Sony PEG-T665C CLIE PDA (Sony-PEGT665CU)

Sony Clie PEG-T665C

PEG-T665C CLIE PDA (Sony-PEGT665CU) Review, by Mick Lockey January 10, 2003

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• Reviewed by: sactolono

  Overall: The T665C employs a 66MHz Motorola DragonBall Super VZ processor, which keeps the bundled audio and video apps moving, and 16MB of RAM. (Older Palm OS PDAs tend to have 33MHz processors and 8MB.) That 16MB is likely to be more than you need for storing calendar, contact, and to-do-list info, but if you plan to load up lots of third-party applications, you'll appreciate the extra capacity. There's also a Memory Stick slot on the top of the unit to add even more memory for storing MP3s, video clips, and other data. The other significant internal improvement is the addition of an audio player, which has good sound quality and even sports a bass-boost function. However, the player suffers from a few quirks: while it is compatible with both MP3 and ATRAC3 files stored on a Memory Stick, it can't play tunes stored in system memory, making the purchase of an expansion card nearly mandatory. Also, you'll quickly discover that the bundled SonicStage software that Sony provides for shuttling music between the PC and the CLIE isn't worth your time. The software works with only the Open MG Memory Sticks, but ironically, there's nothing open about Sony's draconian copy-protection scheme. However, by using the bundled Microsoft Import application, you can easily drag and drop MP3s from your PC to a Memory Stick. The hold switch on the side turns off the screen, extending playback time from 1.5 hours to more than 4 hours. Aside from audio apps, there's a lot more software to be found on the included CD, though many titles are trial or demo versions. Worthy of special mention are Documents To Go Standard Edition for working with Word and Excel files and Margi's Presenter-to-Go, which plays PowerPoint slide shows. If you're looking for something a little more fun, there's also Sony's signature gMovie (a video player) and PictureGear Pocket (an image viewer) to show off the high-resolution screen. With CLIE Paint, you can draw freehand or on top of photos that are stored on the device. As an added bonus, Sony includes remote-control software so that you can use your PDA to command your home-theater gear, although we didn't like using the stylus to navigate the menus on our TV. Our only serious gripe with the CLIE software is the absence of Mac support; you can, however, buy third-party Mac software at an extra cost

• Reviewed by: anderman

  Strengths: This is a fantastic PDA. It is the second one that I have owned, the first one also being a SONY. The screen is excellent, MP3 playback is great, and the included software is great for starters.

  Weaknesses: No ability to use a memory stick larger than 128MB, now that they are available. But if you have a SONY digital camera, you can put the memory stick right in the PDA and take a look at your pictures.

  Overall: I have found this PDA to be very easy to learn to use. The documentation that came with it did not explain everything, but that is what all the great Palm OS related websites are for. I have not had too many issues with programs not working with it or locking it up, but it has happened once or twice. I would definitely recommend to this anyone who is looking to purchase something a little better than an introductory PDA.

• Reviewed by: tcmrtalk

  Strengths: Ease of handling and ease of viewing are the two features that impressed me most.

  Weaknesses: I found the manual sorely lacking in explanation and organization.

  Overall: I have given this PDA a high rating in spite of a bad experience. My first one crashed and lost all data. Since it was on two of my computers, that was not a problem. (I would have given it 5 stars had it not crashed.) Fortunately, I had purchased it from NewEgg.com which has the best customer service I have seen. Monday I sent the PDA (only) back to them. Tuesday, one week later, I received a brand new unit complete with all the attachments.

• Reviewed by: Monasmom

  Strengths: Wonderful screen. Small, lightweight, but still feels substantial. Ability to play MP3 files. Great resolution for digital pictures. Fast.

  Weaknesses: Biggest weakness is Sony Support. Plus, the Sony Palm Desktop lacks Palm Desktop programs that ship with Palms; i.e. no Expense or Note Pad for handwritten notes.

  Overall: I replaced a Palm IIIC with this handheld. Initially, I was not particularly interested in the MP3 play-back abilities. Mostly I wanted a better screen, a faster processor, more memory, and the ability to use a flash memory card of some kind. The Clie T665C does all that and does a great job of playing MP3s. I get well over 90 minutes of music on a single 128 Memory Stick. The biggest drawback is in Sony Support. I had trouble migrating my old programs from my Palm IIIC to the Clie T665C. Neither the manual that came with the Sony nor the Sony Support web site were much use. One paragraph buried deep in the Support site recommended just manually moving the files from the old Palm folder into the new Sony Handheld folder on my PC. Big mistake. The audio playback program on my Sony promptly stopped working properly. It took me a month to sort it out with Sony, and involved weeks of e-mails to Support, having to send it back to Sony, then waiting weeks to get it back...meanwhile receiving a bill for the repairs, which should have been under warranty. Many phone calls and many different agents later, I have the Clie back and the charges dropped. If you get any Sony Clie to replace another Palm based handheld, be aware that you will have to get rid of every trace of the old Palm desktop, and will have to reload all your programs from scratch. But you will be glad if you do. This is a great little handheld.

• Reviewed by: drumrjg

  Strengths: Design is fantastic, Small works with Sony Cameras etc

  Weaknesses: Not for APPLE PRODUCTS

  Overall: Clie currently is NOT COMPATIBLE with APPLE Computers. Despite using PALM Software, Sony provides NO Software for Apple Computers. You can PURCHASE without a Moneyback Guarentee the Missing Sync software BUT if you use OS9, it does NOT work with Palm Desktop V4. If you want to avoid needless hassles, purchase a Palm or Handspring- until Sony decides to acknowledge Apple Exhists.