Visor Edge vs. CLIE S360: Can't decide

[qIat]

Alright, first up we have the well established Handspring Visor Edge

And the contender, the Sony CLIE PEG-S360

I am a college student, so I am looking for a PDA that actually does what a PDA was originally designed for, which is why I've come down to these two.

Now, the pros and cons (that actually matter):

Visor Edge:

-Aluminum body vs. plastic body of CLIE
-Slightly bigger screen (I believe this is correct)
-Docking cradle instead vs. just a cable of CLIE
-Metal flip cover vs. faux leather of CLIE
-Can be had for $35 cheaper if order via CompUSA online


CLIE S360:

-Flash ROM (why can't Handsprings have this? This is a HUGE deciding factor)
-16MB RAM vs. 8MB of Visor (really though, who needs this much damn memory?)
-Comes with ASSLOAD of software (eh...possibly useful)
-Jog dial (I've never had something with jog dial, but I assume I will become addicted to it)

Now, of course, if I'm worried about the price, I can always buy at B&M and return the PDA if prices drop.

Up until recently, it was the Visor Edge, hands down. But now that I'm actually going to purchase a PDA and have kicked the research into overdrive, purchasing a CLIE is a possibility thanks to the low price of the S360. The jog dial and flash ROM are the biggest helpers of the CLIE. However, the Edge will probably be more durable. Of course, I could just buy a case for the CLIE, but then I would lose the slim form-factor, but then again, I could just use the case only when the CLIE was being transported in my backpack, etc.

Both PDAs have the same CPU.

So, what do you suggest, and why?

 

[dafatha00]

Just bought the Visor Edge from the Staples deal..(119 for the Edge and Targus Portable keyboard)

The bottom line: It has a super fast processor, its extremely small, and very affordable. I love it. Can't say much about the S360 but I really like the looks of it.

 

[qIat]

Originally posted by: dafatha00
Just bought the Visor Edge from the Staples deal..(119 for the Edge and Targus Portable keyboard)

The bottom line: It has a super fast processor, its extremely small, and very affordable. I love it. Can't say much about the S360 but I really like the looks of it.

Was this in store, this deal? If so, it helps a LOT since the CompUSA thing was only online...

Please elaborate on the deal.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: qIat

Originally posted by: dafatha00
Just bought the Visor Edge from the Staples deal..(119 for the Edge and Targus Portable keyboard)

The bottom line: It has a super fast processor, its extremely small, and very affordable. I love it. Can't say much about the S360 but I really like the looks of it.

Was this in store, this deal? If so, it helps a LOT since the CompUSA thing was only online...

Please elaborate on the deal.

Search is your friend.

 

[qIat]

DAMN! Looks like I missed out on the deal

Some more help here deciding please?

 

[Dragnov]

If money is of no factor, I'd go with the Sony. Otherwise, the Edge because I think it provides a better value... although I would say the Sony is better.

 

[qIat]

Originally posted by: Gr1mL0cK
If money is of no factor, I'd go with the Sony. Otherwise, the Edge because I think it provides a better value... although I would say the Sony is better.

Alright, in all honestly, I'm probably going to buy one and then return it after 30 days, then wait until classes start and prices drop to buy another one. I know, it's morally unjust, but I need to test things out, ya know?

Alright, money aside, we'll deal with that eventually, why do you think the Sony is better?

 

[Nefrodite]

doens't the sony have a higher res screen?

visor edge woulda been kewl if the exp piggyback didn't make it huge.

 

[qIat]

Originally posted by: Nefrodite
doens't the sony have a higher res screen?

visor edge woulda been kewl if the exp piggyback didn't make it huge.

No, both have 160x160 lcds.

And what do you mean by exp piggyback?

 

[Dragnov]

Alright, in all honestly, I'm probably going to buy one and then return it after 30 days, then wait until classes start and prices drop to buy another one. I know, it's morally unjust, but I need to test things out, ya know?

Alright, money aside, we'll deal with that eventually, why do you think the Sony is better?

Sony screens look much nicer although same resolution (trust me, go check it out yourself on display). 16mb is more than enough as you said, but knowing that you do have the sony expansion slot available is always a plus (they're really cheap also and universal with other sony products like digital cameras.) Runs Palm OS 4.0 compared to only Palm OS 3.5 on the Visor Edge. Thickness... eh... most ppl put these guys in leather cases anyways (hmm, not sure if the Edge has a leather case... I haven't seen any). Etc. etc... just go to Best Buy and mess aroudn with them if you want...

 

[qIat]

Originally posted by: Gr1mL0cK

Alright, in all honestly, I'm probably going to buy one and then return it after 30 days, then wait until classes start and prices drop to buy another one. I know, it's morally unjust, but I need to test things out, ya know?

Alright, money aside, we'll deal with that eventually, why do you think the Sony is better?

Sony screens look much nicer although same resolution (trust me, go check it out yourself on display). 16mb is more than enough as you said, but knowing that you do have the sony expansion slot available is always a plus (they're really cheap also and universal with other sony products like digital cameras.) Runs Palm OS 4.0 compared to only Palm OS 3.5 on the Visor Edge. Thickness... eh... most ppl put these guys in leather cases anyways (hmm, not sure if the Edge has a leather case... I haven't seen any). Etc. etc... just go to Best Buy and mess aroudn with them if you want...

To tell you the truth, until just a couple hours ago I had decided on the CLIE. It was between it and the Palm M505, which I could get for $220 @ CompUSA Online, which ain't shabby for a color PDA. But, the advantages of the CLIE outweighed the M505, and I had decided on the S360. But then, as I was about to head to bed, the Edge came back into my mind since it had been my favorite for so long...

I suppose I'll have to go CLIE then. Of course, if I order the Visor from handspring.com, I get a free anodized aluminum case...$40 there. It's not so much thinness as protection...but if I really didn't care about thinness, I could go with a Palm M105 or Visor Neo, but thin is nice.

But I suppose I'll buy the CLIE tomorrow and return in about a month...unless anyone has any better ideas or other suggestions?

 

[Dragnov]

Palm 105? No way, uses regular AAA batteries which means you're going have to constantly change them always and fast too or else you'll lose all your data. I believe its only a few hours for an PDA using only regular batteries, while the lithium ions should go over a day easy. Plus its ugly.

Visor Neo - too slow and ugly.

You may be getting a $40 value on that case, but that price from handspring is most likely higher than what you would be able to find esssentially any retail store.

If you're jsut returning it, why not just try both and see which one you like better?

 

[qIat]

Originally posted by: Gr1mL0cK
Palm 105? No way, uses regular AAA batteries which means you're going have to constantly change them always and fast too or else you'll lose all your data. I believe its only a few hours for an PDA using only regular batteries, while the lithium ions should go over a day easy. Plus its ugly.

Visor Neo - too slow and ugly.

You may be getting a $40 value on that case, but that price from handspring is most likely higher than what you would be able to find esssentially any retail store.

If you're jsut returning it, why not just try both and see which one you like better?

The visor is $169 MSRP, which is the prices at CompUSA, BestBuy, Microcenter, etc...

The CLIE just doesn't seem durable enough...I think I'll go and buy the Edge tomorrow

I'm just concerned, not being able to upgrade the OS...I mean, in 4 years I'll still have this same PDA, but I'll be 4 years behind on OS'es

 

[Czar]

of those two I'd choose the clie, its lighter and has more memory

 

[qIat]

Originally posted by: Czar
of those two I'd choose the clie, its lighter and has more memory

But the Visor is more durable (metal vs plastic) and how much memory do I need to keep my address book, schedule, and notes?

Yeah, I know, I'm a real pain in the butt, but I'm going to be stuck with this PDA for at least until I get my B.S. so it is a big deal

 

[dafatha00]

Originally posted by: qIat

Originally posted by: Czar
of those two I'd choose the clie, its lighter and has more memory

But the Visor is more durable (metal vs plastic) and how much memory do I need to keep my address book, schedule, and notes?

Yeah, I know, I'm a real pain in the butt, but I'm going to be stuck with this PDA for at least until I get my B.S. so it is a big deal

True dat...Edge comes with 8 mb and I've already loaded it up with 20 fun games.. Still has 7.5 mb left

 

[qIat]

Originally posted by: dafatha00

Originally posted by: qIat

Originally posted by: Czar
of those two I'd choose the clie, its lighter and has more memory

But the Visor is more durable (metal vs plastic) and how much memory do I need to keep my address book, schedule, and notes?

Yeah, I know, I'm a real pain in the butt, but I'm going to be stuck with this PDA for at least until I get my B.S. so it is a big deal

True dat...Edge comes with 8 mb and I've already loaded it up with 20 fun games.. Still has 7.5 mb left

Since Staples price matches, and I'd like to have my Visor tomorrow...

Could I print out the order form for the Edge from CompUSA and present it to a Staples B&M store? The only possible problem is that the $119 CompUSA price is only if I order online...of course, I could argue to the store clerk "Well, would you prefer I go home and order it online rather than pay you right now?"

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: qIat

Originally posted by: Czar
of those two I'd choose the clie, its lighter and has more memory

But the Visor is more durable (metal vs plastic) and how much memory do I need to keep my address book, schedule, and notes?

Yeah, I know, I'm a real pain in the butt, but I'm going to be stuck with this PDA for at least until I get my B.S. so it is a big deal

as long as you treat your pda well you shouldnt have to worry, but if you want quality over features then go with the palm.

 

[qIat]

Originally posted by: Czar

Originally posted by: qIat

Originally posted by: Czar
of those two I'd choose the clie, its lighter and has more memory

But the Visor is more durable (metal vs plastic) and how much memory do I need to keep my address book, schedule, and notes?

Yeah, I know, I'm a real pain in the butt, but I'm going to be stuck with this PDA for at least until I get my B.S. so it is a big deal

as long as you treat your pda well you shouldnt have to worry, but if you want quality over features then go with the palm.

You mean the Visor?

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: qIat

You mean the Visor?

yeah, right, the visor

 

[qIat]

Originally posted by: Czar

Originally posted by: qIat

You mean the Visor?

yeah, right, the visor

Any reaction to my question regarding Staples' pricematchin policy? *crosses fingers*

 

[Czar]

no sorry, dont know much about staples, but if you can get it for cheap then do so, but be sure the company you buy it from has good service. I'd personaly be willing to spend more money on a product as long as I know I will get good service from them.

 

[dafatha00]

Well, the Compusa ad says the 119 price is only for the Visor Edge metallic silver model. Unfortunately, every staples store I know is sold out of the metallic silver model so if the sales rep at Staples will price match it for the metallic blue (better color in my opinion), then you should be successful in taking it home that day.

 

[LordMaul]

I love my S300 Clie. I can only imagine that the s360 is better.

 

[dman]

I'd say, Sony Clie. I have the S360.

MS Expansion. 16MB is fine for now, but throw in a dictionary and a few other DB's and space shrinks quick. I don't have much crap on mine, and I'm at 11MB used. The English Dictionary is taking up 5MB though... they have smaller versions, but, I have the space so I use it. Also, If you want to store memo's and ebooks, you'll appreciate the room to grow. I think the visors are limited to 16MB w/ the 8MB expansion and that may be hard to find later. Also, you can use some of the FlashRom (if you are adventurous) to store progs on the sony, you use a program called JackFlash which allows some progs to run from FlashRom. I haven't bothered, since MS and 16MB is sufficient, but if you are on a college budget that may be a bene!

BACKLIGHT. Sony has indiglo backlight. It's awesome. Haven't heard anything good about the Visors backlight, but, if it works I guess it's ok.

JOGDIAL: I can't say I use it much. The pen is much more convenient for selecting things, the buttons work well for scrolling. The Jog Dial is OK, but, overrated IMHO.

CASE: I don't like the leather cover on the clie, it comes unclipped to often.

Display: I don't like the 160x160 resolution. The greyscale display is fine though, and works for what I need. I'm sure I'd like 320x320 for reading ebooks. Color would be nice for some of the games, but, most of them play just fine in greyscale. I don't see much benefit to color--until you start getting into multimedia and that's not what these are designed for.

Going back, I think I would have preferred the 415 model by Sony. Has the 320x320 (Grey) display, polyphonic sound, a IRLED that has a longer range, and is thinner. It only came with 8MB and was out of stock/discontinued? at the time so I skipped over it. Afterwards I read some negative reviews on the display and the buttons, but, I still think I would have preferred it.

BATTERY: The lack of a hotsync cradle isn't a big deal to me. Not like you need it in the cradle that long, the Sony has LiION batteries and they last a pretty good amount of time between charges. It doesn't take long to recharge, 2-3hrs generally.

Overall I'm very happy with the Clie. I'd like to upgrade again, but, can't justify it for what I use the PDA for.