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PalmOne Tungsten T5 Handheld

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PalmOne Tungsten T5 Handheld
Manufacturer: PalmOne
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $349.99
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Amazon.com Product Description PalmOne stretches the possibilities with the Tungsten T5, the first handheld from PalmOne to utilize flash memory. In addition to a groundbreaking 256 MB of memory, the sleek, slim Tungsten T5 features a high-resolution 320 x 480-pixel screen, a fast 416 MHz Intel Xscale processor, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and a Secure Digital memory card expansion slot. And, of course, the Tungsten T5 features PalmOne's suite of information management applications, the ability to edit Word- and Excel-compatible files, and synchronization with Microsoft Outlook (Windows only).

PalmOne Tungsten T5 Handheld

See a detailed diagram of the PalmOne Tungsten T5's features

Internal Flash Memory
Built for today's mobile professional, the Tungsten T5's 256 MB of memory actually provides 215 MB of user-available memory (55 MB for built-in applications and 160 MB of internal flash drive memory). Connect it to your PC or Mac and use it as you would a USB flash memory drive to transfer data and multimedia files from work to home. To access files stored on the handheld, simply select Drive Mode on the handheld and plug the included HotSync cable into a USB port.

To add files, just drag and drop them from your PC desktop to the new File Transfer application (installed with Palm Desktop; Windows only). A live desktop window gives you instant access to data and information stored on the handheld's internal drive--without the need for synchronizing the handheld to move files.

Multimedia
The included RealPlayer for Palm OS enables you to listen to MP3s stored on optional expansion cards via the built-in speaker on the Tungsten T5 or, for stereo sound, on optional stereo headphones or ear buds. The updated Media application lets you view (and show off) transferred photos and videos.

Display
Unlike the Tungsten T3, which required you to slide the handheld's bottom open to activate the screen's landscape mode, the Tungsten T5's screen offers widescreen viewing at all times. The bright 320 x 480 transreflective TFT color display supports more than 65,000 colors. You can easily switch between portrait and landscape view, as well as open an active input area at the bottom of the screen.

Connectivity and Expansion
With built-in wireless Bluetooth connectivity, you can synchronize the Tungsten T5 with a Bluetooth-enabled computer from across the room (within a range of 10 meters, or approximately 30 feet). But that's just the start. Using a compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone, you can send and receive e-mail and connect to the Web, send multimedia (MMS) or text (SMS) messages, and even automatically dial any number in your handheld's Contact's application. You can also synchronize data the "old-fashioned" way via the USB connection at the base of the handheld.

The Tungsten T5 uses MultiMedia Card and Secure Digital expansion cards, which instantly add software applications, additional memory, large databases, and more without taking up built-in memory space.

Operating System and Software
Veteran Palm OS handheld users will immediately notice the new Favorites view, which provides easy access to applications, files, and folders. The installed Palm OS 5.4 also introduces the Files application, which enables easy navigation among folders and files. It uses the intuitive and easy-to-learn Graffiti 2 writing software to input data into the handheld (as well as an on-screen keyboard). Windows users can synchronize their calendar, contacts, tasks, and notes with Microsoft Outlook. The Palm OS features the following organizer applications:

  • Contacts: Lets you store several addresses for each contact, and with new fields for more phone numbers, multiple e-mail addresses, instant messenger IDs, and Web sites.
  • Calendar: Use the new Agenda view to see upcoming calendar events, tasks due, and important e-mail, and color-code your events to provide an easy way to reference your calendar in the Agenda, Day, Week, and Month views. Take more notes, or synchronize more details from your desktop, in the larger Memos and Notes fields.
  • Tasks: Use tasks with alarms and repeating tasks to set reminders for important commients.
Additional Software
The Tungsten T5 includes Documents to Go 7.0, which provides the ability to create and edit Word- and Excel-compatible files and view and carry PowerPoint files (in native format) with no desktop conversion required. The included Software Essentials CD-ROM also contains eReader, Acrobat Reader, Solitaire, and Audible Player for palmOne handhelds (Windows only).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Tungsten T5 handheld, a built-in rechargeable battery, a carrying case, a USB HotSync cable, a power cable, a stylus, a CD-ROM with Palm Desktop 4.1 software for Windows and Mac (as well as bonus software), and a printed Getting Started guide.

Tech Talk: Flash Memory
Flash memory, a form of electronic memory, is used for easy and safe information storage. Its low power consumption and light weight make flash memory ideal for mobile devices. In addition, flash memory holds information without a charge or power, just like a memory card saves pictures when not connected to a digital camera. The flash memory in the Tungsten T5 handheld will maintain its data even when power is exhausted. Simply charge the handheld again and the data is there.

Tech Talk: Macintosh Users
While the Tungsten T5's new File Transfer application is a Windows-only feature, Mac users can simply mount the handheld as an external drive, and then proceed to drag and drop files from the Finder to the handheld. Note, however, that the Tungsten T5's Palm OS environment is unavailable when connected in this mode.

  • Sleek, stylish handheld with groundbreaking 256 MB internal flash memory
  • Doubles as a flash drive--quickly drag and drop files from your PC to handheld
  • Expansion slot that supports MMC, SD, and SDIO memory cards
  • Palm Desktop Software for Windows and Mac and Software Essentials CD included
  • Bluetooth enabled
PalmOne Tungsten T5 Handheld T5 is another Palm success...
 
Review Date: November 25, 2004
Reviewer: L. Young, Georgia
I just purchased the T5 after having a T3 for a year and a half. I love my T3 -- but now love the T5 just as much. I agree that one crucial feature is missing: a charge indicator light. I don't know what they were thinking when they eliminated that. However, I can now take my T5 and hook it up to my computer at work (via a USB cable) -- transfer files -- take them home with me (without dragging around a heavy laptop) -- work on them -- and take them back to work. I can also take Word, PowerPoint, Excel files on the road with me and since I travel almost twice a month, not having to drag a laptop through the airport is like heaven. I don't think the price is bad either for what you're getting.

The Good
USB cnnection to any computer to transfer files
Tons more storage
USB sync -- no more cradles
Home/Favorites -- fast access to the applications important to you
Beautiful hi res screen as in the T3
Built-in Bluetooth
Flash memory so you won't lose data if battery dies
Longer battery life per charge -- less charging
No cradle for charging -- can take charge AC cord wherever you go to charge
I love the new case design -- you slide the Palm in and never have to remove it when charging, transferring files, etc. You can keep it protected and in the case at all times.
The case cover material is exactly the same as the T3 -- so I'm not sure why one reviewer said it gets messed up with fingerprints. It doesn't.
The actual T5 exterior is gunmetal -- slightly darker than the T3. But a great feel in your hand and very sleek.
The T5 is slightly heavier than the T3 -- but almost unoticeable.

The Bad
No light to indicate charging!
No voice recorder -- but I never used the one on the T3 so it makes no difference to me. But if this is something you use a lot -- then it's a negative.
I do miss the T3 stylus -- spring loaded. We are now back to the traditional stylus of old but I can live with it.

I think Palm did a superb job with the T5 and I haven't had any problems with it freezing up or malfunctioning. I've been syncing, transferring files, etc. with no issues whatsoever. I never had any issues with the T3 either -- except when loading third party games. I would stay away from those. I use my Palm mostly for work -- if you want a PDA just to play games, I'd look elsewhere or stick to the Palm games.

Thanks, Palm, for making my life easier!
PalmOne Tungsten T5 Handheld Best Palm OS device I've ever owned
 
Review Date: May 15, 2005
Reviewer: LGM, New York, New York United States
I've had the T5 for a month now and can honestly say it's the best Palm OS device I've ever owned. I've owned 2 color hi-res Clies before this. What I really like about the T5:

*Great color screen. The clarity and brightness is better than the ones on my Clies. I've yet to see a PDA with a better color screen than this. Go to a retail store and check it out for yourself in person. It's fantastic.

*Large internal drive. It's great to have the extra internal memory in addition to the ability to use an external card. It's live having two card slots. This way I can still keep a lot of apps on the handheld while swapping out the external card for movies or playing MP3s.

*Plays movies beautifully. There is a free player for Palm OS devices on the net called TCPMP. It does a great job of playing movies on my T5. I just love it. To convert regular DVD movies for my T5, I use Pocket DVD Studio.

*Non-volatile memory. I just hated losing all my data with my Clies whenever the battery drained or I had to do a hard reset. And this used to happed with regularity. With the T5's flash memory, data is retained on battery drains, though not on a hard reset. The good news is that in over a month of use, I've never had to do a single hard reset. Soft resets, yes. But not one single hard reset. So this is the most stable my data has ever been on a handheld.

I like the T5 much better than the clunky slider design of the T3 which annoys me. Some complain about the design and finish on the T5, but to me the design is sleek and stylish. And I can't see anything cheap or flimsy with the finish. It feels solid and well-made in my hands.

The T5 is not perfect. There is a slight hiss in the audio, which is otherwise of excellent quality (loud, clear etc.). The hiss is most noticeable when you wear the in-ear bud type headphones. So I simply use my external type compact headphones with my T5 and all is good. Still, this is something that PalmOne shouldn't have overlooked.

Another thing to be careful about is the new file system the T5 uses, which is a little more finicky than older Palm OS systems. Some apps simply won't work well with it. However, I put well over 50 apps on my T5, and only about 3 or 4 I had to remove because of incompatibility. If you get a T5, make sure you do a clean install of all your apps, one by one, testing each as you go along. That's the only way you can weed out the apps that won't play well the T5. This is what I did and while I may have to do a soft reset now and then, I never have the need for hard resets.

If you have the patience to do a clean install like this, you should end up with a T5 like mine -- a relatively stable device that handles MP3s, movies, and graphics beautifully,in addition to doing all the traditional things a Palm device should!

was thinking about getting rid of my ipaq hx4700 and buying a pda, pocket phone combined with a phone. Should i do it? Does the phone have all the options of a pocket pc or is missing a few things?


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