Palm TX Review - another perspective

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prohopole

New member
This review is intended to assist other PDA buyers (as other people's reviews have assisted me). I will also skip the usual information you have probably read in other reviews (eg. Features, etc.,)


Which PDA?

Firstly, I was not too concerned with the OS (ie. Pocket PC or Palm OS). I have owned two Palm OS PDAs (Palm Vx and Clie T665) but I have picked out O2 xda II mini for my wife. I don?t think my PDA selection criteria are very unusual. I wanted: (1) ?thin? and light design, (2) reliable, (3) not ugly (personal and subjective), (4) PDA only, no phone built-in (still bit old fashion I guess).

The finalists were: Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox 720, Loox 420 (not released yet), HP iPAQ HX2790, iPAQ HX4700, Palm T5, Dell Axim X51v and of course Palm TX. Firstly what I am about to say is my own opinion and ?yes? you may not agree with some of these comments but I am just trying to share my thoughts so? In Australia, we can?t get Fujitsu-Siemens PDAs at all so that was ?no go?. iPAQ HX2790 ? ugly (don?t like the thick border around the screen). iPAQ HX4700 ? still running Windows Mobile 2003SE, not updated to Windows Mobile 5 (WM5) yet (may not get updated). Palm T5 looked suitable but I read one too many review on WiFi card not working with this and that so, I gave it a miss. Dell Axim X51v looks fantastic and was very close to being my new PDA. Unfortunately, I like to pickup my PDA and have a feel of it and play with it before buying. No Dell kiosk in Melbourne. When I rang Dell, they said they will not let me return it if I didn?t like the feel without a fee. If only I knew someone with one, things may have been different. I don?t look in to it much but I did read that there were some problems with battery running down even if the unit is off, other hardware issue like the 3.5mm jack not releasing the power back to its built in speaker, WM5 OS (I think that?s what I read, not 100%). All in all, Palm TX started to look good for AUD$455 (incl.) ? I can get wholesale prices (norm Retail price is AUD$499). So, more by the process of elimination that I picked Palm TX rather then any other reason.


First impression

When I picked it up the first time, the TX was lighter than I expected. If the weight is your real concern, you can buy Stylus-with-pen-3-Pack and use them instead of the standard one. The standard styli is heavier (solid inside, I think), whereas the 3-Pack is hollow inside with pen on one end (under the black plastic cap).

After using Clie T665 for 2 years, the screen looked big and bright. As most people said, the brightness of the screen only needs to be near the default (half-way) setting for it to be bright enough in most light. The brightest is definitely too bright.


Installation

To my absolute surprise, the installation was a breeze. No dramas of any kind! I work in IT so I know how rare that is that everything ?just works?. It was a very nice surprise!! With Palm Vx, I remember sync not working properly OR sync and you end up with duplicate appointments OR when you sync the data, it imports from PC to Handheld but any data you enter in the handheld doesn?t get sync to the PC, etc., Even with Clie T665 (which has been working 100% without any problem at all for 2 solid years ? a credit to Sony. Palm Vx died within 4 months and ended up getting 2 replacements within the first year). In any case, it was a nice surprise.

When you install the Palm apps for the very first time from the CD, it installs a lot of software on to your PC but it does not ask ?where? (folder name & location) or ?what? (which apps) to install. It just does it. Really good for beginners or someone who just want the thing up and running ASAP. I prefer little bit more control over the installation process (I think I am a control freak!!) : )

The casing of TX is plastic. Just like T5 but it is very difficult to spot it. I certainly didn?t pick up the unit and said, ?yuk! Plastic!! Looks cheap!? or anything like that. I just assumed it was alloy of some kind and I was none the wiser (until I read other reviews).

Speaking of another nice design feature? the styli is held in position by the indent near the tip (approx 2cm from the writing end) instead of some plastic dimples near the top of the styli. With my T665, the opening to the styli became bigger and the styli now falls out if tipped up side down. It appears this problem will not effect TX.


Palm OS 5.x

Coming from Palm OS 4.1, the new OS does have some features that looks look (and functional) - The Favourites. If you are not familiar with it, think of it as the first screen that appears. You can configure your Favourites screen with your choice of apps (works like ?Shortcuts? in Windows). From here you can launch apps. If you prefer the more traditional format, press the ?Home? (hardware) button and it will take you to it.

As you would expect, all the icons look much more polished then in my old Palm OS 4.1. Programs I installed include, Beyond Contact 3.008 and Passwords Plus 1.006. They looked more or less like what I remember from 2 years ago (I have not updated those apps in the past 2 years). However, I was really impressed with AvantGo. Looks very polished ? a big update.

The Palm CD installs this program called ?Addit? ? which provides its own news and other products. And like AvantGo, it will go on the web and access contents every time you sync.

The grey bit at the bottom of the screen that you write with styli, that part slides out from the bottom of the screen and slides back down (if not needed or you switch it off). Unfortunately, you can not keep it out of sight for good because some apps are still not making the use of this 4? screen so whether you like it or not, the grey bit will pop up and occupy the screen real estate in some apps. No big deal but don?t expect to get full 4? screen for every app you use.

Did I mention how clear the screen looks? When you switch both units ON side-by-side, you can really notice the pixilation on my old T665.


Graffiti 2

Takes little getting use to, after using Graffiti 1 for so long but no doubt that will happen with time. I think someone else posted, couple of days of ?solid? use got him retrained.


Wifi Connection

I have 3 locations where I wanted wifi connection. They all run WPA-PSK with pre-shared key. The wifi routers I am accessing are: Belkin Pre-N, Billion 7402G, Netgear WG302AP. The Belkin wifi access worked 1st time in less than 1 minute. Strong connection and in terms of distance, it is almost as good as my HP nx7010 notebook with its built in wifi 802.11b card (only the later models came out with 802.11g). The connection to Netgear worked and it would drop out in 30 sec to a minute. After the first few times, it refuse to connect. I get ?connecting? message. Then ?obtaining IP?, then it can not connect after that. After little bit of playing around, I just needed to update the firmware on the router and all worked 100%. From the moment you access the Blazer browser (which initiates the wifi connection), it would take about 5 seconds to connect and get the data. The surfing speed is reasonable. It is definitely not as fast as a PC or a notebook (even if the content is cut back for handheld). However, I have not been able to make TX work with Billion as yet. Still trying!


Cradle

I didn?t like the fact that the cradle did not come with TX. So I bought it separately. I don?t mind the design but what you may not be able to notice from the pic is that the cradle glows white with 2 white LEDs inside the unit. This can not be switched off (I guess you will always know that you have power).

I remember reading some reviews and there were discussions about if USB cable is all you need to charge the unit OR do you need power cable as well. If you use the special USB cable that came with the TX, you only need that to charge. Which by the way, has a button on the handheld end to initiate the sync rather then going in to the Palm OS and choosing the icon to initiate the sync.

I do have one major issue with the cradle. You have to be careful when you plug the TX in to the cradle. Think of your normal Palm USB cable sticking up and you have to seat it properly with some force to lock it in. I am use to Sony?s T665 cradle (or similar to rechargeable cordless mouse base station) that you just slide the unit into the cradle and all the contacts are made. Not like that at all. I am aware that it is universal design but it still does not make it ?right? or any more ?acceptable?. It is worst cradle for PDA I have ever used.


Universal Wireless Keyboard

Don?t get me started on this one. I still have not opened the pack. Palm website still says the driver is not available for download. It says ?coming soon? for the past month (today is 5 Nov 05). I did have a play with the keyboard at the shop and felt that it was ?size? smaller then the laptop keyboard. It is little hard to type on it but still faster then Graffiti2. I just hope the connection is strong via IR and remains constant.

I hope this has given you another perspective of Palm TX. And if you decide to buy it, enjoy!! I can recommend it!!
 
I also have the TX and love it! I upgraded from the Zire 72. I sacrificed the voice recorder and camera for larger screen, bigger battery, and much more memory. I haven't regretted it. It was definately worth it. My decision was easier than yours in that I would never consider Pocket PC. Palm all the way!
 
I also would have liked the voice recorder feature. I like to check out the market and see what's available. It has been working well so far... if anything changes, I will be back to post my experiences.
 
Your Sony Clie model and experience is identical to mine, as well as your PDA considerations that led you to the PalmTX. As I reluctantly move on from my old Sony friend, I am about to buy the Palm TX because I crave the WiFi. Can you tell me how I will transfer my Sony Clie data to the new Palm? I ask because the only problem I ever had with my Sony was transfering the data from my Palm V.
 
I synced my Clie with Outlook first and exported the PST file from Outlook and imported it back to my Outlook after I did a complete reinstall of my laptop. Once my Outlook data (appointments, email, contacts, etc.,) was back, I installed all the required Palm apps like it was the first time I ever used Palm and everything worked for me.

In terms of some of the other apps (most will not work with TX) and data files (I have car mileage programs, unit/measurement converter, etc.,), I simply beamed the data to Palm TX from Clie after everything was up and running. I did have to go and download or upgrade some of my old time favourite apps to newer (OS 5.4x compatable) versions first. Just transfered the data files really.
 
------------- UPDATE TO MY ORIGINAL POST ----------------

WiFi Update

Just to update you all. The wireless works at all 3 locations using all 3 routers now. The last router I was trying to make it work was Billion 7402G. As I posted above, I had to change the key to proper HEX generated key. All worked straight away.


Slight Pause at times launching apps

I have also noticed something a little odd with TX. When I launch Blazer browser, Palm will 'lockup' (thinking I guess) for around 4 to 5 seconds before starting the app. I didn't think much of this until, it started doing with other apps. When I say it locks up, the screen goes completely white except for the toolbar at the bottom of the screen (magnifying glass, menu option, clock, exclamation, etc.,). It is almost as if I need to run a "defrag" or something to streamline the memory access. I wonder if this has anything to do with Palm processor running on power saver mode (similar to Intel Step-speed process) and having to crank up to full speed? I will try running my Palm on full speed for the next few days and see if that fixes it.


Battery Life

I don't know about you guys but the battery life on these TXs are fantatsic. I use my Palm to organise my life and access few websites on the run and might even find the time to endulge in a game or two. Collectively I guess I use my TX for 30 min to 1 hour per day. At the end of the day, before charging, I notice that my Palm says it has 98% to 100% battery life left! Wow!! Either TX is lying OR it is very efficient.
 
'hithere' have you tried softreseting the palm to see if it works any faster?
Apparently Palm's do need to be defraged and the only way to do this is to hard reset (i'm not sure if this is ROM or RAM - ie. the normal memory or the non-violate one).

Well b'day's comming up so i might get one.

Big question..... Any screen whine?

hope not....
 
I have soft reset BUT not hard reset. I might back up and try it in the near future.

As for screen whine - No! When I switch it on and put the Palm TX next to my ear, in a silent room, I can hear the difference between Palm being switched ON and OFF. BUT nothing that will be noticable in any other condition. And take my word for it. I like mt devices to work 100%, not 99.5%. Meaning, I would be the first to notice any noise from the device and it will tick me off until it was resolved/fixed.

Go get it! It works well for me.
 
I personally didn't notice any screen whine on my T5 until it was mentioned in the forums. Then I put the thing up to my ear, and ever since then, I can hear it when I turn it on.

Not so annoying to me, but the thought that whenever I turn it on, I can hear it now bothers me. :D
 
yay yay yay i'll probably get one in around 2 weeks... maybe less, might have to do a bit of negotiating with the old man and see. :rolleyes: :D

I went and had a look at one at the shoppy's and i didnt hear anything... good sign. Nice and fast too, nice screen - previewed some pictures :cool:

So if you come along anything else... lemme know :)
 
Hello Hithere,

I noticed the pause when launching the browser as well. I think the pause is a result of the T/X having to initiate the Wi-Fi before the browser launches. I noticed that if I have the Wi-Fi started and I am connected to the network, ther is noperceptable pause.

FWIW, I on't think is is much to be concerned about. Let me know if you think otherwise.

Cheers,
John
 
Very useful review info at the top of this, thanks. After 5 days use, here's my impression...

My pda experience has been with five years hard use of a Palm V, which, other than a few crashes when I tried to run some off the wall games on it has never quit on me, even after being dropped and sat on numerous times. So I was a Palm fan from the git-go.

To me, the TX is like winning the lottery compared to the Palm V. Very sharp screen (I can read the reeeeealy fine print in the crosswords no problem) and vivid colors. Brightness is almost overkill, I run mine at about 10-20% in normal room light, haven't tried it outside yet. Battery life has not been actually tested, but my wife has (for three nights now) played games on this thing almost non-stop, at least 3 hours at a shot, and I've yet to see it dip below 1/3 charge. I never turn off WiFi (there seems to be some auto-off feature built in to WiFi, since it seems to turn itself off when I don't need it), and I leave an SD card in it 24/7. The user guide does urge you to keep apps that are read/write intensive on the TX instead of the card, because of the battery power consumed during read/write.

The on-off switch requires the tip of a fingernail to use, which at first I thought was a pain until I realized that mostly there's no real need to even use it. I press the "home" key to turn it on and jump to the list of apps screen, and when I'm through using it I just put it down and it turns itself off in 3 minutes. To get back to the screeen you were on when it auto-offed itself, though, you DO have to turn it back on using the fingernail method.

I never was really proficient at Graffiti 1, but am getting pretty good already at Graffiti 2. To my brain it's much easier to use, and faster. I like it. It usually buys either lower case or upper case letters from my shaky hand, and my error rate is declining rapidly.

When I punch the category list up and punch "Card" at the bottom, it will show me icons for apps, but will not allow me to look at the actual file list on the card. Is there a function like Windows Explore that will let me look at the actual file list? So far I haven't figured out how to to that. Using the "Card Info" app, which SHOULD work like Windows Explorer in my mind, only tells me the particulars of the card like free space available and the device ID. No list of files or info on files. Is there a 3rd party app for this? OTOH, my cards work flawlessly, and there's no need to buy the "Ultra" or "150x" cards unless you need to use them in another (MUCH faster) read/write device, like maybe a $5000 Nikon camera. Buy the slowest versions you can find, they will be much cheaper and you will never know the difference. I have a 1G Sandisk of unknown speed and two Kingston 512 (133x's!) for this one, but I got them because they were a great deal (the 512's were $29 each shipped), not because I needed the speed. Actually, there was a motive in the back of my mind, because I'm thinking of a digicam upgrade one of these days, and I will only buy one that uses SD cards.

No specs available that I've seen on how fast the TX can read/write to/from a card, but I guarantee you it's pretty slow compared to the cards available. If it's over 2 Mb per second I'd be surprised, so a high dollar card that writes at 9 or 12 or 20 MB/sec is pretty much a waste if it's only used in the TX.

I suspect that the WiFi, even at 11b speeds, is far faster than this 312 MHz processor can utilize, so it keeps up no problem. I've put away the USB hotsync cable, don't need it any more, especially since the TX doesn't seem to be able to trickle charge via USB, which to my mind would have been a nice feature. WiFi has worked perfectly ever since I figured out how to get it going the first time. Signal strengths around my house are about on a par with my laptop's Linksys card, and I'm getting pretty good a surfing around the web on the TX, although surfing on a screen this size is best limited to specific things like news/sports reports, weather radar pictures, etc.

I wish PDA manufacturers would come up with a fatter "pen", but then storage space would become a problem, I guess. This one is so skinny and (for it's size) heavy I drop it a lot. I actually prefer the lightweight grainy surfaced plastic pen on the Palm V to this heavy, very slick surfaced metal one. I wonder if anybody makes a regular sized ball point pen with a "PDA" tip on it? Or at least a pen with an easier to grip surface? Sounds like a new accessory market niche to me...

Other than a slide-in replaceable battery setup (wow, that would have been great), I pretty much can't think of anything the TX is lacking. It's fast, pretty, easy to use, feels good, does everything I want, and has not (yet) crashed or needed a reset in spite of being driven by a rookie for a week. Not bad for $266. As far as I'm concerned the others can eat their hearts out.
 
You asked:
When I punch the category list up and punch "Card" at the bottom, it will show me icons for apps, but will not allow me to look at the actual file list on the card. Is there a function like Windows Explore that will let me look at the actual file list?

I don't know if this is what you are looking for, but try this:

- Turn on the T/X and press it a couple times to get to the "Application View"
- Press the "menu" icon on the status bar
- Goto App --> Info
- On the Info screen, next to "Device:" click on the down arrow
- Select the card

Cheers,
John
 
Filez does work flawlessly on the T|X, also I dont know who said it, but the T|X DOES charge on the USB hotsync cable. I personally just hotsync via wifi and then @ night when I go to bed, I throw it on the regular ac charger and by morning I am ready for another 6-8 maybe 9 hours of consistent use, MP3's, Videos, and when I am done its still at 70% or better, battery really blows away my T|E (which I still keep around for sentimental reason..soon to be given to my son (16yrs old). Palm finally came out with a great handheld with a great price.....way to go....glad I stuck with Palm since my days of the original Handspring Visor Prism..............Rich :D
 
I have recently installed some games (1MB to 1.5MB each) and other apps and I can really notice Palm TX getting 'stuck' for a few seconds when starting some apps. If it always took that long for a given app, I can understand it OR write it off as 'it's just that app' thingy but the pause happens with different programs on different days. I would say RAM needs defrag!! I don't suppose there is an app to do that? ...reorganise data on RAM for more streamlined access?
 


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