Sony CLIE PEG-T615C/S Handheld (Silver)

Very similar in design to Sony's previous color model, the Clié PEG-T615C features the same Jog Dial button, allowing for easy, one-handed navigation around applications. The scroll buttons have been replaced with a tiny rocker switch, which doesn't function as easily as the original buttons. Also, the included flipover screen protector does have a tendency to detach from the unit a bit too easily.

The Memory Stick slot has been retained, allowing for increased expandability. Battery life runs at about 15 days before a recharge is required, though this does depend entirely on how much you use the PDA.

The PEG-T615C has lots of little pluses that make it stand out from the rest. It sits in the cradle nicely and it doesn't make a horrible crunching sound when it's removed, unlike some PDAs. Clié-specific applications such as the AV Remote Commander, World Alarm (which allows you to use your own sound files), Sound Utility, and Clié Paint are fun to play around with. Those of you wanting to do some serious work will be pleased with Documents To Go and Intellisync Lite. The latest version of the Palm OS includes easier data entry and enhanced security and mobile connectivity.

However, the standout feature on the PEG-T615C has to be the high-resolution screen--the images are sharp and detailed, while the text is supersmooth. It makes other PDA displays look positively archaic.

With its bright color screen, superior sound quality, and supersleek body, the PEG-T615C is probably the best (and sexiest) Palm OS-based PDA on the market at the moment and well worth your consideration. --Martin Snelling

Pros:

• Bright, high-resolution color screen
• 16 MB of memory that's expandable with Memory Sticks
• Superslim
• Fun Sony add-on programs

• New rocker switch replacing scroll buttons not as functional
• Flip screen protector detaches too easily

The Sony Clié PEG-T615CS features 16 MB of RAM and a high-resolution TFT color display that's great for showing off your pictures to friends and coworkers. Use the PEG-T615CS as a remote control for audio and video components using its enhanced infrared port and Clié Remote Commander software.

The Sony Clié handheld runs on the proven, reliable Palm operating system, which means it comes complete with all the standard Palm OS applications you need for organizing your life. It comes with Date Book, To Do List, Memo Pad, Mail, and Expense tools, and the Sony-enhanced Address Book that enables you to add photos to your contacts.

It also features a wide range of fun and productivity applications, including StreetFinder Express from Rand McNally for interactive maps, Vindigo city guides, Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard and Pocket Gourmet, and games such as Zap!2016, Acid Solitaire, and Race Fever. Plus, the Clié is fully compatible with thousands of Palm OS add-on applications available for download.

Connect to your PC and synchronize your contacts and date book using the included USB cradle. You can also beam information to other Palm OS handheld owners using the IrDA infrared port.

The Sony Clié PEG-T615 comes with a number of exclusive Sony features. The Jog Dial navigator allows you to access images, phone numbers, notes, even video clips, while keeping your other hand free. And you get virtually unlimited data storage with Sony's Memory Stick removable media. Transfer digital content between your Clié handheld and other Memory Stick-compatible products, including digital cameras, digital camcorders, and PCs. The PEG-T615 can also be used to remotely control audio and video products up to 15 feet away using its enhanced infrared port and Remote Commander software.

The Sony Clié is compatible with Microsoft Windows 98, 98 SE, 2000 Professional, and Me, and connects to your PC using the USB port. It comes with a USB HotSync cradle (which also charges the lithium-polymer battery), detachable AC adapter, stylus, and a protective cover.

What's in the box

• Clie handheld
• USB HotSync cradle
• AC adapter
• Stylus
• Protective cover
• Installation CD-ROM
• Application manual
• Read This First
• Registration Notice
• Graffiti sticker
• End User License Agreement
• Limited Warranty Statement

With the T615 the battery situation is much different. With luck I can get maybe four hours of use out of one charge. I have a cradle at work, but I had to buy an additional cradle for home, which was around $50. I needed that just so I could use the thing on the weekend, otherwise the battery would die. In other words, with the T615 you are almost tethered to the cradle, because the rechargeable battery life is so short.

The other thing is that the battery discharges even when you don't use it. For example, if the battery is about half-charge and you don't use it for a week, the next time you turn it on, the battery will be completely dead. I mean dead to the point that all the information you had on the device is gone. With the older monochrome Palm, I suppose that could happen were you to leave dead batteries in it for months. But I never saw it happen. But with the Clie, I would say that it happens every few months.

But here's where the memory card is useful. I back up everything on the memory card all the time so that when the thing dies I can simply restore from the card.

One the one hand, you don't want to use the thing too much because you run the battery down so fast. But if you don't use it the battery runs down anyway. So you get the worst of both worlds. "Why not just keep it in the charger," you ask? Well, I do, but the care and feeding of my PDA does not form a very large part of my consciousness, and I forget to do that sometimes. Again, with the older Palm, battery life almost didn't matter because the battery life was so good.

I find that the Clie is so unreliable that I mostly use the PC software that comes with it. Any more I just use the Clie as a kind of expensive backup storage device in case something were to happen to the PC -- kind like a jump drive with a screen.

The good thing about the Clie is that it has a very lovely and clear screen -- a beautiful screen that, because of the short battery life, you won't see very often.

So learn from my experience, and understand that if your PDA doesn't have good battery life, the other features don't mean very much.


FAILED AFTER ONE YEAR, so did my brothers!   December 21, 2003
 5 out of 14 found this review helpful

Hi guys,

Me and my brother were both so excited buying this when it came out. It failed for both of us after one year!. Anyhow I will never buy Sony again. However, my brother did and im pretty sure his latest Sony will fail again. Sony has such awesome designs but poor quality in this line of product!


Miss WLC   April 25, 2003
 2 out of 10 found this review helpful

Good Toy! Does everything and some more! It's cute, too - I like that. My co-workers get jealous when I pull it out in meetings to take notes and check my schedule. My friends get jealous when I pull it out to play games and read the newspaper. Hahahahaha! It holds tons of information and I wish I had one years ago!


did I have a lemon?   April 24, 2003
 10 out of 14 found this review helpful

I have been a long time palm user....wanted the color, so went with Sony. Short battery life, power button in a bad place, turned on "by itself", and died frequently, poor instructions, and then the backlite died. Would certainly not buy again.