Sony CLIE PEG-SL10 Handheld

• Palm OS software version 4.1
• DragonBall VZ 33 MHz
• Internal memory 8 MB
• Backlit monochrome display, 320 x 320 pixels, 16 gray scale
• Includes two AAA alkaline batteries, protective cover, installation CD

I have now had my new Sony PEG-SL10 for about 24 hours, and I have to say, overall, I am very impressed.

This is my 2nd PDA my first being a Handspring Visor Deluxe. I wanted something that had a somewhat better display and had better memory expandability. And while color would have been a nice feature to have, it was not something I needed to spend the extra money on.

The hi-res display is really sweet !! Letters are no longer "blocky" looking. It just has a nicer, smoother look to it. The size & weight is fine for me I'm not looking for something that will fit in my wallet and its much smaller than my Visor anyway. The cover is adequate, and I may ultimately opt for a more protective case in the future. The buttons on the front are just fine (a little smaller than the standard Palm or Handspring buttons). Overall, this unit feels solid. I had read an article on another website where people were complaining that the touch screen on this unit wasn't very responsive. Me personally, I did not find this to be the case (but this could be a subjective issue from person to person).

But aside from the new hi-res display, what really drew me to this model was 1) the ability to use standard Sony Memory Sticks, and 2) the Jog Wheel & Back Button on the side this was a brilliant move by Sony to add this to the unit. Its like using the scroll wheel on a mouse. You just scroll to the item you want selected, and then just press the wheel.

My only criticism with this unit does have to do with the display. In a room with softer lighting, the display is a little hard to read. For me, this is minor because I don't mind using the backlight feature. Yeah, using the backlight draws more battery power. But I always keep a healthy stock of batteries in my house anyway and won't mind changing the batteries a little more often. And the display looks GREAT with the backlight on !! But I could see this being an issue with some people.

Compare all the other PDA's on the market in this price class. Personally, I don't think any of them will come close to what you get with this Sony. This price class is typically for the "entry level" PDA. But I do not consider this Sony to be an "entry level" unit. BUT, before you buy this model, I do recommend seeing it firsthand to determine if the display is to your liking, because I can see some people NOT liking it.

Buy Sony CLIE PEG-SL10 Handheld Now

I've owned 4 PDA's in my time, and have had extensive experience with everything from a PalmPilot Professional (my first), to the Handspring Visor Edge (my most recent before the SL10). Here's the scoop:

It does everything that you need it to do. It handles all the software, has enough memory to hold all the dates and addresses you're likely to need, and is *very* compact. It's solidly built (unlike the Handspring units, which feel flimsy and fragile and are flimsy and fragile), very light, and the interface is the standard Palm. It easily fits in a pocket unobtrusively, and is so light you can barely feel it in there.

The jogwheel and back button are *ridiculously* amazing additions to the interface, and I can honestly say that while I thought it was kind of gimmicky in the past (the jogwheel has been featured on many Sony products), now that I'm using it, it's downright indispensable. It allows for excellent one-handed operation.

It's b&w, but colour, in my experience, is pretty useless in a PDA (except to suck battery life). The screen is clear, crisp, high-res, and is clear in all lighting conditions. The backlight is also excellent, and provides clear operation in near-dark to dark conditions.

Graffiti recognition seems to be enhanced, perhaps because of the higher-res screen. I find that there's less backspacing (if at all), even when powering through notes. It comes with an excellent set of included software, most of which is utterly useless for the most part, but with a few gems (the drawing program is quite nice). Also, the memory-stick utilities are excellent.

The memory-stick capabilities are also yet another compelling quality in this PDA. You really will be hard-pressed to use the 8mb of onboard RAM, but why pay more for 16mb when you have near-infinite storage? Very nice.

All of this for around [price]. There's simply nothing on the market that can compete at that price-point. Honestly, this PDA competes with *much* higher-priced units for sheer usability and convenience. It fills a niche for a disposable PDA; I'm not afraid to lose it or handle it (unlike a [price] PDA, where it's a ritual to use, and you're always afraid that it'll break, or fall, or whatever.) If anything happens to it, your data is backed up and you simply pick up another one. At that price, it becomes a secondary data-retrieval device, much like a cel phone, instead of a high-priced toy.

The only caveat is that it's battery-operated (as opposed to the Lithium Ion rechargeables out there.) Personally, I'd prefer a rechargeable, but it adds a *lot* more weight, and the unit lasts a good two weeks with constant use, so it's not bad.

For an excellent PDA with functionality, convenience, and style, the SL10 is, in my opinion, the finest choice on the market. After a month of operation, I am both impressed and happy with my decision to purchase this unit.

Read Best Reviews of Sony CLIE PEG-SL10 Handheld Here

That's correct, this is the last PDA made to run on AAA batteries. All future ones would be running on a propreitary Lithium Ion battery. LiIon dies in 2 yrs time leaving you with a dead PDA. And replacing LiIon batteries is not easy or economical either. Yeah I know the technology changes a lot with time, but to throw away a working device just because its battery died is stupid. (All cell phone & laptop makers sell replacements for their battery packs, why not PDA makers?)

So after that rant about LiIon batteries back to the PDA review. The major pro's are,

1. Low price and still good build quality.

2. Looks good, small size, light weight and a very nice flip cover included.

3. Jog dial and memory stick expansion slot.

4. HiRes display and backlight (unlike Zire).

5. 6-7 hrs of battery life on a pair of NiMH AAA with backlight on all the time. AAA batteries can be found in easily in most stores for replacement.

6. Runs Palm OS 4 which has zillion free apps available and is very easy to use unlike Windows based PDA's.

7. Good set of bundled applications.

8. Comes with a simple non-propreitary USB cable. No bulky charger, cradle or other stuff to worry about on trips.

Con's,

1. The LCD is a bit dark for use in medium lighting conditions (although good in bright and in dark).

2. Eats batteries much faster than old Palm's which ran like weeks on a single set.

3. No other fun stuff like mp3 or color screen, but then look at its price!

In short if you want to get a PDA which will do basic stuff and keep running for a few yrs get a SL10 (found only refurbished or on ebay). All the new color PDA's will come with a LiIon battery which becomes a pain after one year of use when their charge capacity decreases. (Other AAA based ones that can be still found are Visor Edge/Deluxe and Palm iiixe.)

Want Sony CLIE PEG-SL10 Handheld Discount?

I've used the SL10 since almost the day it came out, after testing the Clie NR70V and other high-end handhelds, and I appreciate the features packed into this affordable device.

The 320x320 resolution makes it possible to carry decent black-and-white photos with the included image apps, and its processor is fast enough to handle most tasks. Like most PalmOS 4.x-based machines, it drags on high-intensity apps like XMap Street Atlas USA.

I bought this machine because of its low price tag (considering its specs) and the fact that it still took AAA batteries. I'm awful about remembering to recharge my devices, so I appreciate being able to pop into a drug store when my charge is running low. The batteries don't last as long as they did in my Palm III or IIIx, but then I'm asking this one to do a lot more, too, and I'm a heavy alarm user. I typically get 2-3 weeks out of a single pair.

This is not a PDA with all the cutting-edge bells and whistles, but it's a solid business machine at a price that won't make you feel guilty for upgrading more often. The included software has some good apps along with the junk. I highly recommend it.

I just got this a week ago and it is awful, when compared to what else is available. Sony's CLIE line is awsome, but this model is the lowest of their low. The screen is hard to see under less than perfect light conditions, even with the lime green backlight (I was expecting white, as it says on Sony's website, appearently a different letter at the end of the model number was the difference here). I got a Sony CLIE PEG 615-C and the difference is huge. Add a color screen to the CLIE's 320 x 320 and you have a beautiful display that is easy to read. I only paid 229 for it at Costco, so the color screen, extra memory, rechargable internal lithium battery, and cradle (this is a more useful feature than you would think, especially after using the SL10's USB cord) were well worth the extra 100 dollars. The SL 10 features are awsome (far better than anything you could get in another similarily priced PDA) and the 320x320 is impressive even on this monochrome screen. If you are willing to pay a little more, what you get in return is more than worth it. If you must stick with a ceiling price around $130, I would take this one over a PALM model any day, as it's screen resolution and included features are superior by far. Ultimately however, you can do better by paying a bit more. It's been worth it in my opinon.