Sony Clie PEG-TG50 Handheld

• Palm OS v. 5.0, as well as an ARM-compliant 200 MHz CPU and 16 MB RAM
• High-resolution TFT color display (320 x 320 pixels)
• Built-in Bluetooth, MP3 player, and voice recorder
• Built in keyboard, remote control feature, and polyphonic audio alert feature, as well as lithium-ion rechargeable battery
• What's in the box: Sony Clié PEG-TG50, USB HotSync cradle, stylus, AC Adapter, AC cable, hand strap, installation CD-ROM, instruction manuals

The best thing that I can say about this product is that when my original one was stolen, I immediately replaced it with another of the same model, even though newer ones (like the high-end UX-50) had become available.

I bought this one because it was the smallest & lightest PDA available with a keyboard. After 4 years of struggling with Graffitti, it took me roughly 30 minutes to adapt to the admittedly tiny keyboard on the TG50. I found that I could two-thumb data using the keyboard far faster, and I've never used Graffitti again.

The two most important considerations with this model are the size and the keypad. Graffitti junkies should avoid this model, but I suspect that I'm not the only person who finds the Palm OS handwriting recognition technology is troublesome. Likewise, those who want a really big screen for watching movies should get a different PDA. Personally, I like carrying it in my jacket pocket, and find the lid to be convenient and not the least awkward. The metal case is sturdy & scratch-resistant, and for me, it would be silly to put this PDA into a carrying case. Its a tool to use on a daily basis, and I'm not taking heroic measures to avoid scratching it.

Battery life is a bit disappointing, and I recommend purchasing the battery adaptor which allows you to recharge the internal battery using 4 AA cells. I have no reason to believe that battery life is any worse than competing units, though.

I already have memory stick devices, so this is a convenient media for me. I'm using a 512Mb stick without problem. Although earlier Sony laptops cannot be upgraded to read these larger sticks, its easy to put MP3s and other data onto the memory stick by using the Import/Export utils. This is a very useful capability in which a TG50 in the cradle can function as a removable drive in Windows.

Its a bit disappointing that only 11Meg of internal memory is available, but in practice, this hasn't proven a problem. Most 3rd party apps support add-on memory. I've put all my BDict foreign language dictionaries on my memory stick, for instance. Those with a large number of applications can even store & run the apps from the memory stick, as long as they use a third party launcher, like SilverScreen.

Speaking of MP3, the player is a bit vanilla, but does a fine job of playing music. Ironically, Sony's proprietary ATRAC3 format is not supported by the Memory Stick Pro standard necessary for 256Mb and larger memory sticks. After experimenting with ATRAC3, I never use it any more, ripping my CDs to MP3 instead. I'm not sure why you'd want to view movies on a dinky little screen like this, but the movie player does work. Its very practical to use a Sony camcorder to store an MPEG on a memory stick and play it back on the PDA. Ripping DVDs is a lot more complex (look to one of the Clie discussion boards for suggestions on how to do it), and I don't have the patience or desire to do it, but I have downloaded and watched about 40 minutes of video, just to prove it could be done.

The jog-dial and backup button on the side of the PDA are quite useful, allowing simple left-hand operation of all the built-in applications and many 3rd party applications. Although the jog-dial was useless on laptops, its perfectly suited to PDA use. When talking on the phone, for instance, I can pull my PDA out of my pocket, flip open the lid, and review my schedule and contact info with my free hand.

Speaking of phones, I do not have a Bluetooth mobile, but I've tested this, and it does connect to the Nokia, so I have every reason to believe that it would integrate well with mobile phones.

I do use Bluetooth to synch with my laptop, which works very well. Its nice being able to travel without needing a synch cable. Also, the TG50 can receive files sent by other Bluetooth devices. It only recognises .VCF and .TXT, asking your permission to store the received object in either an address book entry or memo. An inexpensive 3rd party utility called ReceiveIT will let you add support for additional file extensions, so you could accept JPGs and .DOCs, storing them in the memory stick, if you like.

PicselViewer will let you view either of those types of files. The screen is small for viewing full-sized documents, but in a pinch, you can scroll around and read the whole thing. Its kind of handy sometimes to be able to view PDFs, Word docs, and graphics.

The built-in applications for manipulating bit maps seem pretty weak, and I'm not interested in doing that on my handheld. You can setup a slide show, and given how cheap memory sticks are, its perfectly practical to carry around slide shows showing your family, your vacation, whatever.

The ability to store voice memos was appealing to me, and I do sometimes 'jot down' ideas verbally when it isn't convenient to use the keypad. I have accidentally left the voice recorder running a couple times, but I've trained myself to always leave the Power button in the 'hold' position, so it isn't a big problem.

Although the built-in applications are decent, I'd already been using some 3rd party apps on my Handspring, so I put the latest versions of them on my Sony. All of the following work fine with the Sony, supporting the jog-dial, color, and the high-res screen mode. I launch them one-handed using the row of 4 application buttons across the top of the keypad. Datebook5 for calendar and todos, KeyContact for contact list, and WordSmith for memos and larger documents.

I'm totally pleased with this PDA. Its fast, convenient, attractive, and sturdy. It fits my needs perfectly.

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PRO:

1. Palm OS5, 200 MHz CPU and the built-in keyboard. (Though the keyboard is a bit stiff, I find it prevents me from entering wrong letters.) The size of a notepad (It's 2 7/8 x 5 x 0.5)

2. Voice Recording with Built-in Microphone. One click to start recording and the quality is so SONY.

3. Browsing the web without paying an extra bill. Using Bluetooth enables me to connect to my cell phone (T68i which has built-in modem) and to dialup to Earthlink to get the internet access anywhere in the US. Getting my Earthlink account setup on the Palm and receiving the emails is also effortless.

4. Awesome color display. I can read the web page content without zooming in and scrolling left and right, even in 320 x 320 screen. I don't feel the screen is small at all.

5. MP3 player has three levels of BASS and you can create a playlist. The sound quality is really great and the device has a built-in speaker as well.

6. It¡¦s a TV and VCR remote. Setting up the remote is an ease.

7. Long battery Life. I tried 5 days without charging and it's still going. Also, you can save the battery life when you listen to MP3 by shutting down the screen. (Just switch to HOLD)

CON:

1. Most of the apps haven't been developed for this model yet. Ex: I installed the Document-to-Go that came with PEG-T615C but the text got all smashed together.

2. Little built-in memory. I need to make changes to my Memory Stick when I installed new programs on it.

Conclusion:

This device is designed for users who want to have internet access. Although the speed of the internet access can not be compared to Wi-fi connection, the dial-up speed through cell phone isn't unbearable. Besides, when you have a Wi-fi connection, don't you have a computer close by most the time. On top of which, I could save that extra money for the Wi-fi service for getting a faster connection. All I need is to read some news articles and to receive emails.

Personally, I think this is the best PDA out there. I¡¦ve seen many models and been waiting for this device for a long time; I want a device that is thin and light in my pocket. Having the same size of a 3 x 5 x 0.5 inches notepad, I know I made a right decision. When SONY named it 'Personal Entertainment Organizer', they are absolute right. I really have a lot of fun with this device and yet stay organized.

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Don't get me wrong. This is a wonderful PDA as you would expect from Sony. It's just very confusing at first. Remember when you were first introduced to MS Word. You were glad that it could do everything but were frustrated trying to figure out how. Likewise for this PDA. Sony's approach to OS5 breaks from tradition causing the user to have to find all the essentials( info, delete, copy, screen brightness etc.). It's all there. You just have to page through the manual to find it. And that's just the beginning. Count on being joined at the hip with the instructions for at least the first couple of weeks.

There are two accessories that are a must have with this unita memory stick and a case. You should be aware that this unit is advertised with 16mb of ram. Not so. You only get 11mb. I don't know why. Since this unit has state of the art audio and video (once you figure out how to use it) you will need a memory stick of at least 64mb with 128mb a better choice. You will also need a case.

There is a case made ONLY for this model. It is Sony Pega CA62. It comes in 3 colorsblack, brown and red. ... The case is not leather (polyurethane) but is well made and fits the TG50 like a glove. It really is very nice and worth the price.

Finally, this unit is rather large and heavy. I would not recommend putting it in a shirt pocket no matter how deep. You are tempting fate for losing it. If you want a killer PDA that does everything for a great price then you should consider this unit. Just don't lose the instructions.

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I have only had this PDA for a week and I love it. The color screen is gorgeous. My previous PDA was a trusty Palm IIIx, that had lasted forever, but now I wonder how I survived without a color screen.

It was very simple to get it synched with my Outlook (Exchange Server) using the software that Sony provided. The new "Launcher" menu system that Sony has created for Palm OS 5 has made it so that you can navigate to all the applications with just one hand, no need to fumble with the stylus to open the mp3 player.

Just be sure you purchase a memory stick (try Lexar rather than Sony), otherwise you can't use the mp3 player.

So, if you are looking to spend less than $400 on a PDA this is the one to get.

I bought the TG-50 about a month ago after having my handspring visor for 3 years. I loved the functionality of the palm os and hoped 5.0 would remain simple. Although most of the OS usability survives it does as much as the windows pocket pc. It plays movies beautifully and is easy to convert (if its a file format that the sony convertion software likes, dont like divx for instance) and loading mp3s are pretty easy and sound great. The screen is bright and easy to read and the keyboard is actually faster than graffitti so I rarely even use the stylus. I was disappointed documents to go was not included as this is geared toward the business user whats up with that? What good is being able to view it with their packaged viewer if you cant edit on the road (doesnt replace my laptop unless I buy Doc to go)

pros: Great screen; great price...; FAST 200mhz processor; nice materials, good multimedia capability; easly to sinc up with Windows XP; and Palm 5.0 OS

cons: stylus pops out the bottom pretty easily; no SD slot; no Compact Flash slot; One of the few Clies that doesnt come with Documents to Go; low basic memory (buy a 128K mem stick at least with the clie); the great world clock and calculator prepackaged with older OS no longer avail on 5.0

I would have given 5 stars if it had SD or Compact Flash and slightly better software package.