- Bright, 320x320 transflective TFT color display supports more than 65,000 colors
- 312 MHz Intel PXA270 processor, Palm OS v5.2.8, 32 MB RAM (24 MB actual storage)
- Integrated 1.2 MP digital camera that also shoots video
- Expansion slot that supports MMC, SD, and SDIO memory cards
- Palm Desktop Software for Windows and Mac and Software Essentials CD included
Important to me, the Zire 72 has Palm's suite of information management applications and the ability to edit Wordand Excel-compatible files and synchronize with Microsoft Outlook (Windows only). This is one reason I got the Palm; my Blackberry is not good as a PDA and I love the easy-to-use and fast PalmOS.
The Zire 72 features:
1-megapixel image resolution (1280 x 960 pixels
32 MB of memory --64 MB in the special edition
Video capture with sound
Digital
Voice recording capability.
Wireless Bluetooth connectivity to connect to the PC or your Bluetooth-enabled phone
4.8 ounces wieght
Palm OS 5.2.8 Operating System
Software
USB cable for linking to PC
Slot for SDI memory card
16-bit 320x320 TFT screen capable of 65,000 colors.
Capabilities Rundown:
PIM and software:
Zire 72 features Palm's suite of information management applications for expenses and note, and it has the ability to edit Wordand Excel-compatible files and synchronize with Microsoft Outlook in Windows. Our own company email system will support the Palm and Pocket PC while it will not be supporting the Blackberry Enterprise System anytime soon. So the Outlook support is very important.
Bluetooth:
The Bluetooth seems designed for devices to enable mobiles, LAN and PC connections to give web capability. It would be clunky, in my view, to connect via a cell phone, so I'd love to see WiFi. But this feature can be added with a $99 card put into the SDI slot. Bluetooth is not as easy to configure; the set-up wizard seemed to be a bit difficult and there are only a few cell phone models included in the preset configurations. If you can get the 72 connected, you can use it to dial numbers, send SMS, MMS and e-mail, and browse the web using the Web Pro 3.5. Or you can opt for a WiFi card and surf at MacDonalds and Starbucks. Phones that are listed:
Sony-E T68i
Sony-E T610
Nokia 6310i
Nokia 3650
Siemens S56
Not a super list.
For PC interfacing or Palm-to-Palm there still is an infrared port.
Egonomics:
Complaints were made about the blue paint on the regular edition flaking off. I have the special edition with the silver body and this is not an issue. The control is a rectangular navigating button. The screen has the familiar Palm division between screen and stylus pad below. The Graffiti 2 was easy to use--the letters are almost exactly like written print, as long as you know where to begin the the letter, but that's practically intuitive. The sensitivity and accuracy of the stylus-pointing is a huge improvement over the very early Palms like the PalmV.
My system came with a Cordura nylon case, very nice quality and a huge improvement from the old flimsy leatherette flaps of early days. Without a case, you have to get something to cover the screen. The stylus is the same type of rod that attaches to the side by sliding into a slot.
MP3:
You need a SDI card (Secure Digital card) to load MP3 songs with RealPlayer onto the system for playing back with MP3. These are not hard to find, you may even have one floating around the house (we did.) Drag-and-drop songs onto the card on your PC, put card in Palm and go. There is a headphone jack.
There are "speakers" (tiny) and a voice recorder. Great for memos.
Camera:
The 1.2 megapixel camera has onboard adjustments for contrast and light (I needed to take down the exposure for a shot of my deck at dawn.) Digital zoom. No cover for the camera lens. The resolution was ok. The memory will hold about 85 shots, and you can move them to the SDI (optional) card. No flash.
Software:
The installation CD comes with Adobe Acrobat Reader for Palm, plus a calculator, a reader-Documents To Go which allows you to read Microsoft Word and Excel. It's recommended to download AvantGo to add internet features. Sites such as www.palmsource.com, www.freewarepalm.com, www.palmgear.com, www.download.com have many free or inexpensive applications for the PalmOS.
There is no manual, it's on the CD.
Summary:
For a PDA, this is about perfect. To be perfect, they'd have to include WiFi and or a better phone setup list for the Bluetooth. I am quite thrilled with the Zire 72--it does what I want it to do, mainly be a PDA and keep my appointments and handle some data. The camera and MP3 are nice for travel.
Buy PalmOne Zire 72 Special Edition Handheld Silver Now
I am in love with my new Zire 72 PDA... BUT... I bought the special edition because I read all the reviews about the paint rubbing off the regular, blue Zire 72. I have had my PDA for just over a week now, and already the painted lettering on the top ('palm one' and 'zire 72') has cracked and mostly rubbed off. It's not a big deal -the unit is user friendly and works great, and it still looks nice, but I can't believe that this $300 item already looks worn when it is almost brand new and has been used carefully and moderately. Still a great choice, I think, but just a warning...Read Best Reviews of PalmOne Zire 72 Special Edition Handheld Silver Here
Zire 72 is an excellent device with minor problems. For the price its a bargain and will ensure Palm's market share stays high.Pro's,
1. Its a Palm, with a stable version of Palm OS.
2. Looks good and feels solid in hand.
3. Superb screen and extremely clear.
4. mp3 playback is very good.
5. Uses standard mini USB jack, not propreitary Palm connector.
6. Fast performance. Don't compare raw MHz between PDA's, this one's faster than 400MHz PPC's.
7. Available memory is a lot for a Palm.
8. Good software bundle and Bluetooth (chear up Sony Ericsson or Powerbook users)!
9. Speaker is suprisingly good at playing mp3's (64kpbs sounds great).
10. Camera is better than cell phone ones, 1.2 mega pixel.
11. Stylus is very ergonomic.
12. Silver looks better than blue edition, IMO.
Con's,
1. Down button is hard to press, ironically that's the most used button on Zire 72. The 5 way navigator is poorly designed and cheap plastic.
2. Case is slippery (on positive side it looks like the paint won't come off like on the blue edition).
3. Battery life is just slightly better than Pocket PC's, needs charging frequently.
4. Included charger is not a world charger and is bulky.
5. No bluetooth or Wifi but atleast it has SDIO slot.
6. Weak alarm sounds (think this can be fixed?) and no vibrate only mode.
7. Packaging in plastic box is tough to open and not eco-friendly.
8. Battery is not user replaceable. (dead Palm after 2 years? but same with most PDA's)
Overall Zire 72s is an excellent device and you can't go wrong with this one. Much more easier to use and reliable (Palm OS) than PPC's. Highly recommended!
Want PalmOne Zire 72 Special Edition Handheld Silver Discount?
The Zire 72 silver Special Edition version I purchased last month has proved its worth on a daily basis. The PDA starts up instantly, more quickly than my old Dell Axim, and is overall very quick and responsive and easy to navigate for calendaring and contacts. Games play very smoothly, and the display is crisp and bright under most lighting conditions. The camera and video recording capabilities are fun and entertaining extras that are handy for the occasional spontaneous and candid snapshots of my friends. And I purchased the Tom Tom Bluetooth Navigation kit, which transforms it into a very effective navigation system for my car. The voice recorder, which isn't even available on the flagship Tungsten T5 is very useful too I can easily capture lectures, meeting minutes, everything right onto the 512MB SD memory card I use with my Zire. Its truly a definitive 'digital assistant' in every sense of the term. Very good buy I highly recommend it.
Some in the web suggest overclocking programs to fix the problem. I've tried these and no matter what setting I've tried, the noise DOES NOT go away. Only the pitch changes somewhat. Hours wasted.
If you have this problem CALL PALM AND DEMAND A FIX!! They are well aware of this problem and sell these defective products anyway. THEY HAVE TO HEAR FROM THEIR UNHAPPY CUSTOMERS, and maybe they would finally do something.
Zire 72 otherwise performs as expected. It would otherwise get a 4 star from me.
No comments:
Post a Comment