PalmOne Tungsten C Handheld

Rating:
Summary: Good functionality, debatable value
Review: We bought a batch of Tungsten C's for our office, and intiially, at least, they were a big hit. I use mine for preparing meeting notes, and I'd have them distributed to my team before they were even back in their offices. My favorite morning coffee-and-muffin stop has an open 802.11b network, and I used my Tungsten C there to review the morning's e-mail and prepare a to-do list.

But after a time we noticed an increasing number of softwware and hardware bugs, along with a number of sporadic, unreproduceable networking errors. At the same time, laptops continued to get smaller, lighter and cheaper, and cell phones started to add calendaring and address book features.

I still carry my Tungsten C when I have to travel as light as possible, but for taking notes at meetings I now prefer my iBook, and for most scheduling, my cell phone. Having an ultralight wireless client is still useful at times, but with laptops available for not much more than a Tungsten C, it's of questionable value.

Rating:
Summary: 8 months later and happy with the T/C
Review: I purchased my T/C as an upgrade from a M505, and a Palm V prior to that. I was very unhappy with the M505s display and limited built in memory vs. various competitors models at the time, but I decided to give palm another try since I had fallen in love with my original palm V. The T/Cs display is excellent, and the 400 mhz processor is really fast. I hated trying to learn graffiti, so the built in keyboard of the T/C is great for me. I am very happy with the built in Wi-Fi, but I like many other users was not happy with the limited abilities of the browser that ships with the T/C. Reluctantly I purchased webpro 3 from palm. It works much better, but cost 39 bucks. For the price of the T/C Palm should include Webpro 3.0 with the T/C as a standard browser. It almost makes you feel like palm is trying to squeeze an extra few bucks out of their customers that use the Wi-Fi feature on a regular basis.
I purchased a large SD card which I use for pictures, video clips from vacations, and music. I think the T/C has one true short fall and thats the mono only audio jack. Most people that purchase the T/C at a premium price will "assume" the speaker jack will be for stereo sound. SURPRISE-its not..If you purchase a 2.5 mono spliter for your standard headphones you can have mono sound in both ears. The sound is fair enough for a PDA, but nearly as good as a true mp3 player. You'll also have to download a PDA player to listen to the music. I downloaded realplayer for palm OS. It works great and its free. "All in All" I think palm has done a good job, but with most of Palms products, "theres room for improvement", which usually means a 2nd generation T/C somewhere in the future...If you purchase the T/C Im sure you'll be satisfied..good luck..

Rating:
Summary: Great product for airplanes, starbucks and wifi access
Review: I bought this primarily bcoz it has wifi access. I have wifi setup at home. This is much easier to use as compared to laptop for quick internet access. I also use it starbucks and airports, as I signed up for tmobile wifi service. I also store work docs etc in this, and use this to browse the docs, while travelling.

I am still waiting for a device that couples mp3 + personal video player + wifi internet access + voip phone + normal cell phone + gps capbilities into one box.

Rating:
Summary: Good product but still v1.0, I would wait a bit
Review: Wireless network at home / office? Launch the web browser on the PDA, and start surfing.

The keyboard is an improvement on the old grafitti system, which is of course still included for those who got the hang of it. I'm also able to surf and type on a colour screen that is as good as anything I have ever seen on a PDA.

Checking emails and going onto the internet is straight forward.

The lack of bluetooth is a concern and if I didn't have wi-fi at home I'd be getting 1/2 my money's worth. I've been able to connect and access every site I want but as with any PDA the experience is not anywhere near what you get on even the smallest notebooks. Having to scroll backwards and forwards to read what is on the screen can be a pain. As is typing in several hundred words, sure it can be done but it will take you twice as long as on your PC, though I suppose it does teach you to be brief!

The documents to go feature it is best to trasfer documents (like price sheets, etc) on the Palm and then access them. Not very handy at writing on Palm and transfering to computer.

Want to know how to get a no cash cost Tungsten C? E-mail me at [e-mail] for more info.

Rating:
Summary: My life is in this little gadget's grasp!
Review: I bought this unit basically to use as a calendar...what a mistake!! THis device is everything that it claims to be...and more! Wi-Fi is so awesome. Find your signal and start surfing! The thumb pad keyboard is a true benefit. Entering with graffiti definitely takes time getting used to, but the thumb pad is a great alternative. The battery life is incredible! I have used this device for documents on the run, databases, class lists, grade books, schedules, to do lists and so much more. The price on these is coming down, and well worth the price paid!!!