Sony CLIE PEG-SL10 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
• DragonBall VZ 33 MHz
• 8 MB internal memory
• Backlit monochrome display, 320 x 320 pixels, 16 gray scale
• What's in the box: Clié PEG-SL10, USB HotSync cradle, stylus, two AAA alkaline batteries, protective cover, installation CD, application manual, Graffiti sticker, and registration materials

Product Description:

The new Palm-powered Sony Clié PEG-SL10 handheld provides everything you need to stay organized and entertained. Compact and lightweight, you can take your Clié handheld wherever you go. Its high-resolution screen shows images and documents in fine detail. In addition to the 8 MB internal memory, the Memory Stick media expansion slot offers virtually unlimited storage capability for all your favorite applications. You can view and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files on the handheld with included value-added software. Plus, the unique Jog Dial navigator provides easy access to most of your stored information. Display The PEG-SL10 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-SL10 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, and Expense tools, 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-SL10 comes with the following Sony software: Clié Mail, Clié Paint, Clié Photo Stand, Memory Stick Autorun, Memory Stick Backup, Memory Stick Export (for the PC), Memory Stick Gate, Memory Stick Import, PictureGear Lite (for PC), 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-SL10 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-SL10 comes with a USB HotSync cradle, stylus, two AAA alkaline batteries, protective cover, installation CD, application manual, Graffiti sticker, and registration materials. The Sony Clié PEG-SL10 is covered by a one-year limited warranty. --Patricia Atherly

Description from Manufacturer:The new Palm-powered Sony Clié PEG-SL10 handheld provides everything you need to stay organized and entertained. Compact and lightweight, you can take your Clié handheld wherever you go. Its high-resolution screen shows images and documents in fine detail. In addition to the 8 MB internal memory, the Memory Stick media expansion slot offers virtually unlimited storage capability for all your favorite applications. You can view and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files on the handheld with included value-added software. Plus, the unique Jog Dial navigator provides easy access to most of your stored information.

Display
The PEG-SL10 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-SL10 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, and Expense tools, 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-SL10 comes with the following Sony software: Clié Mail, Clié Paint, Clié Photo Stand, Memory Stick Autorun, Memory Stick Backup, Memory Stick Export (for the PC), Memory Stick Gate, Memory Stick Import, PictureGear Lite (for PC), 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-SL10 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-SL10 comes with a USB HotSync cradle, stylus, two AAA alkaline batteries, protective cover, installation CD, application manual, Graffiti sticker, and registration materials. The Sony Clié PEG-SL10 is covered by a one-year limited warranty. --Patricia AtherlyAverage Customer Rating:

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Comment: Most features for the lowest price! Rating:
Here's why this PDA is great:

- 8 MB is plenty of room for a PDA, however, the memory stick option allows you to increase by 128 MB.
- Superb resolution, can display monochrome pictures as well as MPEG videos (or some equivalent).
- Design is classic Sony, jog dial, "back" button, overall size and weight are perfect.
- Excellent software preinstalled allows you to work with and synch Word/Excel documents.
- Blows the comparably priced Palm Zire out of the water in terms of resolution, memory, and functions.
- The price is first-rate; this piece of kit would have cost a lot of quid just a couple of years ago.
- It has infrared capability for sharing information and hot-synching.
- Great battery life.
- It uses Palm OS.

Here's why you may NOT like this PDA:

- It's not color (although color only adds to the cool quotient, it does nothing for your information).
- The high resolution makes the letters hard to read, honestly, if you're over 50 you will likely hate it (but you can increase the font).
- The stylus is very thin and hard to manipulate for people with less than dexterous hands (but you can buy a replacement).
- Uses a USB cable instead of a cradle for hot-synching.
- No audio to speak of other than the standard beeps and buzzes.
- Uses standard AAA batteries (although I considered this a plus, I hate high-maintenance technology).
- It's the lowest line, so it won't impress too many people (if this is your primary motivation you wouldn't even be considering this product).

Overall: As you can tell I am really happy with this PDA. It is better than the PEG-SL20 because it's $$ cheaper and doesn't rely on rechargeable batteries (the SL20 doesn't use a docking station; you have to plug in this giant serial-port-looking cable). I also use a Sony Digital Camcorder with memory stick, this allows me to film short videos or capture low-res pictures and view them right on the PDA. I have an IR port on my laptop which allows for simple, albeit slower, synching back to the mother ship. These capabilities are fun but not too important. This is my third PDA and by far the best. You cannot beat this little Sony. Finally, I do wish I knew how to pronounce "Clie."

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Comment: Great PDA! Rating:
SL10 is very lightweight, small in size, reasonably fast for most PDA tasks, low priced, runs stable Palm OS 4, very well designed with silver casing and great is you don't need multimedia on your Palm.

I have been using this for about 2 weeks now and like it very much. Lots of people here claim it has dark and unreadable screen, which is not true. You will need to install a free Palm application called ThinFontFix to make font more readble. Here's the breakdown,

Sunlight/cloudy outdoors or bright conditions : good readability, use of backlight(BL) makes no difference.

Indoors (medium light) : average readability, BL is a must, some reflection on screen but acceptable.

Dark conditions : excellent, BL must, perfect for your eyes.

I think that the reviewers who claim dark screen didn't turn on the BL all the time or enable ThinFontFix. I installed X-Master and KeepLitHack (both free Palm applications) to keep the BL always on irrespective of lighting conditions.

Now people who are used to 2 months battery life on old low-res Palm's will claim it has poor battery life. 5-6 hrs on rechargeable batteries (w/BL on always) is good enough for atleast 1 week. Its no big deal to put in freshly charged NiMH AAA's, say every Sunday evening. Its better than LiIon rechargeable batteries since they die within 2 yrs of manufacturing date and can't be replaced.

Another advantage of SL10 is that it comes with no cradle or others propreitary items to worry of. Only a *standard* USB cable, metal stylus and very well designed flip (eliminates need for a case). Jog dial is very useful when reading something und memory stick expansion slot is excellent.

Included SW bundle with Documents-to-go, MobiPocket Reader and other memory stick backup utilities is good. More importantly there are tons of free Palm application on the web like DiddleBug HR, Plucker, NoahLite, ThinFont, Shoplist, Runtime, etc.

Yes this won't snap pics, play mp3's or color pics, games or movies, but I don't those things in my PDA. PDA has to be simple, reliable, easy-to-use, good battery life and not-priced-as-much-as-a-new-Dell-PC. Overall for double digit price I paid I am pretty happy.

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Comment: OK, for a while... Rating:
I received this product as a gift a year and a half ago. Initially, I noticed the unit was getting turned on and the batteries drained while being carried around in my bag, thanks to the wonderful "feature" that turns the unit on when any of the front buttons are pressed. These buttons are constantly pressed when pressure is applied to the flip cover. I read on the SONY site there's no way to turn this feature off. Bummer. I started carrying it around in a cardboard box so this wouldn't happen, but that sort of negated the benefit of its small size. Also, if you use the backlight you can literally watch the battery meter drop.

The big problem is that once the AAA's are drained, the small internal battery drains as well. Normally this small battery is only supposed to make sure you don't lose everything when you change the AAA's, and is supposed to be kept constantly charged by the AAA's. Now EVERY time I change the AAA's, whether they're discharged or not, the system resets and I lose everything. I have to back everything up on the MS (which leaves you SOL when you don't have enough juice) or HotSync all the time to combat--but not fix--this problem. I inquired about sending the unit in for service to presumably replace the small internal battery (it is out of the warranty period) and they quoted the fix at $138--more than the unit cost brand new a year and a half ago, and well over what they're selling for now. I'm so completely annoyed at this, I'm not sure if I'll try another PDA (NOT SONY), or go back to old fashioned paper.

In summary, OK for the first 1.5 years, pretty useless after that.

Posted at November 11, 2003 05:38 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)