What is the ideal organizer? This is a "black box" which allows the user to comfortably work with e-mail, address book, to-do list and organizer. Moreover, it is desirable to interface the mobile notebook was extremely comfortable and the most similar to the one that you use on the "big" computer. Esche would be nice to be able to read e-books, considered received by mail pictures and videos, listen to music recorded on tape business conversation, or your thoughts, take a photo or video. For convenient display computer display should be large - preferably 320x480 pixels, himself PDA must have a mobile (preferably wireless) internet access to freely exchange data. All this together will allow any user to feel with the "organizer" as comfortable in the office or at home or a business trip. Actually a wagon (in the family of Palm OS) does not exist or, more precisely, until now did not exist. While Sony has not released a tireless new model of handheld computer - Slie TH55. About it - our present story.
Design
Externally, the computer looks like naladoniki Series NX, but without the rotating lid and built-in keyboard. However, unlike its predecessors, the new model looks much more elegant. First, much of it miniature - 73h124h13, 4 (15.7) mm vs 72h131h22. And the width changes little or no, but the length is shorter than the novelty of the whole centimeter, and the thickness of 6 mm narrower. Secondly, the developers have worked seriously on the design. The rear panel has a more flattened shape, due to which the computer sits in the hand "as a glove." Model does not weigh too much - 165g without cover. Plastic "armor" (Removable protective cover) adds another 20 grams of weight and bring new items to 185g.
 |
If you go back to the comparison of computer-TH55 NX Series, one can note that the TH55 - a lightweight version of the NX70. Apparently, after hearing complaints of users about the large size models, NX series (yes the built-in hardware keyboard, too much need not be), the developers decided to make a computer without a keyboard and a smaller size. To protect the display includes a transparent plastic cover, through which you can freely take in information, for example, read e-books. Solution is much more elegant than a similar plastic cover on the Palm Tungsten T2.
Almost all controls are located on the left side ends. From an ergonomic point of view switch layout is very good - to easily reach all the fingers of one hand. Only the performance in black is not very correct, the buttons are merged with the body and not used to them easily confused.
 |
Very original made Jog-Dial, which, beginning with a series of TJ, looks quite different. TH55 is different and more original location Jog-Dial-a, which is placed on the rear panel. Location, though unusual, but very comfortable. The only drawback is the placement of the button "Back", it would be more successful if it was the right of the camera lens, not the left, whereas before it was convenient to reach, if you keep the computer in his right hand. Even better would be to implement two symmetrically placed buttons "Back". Application buttons are smaller, but still use them conveniently.Several disappointing lack of the cradle, the more so when one recalls that their design of the NX series was simply brilliant. Going to set the adapter does not add to a sense of security, and the need to constantly peretykat wire eventually becomes annoying.
Supplied
The set includes the computer itself, the adapter, AC adapter, stylus, clear plastic protective case, CD with software, strap, instruction in English, the card with the rules of writing characters "Graffiti 2" and a whole bunch of additional printed materials. In principle, such a "heaped" model could be put in a box in stereo speakers and the cradle, but it somehow did not get solid - an advanced computer, and equipment as a series of budget.
Iron
Processor
CPU is the heart of TH55 Handheld Engine, developed in the laboratories of the most proizvoditelnitsy. For the first time Sony has set it in the models UX40/UX50. "Stone" has the ability to dynamically change the clock frequency depending on the types of applications (from 8 to 123 MHz). True, the process is fully automatic and the user is not regulated. As far as developers were able to optimize the processor, the tests show the performance and battery life. "Engine" is executed on the ARM9 core and has two additional chips: CXD2230GA for hardware acceleration of graphics and Digital Signal Processor (DSP) for audio processing. In general, Sony is curious behaves with respect to the CPU equipping their PDAs, especially in terms of logic and other manufacturers. Get at least palmOne. Last in the production of handheld computers older lines using more powerful processors. Agree, it is logical that the Palm Zire 71 is set a budget OMAP from TI, and the top model Tungsten T3 - the most advanced at that time, a microprocessor from Intel. Sony just tried Intel--native "stones" on its NX and NZ rulers, somehow safely abandon them. So at this point we can observe a mixed picture: in their cost models, the Japanese corporation is using the processors with higher clock frequency than on the models of the business class (because 200 MHz - this is higher than 123 MHz). We can only guess what caused this behavior Sony. Most likely, a dislike for Intel, or another extravagant steps to promote their products. She promotes with a persistence worthy of a better, its not a very popular standard MemoryStick. In general, it is difficult to judge, we can only rejoice in the variety of handheld computers.
Memory
RAM size our heroine - is quite decent for Palm OS and is 32MB, of which the user has access to all 32. Surprisingly, the size of ROM - also 32 MB.
Expansion card
The main modules of memory expansion for all handhelds Sony cards are standard Memory Stick. However, apart from simple Memory Stick, TH55 can work with advanced Memory Stick PRO. This is an improved version of conventional MS. Recording Series Pro, firstly, work quicker and smarter, and secondly, are available in versions for 256, 512 MB and 1 GB. As always, minus the memory modules from Sony is their price. MS ctoyat much more expensive than the more common CF and SD. Then it can not be helped. Such policies Sony. Choose the technique to the manufacturer, hence the format Memory Stick.
Communication capabilities
For communications from the user TH55 will be in the possession standard infrared port and USB 1.1 for connecting to a large PC, and wireless module and Wi-fi, the most relevant so far only, unfortunately, in the U.S. and Europe. But in Russia the number of "hot spots" (points of public wireless Internet connection) is slowly but steadily growing, and the offices of large companies are moving to 802.11b. So in that regard machine can be an excellent companion or employee of such corporation, or the adherent of the most advanced technologies. And yet so sad that there is no beloved Russians Bluetooth'a.
Display
According to the magazine "Consumer: computers and software, which developed the original method of measuring the quality of displays, handheld computers, the maximum brightness of the display of new items - about 61 cd/m2. For comparison, similar results to demonstrate the maximum display Toshiba e750, Mitac Mio 528 and HP iPAQ h1910/15. Previous business model from Sony - TG50 - could boast a little less than the maximum level of brightness - 48 cd/m2. Quite reasonable from Japanese developers that they did not pull up the bar, as is typical for most modern handheld computers. At 100-150 cd/m2 brightness is excessive, so the user's eyes get tired much faster. Level of 50-70 cd/m2 enough to the screen had good contrast and did not cut the eye. It is commendable that are not overvalued and the minimum brightness level - 5.2 cd/m2.
 |
It is noteworthy also adjust the brightness of the display TH55. Scale looks continuous. But in fact the number of levels is strictly fixed. For the convenience of the user to switch between them by using the side arrows (next to the Jog-Dial-ohm). However, if you ask for and just count the levels of backlighting, they get 128. Naturally, the first thought, as is the case with the TJ37, some of the points - too much, and real levels of adjustment is much smaller. Measuring the brightness of the display only confirm the fears. Total levels of backlighting - 32 (10% to 100%). Why in this case it took to break the scale at 128 steps - remains a mystery. It is also impossible to explain why there is no scratches on the scale of the real divisions, as implemented in TJ25/35/27. The presence of markup would just select the desired level of illumination, and not to suffer, trying to do it by eye. Transflective type illumination and high resolution display (320x480 pixels) can equally well to receive the information even at the lowest level, regardless of whether you work in the office or on the street. Lighting, as with all Pocket PCs Sony, may be switched off. However, comfortably accept text data from the display (with backlight OFF) only in indoor or daylight on a bright sunny day. Moreover, when working on the street lighting is better off, because without it, the screen reads much better than her.
Multimedia
TH55, like any solid model from Sony, has the hardware for MP3-player, built-in speaker and a jack for stereo headphones. In addition, (a miracle!:) There is a real voice recorder with appropriate software. His button is designed as a traditional switch-lever with red markings. Apparently, not to confuse with anything. Speaker at the bottom of the hull, next to the switch, and to indicate the record at the top of the case there is a light indicator.
Voice Recorder lets you record sound in a format in SP (22 kHz) and LP (8 kHz) modes as a memory card and internal memory on your computer.
Digital Camera
As with the recently described TJ27/TJ37 built-in camera with a matrix made by CMOS technology. Matrix has 310,000 effective pixels, which corresponds to a maximum resolution of 640x480 (VGA). In addition, the camera can take photos with a resolution of 320x480, 320x240 and 160x120.
