Useful, fun and almost perfect
Written: Oct 24 '03 (Updated Aug 21 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Sony, strong, compact, wide screen, wireless Internet, keyboard
Cons: Steep price, unnecessary LEDs
The Bottom Line: The most features and highest specifications may make it the best PDA. But the UX50 is, more than anything, a definition of what all portable devices should be.
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| babyeddy7's Full Review: Sony CLIE® PEG-UX50 Handheld |
For over a month I’ve kept my UX50 in constant dominion and control. I’ve been watching music videos of Beyoncé and Genuwine, listening to Simon & Garfunkel, using the Internet, taking pictures, recording movies, making voice notes and maintaining an agenda. All of this on one device. The UX50, aside from a wireless phone, is all you need.
Video playback is stunning on the UX50’s exclusive high-resolution screen. To test it, I viewed five music videos (Beyoncé, Genuwine and others) from the included CD. Picture quality is just like a television. Sony Cliés have much better resolution than traditional Palm PDAs, which allows them to do more. Sony also makes a device that allows users to record hours of television programs to watch on the Clié. Be careful not to show off too much though, the battery power decreases quickest when playing video.
At the Zoom 1 setting, the UX50 takes very good pictures. License plate numbers are legible from 30 feet. As the zoom setting increases, quality deteriorates. Other reviewers have said that the camera should have been left off. I can’t agree; you will use it. The camcorder playback is very tiny, about an inch squared.
If you’re within two feet of the microphone, at the anterior of the device, the voice recording function is excellent. Quality is good and it doesn’t drain battery life.
Audio playback is as good as the best digital audio players. Purchasing a MagicGate Memory Stick (white and gold) or Memory Stick PRO (blue and orange) is necessary.
Wireless Internet built-in is the highlight of the UX50. Initialization and connection to a wireless local area network takes about 10 seconds. When situated in the right place (closest to a WAP), speed surpasses that of a cable modem. Best of all, hardly any battery life is consumed, although it does become unstable. Three magnification settings are available, so no one has to strain his eyes. NetFront, the UX50’s browsing software, has a list of Internet service providers. Sounds complicated.
Useful
Since we were young, we’ve instinctively reached for a pen and paper to manage information. But once you think of ways the UX50 can help you, it will increase your productivity and organization. Instead of writing with pen and paper, you can type or voice record. Instead of transferring notes from the chalkboard to your notebook, just take a picture. If the bastard who just sideswiped you is trying to flee, take a picture of his license plate. The UX50 is more capable than any other PDA. Take advantage of it.
Simple
This is where the laptop-like design really pays off; if you know how to operate a notebook computer, using the UX50 isn’t much different. All you’ll need to get accustomed to is the software. Palm OS 5.2 is the friendliest and easiest operating system so far. It makes good use of the limited screen area with the 3D application launcher, which allows more icons to show on the screen. Whether you use the Jog-Dial or stylus, navigation is easy.
The UX50 has the first competent keyboard of any PDA. Keys are big, easy to see and backlit. Anyone should be able to produce more words per minute than when writing.
Programmable buttons are positioned logically, underneath the keyboard. These include NetFront, Clié Mail and Date Book. Pressing a button will immediately turn on the PDA and open the respective application. Push the capture button and the device turns on with the Clié Camera application loaded. PDAs’ instant startup is a great advantage over notebook computers. Sony’s new chip makes this immediacy possible.
Mobile
A stack of four floppy disks is roughly the same size and volume of the UX50. Note how perfectly it fits in your hand; Sony has achieved the perfect size and shape of a portable device.
Double-digit battery life. That’s another feature no other PDA has. Depending on use, the battery can last for over a week. Surprisingly, using the Internet hardly depletes the battery life. It does, however, cause the battery life to bounce around within five percent.
Beautiful
When it’s open all the way, the UX50 stuns. The screen’s frame is the same dark gray found on Sony televisions. This cutie even comes with a carrying tail, which attaches to the lanyard ring. The all-metal exterior adds class.
Strong
Every centimeter of the casing is made of a strong magnesium alloy. The screen, buttons, keys and stylus click with assuring firmness. Even the weakest part of the device, the screen, is well built; a screen protector isn’t necessary with ordinary use. No PDA is as strong as the UX50. Not surprising- it’s a Sony.
Negatives
As close to perfect the UX50 is, there is one minor problem. The five LEDs (Power, Memory Stick read, REC, WiFi, Bluetooth) are unnecessary; they only decrease battery life and complicate design.
Specifications (source: sonystyle.com)
OS
Palm OS® 5(v.5.2)
CPU
Sony CXD2230GA
Memory
Total 104 MB (16 MB available for storage of files and programs. Additional 16 MB available for system back up. Additional 29 MB available for media storage)
Interface
USB (for HotSync® operation), Infrared (IrDA 1.2), Memory Stick slot Bluetooth™, Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11b WiFi)
Display
TFT color display with backlight
480 x 320 dots; 65,536 colors
Dimensions
Approx. 4 1/8 x 3 ½ x 23/32 inches
Weight
Approx. 6.2 oz. (including stylus)
AC Power Adapter (supplied)
Output: DC 5.2V
Input: AC 100V – 240V
Battery
Lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery (internal)
Closing
Even at $700, the Sony UX50 is outselling every other PDA. Businesses everywhere are issuing it as the new standard for their employees. Frankly, the UX50 is more useful than a notebook computer; it’s smaller, lighter, more functional, longer lasting and immediate.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 699
Recommended for: Gadget Lovers - Trendy and Hip
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Epinions.com ID:
babyeddy7
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Member: Derek
Location: New York City
Reviews written: 21
Trusted by: 3 members
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