Palm TX Handheld
by Palm
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Category: CE
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: PalmAudio: English (Original Language)
Platform: Palm OS
Model: 1047NA
Color: midnight blue
Product features:
- Sleek, stylish handheld with 128 MB of flash memory and big 320x480 screen
- Built-in wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi (802.11b) and Bluetooth
- Easily manage email on the road or access files on your office desktop PC
- Expansion slot that supports MMC, SD, and SDIO memory cards
- Palm Desktop Software for Windows and Mac
- Belkin F8U1500 IR Universal Wireless Keyboard
- Freedom Bluetooth Universal Keyboard - 049FRE-KEY / 049FREKEY
- Digital Concepts CR-80 32-In-1 Digital Hub Reader
- SanDisk 2 GB SDSDX3-2048-901 Extreme III SD Memory Card (Retail Package)
- Lexar Media MULTI CARD READER ( RW022-001 ) (Retail Package)
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Palm TX Handheld
Customer Review: Palm TX for the college student
Summary: 5 Stars
When I was graduating and moving on to university my parents decided they'd get me a gift for graduating with honours. I decided that I wanted some sort of handheld device to keep me organized.
After reading tons of reviews on this very website, reading product specs and even visiting office max a few times to talk to the sales clerks, I decided on the Palm TX. I always wondered how a product could have a five star rating from one person, who thinks it's the sexiest thing since sliced bread, but a one star rating from someone else, who thinks the creator of the product should be put to death for crimes against humanity. It all comes down to what you're expecting from your Palm.
The TX has the same (or similar) calendar, address book and to do list features as every other handheld I've seen. I use them all regularly. The reason I picked this one was the things that made it different from all the other handhelds. I was drawn to the WIFI, which was a major selling point for me. So was Documents To Go, as I am an avid reader and writer.
Well, it was over a year ago that I finally got my TX. After about 16 months of use, I feel I'm armed with enough info to write a review now.
When I bought this handheld, it was the only make and model that offered WIFI. I use the WIFI at home and at school most often (a few times at coffee shops or McD's). Though I don't use it often, I have found it indispensable. It's great for when you have to quickly read an email or check something online. It can be slow at times, and aesthetically and kinaesthetically it's an inferior way to browse the web as compared to a desktop or laptop, but anyone expecting otherwise from a handheld device like this is either exceedingly optimistic, or delusional. It works fine for checking figures, reading text and the like.
The only time I use the BlueTooth is when synching my Palm to my computer, which is not very often. I prefer to plug it in to the wall to charge it. I know you can also go online using Bluetooth if you have a web-enabled phone, but I don't, so I've never used this feature.
My computer has a Vista operating system, and the version of Docs To Go that came with my Palm has trouble synching with Vista. The easy way around that is to buy a memory card, and transfer docs manually. There's a new version of Docs To Go (I believe it works with Vista) but I'm a poor college student, and a memory card was cheaper.
I found the to-go version of PowerPoint helpful for studying. Since many profs include PowerPoint in lecture, this made having the Palm nice (colour formatting and some images won't display in the PowerPoints, but the words all work). I also make slides myself and used the Palm as a kind of electronic flashcards for studying in the hall before a test. The only annoying bit is that you can't edit the to-go version of PowerPoint slides on the Palm itself, so you have to edit them on a computer and transfer them over. Still very worth it, and the Word and Excel files CAN both be edited on the Palm itself.
I keep a few photos of my loved ones on there, mostly to bore people with pictures of my dog and my girlfriend. My girlfriend and I are also photographers, so I like to keep a few of my favourite shots on there too. The screen is good for displaying pictures, but it will crop certain edges out when the pic isn't the same size as the screen. The easy way around this is to crop them to the right size/resolution in some photo editing software before putting them on your Palm.
I've heard people complaining about the other media aspects of it (video/mp3), but I doubt many people would actually buy this for that purpose. There are so many MP3 players out there that cost very little, why would you expect to use your Palm as an MP3 player?
To turn it on or off you have to press and hold the power button for a few seconds, and the button is recessed a bit into the device, so this can be tricky if you're trying to hold the Palm and a coffee in your hand while doing it. The case I carry my Palm in is leather too, which just accentuates the recession, but I kind like the fact that it takes a bit of effort to turn it on. It's less likely to go on when jumbling around in my bag full of books, pens and whatnot. I'd rather take two seconds (it's about that, I just timed it) to turn it on, than reach in to use it, and find that it's gone on in there and drained the battery. It takes pressing the power button for four seconds to turn it off.
The battery life is good and still going strong. I've found that using WIFI and BlueTooth drain the battery much quicker, so I turn them off when not using them, which you should do for security reasons anyway. When just playing games, reading/writing, or using any of the typical handheld features, I'm just having to plug it in overnight once every week or two. I'd estimate I average about 2-4 hours of use each day, but only about 10 minutes a week of that is using WiFi.
There's also complaint about some third party software not working on the TX. I've only downloaded a couple of things to my TX (CheckBook, PacMan, BeJeweled, and Diet Assistant) and they all work fine. The Palm website offers most things in trial to download first before you buy them, so I just try things out before spending money on them.
I've had no problem with freezes or crashes yet, so have nothing to say about that.
Overall, the WIFI is why I chose this Palm. If you're not going to use WIFI, there are almost identical ones you can get, still have Bluetooth, and pay about $100 less for them. The WIFI is what makes this Palm stand out, but I expect that those using it for business/academic purposes are the ones that would be happy with it. It's not the greatest for the casual surfer.
Someone who is expecting an overtly visual web browsing experience, video, MP3, games... in short someone who's looking for ENTERTAINMENT rather than organizational properties should perhaps look at an iPod touch. Someone like me who is looking for a handheld ORGANIZATIONal device for business or for school, and is willing to let his iPod do the entertaining, will be very happy with the TX. And someone who can invent a device that can both entertain and organize equally well could become very wealthy indeed.
A few recs on accessories I've found crucial:
1. An SD card - to transfer files to the Palm if they won't work when synching
2. A Krusell Orbit Multidapt leather case - has slots for debit/credit cards, IDs, and two SD cards and has kept my Palm looking pristine, comes with a belt clip.
3. The CheckBook app from the Palm website - I don't even use my paper ledger any more, and since so many places no longer take checks, why carry a big check book? I just stick my CheckCard and drivers Licence in the case and use it as a wallet. It's too bulky for a guy to wear in his back pocket, but I'm a girl and either hold it in my hand like a clutch, stick it in my backpack, or put it in a purse when I carry one. Plus, there's always that belt clip.
Description of Palm TX Handheld
The Palm TX Handheld features 128 MB of flash memory ,Built-in wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi (802.11b) and Bluetooth, Easily manage email on the road or access files on your office desktop PC,Expansion slot that supports MMC, SD, and SDIO memory cards and Palm Desktop Software for Windows and Mac. It also features a high-resolution 320 x 480-pixel screen (with portrait and landscape orientation modes), a fast Intel 312 MHz ARM-based processor, and expansion slot for Secure Digital (SD), MultiMedia (MMC), and Secure Digital I/O (SDIO) cards. The 128 MB of non-volatile flash memory (of which approximately 100 MB is available for files and software) protects your documents and information, even if the device is not charged and the power runs down. And, of course, the Palm TX features Palm's suite of information management applications, the ability to edit Word- and Excel-compatible files, and synchronization with Microsoft Outlook (Windows only).Created for today's fast-paced mobile landscape, the sleekly lightweight Palm TX handheld keeps you connected to your most important data--from email to files stored on your office PC--while you're away from your desktop with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. It also features a high-resolution 320 x 480-pixel screen (with portrait and landscape orientation modes), a fast Intel 312 MHz ARM-based processor, expansion slot for Secure Digital (SD), MultiMedia (MMC), and Secure Digital I/O (SDIO) cards. The 128 MB of non-volatile flash memory (of which approximately 100 MB is available for files and software) protects your documents and information, even if the device is not charged and the power runs down. And, of course, the Palm TX features Palm's suite of information management applications, the ability to edit Word- and Excel-compatible files, and synchronization with Microsoft Outlook (Windows only).
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Wireless Connectivity
Stay connected easily when you're on the go with the built-in Wi-Fi wireless connectivity (802.11b), which enables you to access email and browse the Web at hotspots such as at coffee shops and in airports, or in your office if you have a wireless LAN network. You can even retrieve documents from your main computer with the included WiFile LT software. The Palm TX also comes the following enhancements:
- Added ability for the device to scan for available networks
- Improved connection logic to automatically connect to available compatible networks
- Three steps to easily set up a new network connection
- A free 30-day subscription to all T-Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots
For mobile professionals, the Palm TX provides all the conveniences of managing email on the road. With Wi-Fi access or Bluetooth technology, you can check corporate or campus email as well as personal accounts; download, read and edit a Word or Excel report on the fly; synchronize Outlook contacts, calendar, tasks and memos; and work with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, using VersaMail software, to synchronize email and calendar
Expansion Capabilities
The expansion card slot for MMC, SD and SDIO formats lets you insert a memory card from a digital camera and view photos on the large, color display; you can even can add transitions between photos and present them as a slideshow. The Palm TX handheld's compatibility with SD Cards up to 2GB lets road warriors carry a few favorite home videos and be entertained on long trips.
Support for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF files
With the included DataViz Documents To Go software, you rehearse your PowerPoint presentation discreetly in an airport, make last-minute changes to a Word document, and check the numbers in an Excel spreadsheet and update them on the spot. The Palm TX comes with support for native Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. And with the included Adobe Reader for Palm OS, you can download and view converted Acrobat files.
Multimedia
The Palm TX comes bundled with Pocket Tunes MP3 player for playing music files or Podcasts, which allows you to create and edit play lists, shuffle songs and navigate by album, artist or genre. The Palm TX also includes built-in software for viewing digital photos and video clips. And with MobiTV software (sold separately), you can view a wide range of television programs, including news, sports and entertainment, directly on the Palm TX handheld.
Operating System and Software
Veteran Palm OS handheld users will immediately notice the new Favorites view, which provides easy access to applications, files, and folders. The installed Palm OS 5.4 also introduces the Files application, which enables easy navigation among folders and files. It uses the intuitive and easy-to-learn Graffiti 2 writing software to input data into the handheld (as well as an on-screen keyboard). Windows users can synchronize their calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes with Microsoft Outlook. The Palm OS features the following organizer applications:
- Contacts: Lets you store several addresses for each contact, and with new fields for more phone numbers, multiple e-mail addresses, instant messenger IDs, and Web sites.
- Calendar: Use the new Agenda view to see upcoming calendar events, tasks due, and important e-mail, and color-code your events to provide an easy way to reference your calendar in the Agenda, Day, Week, and Month views. Take more notes, or synchronize more details from your desktop, in the larger Memos and Notes fields.
- Tasks: Use tasks with alarms and repeating tasks to set reminders for important commients.
The Palm TX is compatible with PCs running Windows Windows 2000 (SP4) and XP (Outlook synchronization requires MS Outlook 2000, 2002, or 2003; sold separately), and with Macs running Mac OS 10.2.8 to 10.4.
What's in the Box
Palm TX handheld, flip cover, USB sync cable, power adapter, 3-step setup poster, Graffiti 2 sticker, Software Install CD-ROM with Palm Desktop, Tutorial, Getting Started Guide, User Guide, and bonus software.
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