Palm TX Review

[MikeSer]

Hi,

I noticed, nobody here actually bought a "TX", so I decided to post a few comments.

I considered the X51v, but I was not sure I wanted to spend about $500 for a PDA and face potential problems of migrating non-Outlook data from a Palm device to a Windows Mobile device.

I am quite intrigued by Nokia 770, but it has been delayed and I needed a new PDA also, which the 770 is NOT supposed to be.

A few observations:
- The TX is smaller than I expected from Web pics.
- Under incandescent light, the case has a slight blue tint.
- So far, I only tested the Wi-Fi functionality from a short distance, but it worked fine. The setup was very easy.
- The low display resolution and "overloaded" Web pages cause a real PITA when viewing them (the Nokia's display is 800 x 480).
- The application and file transfer is slow over the USB, but it worked.
- There is no need to use "Rhapsody" to put "mp3" files on a SD card, as the Palm online help states.
- Some of the software interfaces (Palm OS and its apps) are much less intuitive than I expected.
- I was nervous about not being able to transfer all my data, but everything worked OK.
- I could not stand the Graffiti 2 so I bought the latest version of TealScript, which read my old profile without problems.
- I don't really see any improvement in handwriting recognition compared to my venerable Palm V...
- The "mp3" audio is no match for audio from my iRiver player/recorder (iFP-890).
- I've had a lot of difficulties in moving "jpeg" files between "albums."
- If Palm people were smart, they would sell a premium package with a fully charged battery, a cradle, user's manual, and a memory card..., i.e., a device "ready to go."

I wish for a device with 800 x 480 OLED display...
I've been waiting and waiting... and getting older and older...

Mike

[Adama D. Brown]

In regard to the Graffiti 2 problem, there's a hack available that restores Graffiti 1 to the TX. Download the files here and install them to your TX, then soft reset. It should (emphasis on should) restore G1. I've got this working on my review unit, and it's a breath of fresh air.

As with any hack, BACKUP YOUR DATA prior to attempting it.

[RufusRyker]

What's the big deal about not including a cradle? I can understand the importance in the past, when a cradle served the dual purpose of recharging and data transfer. But with bluetooth and WiFi, syncing is wireless. My laptop is 2 years old and has bluetooth and WiFi built-in. Practically everyone buying a TX is going to have one or both of these technologies. If you just need to charge the thing, do you really need a cradle?

[Brian]

People with PCs like cradles, I also think they're cleaner on a desk. I suppose it's a personal thing, I prefer to have one. It's also nice to use the PDA while it's in the cradle.

[fermi337]

People with PCs like cradles, I also think they're cleaner on a desk. I suppose it's a personal thing, I prefer to have one. It's also nice to use the PDA while it's in the cradle.

PLus, on my desk, when I use the cable, it sticks out in front of the desk and when I spin the chair or something, the palm is ripped our and falls to the ground. When I use my cradle, it moves the cable to the left side of the desk making the cable less of a hassle. Plus, the cradle gives off a nice white light when plugged into power.

[RufusRyker]

I hear you on the cradle issue. It's certainly useful for some people.

BTW, eBuyer.com has a very good price for the Palm TX $261 plus about $5 for ground shipping. In stock, too. I just ordered one.

[RufusRyker]

Now that I've bitten into the bullet and ordered one, I've got a question. I sell a lot of stuff on ebay. I'd like to be able to check on my auctions every once in a while on the Palm TX, maybe even make a text correction or two. Nothing heavy duty. Is this going to be possible?

Also, my verizon cell phone contract finally runs out next month and I plan on upgrading to a nice bluetooth phone that has that fast verizon internet technology -- I don't recall the name. Will I be able to use the Palm TX to connect to the internet using the cell phone, via bluetooth? And if this is even possible, how fast will the resulting connection be? Thanks.

[Adama D. Brown]

Now that I've bitten into the bullet and ordered one, I've got a question. I sell a lot of stuff on ebay. I'd like to be able to check on my auctions every once in a while on the Palm TX, maybe even make a text correction or two. Nothing heavy duty. Is this going to be possible?

You should definitely be able to check in on the items. I don't know about updating the listings, as I've never tried to change an eBay listing from a mobile device.

Also, my verizon cell phone contract finally runs out next month and I plan on upgrading to a nice bluetooth phone that has that fast verizon internet technology -- I don't recall the name. Will I be able to use the Palm TX to connect to the internet using the cell phone, via bluetooth? And if this is even possible, how fast will the resulting connection be? Thanks.

I take it you're referring to the E815? A Bluetooth connection might be tricky. The TX doesn't come equipped for connecting to a CDMA Bluetooth phone, and I've heard from a couple of people that it won't hold a stable connection to either the E815 or the v710. Currently, I don't know any workaround for this.

Assuming that you get it working, connection speed will vary. On most of Verizon's network, you'll see speeds of around 8-12 KBytes per second. If you happen to be in an area that's equipped with EVDO, you could see 20-30 KBytes, maybe even a bit more.

[RufusRyker]

Thanks, Adama. Yes, I'm looking into the E815 and I do live in an area that should have EV-DO. I really do hope someone figures out a way to use the TX with a bluetooth phone -- that would be incredibly useful to me, and a lot of other people I imagine.

[Adama D. Brown]

It's not all Bluetooth phones, just CDMA ones--it has full support for GSM. When and if somebody comes up with a fix, I suspect that it will make the news section, so I'd keep an eye out there for any updates.