Durability questionable, plus non-user replaceable battery
a PC User, Every day computer user, always online, a coder, budget conscious traveler, cost-conscious, a bargain hunter
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FEB
5
2009
Palm Tungsten E Handheld —
Maybe I'm not meant to be the personal organizer type, but I acquired a Palm Tungsten E. I used it for maybe 6 months before it died (wouldn't take a charge) and did use it and found parts of it useful, others less so, but I guess everyone is a bit different in some ways, and that's why opinions on usefuilness vary so much.First I should mention that I also have a CASIO DBC-310 calculator wristwatch which doesn't really replace an organizer, but has several functions that most wristwatches don't have, which I'd otherwise use an organizer for, besides the requisite calculator function, it also stores phone numbers and can be used to set appointments. The latter functions are admittedly less user-friendly on my watch, since the watch has less memory and not really an operating system per se like the PALM OS, nor do you have the useful sync function on the watch (some watches now do have , but not the CASIO). However, I never really got comfortable carrying the PALM organizer with me at all times, which really is what you would want to do to make sure you get all the information (appoinments, phone numbers, etc.) in the organizer when you get them...since you really never know when you'll need to update them, otherwise you're stuck with writing them down on paper and later putting them into the organizer or into your computer...which kind of does away with a big part of the usefulness of the organizer for me. I always have my CASIO DBC-310 with me since it just goes on my wrist, so I can always have it handy to put in information (although it is a bit clunky to enter in). The PALM TUNGSTEN E is pretty small, but is not tiny and doesn't bend in your pocket...so you need to find an easy way to carry it. I don't carry a bag with me, so it would have to go in my pocket, which I was never really comfortable carrying with me at all times.
I have a friend who tried to use his PALM organizer in place of a (paper) notebook...he even bought the fold-out keyboard to use with the PALM to avoid having to use the PEN to enter the information on the touchscreen of the PALM (which can be trying, even after it learns your way of writing)...even he gave up after awhile...he still prefered using his paper notebook.
The PALM TUNGSTEN E also has an SD memory slot, which you can use to copy files or put PALM programs on. It also can be used to hold downloadable audio files, since the PALM TUNGSTEN E has a built-in audio player, with a headphone jack (you can also play through the built in mono speaker).
You can use the PALM also to download images (such as you might generate from a computer mapping program) that you save on your computer. It also allows you to view spreadsheets and access your email (you can download the email when you sync from your computer attached to the network or internet). However, I'd prefer it if the PALM had a direct wireless (WIFI) connection to the network, so you could use it independently from your computer to access email and access a browser...I know the PALM is inexpensive, and I think it offers a SD card wireless interface, but since it only has one SD card slot, you can either use it for the wireless or the SD memory card at a given time.
Still, I tried to keep using the PALM awhile, until it finally died...it wouldn't turn on...I'm not sure if it was the battery (it wouldn't turn on even when plugged into the AC adapter). Unfortunately, the battery isn't user-replaceable (I think it is a NICAD battery, but it is inside the case where it needs to be replaced by the factory). I think this is a dubious design, since my experience is that the NICAD battery eventually won't hold a charge, which would mandate a factory replacement (not sure the cost of this, but I assume it would be a fairly large percentage of the purchase cost of a new PALM TUNGSTEN E.
So...your mileage may vary, as they say...for me, the PALM TUNGSTEN E has some nice features, and is smaller than your LAPTOP COMPUTER, but it isn't as versatile. I know there are now many micro-sized inexpensive laptop computers with built-in WIFI but limited memory, that can be used to connect to the network for email and browsing the internet, and also have a small keyboard (not as large as a regular LAPTOP COMPUTER) and likewise a smaller LCD display. Though these are more expensive than the PALM TUNGSTEN E they are also more versatile, but are also a bit larger in size to carry. I guess it is up to the user to figure out what capability they need and how large a package they're willing to carry with them.
Last edited on Jun 12, 2009
Palm Tungsten E Handheld is not recommended by zwep
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