Last summer I bought myself a used Handspring Visor Deluxe to see if I’d get any use out of a PDA. And I really have, it’s great to write or read stories while on breaks at work. But between myself and the previous owner my little PDA is about ready to be retired.
If I’m going to buy a replacement, I want something with Palm OS v5.2.1 (or more recent) since I know that’s when Palm OS introduced the Memos program which allows for 32kb memos rather than 4kb memos. Aproximately 1/2 of the use I get out of a PDA is through creating memos, so this is something important to the choice I make about which to buy. Both Zire 72 and Tungsten E include that OS version.
When you read the specs they seem similar, but the Zire is about $100 more. (from a store anyway, they’re much more closely priced on ebay for some reason) Does anyone know why that is, or more importantly if the price difference is justified by being far superior? Doing things like taking pictures or playing MP3s are nice, but I tend to think of a PDA as primarily a mini word-processor/e-book reader so if that’s the only major difference…
Anyway, does anyone have any strong recs for either of them? Or comparably priced other types/models of PDA that have the same OS or similar memo function?
I am very unhappy with the T5. While I am sure it is a great machine, it is so Windows-specific that it causes lots of trouble with my Mac. I have fooled with it for a month and am still unhappy with it.
Come by my house and I will give it to you.
Also remarkable is how poor the documentation is and how poor the online support community is.
I have a Zire 71. I love, love, love my Zire very, very much. But I mostly use mine for reading ebooks, keeping track of addresses and dates, listening to audio books, carrying portable copies of knitting patterns, listening to audible.com content, taking the quick picture now and then, storing notes and memos. And occasionally playing solitaire.
I too have a Zire 71; I use it mostly for the calendar/address book features, along with the occasional photo (it doesn’t take pictures of high enough quality to use anywhere beyond the computer screen). It’s worked wonderfully and is very easy to use. Unfortunately I can’t tell you anything about it in comparison to the Tungsten.
I have a Zire 72s. The processor is more than twice as fast as the Tungsten E’s. It’s noticeable when working with big files, like maps, dictionaries, pictures, probably if you’re writing the next Pulitzer winning novel, too.
I’d recommend the Zire 72 over the Tungsten E, unless price is a major factor in your decision.
Reasons:
Zire 72 has Bluetooth. You can transfer files to other devices, play 2 player games over the air, dial-out and sms through a Bluetooth enabled cell phone., HotSync wirelessly to a Bluetooth enabled PC. Although these things are also possible with Infrared, Bluetooth makes it more convenient.
Voice memo. This is a very useful feature, but you probably won’t realize it until you actually start using it. Sometimes writing down stuff onto your device is not as convenient. Sometimes you want to record voices, speeches, lectures, music, phone numbers, etc. and it’s an ultra-convenient feature to have. Especially when you’re driving and can’t be bothered with using the stylus.
Looks. The Zire 72 looks better. Be informed that the blue surface starts chipping off rather easily. They may have fixed that in more recent batches, but I’m not entirely sure.
Camera. Another handy feature to have, but be informed that the Zire 72 camera is rather sucky. The Zire 71 camera is much better.
Buttons. The hard buttons are slightly better on the Zire 72. The Tungsten E has slightly more tacky buttons.
Faster processor. 312Mhz vs. 126Mhz.
While the Tungsten E is the best value for money device in the palmOne stable, the Zire 72 is totally worth the price difference.
I have a Zire 72 and I love it. If you have any further specific questions about either device, feel free to ask.
