Palm Tungsten T PDA (Palm Computing-P80850US)

Palm Tungsten T Review

by Mick Lockey

- WHAT'S HOT: In a bid for power users, Palm fitted its newest PDA with a fast ARM processor and a new, beefed-up operating system--Palm OS 5, which boasts more multimedia muscle and better compatibility with the WiFi and Bluetooth wireless protocols, in addition to increased security (128-bit encryption) for Internet applications. (But the new OS may not work with older applications, so you may have to upgrade them.) Whereas Palm's previous high-end units offered at most 160-by-160-pixel resolution, the Tungsten T offers 320-by-320-pixel resolution, which puts it within the range of "power" PDAs, such as the Sony Clie PEG-NX70V. In our subjective tests for image quality, the unit rendered text and graphics that looked sharp and crisp, even against a bright backlight. The Tungsten T has a solidly constructed case that's cast in a shiny blue-metallic finish that feels as durable as its name implies. Another feature we like: a unique bottom section that slides downward to expose the Graffiti area. Closing it makes the PDA about an inch shorter, saving pocket space. When you extend the section down, the PDA automatically powers up--a thoughtful touch. The sections snap shut securely, so it's unlikely that you'll unintentionally turn the power on.