Sony Clie PEG-SJ20 Handheld

[Archived in $100 - $200, Products, Sony]

Manufacturer: Sony
Price at amazon.com: $129.99
This item is not stocked or has been discontinued.

Product Features:

• Palm OS software version 4.1
• High-resolution monochrone display (320 x 320 pixels)
• 16 MB internal memory (15 MB available)
• Memory Stick media expansion slot
• What's in the box: Clié PEG-SJ20, AC adapter, stylus, protective cover, installation CD-ROM, application manual

Product Description:

The new Palm-powered PEG-SJ20 Clié handheld provides everything you need to stay organized and entertained. Compact and lightweight, you can take your Clié handheld wherever you go. The backlit, high-resolution screen shows images and documents in fine detail. In addition to the 16 MB internal memory (15 MB available), the Memory Stick media expansion slot offers unlimited storage capability for all your favorite applications. Need to get some work done on the road? You can view and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files on the handheld using Documents to Go Standard Edition by DataViz. Plus, the unique Jog Dial navigator provides easy access to most of your stored information. Display The PEG-SJ20 features high resolution on its 320 x 320 pixel backlit monochrome display. Expansion With this Sony Clié's Memory Stick expansion slot, you can get virtually unlimited data storage with Memory Stick removable media. Transfer digital content between your Clié handheld and other Memory Stick-compatible products, including digital cameras, digital camcorders, and PCs. Operating System The Sony Clié PEG-SJ20 is powered by Palm OS 4.1, which means it comes complete with all the standard Palm OS applications you need for organizing your life, including Date Book, To Do List, Memo Pad, Mail, Expense, and Address Book. HotSync software is also included. Extra Software In addition to the built-in applications that come with Palm OS 4.1, the PEG-SJ20 comes with the following Sony software: Clié Paint, Clié Photo Stand, Memory Stick Autorun, Memory Stick Backup, Memory Stick Export (for PCs), Memory Stick Gate, Memory Stick Import, PictureGear Lite (for PCs), PictureGear Pocket, and World Alarm Clock. Synchronization Connect to your PC and synchronize your contacts and date book using the included USB cable. You can also beam information to other Palm OS handheld owners using the IrDA infrared port. Compatibility The Sony Clié PEG-SJ20 is compatible with Windows 98 SE, 2000 Professional, Me, XP Home, and XP Professional editions. PCs must have a minimum 133 MHz or faster processor, 64 MB RAM (128 MB recommended), and at least 128 MB of available hard drive space. A USB port is also required. In the Box The Sony Clié PEG-SJ20 comes with an AC adapter, stylus, protective cover, installation CD-ROM, application manual, Graffiti sticker, and registration materials. The Sony Clié PEG-SJ20 is covered by a one-year limited warranty.

Description from Manufacturer:The new Palm-powered PEG-SJ20 Clié handheld provides everything you need to stay organized and entertained. Compact and lightweight, you can take your Clié handheld wherever you go. The backlit, high-resolution screen shows images and documents in fine detail. In addition to the 16 MB internal memory (15 MB available), the Memory Stick media expansion slot offers unlimited storage capability for all your favorite applications. Need to get some work done on the road? You can view and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files on the handheld using Documents to Go Standard Edition by DataViz. Plus, the unique Jog Dial navigator provides easy access to most of your stored information.

Display
The PEG-SJ20 features high resolution on its 320 x 320 pixel backlit monochrome display.

Expansion
With this Sony Clié's Memory Stick expansion slot, you can get virtually unlimited data storage with Memory Stick removable media. Transfer digital content between your Clié handheld and other Memory Stick-compatible products, including digital cameras, digital camcorders, and PCs.

Operating System
The Sony Clié PEG-SJ20 is powered by Palm OS 4.1, which means it comes complete with all the standard Palm OS applications you need for organizing your life, including Date Book, To Do List, Memo Pad, Mail, Expense, and Address Book. HotSync software is also included.

Extra Software
In addition to the built-in applications that come with Palm OS 4.1, the PEG-SJ20 comes with the following Sony software: Clié Paint, Clié Photo Stand, Memory Stick Autorun, Memory Stick Backup, Memory Stick Export (for PCs), Memory Stick Gate, Memory Stick Import, PictureGear Lite (for PCs), PictureGear Pocket, and World Alarm Clock.

Synchronization
Connect to your PC and synchronize your contacts and date book using the included USB cable. You can also beam information to other Palm OS handheld owners using the IrDA infrared port.

Compatibility
The Sony Clié PEG-SJ20 is compatible with Windows 98 SE, 2000 Professional, Me, XP Home, and XP Professional editions. PCs must have a minimum 133 MHz or faster processor, 64 MB RAM (128 MB recommended), and at least 128 MB of available hard drive space. A USB port is also required.

In the Box
The Sony Clié PEG-SJ20 comes with an AC adapter, stylus, protective cover, installation CD-ROM, application manual, Graffiti sticker, and registration materials. The Sony Clié PEG-SJ20 is covered by a one-year limited warranty.Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: Excellent basic PDA Rating:
I finally decided to replace my beat-up Daytimer with a PDA. I'm very happy with the CLIE. The back-lit screen is easy to read, the battery life is excellent, and the PalmOS apps are easy to learn. I was relieved to see that the basic apps for calendar, address book, etc., are all PalmOS standard apps so my data will be portable to my next PDA, even if it's not a Sony. The SJ-20 doesn't have a headphone jack, vibrating alarm, or built-in camera, but for[$$$] (or less), it's a great little tool. Acrobat Reader for PalmOS v2.0 runs fine on the SJ-20, so I can review PDF documents on the road. Nice!

Complaints: nothing serious. The power button is a recessed a bit too far, and the Clie comes with some useless Sony software that seems to be un-removable (why would I want to play movies on a 360x360 monochrome screen?) But these are minor gripes.

Another reviewer mentioned the Clie documentation was poor. Actually, there is a decent user's manual in PDF format on the installation CD but you have to dig for it. Click the "Manuals" link on the installation screen and double-click a PDF file.

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Comment: Excellent value for money! Rating:
The major pro's are,
1. Low under hundred price (after rebate) and still good build quality.
2. Looks good, small size, light weight and a very nice flip cover included.
3. Jog dial, 15MB RAM and memory stick expansion slot.
4. HiRes display and very good white backlight.
5. 8 hrs of battery life on a single charge with backlight on all the time.
6. Runs Palm OS 4 which has zillion free apps available and is very easy to use unlike Windows based PDA's.
7. Good set of bundled applications.

Con's,
1. The LCD brightness can't be adjusted, its too bright to use in dark conditions or in bed.
2. No other fun stuff like mp3 or color screen, but then look at its price!
3. Uses a Lithium Ion battery and Sony sells no replacements for it. Might be an issue in 18 months time.

In short if you want to get a PDA which will do basic stuff and keep running for about 1.5 yrs get a SJ20. By then Palm OS 6 would be well debugged and color devices would be reasonably priced with improved WiFi, battery life, mp3 quality etc. None of the current Palm's or Clie's (SJ22/SJ33) compare to this Clie in value for money right now, although a many new PDA's should come out in fall.

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Comment: Great PDA Rating:
For a starter, like I was, this PDA was great. You may even love it if you're a professional and looking for a cheap PDA that will do what you want. This PDA was excellent to me until after about a year of drops, tears, breaks, crashes, and so on, the battery finally gave out and won't hold a charge very long at all.

My PDA overwent so much wear and tear since I took it to my school and my peers wanted to touch it and would drop it. Supprisingly, it held up to all of it very well.

The only problems I have with it are that the screen collects dust and fingerprints rather easily. I never bothered wasting money on screen protectors though. It also has a small crack on it, but it was probably from someone getting mad at it and slamming the stylus into it's screen.

The casing held up very well for me. Infact, it's still holding what it should. It's 16MB memory is good enough for anyone wanting just games and scheduling apps. It's screen is crystal clear and is actually extremely good for it's price.

In conclusion, if you're a student starting out wanting a PDA, or just a small business guy needing something to schedule, or maybe a gamer that doesn't care much about color display, then this PDA is for you. It's 16MB is good enough. Those other reviewers who talk about the screen giving in and stuff, they are mistaken. My PDA has probably undergone the most stressful year and it's still working perfect except the fact that's it's battery won't hold a charge very long, which I'm sure can be replaced...

Posted at November 11, 2003 06:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)