Positions of Palm on the market recently, quite cradle. Despite the fact that handheld computers continue to be issued, new items come with the same regularity, market share continues to fall. And events such as, for example, buying a Japanese company PalmSource or view public communicator Treo based on Windows Mobile does not contribute to the strengthening of the very market positions. And software developers are gradually pulled away to the side of Microsoft - in a clan and Pocket PC market is larger and clearer perspective. However, the Army Fan Palm is still quite large, and each new model appears on the cheers, even despite the fact that surprises most of these new items are rarely pleasing. Regular Pocket PC hi-end level of the Palm was officially launched in October, and before Russia got recently. He called the Palm T | X. Despite the sonority of the names of Tungsten and Zire, marketing companies have decided to give them up so that only the first letters of - «T» and «Z». Short and sweet.
Specifications: - Opertsatsionnaya System: Palm OS Garnet 5.4
- Processor: Intel XScale PXA 270 312 MHz
- Screen: Color TFT transflective, resolution - 320x480 pixels
- Memory: 128 MB Flash-ROM (available to the user 100 MB)
- Memory Expansion: SD / MMC / SDIO
- Wireless Interfaces: Bluetooth, IrDA (infrared), Wi-Fi (802.11)
- Battery: non-removable lithium-ion battery 1250 mAh
- Dimensions and weight: 121 x 78 x 15 mm and 149 g
Closest competitors in the new Palm T | X - a little bit. So, still in the ranks Palm Tungsten T5, wherein c last in the long run only the lack of Wi-Fi. In addition, a small competition can make Palm LifeDrive, which, inter alia, has another and rather capacious 4 GB hard drive. Compare Palm and Pocket PC is now somewhat incorrect, but the closest competitor I can see a model of the HP iPAQ rx1950, well, probably, HP iPAQ hx2190 or hx2490. The latter, of course, do not go to any comparison of design and size of body, but in this comparison, we consider only the functionality. We remind you that compare all these PDAs can use the "Compare devices" in the "Catalogue of the CPC on HPCru.
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| Palm T | X and Tungsten T5: Find the differences |
Design
Palm packaged in a standard small box, which has already become hallmark Palm. Perhaps these cases - the most compact on the PDA market.
Inside the package as anything new does not surprise you. If a complete set of Korean, Chinese or Japanese PDA can still count on the pleasant surprises such as headphones, headsets, cunning cheholchika, a film on the screen, and in some cases even a memory card, the complete set of Palm T | X is very ascetic and the only brand overkill can only be called Replacement plug-in nozzle adapter. However, if you're not a traveler, then you have this advantage seems very doubtful, and in most modern hotels already have an adapter underneath all the most frequently used electrical plugs. Also in the box, between artful cardboard dividers can find the power adapter, USB-cable (again, not a cradle!), Leather cap at the screen, all sorts of literature, flavored with CD-ROM itself Palm T | X, - a hero of our review.
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Appearance Palm T | X has remained virtually unchanged since the Tungsten T5. The developers kept the hull shape, location and layout of controls - just changed the logo and color. Now CCP black with deep blue glow. Even despite the fact that the coating and made with a hint of metallic, it does not hide the fact that the body - plastic. In this case, however, has its advantages: bright metallic coating is very "loved" wipe oneself under the protective cover, and the machine has gained a rather sleazy shabby appearance.
Housing novelty - are very slim, sleek and lightweight, built on a light, slightly curved lines, looks great, fits in your hand easily, easily fits in your pocket. All items fit perfectly, the gaps are minimal. In English, such an assembly is called a «solid». This CCP does not want to put into the case - is enough light standard cover for the screen, or else lose the ease and elegance of design.
Controls
Controls Palm T | X is not rich, or rather their - as much as you need. Under the screen are four main hardware buttons, among them - large and comfortable five-way joystick - a crown design thought. I have to say, more convenient joystick for PDAs I've never met, probably because this design element is so well taken root in the design of handheld computers from Palm.
Further, it is worth mentioning the power button located at the top and the reset button - on the back.
Slot for SD memory cards side by side with the headphone jack and is located in the upper part of the CCP. There is also and an infrared port. Slot for just one, but supported the two most common to date format - SD / MMC, as well as function SDIO, making it possible to use the supplies on the basis of SD. Palm T | X simply works with cards up to 2 GB. Consent, this amount is enough to store any data, especially if you prefer to listen to music or watch videos.
Built-in PDA - exactly the same as that of the Tungsten T5 and LifeDrive - the latest models from Palm. The connection is arranged so that Synchronization cable and connect the charger separately. That's not bad, because both the cable can be transported separately, and no charge is tied to synchronization.
"Boca" Palm T | X does not contain any controls.In the left side of the groove in which to insert a protective cover for the screen. In the right - an open slot for the stylus. Perot fixed it pretty solidly, so that you can not worry about its safety.
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On the case of T | X has no additional indicator LEDs. In my opinion, this is wrong. Especially, the LED - a cheap item, a small design it is difficult to spoil, but the benefits from it - disproportionately. For example, I want to be aware of, not including the screen, my PDA is charging or not, and if I still show that I have activated one or another wireless protocol, thankfully I will not be a limit. All of this users T | X denied. Not in T | X and a microphone. And the most interesting thing is that judging by the rather convincing rumors, schemes, and even video footage, support audio recording device is, you just solder a microphone. I think that soon the service by adding features recordings of these PDAs may well be on the market - the demand for it will suffice.
Hardware power
Processor
Palm T | X equipped with an Intel XScale PXA 270, operating at a frequency of 312 MHz. This processor is slower than the previous model, Tungsten T5, the processor which issued 416 MHz. We use a slower processor, there are two obvious advantages: reducing the total price of the device and save battery power. Frankly, reducing the frequency at work affects slightly. Applications opened without delay, interruption in playing music is not noticeable, even if the PDA is busy in parallel multiple tasks (such as playing music in parallel with viewing the photos). As for the video clips are supported up to 450 kb / c - in my opinion, is worthy.
Memory
Like most late-model Palm, T | X is equipped with non-volatile flash memory, 128 MB, 114.8 MB of which are available to the user. This volume should be quite enough for the job, but for entertainment - video, music, photos, - have, perhaps, to get a memory card.
Screen
The front panel is not, rather decorate a great big display diagonal of 3.8 "resolution of 320x480 pixels. It's the same screen, which is equipped with a Tungsten T5 and LifeDrive. Matrix really good: bright, even in comparison with the HP iPAQ hx4700 at an altitude summed, and clearness, and depth of display colors. readability both indoors and outdoors is fine. I do not really like the short range of adjustment of illumination (from time to time, especially at night, I want to minimize the brightness, not to tired eyes). Moreover, just off backlight is simply impossible. But on the whole claim in this respect to the screen have not arisen.
Communication
Palm T | X is equipped with all modern wireless modules - IrDA, Bluetooth 1.1 and Wi-Fi (802.11b). Perhaps the presence of Wi-Fi - is the main component that differentiates it from the Tungsten T5. Connection Manager is very convenient, and most importantly - simple.
When enabled handheld scans the neighborhood in search of access points and displays the found list. Select the desired point, enter a password and work.
Bluetooth Manager zamorochen little more, but not because of the fact that the program was conceived, but simply setting themselves there anymore.
Here, incidentally, is also nothing has changed compared to previous models, Palm - the same Connection Wizard where you can choose something to work with - with your phone, PC or access point, a small icon on the bottom status bar.
Naturally, the CPC will work with GPS receivers and Bluetooth-enabled keyboards. I managed to connect to a PC to work on the Internet through the Sony Ericsson K750i, but the file with the Pocket PC for some reason failed to pass - Oshibochka connection went out.
Tests
Battery
Battery - hotel a sore point. To begin with, it is not removable. When designing a handheld engineers were guided by the simple fact that this design allows you to keep slim body machine. I do not know how anyone, but I would, almost without looking, he waved his hand at a little more than a full case, in exchange for the possibility of quick-change battery somewhere on the road. In fact, Palm promises up to five days of work on one battery charge T | X with capacity of 1250 mAh. Promises - promises, but we decided to double-check.
I began to re-examine the standard for HPCru as follows: - in read mode program MobiPocket Reader with automatic scrolling speeds 26-28 characters per second
- While playing MP3 files from internal memory program RealOne Player (display off)
- a video playback program Kinoma Player (320x320) test movie with a stream 640 kbit / s of memory
Everything will be done before the first warning about battery discharge. The results were slightly better than the Tungsten T5, but still quite disappointing. Thus, the average music fan can listen to music around 9 o'clock, then battery power he will remain only on what to see in a notebook a couple of phones. Fans will be able to read does not deny yourself the pleasure just 5 hours and 15 minutes at full illumination, and 7 hours and 30 minutes at a minimum. Continuous video view puts the battery in 5 hours and 45 minutes at a minimum illumination and for 4 hours and 15 minutes at maximum. But if you want to listen and read simultaneously, then count to 4 hours with little penny - would be enough to occupy themselves during the mid-flight on an airplane. In addition, keep in mind that using a wireless protocol "eat off" for about 20-30% of the time, and it turns up a little insulting. Perhaps the battery - again, the weakest point of the new Palm. Personally, my appetite for such figures are not satisfied in any way.
Performance
I must say I am not a fan of tests. All these diagrammki me virtually nothing to say and not because I do not know how to read, but because they do not want. I think it all depends on well-written software, and the difference in milliseconds at the opening of a document I have not really care about - in the paper, I feel it is unlikely. However, as instituted by HPCru, picking up a PDA and install it a number of test programs, I got here such data.
The most revealing turned diagrammka created application Speedy 6.1.There is clearly visible difference in performance, even compared c Palm Zire 72, which I could not wait. But Benchmark 3.1 gives us a nice picture and makes you feel that you have in hand is really a mobile monster, well, if you ignore the fact that is taken as the standard Palm IIIc.
Subjectively, the same can be said that the performance of Palm T | X - completely level. Even though the claimed reduction in processing power, video is played very fast, complaints to the speed of execution was not. I think if Palm TX does not compare directly with the more powerful kornkurentami, its speed will satisfy everyone.
Program Power
Describe a set of programs on PDA running Palm OS Garnet 5.4, I think, no longer makes sense, as this has long been known to users. However, wishing to learn more about software that OSes can find all the information in the review Tungsten T5.
As for the set of additional software, it is not so great as we would like. Thus, in addition to the now standard business programs, PDAs pre-installed package Documents To Go (version 7), allowing quite normal to work with documents Microsoft Office.
Work with multimedia content assumes the program Media, which provides viewing of photos and video clips.
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This application is not cool enough functional and, most likely you will want to replace it with something more dignified. Moreover, the program lacks some seemingly primitive things, the lack of which effectively removes from himself. For example, when watching videos is not possible to show video in full screen and if it is to resolve smaller than the screen, it shows a black box in the middle of the display.In addition, the program is no simple built-in file browser, so files can be opened only from one specially sharpened under this folder. In general, to watch the video we recommend that you use the program TCPMP - The Core Pocket Media Player 0.71, which is not enough that supports many codecs and formats, so still and free. As for pictures, then, along with a huge number of free viewers, there is also such a powerful and beautiful program like Resco Photo Viewer. In a set of standard software also includes the most popular Solitaire - Solitaire.
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For music on board the Palm T | X has a built-in player Pocket Tunes, which is more than sufficient for the needs of the average music lover.
This player supports playlists, can work in the background and with the screen off, and even sync with Windows Media Player to upload new tracks. Built-in speaker on the rear panel is very pleased with the playback volume. As for the headphones, I found him somewhat flat, felt the lack of EQ needed for a more fine-tuning the sound.
However, this shortcoming can easily eliminate the installation of any alternative player - for example, AeroPlayer or the same Pocket Tunes 3.1.1, a shareware version. To work with the Internet and e-mail on Palm T | X uses software Blazer version 4.5 and VersaMail 3.1. Both of these applications - a very worthy and, perhaps, one of the best in their classes. Browser, for example, supports widescreen viewing web pages, Javascript, bookmarks, history, cookies, proxies and SSL.
As to the e-mail client, it will make you work with POP, IMAP, SMTP, can work with multiple drawers.
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In general, for work, and entertainment all of the above software should be enough almost for the eyes, but I personally, in addition, required by the CPC a few extra features. For example, badly needs a good file manager. Interestingly, the model LifeDrive itself is already in the number of established software, but on other PDAs from Palm for some reason did not install. So while users can take comfort in that it can do for free at their disposal, namely, though not very beautiful, but extremely functional applets Filez.In addition, sometimes there is an acute shortage of applications, which would allow access memory CCP directly as a flash drive. For these purposes, I would venture to recommend a utility Softick Card Export II (though in the full version it costs about $ 15, but at your disposal is always a demo). Oh, and for dessert you can only add that, for the Palm T | X has released the official Russification as a localization system MasSentre PaPiRus 2003, so that more barriers to the acquisition of the CCP from Russian Internet users do not.
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Price
Buy Palm T | X can be in the stores' computer in the palm for $ 349.
Conclusions
Needless to say, Palm T | X fairly closely matches the wishes of the market. This once again proves that the company has not abandoned all able-bodied employees. However, it would be hard not to realize that the previous model, Palm Tungsten T5 for the complete missing only a Wi-Fi. Now that the wireless protocol is added, and the total price of the device not only has not risen, but still fell - the success of the new T | X is provided. Although, I think that if some time PalmSource will delay the release of the new operating system that promises more than a year, the ranks of fans of the OS poredeyut. A pity ...
Pros: - two wireless protocol - Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
- big, bright display
- built-in software to work with office documents and the Internet
- nonvolatile memory
- slim
Cons: - weak non-removable battery
- small amount of additional software
- old OS
- There is no function labels.
The authors, translation:
Alexander Eremeev
