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Sony Clie PEG-NX80V (Silver) Handheld | List Price: $549.99
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Brand: Sony
Binding: Electronics
Release Date: 2003-07-11
Features: - High-powered handheld running Palm OS 5 and packed with multimedia features
- Built-in 1.3 mega pixel camera
- Video recording and playback
- Expansion slots for integrated CompactFlash and Memory Stick cards
- What's in the box: CLIÉ Handheld, USB HotSync Cradle, AC adapter, Stereo headphones and remote controller, AC plug adapter (with attachment), Hand strap, Retractable Stylus
It's All About Accessories - The Good and the Bad [Posted on 2004-09-03]
In today's world of electronic gadgets, there are two things that really are frustrating: 1) Once you buy an electronic gadget - it often is obsolete the next day; 2) You often need to get lots of accessories to get the most use of your gadget. On top of that, when you are ready to buy a replacement gadget to replace the one you want - all of the accessories you bought are suddenly no good. Thus, the dilemma I faced when my old Palm IIIc finally showed signs it was nearing the end of its life was what to buy. I had used my IIIc for 3 1/2 years. During this time, I had such accessories as a Leather Case, A Keyboard, and a Travel Charger. Now as I was viewing what Palm (today) had to offer, I discovered that those nice accessories I owned were suddenly no good because none of the new models that Palm offered were compatible with them. Not a happy camper. As I mention above, this isn't a Palm-specific problem, but a problem with consumer electronics - and something companies in the consumer electronics industry have completely taken advantage of the consumers.
Enter Sony's Clie PEG-NX80V - this is known as Sony's Personal Electronics Organizer. In addition to being a very impressive unit, it did seem to solve some of my immediate problems around accessories, but of-course introduced a new set of accessory problems I did not imagine.
First up the unit itself. It is a beautiful unit that will immediately make a great first impression. It is silver and basically looks like a mini tablet computer. For starters, the unit folds down into its own hard case - so I didn't need to buy any extra cases because this protected the screen (I keep mine in a Day Planner binder, but you still may want a leather cover to prevent case scratches). When you open the unit, you will see a screen and a keyboard - now it looks like a mini laptop. The Keyboard solved my dilemma of having to buy a keyboard (I use mine to enter sales data and really depend on a keyboard - this one works great). Now the cool feature is you can swivel the screen around and fold it back down on top of the keyboard into the traditional PDA view - now its just like a regular PDA. The PEG-NX80V package also comes with a beautiful looking USB cradle in which the back of the cradle is translucent. In addition, the AC Charger unplugs from the cradle and can be plugged into an plug adapter that connects to the unit - now you have your travel charger. Yes, the plug adapter is included. That solved my travel adapter problem (I take it on the road a lot). The unit also has a slot for expanding memory with a Sony Memory Stick or Compact Flash Card as well as connecting a wireless lan card.
There are some other impressive features with this unit. First up the stuff you get out of the box. The unit comes loaded with Palm OS 5. Sony also packages their own version of the Launcher Program - which looks very attractive. The Sony Launcher does get some getting used to, but I like it because it looks good. If you can't get used to it, you can switch to the traditional Palm OS launcher. There is a jog dial on the unit for making scrolling lists very easy. To write, the unit comes with Palm's Graffiti 2, but there is something better - the Decuma Input Handwriting Recognition Software. Decuma Input has a utility where you enter your handwriting and then the unit will recognize your writing. I found the change from standard Graffiti to Graffiti 2 a bit annoying. But Decuma Input is terrific and once you get used to it, you won't go back. The unit will allow you to switch between Decuma Input and Graffiti. The unit comes with an application that will turn your PDA into a Universal Remote Control to use with such devices as a TV, DVD, VCR, etc. Finally the unit comes with a built in voice memo recorder for recording quick voice memos, storing them in the unit and playing them back. Only thing disappointing is a very cheap styled stylus.
As for this being a Personal Electronics Organizer, it has some terrific features - but also some warnings. For starters it has a Built in 1.3 Megapixel Camera with a flash - its only 1.3 Megapixels, so it won't replace your digital camera. It's a nice feature and you can store pictures and do some cool things like put photos in your address book. Be warned - snapping a picture will consume a lot of power from your battery (especially with the flash) - more than you expect. Be also warned, you MUST have a Memory Stick to export/import pictures with your PC and Clie - thus another accessory. There also is a built in MP3 Player (the unit does come with headphones) and a Movie Camera as well. Using the MP3 unit and Movie Camera does require the Use of a Memory Stick - thus this becomes another "required" accessory. The Data Backup Program does also require the Memory Stick. From looking at the specs, it isn't intuitive you need the Memory Stick for these features.
While this is a great unit and it did solve my accessory problems, it created a whole new set of others (namely with the Memory Stick). It is also worth noting to get the Wireless LAN for internet access is a costly accessory as well. However the unit is still very impressive looking and works terrific. Price out what accessories you want and need - then shop carefully. Your bet is to try to get it on sale or for a rebate though to get the most for your money.
Say Goodbye To Sony's US and European PDA Market [Posted on 2004-10-09]
I love my Sony Clie, PEG NX80V. I bought it less than a year ago, and the resolution, screensize and vivid display still astound my associates. The performance is quick for PDAs made in 2003, and the product is still superior in technology when compared to most of todays sales. I have to complain that Sony stopped offering online updates (drivers, patches, etc) for this product less than 7 months after releasing it. Now, after current stocks run out, Sony will retreat to ASIA, where they are selling the latest PDA, it's really going to blow you away.
Compare Sony to Palm, and Sony comes in about equal. I recommend buying this product new or used, it has never let me down.
One of the best PDAs in the market [Posted on 2005-04-08]
I've been using my Sony Clie NX80V since a year, and is still impressive the performance of this palm... the swivel screen allows you to use this like a normal PDA or like a laptop, an even better with its small keyboard, convenient for thumb fingers or small hands. I also found amazing the dual (CF and MemoryStick) card reader, and if you buy the WiFi CF card for Clie, you can do everything with this handheld. Besides, it has a lot of convenient software, like the Picsel viewer and NetFront browser. The only software I added is DocumentsToGo, and I can edit my .doc and .xls files (even simple PowerPoint presentations), and still view it in my PC when I plug my Clie to it. The screen is huge, brillant with its wonderful shrinkable Graffiti area, that allows you to add direct access to many applications you use often. Finally the camera is really great (I haven't seen any PDA with a 1.3M pixels built-in camera... and fast), and Sony knows how to make it look beautiful, including the cradle, and the MP3 player sound great, and much better with the hand controller.
It's one of the best products I've ever used
Big screen, keyboard, clamshell, 1.3 mp camera, cool right? [Posted on 2005-06-25]
There is no Bluetooth or WiFi built in. So be prepared to pay about $130 for the WiFi card (which takes the Compact Flash slot). The CF slot is a cool feature, and it being retractable saves space, but the slot can't close with a card in it. It doesn't look as good as my TG50, and the keyboard keys are way to flat and small. My fingers rub right over them. The screen is amazing. It looks so crisp and clear. You can see it outside with no problem. The camera looks very good outside also. It looks like it is 3mp sometimes. The "Capture Light" is more like a flash light, and I use it for that :). The IR port is in a bad place, half is on the side, half on the top. It is annoying when using Clie remote, which allows you to control TVs, VCRs, DVD players, and amps from a variety of brands. The jog dial is cool, and it is better than the 5-way navigator on this size device. The size of this Clie is annoying. It is 8 ounces! 3 ounces bigger than my TG50.
Best PDA (no longer) on the market [Posted on 2007-05-26]
1.3MP camera takes excellent pictures too, however camera is prone to die before rest of PDA, so get newest one you can find.
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