In today's flooded netbook environment I wouldn't buy a Palm TX. While the TX is typically less expensive (I think mine was approximately $299CDN new a couple of years ago) it isn't quite as functional, especially compared to the Linux-based netbooks. Here are a few problems the TX suffers from:
* Proprietary Operating System - While there are development tools on Windows and Linux for Palm OS, you're still locked into an operating system that you have a limited environment to develop for. Steps have been taken by a small group to create a Linux-based OS for the Palm TX but it lacks some necessary functionality (e.g. Wifi).
* Limited wifi security without buying an option. The Palm TX doesn't do WPA2 wifi security out of the box, which means it's insecure out of the box. Palm calls the paid upgrade an "Enterprise Security" feature. The upgrade isn't terribly expensive, only $10 last I looked, but it no longer appears to be available on Palm's site: See the link on: http://www.palm.com/ca/products/handhelds/tx/wifi_bluetooth.html
* Wifi is slower 802.11b. With 802.11n making the rounds and 802.11g well established, 802.11b is slow! And while you might not be downloading war and peace (maybe you are from Project Gutenberg) even pulling up multimedia rich pages is slow.
* Proprietary synchronization cord. If you don't have Bluetooth or Infrared for your PC then you'll have to use the proprietary cord to synchronize the TX. When will manufacturers get the clue that customers prefer open standards?
* Lacks the camera of a Zire 71 and a keyboard of a Treo (virtual keyboards don't count). I like adding photographs to my contacts and because the TX doesn't have a built in camera it's more difficult.
Now that I've finished slagging the Palm TX here's some things that I do like:
* SD-Card compatibility. I love SD-Cards! My TX has a 2GB SD-CARD which is usually enough to hold a small movie plus some programs I don't want installed on the TX.
* 320x200 screen and small size. The TX fits in the palm of my hand and yet when I take a long bus ride I find it ideal for privately watching movies. The battery life is long enough that I can watch a movie during a 3 hour trip. And because the TX is small I don't disturb the person sitting next to me on the bus (headphones).
* Clear audio. I'm not an audiophile, so the sound quality is good enough for me. While watching movies I didn't hear any pops or hisses you might hear from a really cheap mp3 player.
* Durability. I'm not rough with my Palm TX, but I've seen people drop their iPods lighter than I've dropped my TX and rendered the iPod useless. The TX isn't very sturdy, but I've dropped mine a couple of times (in the case) and it hasn't malfunctioned yet.
Would I buy a TX today? No. I'd probably buy a used Asus EEEpc 901 which has many of the features the TX lacks (802.11n,Camera, Linux). Still if you have the opportunity to pick up a TX there are some neat things you can do with it:
* War walking
* Synchronize contacts between phone, pda, and computer (if you're like me you want to have all your contacts both at home and work).
* Watching movies pretty much everywhere
* Reading ebooks - it's a bit small for this purpose if you ask me, but small books or howtos are useful.
With the influx of cheap phones (you can buy older off lease Blackberries for $100) I'm not sure the TX is really ideal for anyone anymore. Technology seems to have eclipsed this PDA, but between $50-$75 it might be an attractive offer if it includes the sync cord.
* Proprietary Operating System - While there are development tools on Windows and Linux for Palm OS, you're still locked into an operating system that you have a limited environment to develop for. Steps have been taken by a small group to create a Linux-based OS for the Palm TX but it lacks some necessary functionality (e.g. Wifi).
* Limited wifi security without buying an option. The Palm TX doesn't do WPA2 wifi security out of the box, which means it's insecure out of the box. Palm calls the paid upgrade an "Enterprise Security" feature. The upgrade isn't terribly expensive, only $10 last I looked, but it no longer appears to be available on Palm's site: See the link on: http://www.palm.com/ca/products/handhelds/tx/wifi_bluetooth.html
* Wifi is slower 802.11b. With 802.11n making the rounds and 802.11g well established, 802.11b is slow! And while you might not be downloading war and peace (maybe you are from Project Gutenberg) even pulling up multimedia rich pages is slow.
* Proprietary synchronization cord. If you don't have Bluetooth or Infrared for your PC then you'll have to use the proprietary cord to synchronize the TX. When will manufacturers get the clue that customers prefer open standards?
* Lacks the camera of a Zire 71 and a keyboard of a Treo (virtual keyboards don't count). I like adding photographs to my contacts and because the TX doesn't have a built in camera it's more difficult.
Now that I've finished slagging the Palm TX here's some things that I do like:
* SD-Card compatibility. I love SD-Cards! My TX has a 2GB SD-CARD which is usually enough to hold a small movie plus some programs I don't want installed on the TX.
* 320x200 screen and small size. The TX fits in the palm of my hand and yet when I take a long bus ride I find it ideal for privately watching movies. The battery life is long enough that I can watch a movie during a 3 hour trip. And because the TX is small I don't disturb the person sitting next to me on the bus (headphones).
* Clear audio. I'm not an audiophile, so the sound quality is good enough for me. While watching movies I didn't hear any pops or hisses you might hear from a really cheap mp3 player.
* Durability. I'm not rough with my Palm TX, but I've seen people drop their iPods lighter than I've dropped my TX and rendered the iPod useless. The TX isn't very sturdy, but I've dropped mine a couple of times (in the case) and it hasn't malfunctioned yet.
Would I buy a TX today? No. I'd probably buy a used Asus EEEpc 901 which has many of the features the TX lacks (802.11n,Camera, Linux). Still if you have the opportunity to pick up a TX there are some neat things you can do with it:
* War walking
* Synchronize contacts between phone, pda, and computer (if you're like me you want to have all your contacts both at home and work).
* Watching movies pretty much everywhere
* Reading ebooks - it's a bit small for this purpose if you ask me, but small books or howtos are useful.
With the influx of cheap phones (you can buy older off lease Blackberries for $100) I'm not sure the TX is really ideal for anyone anymore. Technology seems to have eclipsed this PDA, but between $50-$75 it might be an attractive offer if it includes the sync cord.
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