PalmOne Tungsten T3 Handheld
Average Customer Review: 
Electronics
US |
Canada |
United Kingdom |
Germany |
France
Editorial Review Kicking the technology advances up another notch, the Palm Tungsten T3 delivers a professional, sleek alternative to bulkier Pocket PCs that's chock-full of productivity enhancing and information sharing applications. Improvements over the T2 include a full-screen mode when the bottom casing is slid open, a bevy of enhanced display options, compatibility with Java applets, larger internal memory, and an easier to access status bar. First, just the technical facts: - Palm OS 5.2.1
- 32-bit, 400 MHz Intel XScale processor
- 64 MB internal RAM, with 52 MB usable for applications and file storage (an improvement over the T2's 29 MB usable RAM)
- Bluetooth wireless connectivity
- Secure Digital memory card expansion slot
- 4.3 (closed) x 3.0 x 0.66 inches, 5.5 ounces
 | The T3's Stretch Display | Overall, the Tungsten T3 isn't that much smaller than the Zire 71, but it does feel nicely compact in the hand and its larger navigation button is easier to manipulate with just your thumb. However, the "wow factor" comes into full force when you slide down the bottom of the T3's case to reveal the full screen mode. And it gets even better. The standard "silkscreened" Graffiti input area (so-called because its icons and borders are printed onto the screen's glass) is now replaced by a digital version, which can be hidden to reveal an even larger screen. We found this useful when writing long notes in Memos and viewing an expanded daily calendar view. You don't actually need the Graffiti writing area to input data into notes or Calendar items. With the Full-Screen Writing preference turned on, you can write Graffiti characters anywhere on the screen (you'll even see an outline traced on the screen as you write). But the crowning display enhancement is the ability to rotate the screen to landscape view, which was especially handy when viewing downloaded movie trailers (using the included Kinoma video player). If you're left-handed, you can change the orientation in landscape view so that the status bar and Graffiti input area are more accessible to your own orientation. The T3 includes the familiar suite of Palm applications (Calendar, Contacts, Memos, and Tasks) as well as a number of third-party software title (ranging from Acrobat Reader to RealOne Player for listening to digital audio). Calendar has been given an Outlook-friendly makeover, adding an Agenda view that consolidates all of today's appointments, tasks, and new e-mails. With full-screen mode on, Calendar's month view now displays smaller calendars for the previous and next months. Bluetooth wireless functionality is built in, and the Tungsten T3 still includes the BlueBoard and BlueChat for sharing information with other Tungsten users. For Web communication, Palm includes VersaMail and WebBrowser Pro, both of which can be used along with a Bluetooth phone. Additionally, VersaMail can access a corporate e-mail account, including Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino servers. Java has also now entered the Palm OS arena, expanding the application development opportunities. The T3 comes with a few sample applets (including a periodic table that would be handy at our local pub's trivia night), but we'll have to wait for more development before Java becomes a full Palm OS tool. Our only complaint, design-wise, is the placement of the Voice Memo button, which as been placed toward the top of the left side of the case, below the on/off button on the top panel. When turning on the device, our left hand's thumb continually triggered the Voice Memo app when attempting to turn on the T3. Note that you can also turn the T3 on by pressing one of the application buttons surrounding the Navigator, or by sliding the bottom case open. Overall, the Tungsten T3 is a Palm powerhouse, blending its traditional information management strength with new multimedia and connectivity functionality (both wired and wireless). It's about as perfect a personal productivity agent for professional settings as it gets. --Agen G.N. Schmitz Pros: - Crisp, bright color screen
- Fast processor, ample internal memory, and expansion slot to boot
- Digital Graffiti input area can be hidden for full screen display
- Screen can be rotated to landscape view
- Access to corporate e-mail and Bluetooth wireless connectivity
Con: - Voice Memo button gets in the way of turning on and off
... Read more
Features What's in the box: Handheld device; Palm Desktop software, including Documents To Go and Adobe Acrobat for Palm OS; all basic utilities such as Calendar, Contacts, Tasks., etc.Palm’s new breakthrough Stretch DisplayDevice slides open to reveal a 320x480 display with 50% more viewing areaUltra-fast 400MHz Intel XScale processor and 64MB of internal memoryWirelessly access email, dial phone numbers, send text messages and connect to the Internet
Reviews (94)
Why a T|T3 is still a great PDA as of May 2005.
As every product review arises from the unique preferences and tastes of a particular individual, I begin with the following disclosures. (a) I'm a medical professional and I think that the volume of medical references and tools available for PDAs, and especially palms, is transforming the medical professions for the better. (b) I do research and I use Windows laptops, and UNIX workstations, regularly, almost all day. (c) Scheduling and reminder notices are a key part of my work and
personal life.
More on (a): It follows that I'm partial to the Palm platform and the medical software for PalmOS that I've accumulated over the years. The medical software available for Palms makes continuing medical education a pleasure for me. In a few free moments, or even as a break from the work routine, I like to read up on medical subjects from 5MCC or Harrisons' or epocrates. In casual interactions with other medical professionals, or while reading the newspaper, or looking over
content.nejm.org, sometimes I want to look up some quick information to refresh my memory.Medical information on a Palm is often at the perfect level of detail. It's key, however, that the Palm be accessible, that it be in my pocket with my wallet or in my labcoat. If it takes me more
than 20 seconds to find the information I am wondering about, often, the information may not be worth tracking down. The T|T3 has a near ideal size, the size of a wallet. I would think that the T|T5, the T|Es and the Sony TH55 would be very comparable, but the T|T3 is still smaller. The upcoming LifeDrive looks too large and heavy. Many of my medical programs want to reside in
volatile RAM; that argues against the 16MB limit of the TH55 and, perhaps, the 32MB limits of the T|Es. The T|C appears to be an important contender, but I prefer the security of short-range Bluetooth to 802.11b WiFi without WPA-PSK/AES. Also, it is likely that unencrypted 802.11b violates HIPAA.
More on (b): For research work, there is a clear separation from the heavy-weight computing tasks for which I need a workstation, the medium-weight tasks for which I need a luggable laptop, and light-weight scheduling, quick notes, reminders, etc. that a PDA does well. I don't want my PDA to
be a database or have the feature sets of office productivity suites. Still, adding research info. management to medical info. management increases demand on volatile and non-volatile storage.This argues for the T|Ts, the T|C and the LifeDrive.
More on (c): I want my PDA apps to be useful day-to-day, quick to launch and nimble to use.Keeping this in mind, I was disappointed that PalmOne did away with voice recording on the T|T5.I like the idea of using voice recordings for quick memos while driving or just before going to bed or adding voice-over notes on calendar and to-do apps. The T|C will do voice recording, but with the hassle of an external mic.Unfortunately, that little hassle could be too large a barrier to my using a voice-memo feature regularly. That takes me back to the T|T3.
The Treo 650 would be a reasonable contender. But I like my PDA to be available for scheduling and note-taking while I am talking on a cell-phone. So for me, the two should be separated.Besides, I've recently signed up for another two years with Nextel. That excludes the Treos. In the back of my mind is also the fact that cell phones aren't compatible/safe with many hospital wards.Unfortunately, as of today, there precious few sources of new, warrantied T|T3 available in the US.Amazon & associates just sold the last of the warrantied OEMs; I squeaked by and managed to get one of these. Ebay may be the only remaining source. I bought a spare T|T3 and some spare parts from ebay last week and I've been happy with this route.
To conclude, I assert the T|T3 is still a great PDA as of May 2005.
Great product, except for the screws!
Great product! My wife works in real estate, so the Tungsten T3 is invaluable to her. Easy to use and durable EXCEPT for the 4 little screws on the side of the slide part. They are NOTORIOUS for coming loose and falling out.They are so tiny that you do not even notice them come loose untill they have fallen out and are gone. However, I have contacted PalmOne and they graciously sent me 4 new screws for no charge. Great customer support!
To "tommy mike" and the White Screen of Death
Caveat emptor: I, too, had the same problem when attempting to run the Universal Wireless Keyboard (UWK) with my T3.Apparently, you have to download an updated version of the Keyboard.prc (located on Palm's website) and install that along with two other prc's that came bundled with the UWK installation CD.In my case, my T3 actually froze and would not even respond to a hard reset.But I called Palm's tech support, got it exchanged, uploaded the other prc's, and it's been working brilliantly ever since.
This problem is actually really common among T3 users.Anyone experiencing the same problem, might find this post from the palmOne Help Forums useful:http://forums.palmone.com/pe/action/forums/displaysinglethread?rootPostID=20140203&returnExpertiseCode=__Accessories__USCA
Aside from that little hitch, I highly reccommend the T3.The expandable view screen and landscape mode definitely evoke that "Wow" factor.And functionally, it's great.I'm a student, so I've started taking all of my notes on my T3.Here's where the landscape mode really comes in handy.And now that my UWK is working, it's easy as pie.
I should add that warnings about a low battery life are right.It does seem to run down pretty quickly.I got a travel charger to add some juice in between classes, which seems to work fine and doesn't take up a lot of room.So I reccommend getting either that or an attachable battery if you plan to be using your T3 extensively during the day.I believe the average battery life is 4 hours without a recharge (less if you plan to be browsing online or using the high media apps like the Kinoma player).
Hope that helps!
... Read more Asin: B0000DBJJT
Subjects: 1. Portable Audio
2. MP3 MP 3 Player
3. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA, Electronic Organizer)
4. Palm Connected
5. Handheld (Hand Held)
|
|
It even has a name...
be very careful
Good monitor, TV alright
