We already told you about the flagship Palm, Pocket PC Tungsten C: Reviews dedicate this handheld, conducted tests on the performance and battery life. The only point which is due to circumstances we have touched on a dotted line - a handheld wireless capabilities provided by built-in Wi-fi module. This standard beprovodnoy connection is now gaining momentum in many countries around the world. A majority of the available "hot spots" or "Internet access points" are multiplying like mushrooms after rain, appearing in a fast-food outlets, hotels, airports and other public places. In Russia, a public Wi-fi still rather a luxury than an affordable means of communication. In Moscow, go to the network wirelessly can develop that visitors to the Marriott Tverskaya and Cmolenskogo passage, as well as employees of firms, whose offices are equipped with such a network. However, the dynamics of the growing popularity of Wi-fi abroad Tables impressive that, hopefully, and in Russia in the foreseeable future "Internet street will become commonplace. However, even now, if you are visiting a specialist, who on duty, have to be in business trips abroad, or just a very happy user of corporate Wi-fi, then you should get acquainted with this article, kindly provided to us by the magazine "Mobile Computing". Tungsten C (below Tc) opens adherents PDA Palm platform access to a wireless network standard, 802.11b. And before there were Palm-computers that can work with standard Wi-Fi (802.11b), but the TC - the first where this feature is built initially. Issue Tungsten C - a critical design step of the company Palm Inc. in the wireless world.
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Support for Wi-Fi - is not the only feature that makes the PDA Tungsten C special. Thanks to the new processor Intel PXA 255 devices running incredibly fast. In addition, the new chip uses advanced compared to its predecessor (PXA250) system energy efficiency. In the TC installed 64 MB of RAM. Prior to that, the company Palm Inc. proceeded from the principle that the 16 MB "of RAM - enough for the user. In this case, the developers of Palm though, and took a few megabytes of memory for the operating system, leave the user unprecedented space: 51 MB for the software and data! Palm Inc. is committed to reporting Tungsten C as "wireless" device. Connecting to the network on the fly using the built-in utility connection settings. If the network does not use protection algorithm, in order to enter the network takes only a few "clicks" a stylus. Even if authorization is required, a connection does not require much effort. When connected to a network, you can surf the World Wide Web using a browser installed on the TC, and check the contents of the box e-mail client. Tungsten C - it is not only the potential of wireless access. In addition to the standard for Palm OS applications that help organize daily activities and contact information in his memory "stitched" office suite Documents To Go. Using it, you can work with Word documents and Excel away from the desktop. TC comes with an application for viewing digital images, called the Palm Photos. If desired, you can also install Kinoma Player for video and voice recorder VoiceRecorder to control voice notes, which can be recorded with an external headset, available separately (built-in microphone in the TC is absent). In the Tungsten C is as small built-in keyboard, as in the device Tungsten W. Raised buttons quite easy. Keys can be reassigned to other characters in the menu "Preferences". If you are accustomed to using handwriting characters, it is at your disposal system is Graffiti 2.
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At the upper end of the CCP is the only expansion slot for cards format SD, on the bottom - a standard Universal Connector. The latter can be used to connect to a PDA is not only the included cradle, and other peripherals such as external keyboards. The set also comes with TC protective cover that protects the screen from damage when the device is in a bag or pocket. The screen is bright and contrasting, but not better than the Zire 71. Battery life - a very good level. We have noted the many positive features Tungsten C, but there are two "fly in the ointment." Lack of built-in microphone means for recording voice notes will have to use a headset - which is extra disturbing wires. Such a realization voice functions will be happy few. Despite the presence of bundled software for viewing video, any software MP3-player in a set is missing. For some, this may cause a party to circumvent this remarkable in many ways the CCP.
Battery life
Data from the manufacturer: up to 6 days with an average usage. Test results: We used a standard program Battery Bench and set in the settings mode Full Power. It took about 7 hours before the time when the battery is fully discharged. During testing, 802.11b adapter has been disabled. When it is used to drain the battery faster.
Competitors
Tungsten C can compete with computers on the platform of the Pocket PC 2002, such as the iPAQ 5450, which is built on a processor with the same clock speed (400 MHz) and has the same RAM (64 MB). In addition to supporting Wi-Fi, the creation of the HP has built the same support Bluetooth, and is almost 40% more - $ 680. Palm-PC Sony Clie PEG NX70V at almost the same price ($ 535) uses a less efficient processor Intel PXA 250/200 MHz, but has only 16 MB of RAM. Wi-Fi-adapter with him, you can use an external, assembled on the card Compact Flash. The closest "relative" TC - Palm Tungsten T - uses low-power TI/144 MHz, equipped with 16 MB of RAM, a built-in Bluetooth-adapter, but only costs $ 350.
Accessories
Wi-Fi-adapter for a desktop computer ($ 150)
"Teach" your big computer support Wi-Fi-interface, you will be able to wirelessly synchronize your Palm'a and use the PDA as a kind of Web tablet (eg, web surfing).
Palm Ultra Thin Keyboard ($ 115)
Acquiring a full-sized keyboard for Tungsten C, you will be able to recruit large documents, so your Palm, in some cases can even replace the laptop.
What programs are delivered? Here are some ...
Voice Memo
What it is: The program recorder for this purpose: Allows you to create voice memos that are often more convenient than making text entries.
VersaMail
What is it: E-mail client for the Palm Why: Provides a fully operational e-mail.
Output
| Design | 8 of 10 |
| Ergonomics | 9 of 10 |
| Performance | 10 of 10 |
| Interfaces | 8 of 10 |
| Completion | 8 of 10 |
| Compliance costs | 9 of 10 |
| Total: | 86% |
Wonderful PDAs with wireless access. Unique technical characteristics do not hit hard on the pocket. Overall, a very successful model. PS In the stores' computer in the palm, "now carried Sale Palm Tungsten C. Buy this PDA can be sverhvygodnoy for Russian user price - just $ 420. Sources, Materials:
