda and so far I dont really find any clear fault in it.

I kinda resent those users who complain the battery is so miserable lasting 4 hours...which from what I understand seems to be a worse case scenario (tons of apps, sound, brightness cranked)...when a IPAQ 3835 (or MS PPC) would be lucky to achieve 4 hours straight usage (if memory serves correct backlit set at 70% or 80%), without sound or music. For the type of package your getting in the NZ90, that battery seems to be quite a workhorse, though there seems to be some issues with defective or poor quality batteries bundles with the NZ90s. Specially if you use the NZ90 like a PDA first, leaving the bells and whistles to support you...not the PDA to support the bells and whistles. I think on my IPAQ I played the everquest game with low or even no sound at times (60% of time) and the battery lasted 3 hours, possibly a smidge less.

Anyways sorry for the rant...but I think if people have a major issue with the size (granted yes its big for a PDA), then they dont quite appreciate or understand exactly what the NZ90 is, and possibly its just not meant for them. It seems oftened refered to as a niche product...but I think its more than a niche, to call it niche is to make it kinda limiting and the NZ90 being limited is totally inappropriate...well true its limited in Sony PS2 capability ;)
...the only real limit is its price as far as I foresee (Sony could devote a decimal of a fraction of its resources and get around to adding at least a basic drive for that CF memory storage slot, am suprised sony let that one fly).

[JerryAllen]

REFERENCE: "Understandable its a factor...but I think its kinda after the fact, Jerry."

I think you meant "Jeffry" ............... :-)

Jerry

[Covetek]

DOH my bad sorry :o