Once asked his friend (not an alien computer science person), why he still has not become the happy owner of a handheld computer, I received a rather unexpected answer. It turns out that most users do not need a fast processor, or the ability to view videos or powerful gaming experience, or even MP3-Player. Requires the same ordinary diary, address book and an electronic device for viewing photos and reading books. But always with a good high-contrast color display, ample memory and long battery life, that is purely budgetary device. Remember the unprecedented commercial success of Palm Zire (the truth, mainly in the U.S.) and the recent excitement when a new model Tungsten E, about which we are also told in detail. If the computer belongs to a series of devices, economy class, then it should be inexpensive. Like my buddy, users are not ready to lay out $ 300-400 per piece of metal that has the "extra" features. The cost of the budget model should not exceed $ 250. And point. Apparently, solve emerging trend, developers of handheld computers have begun to experiment with inexpensive models. Virtually every manufacturer of PDA Pocket PC has created his own version of the computer for the people. " Keep up with them and representatives of the Palm-Legion. Following the Palm Tungsten E came to light yet another budget solution. Now from Sony - Clie PEG TJ-25. About it - our story.
Design
A bit strange that the company refused to traditional fiscal SJ series hull shape. Recall that, in contrast to the production of handheld Palm, cheap handheld above-mentioned range were slightly lower, but at the same time and a little thicker. This decision had a number of advantages. In his hand typewriter sat very comfortably, and in his pants pocket was placed incomparably easier. Housing the new TJ-25 - a variation on an old T-series of Sonu and Tungsten E. Clean lines, gently curved transition to the lower and upper parts. However, unlike the TE front panel new items made of metal is silver, which makes the computer in addition to extra strength and protection of the display (frame frame in this case is no longer needed) and even more solidity.
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But on the rear panel and side inserts metal obviously spared - they are made of plastic, however, strong enough and pleasant to the touch. At the bottom of the front panel, you can find the indicator light modes. It's nice that when, during charging the battery capacity reaches 100%, the indicator is turned off, so you will always be able to understand charge your PDA or not. Dimensions of new items a little more than the SJ series - length 110mm (5 mm longer than the SJ22), width of 75mm (2mm wider), but the thickness is less than vice versa - 12mm (6 mm thinner). Weight is almost the same - 139g against 140g.
The sales package includes a black rubber protective cap (on the site, Sony argues that a free bonus), which is attached to the side of the hull, which gives the computer an even greater resemblance to the Tungsten E.
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Design of the holder cap should be recognized to be very successful. At a distance of approximately one-fifth of the total width of the anchorage is a line bending, which makes it easy to tilt the lid on the rear wall. In this cap to go back very tightly and do not crawl on the back of the computer as some palmovyh. The cover closes the sidebar is not completely - in the lower part has a small cut that opens the loop for neck strap.Fashionable, you see, wearing handheld computers in the neck. If the model of SJ series looked like media players (Sony actually promoted them as a trendy youth solution for active lifestyles of people, this also explains the unusual shape of this building), then the series TJ, conversely, focused on business, one might even say, corporate client. Severe forms of housing, stylish black flip cover - all this gives the model type of business notebook.
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Another new feature for Sony - the developers abandoned the classical Jog-Dial'a and buttons Back, so that the side panel of the computer is no longer burdened by government. Except for a small lever (on the right sidebar), which, as usual in all the latest models of Sony, combines the "power on / off" button and Hold. It is true, why to Hold button in the model, which lacks the music player is not entirely clear. In addition, the lever itself could be raised slightly by placing closer to the middle part of the body, and then manage it the right thumb is not very convenient. If we compare with the series SJ, government news undergone quite dramatic change. As mentioned above, Jog-Dial'a computer stripped, but placed on the front panel (just below the display), its counterpart - the rotating up and down the cylinders. The new Jog-Dial, together with two side buttons, arrows forms a convenient 4-way navigation button (plus a choice function by pressing the cylinders).
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After several days of communication with the CPC had yet to acknowledge that governance standard, and even game applications button fits well. Change and the appearance of key call of standard applications. They are visually clustered into two groups, each of which represents a small "rocker." Naturally, all four buttons - flash, and can "hang" on them any suitable application.
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In addition, amenable to programming and a calculator button on the right side of the Graffiti area. Strongly recommended that you "make it liability" for synchronization with your desktop computer. And here's why. Because the model budget, no cradle included no, there is only a small adapter with two connectors (network and USB). Not for this adapter, or on the computer's case is not a mechanical sync button, so to exchange data with a desktop application will have to open HotSync, which is not very convenient. You can certainly buy a cradle, but there is also additional investment. So what better to use the calculator. However, for masterovityh still have another cunning way out. If you dismantle the adapter (although this procedure you will need to be done at your own risk, because after completion of the following steps in the life warranty on the adapter is canceled), then inside a box you can find two blades, which is just made for the sync button. Next, you will find comfortable and appropriate for the size of the button, cut a hole in the casing adapter, insert the key, accedes to contact and collect the adapter. Everything. Now on your adapter now has a mechanical button synchronization. Cheap and cheerful:) But, back to the description of the appearance of our hero ... Upper end of the TJ25 is rich in infrared port, Packaging for a telescopic stylus and a slot for the format MS / MS PRO.On the back of the grid can be found under which there is a speaker buzzer (in other words, "bipper). Its enough for the system signals and warnings about any audio playback can be no question.
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There is also a reset button and battery compartment lid, which is bolted to the hull. Seeing a removable lid (screw-you can unscrew and) thought that, finally, Sony has made their computers with removable batteries. But this is not going smoothly. Yes, indeed, the battery can be removed, but what to do next? Unfortunately, no chargers for this battery is on sale there, and the battery must be replaced when it fails (after about one and a half - two years of operation). Apparently, according to developers, the computer will live forever, if you are, of course, in time to replace the batteries:)
Supplied
The set includes the computer itself, the adapter, AC adapter, stylus, protective pouch, CD with software, strap, instruction in English, the card with the rules of writing characters "Graffiti 2" and a whole bunch of printed materials.
Cogs and Gadget
Processor
Processor in the new TJ Series, too new - Motorola i.MXL Application Processor c 200 MHz. That's quite Fresh for the Sony decision. Not in terms of the manufacturer (craving for Motorol'ovskim processors from Sony has always been), but in the sense that the budget model is "rock" with a fairly high clock speed, though the last handheld hi-end class, UX50, was installed on more with weak Sony Handheld Engine processor with a clock frequency of 123 MHz.
Memory
Memory is not so much, but for a budget model is well tolerated. The size of RAM - 16 MB, of which user has access to 11Mbps. ROM - 8MB.
Expansion card
The main modules of memory expansion for all handhelds Sony cards are standard Memory Stick. Was no exception and TJ25, but apart from the usual card MS, handheld recognizes and maps of MS MagicGate MS PRO, and up to 1GB, but without support for high speed data transmission and secure access to data on the card.
Communication capabilities
Because the model budget, no connectors and communication, besides the usual infrared (1.2) and Port USB 1.1 (via adapter), no. Unlike his fellow TE, in which there is no standard connector Universal Palm Connector, new TJ25 has a good old jack Sony HotSync. So that we can not throw out old or safely buy new peripherals for the Sony - it would fit and TJ25.
Display
According to the magazine "Consumer: computers and software, which has developed a special technique for measuring the quality of the original displays, handheld computers, the maximum brightness of the display TJ25 was 40.5 cd/m2. For comparison, the closest in brightness displays are ASUS A600, FS Pocket Loox 600. The display is not particularly bright, and to 108Kd/m2 like Sony NX80 he certainly far, but for the normal perception of the information screen, in general, and should not be so bright - 30-40Kd/m2 enough. Minimum level of brightness unexpectedly high - about 20.5 cd/m2, which is almost 50% of the maximum level. Yes, and levels of backlighting unexpectedly small - only four. Minimum - 50% of the peak, the second - 67%, a third - 84% and the maximum - 100%. So that particular puzzle over the choice of level of illumination is not necessary. Transflective type illumination and high resolution (320x320) display 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, but comfortably accept written information from the display (with backlight OFF) only under strong sunlight.
Multimedia
It is clear that the MP3-player, no. But the absence of any (even plohenkogo) recorder, I confess, disappointing.
Runtime
To test battery life when reading books used the program MobiPocket Reader (v4.7), operating in the automatic shift with an average speed of about 25 characters per second. Time was measured before the first warning (10-15% of maximum capacity). While reading the battery life varied depending on the illumination of 3 hours and 40 minutes to 5 hours and 40 minutes (see graph). With backlight OFF the computer lasted 7 hours 50 minutes.
Testing of video playback and audio playback is not performed. If we compare with similar models Tungsten E, then the Sony TJ25 runs longer at 5-7% with a minimum illumination and almost 30% longer at maximum illumination. The reason is that the TJ25 level of maximum brightness of the display is noticeably smaller.
Running a race
To test how productive a new computer, we tested using the Benchmark 2.0 and compared the results with data on direct competitor - Tungsten E. According to the test, Sony TJ-25 faster than the Tungsten E in 1,5 times, but 1,5 times slower than the Tungsten T3 with a 400 MHz processor from Intel.
And although the computer is not suitable for video playback, we nevertheless tested the performance in video using Kinoma Player. For this purpose we used specially prepared video streaming between 480 and 1000Kb / s.. Productivity was determined by the speed of playback video using the built-in Kinoma Player test.
It turns out that when working with video TJ-25 a little faster and slightly slower than the TE Tungsten T2, that is, results - virtually the same level.
Bitiki and Baitik
Operating System
Operating System version 5.2.1 with handwriting recognition "Graffiti 2".
While the software suite is not particularly impressive, but for a budget computer, it is quite decent. I want to note the program shell Clie Launcher, work which is much nicer than the standard list of applications.
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The shell consists of several parts: - System Time
- battery status - in addition to the battery condition, displays and even the amount of free memory on your computer and memory card
- Application Manager Icon - Icons for application management (remove the application, send an application and a list of applications)
- Clie launcher Group List - a rotating list of groups of applications (to switch between groups may be either by means of special arrows, either cyclically by pressing the application buttons Home
- Favorite Applications - a set of icons for quick access to applications. Icons can be reprogrammed and ask them most often caused by the application. Very handy feature, although it would be reasonable to establish as a Pocket PC - a list of recent applications due
- List of appendices
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For the convenience of the user also has the function Status Information, which displays the system time, date, and three additional icons (battery, media and volume control): - battery capacity - displays the type of power supply (battery or AC) and battery level. In addition, you can see (unfortunately you can not change) settings, which at 10% capacity of the battery disables access to the memory card
- Media - displays the status of internal memory (ROM and RAM) and an expansion card (the amount of available memory, type of data protection)
- - Adjust the volume of system messages, games, music and warnings. Called Status Information is fairly simple - it is necessary to hold the stylus from the center of the bottom of the graffiti in the upper left corner.
Embedded software
All embedded software as obyno divided into several groups.
General - CLIE viewer 1.2 - software for viewing images
Organizer - Address 4.53S
- Date Book 4.54S
- To Do List 4.53S
- Memo Pad 4.53S
- CLIE memo 1.2.1 - program for handwritten notes
- Calc 4.5
- Graffiti 2
Data Control - MS Backup 1.02 - Program to backup data on the map MS and recovery from it
- CLIE Files 1.1.1 - File Manager
- Data Import 1.1 - a program to transfer data from PC to map MS
Setting - Preferences
- Security 4.5
- Card Info 4.5S
- HotSync 5.0
- Welcome
Additional software
In addition, some applications can be installed from CD: - Palm Reader 1.2.8s
- CLIE FAQ 1.1
- PowerOne Personal calculator 2.1.1
- Margi Mirror 1.63
- Agendus 6.02
- BalanceLog
- Contacts Pro 3.0.1
- PowerOne Finance calculator 4.2
- Margi Presenter-To-Go 1.63
- Street Finder 1.05.16 - a program to navigate with GPS
- Vidigo (requires Internet connection)
- WorldMate 9.1HD - a program of world time world map
- Acid Solitaire 2.92 - card game
- Breakout 1.1b - a popular arcade game Breakout
- GTS Racing Challenge 01.03.12 - 3D racing cars
- Insaniquarium 1.03
- TakTik 1.2 - Board Game
A piece of software is only installed on your PC: - Palm Desktop 4.1
- Data Export 1.01 - a program for transferring data from a desktop computer to the memory card
- Image Converter 1.1.00.07303 - program to convert video and audio format PDA
- Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.1
- PowerOne Personal calculator 2.1.1 (Manual)
- PowerOne Finance calculator 4.2 (Manual)
- Margi Presenter-To-Go
- Quick Timer 5.0
- Intellisync Lite - with sync PIM applications with Outlook or lotus Organizer
Localization
Russification carried out by the system of national localization MacCentre PaPiRus 2003, which enables you to work with the Russian language, adapting the system settings for the CCP and Russia supported the Russian handwriting recognition (Graffiti 2).
Price
Buy TJ-25 can be in multiples of "Computer on your palm" for $ 255.
Conclusion
In conclusion we can say that the machine was a very, very nice. Sony is positioning its new model as the TJ25 Computer Class Basic, that is for beginners or for those who need a small set of features.
If we compare the TJ25 with a competitor in the same price category Tungsten E, the novelty of Sony is pleased advantages: - metal front panel
- faster processor
- universal connector for peripherals
- more comfortable navigation button
- opportunity to work with memory cards up to 1GB
- intuitive user interface
However, unlike the Tungsten E handheld, the new can neither play nor write music. Also, SD cards are still cheaper, and spread wider than that used in the Sony Memory Stick. So, if you do not need a voice recorder and MP3 player and you have no particular preference on the choice of memory card, the Sony Clie TJ-25 - is the best option for a reasonable price. The authors, translation:
