Sony Clie SJ30 or Palm m130????

sonycliesj · #1 01-16-2003, 01:09 AM

I need help in deciding which is better PDA for first time user. I narrowed down to Sony Clie SJ30 and Palm m130. I just don't know which model is better in terms of easy to use for first timer, battery life as well as value for the money.

I'm not interested in using PDA for playing MP3, view movies or edit photos. I just want to have one with basic functions but must have Excel and Word programs.

Please advise pros and cons of both models. Does color screen worth extra bucks. Sony SJ20 looks pretty nice for monochrome screen.

Thanks all.

Mr Pider · #2 01-16-2003, 06:58 AM

I had the same choice.

I was set on the Palm 130 and did not know that the Sony even existed. I was advised in a shop in the UK. Comparing the two side by side the screen on the Sony blows the palm away. Since this is what you will be staring at most of the time it makes sense to have a better screen. The Sony also came with Documents to Go which enables you to edit Word and Excel documents on the PDA. I guess you can buy this for the 130.

One possible draw back of the Sony is the Memory Stick. I guess they are quite expensinve Byte for Byte compared to other memory. I also felt that the Sony had better build quality than the Palm 130.

My advice therefore is to compare the two, side by side, in a shop.

I know that had I bought the Palm 130 and then discovered the existence of the Sony SJ30 I would have been gutted.

I have been very pleased with the Sony. If you get problems though you may find that the Sony product support is slow to respond.

bremeski · #3 01-16-2003, 04:23 PM

I found myself in the same boat last week. I dropped my trusty and faithful T615 one tow many times. Weel, anyway, I looked at both of these and could not beleive the differnce.

I took the SJ30 and its just like my T615, only better and much less expensive. The screen is hard to believe. I don't play music so I have lost nothing. maybe a little fatter, but shorter and lighter IMHO. I was even able to use my T615 cradle and all with it. A no-brainer.

Go for it.

Gtoar · #4 01-16-2003, 10:07 PM

Resolution
m130 - 160x160
SJ30 - 320x320
Major difference. A friend has the m30 and he is ashamed of how his screen looks.

Memory
m130 - 8mb
SJ30 - 16mb
Major difference. Twice the built in memory is twice the memory. (period)

Ease of use
Palm OS is Palm OS (The Sony looks more proffessional)

Money $$
In Texas they have big rebates on the m130, I guess because they can't sell them next to the sony. It was worth the extra $70. You will be happy you spent the extra cash when you get it home.

I looked, spoke with friends and asked what would you change about your purchase in hindsite. Answer. #1 I would get color #2 I would get more memory #3 The resolution on yours is unbelievable!!!!.

PS. This is my first PDA also

jarsports · #5 01-16-2003, 10:52 PM

Gtoar is right. The SJ30 has 4 TIMES the resolution giving you a much better picture quality(looks nice). The SJ30 wins with twice the memory and you will need it. I have used 12 meg on mine and thats only from internet freeware stuff. The Clie also looks better with less deadspace(amount of plastic surrounding the screen), and it is SHORTER, LIGHTER, and SKINNIER. All the the same price execpt for the huge rebates on the M130. So the SJ30 is much better for your money.

sonycliesj · #6 01-17-2003, 02:20 AM

Hi Mr. Pider, bremski, Gtoar and jarsports,

I really appreciate your comments, suggestions and insight into this. You see, I don't plan to download a lot of freestuffs (games) and overutilize memory. My main objective is to use Excel for my personal as well as work files.

With $50 rebate on Palm, my cost through Amazon.com for M130 is $170 in comparison to SJ30's $250. I'm looking at whopping $80 difference with Palm M130. I figure I can get extra memory (SD) for $20 - $30. I might be naive with my judgment as this will be my first PDA.

Your well thought-out comments and suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks.

Mr Pider · #7 01-17-2003, 03:10 AM

You may not need the resolution, memory or good looks now but you will!

Good luck with whatever you choose.

little-man · #8 01-17-2003, 08:59 AM

yes, the resolution and memory differences are huge. There are TONS of downloadable programs for palm, and less than a fourth are games. 8 mb goes fast. Also, the hi-res screen allows you to not only have sharper images, but lets you fit 4 TIMES as much text on the screen! Very useful when reading any sort of document. Go sj30.

little-man · #9 01-17-2003, 09:00 AM

oh, yea. as far as expansion cards go, they are much slower than internal memory, so you would much rather have an sj30 than an m130 with an extra 8 mb SD or MMC card.

skp_sr · #10 01-17-2003, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sonycliesj
You see, I don't plan to download a lot of freestuffs (games) and overutilize memory. My main objective is to use Excel for my personal as well as work files.

You don't "PLAN" too, but believe me you will once you see the possibilites with the SJ30. I didn't either.

I absolutely love my sj30. I compared a lot of devices in my search just as you are now.

After finally getting the SJ30, I can't believe I seriously considered the Palm 130. Don't get me wrong, I too considered the $$ factor and said to myself "it will get me by", but am I sure glad I decided the way I did.

Without a doubt, the Clie' SJ30 is the best deal for the money.

skp

Mr Pider · #11 01-17-2003, 09:40 AM

Why don't you look at the m130 Forum and see what they say.

I'm sure the higher screen resolution will help with you Excel documents - it does for me.

Save money in haste, regret at leisure.

BlairMartin · #12 01-17-2003, 03:10 PM

If you just want to use your PDA for text-based programs and no pictures or games, consider buying an SJ20 - it has the same specs as the SJ30 (including the hi-res screen), but only a monochrome screen. It's a highly readable screen, and even programs which use colors show up well on it, the colors being represented in shades of grey.

It costs about $60 less than the SJ30.

My goals were much the same as yours when I bought the SJ20. I have quickly become dependent on it. I'm using it much more frequently than I thought I would, trying out all sorts of productivity and utility enhancements, and I have found any reason to regret my choice.

Blair Martin

Gtoar · #13 01-17-2003, 07:17 PM

Don't sell yourself a substandard product. I agree about the memory now but when you start using it you will need that extra 8.

The resolution makes the spreadsheets much more friendly to the eye (easier to read too). I have seen them on the Palm and there is no comparison. With the info being easier to read you will use it more and will not be ashamed to show your friends how good it looks.

I wanted to support Palm (I am a Mac man) but I could not buy a product that did not compare.

Those rebates are there for a reason. I got my SJ30 for $224. Watch for sales...check the paper....look for coupons... find a friend that gets a discount but don't make a purchase that you will be sorry for later.\

Just trying to help

adrey · #14 01-25-2003, 12:41 AM

I considered all of this when I did the research for my wife's first dive into PDAs and she is so happy with her Sony. She does not download any free stuff yet but she may have her coworkers beam her some things that they use. I say go with the Clie and search to see if you can find it for less expensive on the net.

dequardo · #15 01-25-2003, 12:03 PM

It's no contest as another said earlier. All the comparisons above PLUS the fact the screen is significantly larger on the Sony. WELL worth the extra $ IMO.

Mike