Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fab piece of kit !, 20 May 2004
I spent ages trying to work out which new PDA to buy - trying to work out which platform to go for etc. Essentially is was the array of saftware avaiable for the PALM OS platform that justified my desision.
Not a SONY fan, the next obvious choice was PALM. I looked (for ages again) at the entire range & initially was torn between the TE and T2. But that was while the 71 was Palms funkiest PDA. The camera on the 71 was no more that a toy, it didn't come with any office software, no case and the feel of the PDA wasn't great. The TE and T2 are true business user PDA's but I wanted something I could use at work (teacher) for all my records etc and something that had some extra (fun) features. So, when Palm launched the 72 in April I jumped on it - faster processor, more memory, better camera, docs to go (basic), PALM OS, funky look, great screen & a case (soft).
I am able to use it at work & I am never with out a camera. A lot of people will winge about the speed of the camera but then you have to remember that it is a PDA first & a camera 2nd (it still takes a pretty good photo). If you invest in a memory card you can listen to MP3's either via the speaker or headphones, you can record voice memos & even make sort vids. Easy to use, I use my 72 with PET (teacher tool), spreadsheets, word & the fab calender & to do list. The writing recog is v.easy to use & I find the battery life pretty decent. The screen is A1 unless in really bright light (outside in the sun). To be honest I have very little to complain about ....... my first 72 did have to back to the shop as the on/off button stopped functioning & PALM support is v.poor - got an automated email today from them appologising for not getting back to me (can't seem to be able to browse the internet via my bluetooth PC)& they provided me with a link to their FRENCH support page ..... sadly I ony speak limited 'tourist' french!PROS - good looks, easy to use, faster processor, decent memory, expansion slot, camera, sortware, case, MP3 player, loads of 3rd party software, easy to hotsync (I use bluetooth), compact. CONS - Poor customer support from PALM. 1st PDA broke. Can't seem to browse www via bluetooth PC.
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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Upgrade well worth it, 19 May 2004
I have been happily using my M500 for the past two and a half years, and spent the best part of 6 months thinking about changing it but just couldn't find a reason to do it - it worked perfectly well - so why change. I was going to get the Tungsten T3 but couldn't justify the expense. Had just about decided on the Tungsten E when the Zire 72 came out, and a weak moment hit me in Heathrow Airport.What a difference. First of all the clarity of the screen. Using black and white had never bothered me, but now I don't know how I managed without colour. I use agendus software for diary and address book applications - and now my appointments and events are colour coded!! There were no problems with the transfer of all my old data, documents to go is now much more functional, and I love the fact that you can now add a photo to your contact screen - silly, but fun. Also writing on the note pad is much easier. The new graffiti2 is pretty easy too - if you're used to the old one - this is a doddle to adapt to. In fact that is the main thing for me, as well as being extremely functional, it's fun to use and offers great value for money. I still don't use it to its full potential, haven't even explored MP3 or Bluetooth as I haven't got all the gizmos yet. The camera was a nice to have, but it gets used much more than I expected. If you don't want to spend too much on your handheld but want lots of bells and whistles, then this is the one to get. In my mind the only advantage the T3 has is the expandable screen - not worth the extra expense in my mind. Can't believe it cost the same as my M500 either... just shows how far they've come in such a short space of time.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mediocre Multi-Media / BlueTooth-Ache..., 13 Oct 2004
When my aging Handspring Visor started to eat AA batteries at the frightening rate of 1 set every week (for no particularly heavy use), I replaced it with a Zire 72. The main features driving the choice of the Zire were:
1) the BlueTooth connection with my mobile phone.
2) the MP3 player (largely to amuse myself in aeroplanes).
3) the Documents-To-Go software for Word & Excel compatibility. So far the major disappointments are:
1) You can't use the messaging tools (SMS etc) with a Motorola V500. There is in fact a very short list of phones with which this tool will work; if this is something you'd be likely to use, then I'd recommend that you check your phone compatibility with the PalmOne support website first. The dialer can be persuaded to work OK, and the quick connect tool in the address book, but this is still a major disappointment.
2) The MP3 player has an intolerable background hiss. I've tried downloading and installing several other players in addition to the installed RealOne player software, and they all have the same hiss - so I guess it must be a hardware issue. This problem goes way beyond something that would only irritate a rabid Hi-Fi aficionado - it basically renders the audio function unusable. If you want to listen to music or audio books on your PDA - look elsewhere. Otherwise, the Zire 72 is a super little machine. The Documents To Go software is excellent, the basic PIM functions of calendar and contacts are equally good and it is also acting a great portable photo album (great for reminding of what my loved ones look like when my employer dispatches me to foreign parts). Don't kid yourself about the camera - it might be 1.2 mega pixels but that means nothing without a proper lens and the image quality is only marginally better than any camera phone. I think my cash would have been better spent on a cheaper PDA (maybe a Tungsten E) and a dedicated MP3 player.
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