This article reviews Models PEG-N760C, PEG-N610C, PEG-S320

We'll have a commentary on upcoming PEG-T415 soon!

When Sony first came out with a PDA addition to the Palm family, it did so without causing much of a stir in the community. Even six months after its introduction, it was often overlooked and unmentioned when PDAs running PalmOS were compared.

That has since changed with Sony's aggressive introduction of several PDAs that keep pushing the envelope in functionality, style and price. Sony does what it has done best for years - make stylish, portable devices.

Which one you want depends on which features you want and what price you want to pay. The most expensive and feature packed is the 760C, with it's color screen and built-in MP3 player. This model comes with headphones and an 8Mb memory stick.

Next on the list is the 610C, which also sports a color screen, but sans the MP3 player and headphones.

For the budget minded, the S320 is the lowest priced and comes with a monochrome screen like most of the other Palms on the market.

On deck and due to be release will be the T415, which will be an ultra-thin, high resolution monochrome screen.

Because there are so many models from Sony, as well as so many offerings from other companies, I will compare and discuss each of the models along with the comparable products from other companies.

Size / Physical Features

The 760C / 610C

Let me start by saying this PDA is just beautiful. I have had more people stop and admire this PDA than any other I've owned. It just begs for attention. The dimensions are 2 7/8" (W) x 4 3/4"(H) x 11/16" (D) and the weight is 5.65oz. What does this mean? Basically, it's bigger than what I normally would care for, and it is a definite chunk of weight that is noticeable. Nonetheless, it is still extremely portable and I carry it in my front pants pocket all the time and it is barely perceptible.

While the Sony website says that the 760C and 610C weigh the same, at Circuit City I felt that the 610C weighed significantly less than the 760C. If weight is an issue to you, I would highly suggest just holding the different models in your hand to see what you think. I thought that the 610C felt a lot more like the monochrome 320.

Screen

The 710C differs from the 610C in that it has an audio jack to hook up the included headphones. Though the headphones, you can listen to MP3s or watch little movies with sound. While the ability to play MP3s may be appealing for some, it is a feature that I haven't found too useful yet. The only thing that I think would be nice is if I were to download NPR programs or those medical update audio programs to it. If you don't think you would want MP3, then the 610C is the one you should get (cheaper and lighter).

The S320

This model, while not nearly as stunning as the 760C/610C, is still an attractive PDA. It essentially has the same dimensions as the 760C/610C, with minor differences in form, but it only weighs 4.3oz. This is definitely one you could slip in your pocket and forget it was there. It terms of form factor, while not as slim, it is still comparable to the m500 and the Visor Edge. Despite it's low price, it still sports a rechargeable Li-Ion battery. This PDA definitely has a more plastic-like feel to it, rather than metal.

Screen

The 760C/610C

This is where the Sony truly shines. The screen on these PDAs is absolutely stunning. They are active matrix TFT screens with a resolution of 320x320 (other Palms are 160x160, except HandEra which is 320x240). It is a frontlit screen that is easily readable in any lighting condition, including sunlight. Apparently it is the same screen that is used in Compaq iPaqs. It is far better than the dimmed out, difficult to read screen that is offered by the Palm m505. There is really no comparison - if you want color, this is the way to go.

More importantly, though, is the increased 320 x 320 resolution. By putting the machine into Hi-Res mode, text is sharp and clear, not jagged. From normal reading distance, it is almost like reading text on a page. The contrast is superb, and reading for a long time is NOT a strain.

Currently, Sony, Palm and Handspring offer color screens. Sony wins this hands down and is the only serious consideration if you want color. As far as increased resolution is concerned, Handera offers a 320 x 240 screen which is bigger, but not color. If you were to choose a Handera, it would be for its other unique features (voice recording, CF slot, SD slot, landscape mode).

The S320

This is the standard 160 x 160 monochrome screen that most of the other PDAs have. It's reflectivity is good and it beats the m500 in backlighting with a beautiful, easy to read blue backlight that is like Indiglo. The screen also seems to refresh a bit faster than the m500.

Speed

The Clie uses a 33 Mhz Dragonball processor, which is as fast as they currently come. The PDA is snappy and responsive unless you are doing a few special things, like running PiDirect or MSMount (these are programs that "trick" the PDA into thinking things on the Memory Stick are actually in the main RAM). Even then, the only thing that is noticeable is some latency when trying to bring up the application list (hitting the 'home' button). Programs are increasingly Memory Stick/SD aware and look to the external memory for their databases. This is the case with iSilo, and several others. There is sometimes a bit of a delay when writing in letters for say "h-y-p-o-t-h" or something. I don't know if this is a 'huge database' issue or an 'external memory' issue.

I think most new PDAs use a 33Mhz processor, so this shouldn't be a point of comparison.

Expandability

As you might expect, Sony chose to implement it's own proprietary Memory Stick memory format for the external memory. Memory Sticks are small and easily available. They can be shared easily with any other Sony product that uses it, including MP3 players, digital cameras, and laptops. For memory, the memory stick slot is fine. If your needs are greater (such as VGA output) then you should consider Handspring. Also, there are few other accessories such as wireless modems available.

The best street prices (10/24/01) for MS are around $60 for a 64Mb and $100 for 128Mb. Compact Flash (HandEra) is around $24 for 64Mb and $42 for 128Mb, and comes in capacities as high as 512Mb. In comparison, the SD/MM cards currently used by m500/m505/m125 cost $60 for the 32Mb, $85 for the 64Mb, and $180 for the 128Mb.

Handspring's proprietary memory is expensive, coming in at $115 for 16Mb and $80 for 8Mb. However, a $20-$50 Compact Flash adapter would let you use the much lower cost CF cards.

Currently, only memory is available for the MS expansion port. Supposedly in the future other devices such as miniture cameras, Bluetooth, and modems will be available for the slot. The winner in the expansion slot arena is Handspring if you want anything more than memory. There are VGA output modules, actual phones, 802.11 wireless LAN and other modules for Springboard. It is unlikely that similar technology could fit in the small Sony slot. (On Handspring, the thin Visor Edge requires a bulky adapter to use the Springboard modules).

As far as the USB connector is concerned, so far Sony has a land-line modem available for it, but little else. Wireless modems such as the offering by Omnisky are not available yet.

As an aside, any PalmOS machine, including Sony, should be able to use the IR port with an appropriate data-enabled phone with IR port to access email and internet (due to some change in the software, Palm OS 4.X and Nokia 8290 phones do not seem to work).

Cost

Sony's prices are very aggressive and attractive. The cost of it's low end S320 is only $170, which is much lower than its competitor m500, which is $330. The Handspring Visor Deluxe and Neo are $170 and $200, respectively, but do not offer rechargeable batteries and do not have the same form factor.

The 710C and 610C are $499 and $399 respectively. For color only, the 610C beats the m505's price of $450. For an extra $50, you get the MP3 player on the 710C. Color on the cheap, albeit a bulkier package, can be had with the Visor Prism at $300.

Usability

The Sony Clie works like any other Palm machine. One notable feature is that you can mount the memory stick directly to your desktop. It will appear as a hard drive. You can then copy files to it and delete files from it just as you would any other disk. (Read: you don't have to use the Palm install tool to put something on the main RAM and then move it to the memory stick). In fact, installing files works very easily as you just drag and drop.

Sadly, the Sony Clie does not offer out of the box Macintosh support. Thankfully, the folks at http://www.markspace.com have a product called Missing Sync ($30) that will allow Hotsyncs and Memory Stick mounting, so Mac users aren't left in the dust.

Upcoming: The T415

Sony just announced a new PDA that will be coming out around Nov 23, 2001 that will bridge the gap between low end and super high end. The T415 will be razor thin at 0.4", 2.83" wide and 4.65" tall. This is smaller than a stack of 3 x 5 index cards. The form factor included the memory stick slot. You won't have to add some bulky connector. It will sport a 320 x 320 monochrome screen (again, extremely good readability) with what appears to be extremely good greyscale. An interesting feature is that it will have an enhanced IR port that will allow you to control AV products from several feet away. It also adds musical alert tones instead of system beeps. It will cost $299.

Conclusion

Sony continues to push the limits on what the Palm can do. Their offerings are stylish and functional without adding a hefty price. For those with basic PDA and electronic text needs, the Sony will let you play at any of it's competitor's levels at extremely good prices (consider a $170 S320 + $60 64Mb MS = $230 for a 72Mb Palm, and it's done in a great form factor and style). For those with more extensive needs, Handspring, Palm, and HandEra should be considered. However, as Sony gains momentum in the market, I have no doubt that many items, like wireless modem and wireless LAN, will eventually be available for the Clie.

If you would like to join others in chatting about this article or sharing a similar experience, join our discussion board at this thread: www.pdajd.com

Bhavesh Patel is regarded as the "palm guru" and makes many recommendations regarding hardware/software purchases and deployment. He has also given many lectures on effective utilization of computer technology.