Sony CLIE PEG-T615C/S Handheld (Silver)

Very similar in design to Sony's previous color model, the Clie PEG-T615C features the same Jog Dial button, allowing for easy, one-handed navigation around applications. The scroll buttons have been replaced with a tiny rocker switch, which doesn't function as easily as the original buttons. Also, the included flipover screen protector does have a tendency to detach from the unit a bit too easily.

The Memory Stick slot has been retained, allowing for increased expandability. Battery life runs at about 15 days before a recharge is required, though this does depend entirely on how much you use the PDA.

The PEG-T615C has lots of little pluses that make it stand out from the rest. It sits in the cradle nicely and it doesn't make a horrible crunching sound when it's removed, unlike some PDAs. Clie-specific applications such as the AV Remote Commander, World Alarm (which allows you to use your own sound files), Sound Utility, and Clie Paint are fun to play around with. Those of you wanting to do some serious work will be pleased with Documents To Go and Intellisync Lite. The latest version of the Palm OS includes easier data entry and enhanced security and mobile connectivity.

However, the standout feature on the PEG-T615C has to be the high-resolution screen--the images are sharp and detailed, while the text is supersmooth. It makes other PDA displays look positively archaic.

With its bright color screen, superior sound quality, and supersleek body, the PEG-T615C is probably the best (and sexiest) Palm OS-based PDA on the market at the moment and well worth your consideration. --Martin Snelling

Pros:

• Bright, high-resolution color screen
• 16 MB of memory that's expandable with Memory Sticks
• Superslim
• Fun Sony add-on programs

• New rocker switch replacing scroll buttons not as functional
• Flip screen protector detaches too easily

The Sony Clie PEG-T615CS features 16 MB of RAM and a high-resolution TFT color display that's great for showing off your pictures to friends and coworkers. Use the PEG-T615CS as a remote control for audio and video components using its enhanced infrared port and Clie Remote Commander software.

The Sony Clie handheld runs on the proven, reliable Palm operating system, which means it comes complete with all the standard Palm OS applications you need for organizing your life. It comes with Date Book, To Do List, Memo Pad, Mail, and Expense tools, and the Sony-enhanced Address Book that enables you to add photos to your contacts.

It also features a wide range of fun and productivity applications, including StreetFinder Express from Rand McNally for interactive maps, Vindigo city guides, Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard and Pocket Gourmet, and games such as Zap!2016, Acid Solitaire, and Race Fever. Plus, the Clie is fully compatible with thousands of Palm OS add-on applications available for download.

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

The Sony Clie PEG-T615 comes with a number of exclusive Sony features. The Jog Dial navigator allows you to access images, phone numbers, notes, even video clips, while keeping your other hand free. And you get virtually unlimited data storage with Sony's Memory Stick removable media. Transfer digital content between your Clie handheld and other Memory Stick-compatible products, including digital cameras, digital camcorders, and PCs. The PEG-T615 can also be used to remotely control audio and video products up to 15 feet away using its enhanced infrared port and Remote Commander software.

The Sony Clie is compatible with Microsoft Windows 98, 98 SE, 2000 Professional, and Me, and connects to your PC using the USB port. It comes with a USB HotSync cradle (which also charges the lithium-polymer battery), detachable AC adapter, stylus, and a protective cover.

What's in the box

• Clie handheld
• USB HotSync cradle
• AC adapter
• Stylus
• Protective cover
• Installation CD-ROM
• Application manual
• Read This First
• Registration Notice
• Graffiti sticker
• End User License Agreement
• Limited Warranty Statement

Well, choosing the T615 over the m505 is a no-brainer, It took me few days of research, you get double memory (16Mb) which really makes a difference!, the color screen in brighter and hi-res (320x320) compared to the m505 (only 160x160)-once you get used to that neat, sharp screen,its hard to go back!. Very important, the high quality craftmanship of the Sony case (aluminum) is impressive, very slim but feels rock-solid! just like a Lexus :) The buttons are not that easy to use cause thay are very stylish, but once you get used to the jog dial/back button you realize you really dont need them anymore!

The enhanced infrared port is a plus, with >15 feet is now really useful as a remote commander (the included software is excellent too.) Also the new polyphonic speaker is very nice and loud, it plays even MIDI and WAV files that you can download from your PC!
The only complaint I have is about the stylus, which feels a bit too thin for a comfortable grip, but I'm already used to it.
This is a great PDA, very innovative and with Sony's high quality standards!
I really recommend it!!


Better than a Pocket PC, Palm, Visor...   June 24, 2002
Deku_Scrub (Northern Swamp, Termina)
45 out of 46 found this review helpful

If you are even thinking of buying anything else,you should seriously reconsider. The Clie T615 (hereafter known as Clie)has everything anyone would need in a handheld. Extreame resolution and double the colors of even a GBA make viewing photos, playing games, reading e-books, and many other miselanious activities a breeze. The Sound quality is unbelievably amazing so you can listen to all your tunes without an MP3 accessory (which you can also purchace if you want an mp3...). 16 meg of internal memory raises it above most palms and visors (which are 8mb). The Jogdialer and the back button are great so you can select and run applications,scroll down in e books, and view pictures one handedly. One unfortunate problem sony has failed to comprehend is that if you were left handed, you would hold the clie in your right hand while writing with your left but the jogdialer and back button are on the opposite side... If your right handed, dont worry about it. The infared port is mostlikely the best thing on the entire system. You can play games, exchange programs, and even turn your Clie into a remote control for your TV. Battery life seems fair untill you recharge it a few times then it will last for about 10-12 hrs strait. Movies are great on the Clie and if you have a movie file on your PC you want ot watch on your Clie You can format it to be compaable with the added on software. One thing that any owner of any handheld will definately need is a memory stick. If you have games, MP3s, photos, e-books or any other extras you will probly want a memory stick to increase your space. This is a great Item and I suggest it to anyone who is even remotely thinking about purchasing a handheld. Even if you have another handheld you should still get this. PS The Clie also comes with a leather screen cover and it's made of Titanium not plastic like palms and Visors. Comes with a cradle instead of a cable too.


This one's a winner   February 7, 2002
24 out of 24 found this review helpful

I have used four other Palm OS based systems, the V, Vx, IIIc, and 505. I consider myself a power user - I have several megabytes of documents on my palm, as well as some large spreadsheets, an automatic time zone changer for my trips, etc. However, I don't use email, modems, or other accessories (other than a travel kit, which is available) for my palms. So, since the closest comparable model is the 505 (and that's what model my CLIE is replacing) , how do they stack up?
1. Memory - the 505 comes with 8MB, the CLIE with 16MB. Easy win.
2. Speed - while I don't know the chips inside them, the time they take to recalculate a given spreadsheet of mine is the same. Tie.
3. Bat Life - The 505 seems to have a slight edge in this regard, if only because it is almost mandatory to use the backlight on the CLIE... which brings me to 4,
4. Display - The CLIE has double the resolution, an adjustable backlight that even on the dimmest setting puts the 505 to shame. Hands down the CLIE's display is the best I have seen, and finally makes it worthwhile to put photos on your handheld! With the backlight off, the 505 has a slight edge, but both are pretty terrible with the backlight off.
5. Size - This is the reason I picked up the CLIE 615. It is the same thickness, slightly lighter, a bit taller but a bit narrower than the 505 (heck, read the dimensions). For those of you who like to keep their handheld as light and small as possible, the CLIE 615 will not dissapoint.
6. Extras - The CLIE has the jog dial and back button, trying to make it as one handed as possible, with no comparible feature on the 505. While sometimes it is useful, it is not all that important. The CLIE comes with a good bundle of software, and seems to be built quite solidly.
In sum, the CLIE 615 is great. It does just about everything you would want a handheld to do - execpt for built in internet access, which is what the Palm 705 seems to be designed for. I highly recommend it!


Don't pass up this soon-to-be-gone deal   September 23, 2002
20 out of 20 found this review helpful

This is the time to pick up one of these great entry-level color units. They are on discount now because they're being superceded in Sony's current product cycle. I conducted many hours of research, looking at just about every unit between $100-$300. I initially wanted to pay low-$ for an S320 but found that new units were impossible to get. When I also added in the cost of a USB cradle for that unit (or even the S360) it made more than enough sense to go with the T615's hi-res color screen instead. The fact that it plays sound files is kinda cool. Also I felt the jog dial and back button are located in much more ergonomically correct positions than the SL-series. **All the people that complain about poor battery life have apparently not taken time to find out why. The answer is that these units ship with the backlight brightness set at its highest level.** The manual doesn't mention this, of course. Once adjusted downward to 1/4 or 1/3 brightness the battery hums along like most other PDAs. One big complaint I have in this regard is that the quick-access buttons on the unit's face ALSO turn it on! This is why you see some some complaints about it turning on in your pocket. I accidentally drained it this way, but figured it out before I ruined the battery. I am going to buy an accessory kit with car charger and a case to prevent future problems of this sort.


Excellent for Reading eBooks   February 16, 2002
Mark Messer (San Francisco, CA USA)
31 out of 34 found this review helpful

I bought this machine primarily to have volumes of technical documentation always available at my fingertips. The screen is extremely sharp and contrasty - the best I've seen on the market (even if the colors, esp. red, are a little off). I first bought the Visor Prism, and exchanged it for the Sony. Although the Prism has a beautiful color screen (the game Galax plays fantastically on it!), the Sony has four times the number of pixels. My eyes started hurting after reading text on it after a couple of days. After all, if I want to play games I'd buy a Game Boy Advance ;-)

If you need a PDA for reading lots of stuff, do check out iSilo. This piece of software sold me on the 615C. It fully supports the Clie's 320x320 screen, jog dial and back button. It basically crunches down HTML pages into it's own document format. The viewable result on the 615C is nothing short of amazing. It reproduces fixed and variable width fonts of all sizes with amazing fidelity, supports color, images and hyperlink, etc.

The "resolution assist" feature of the 615C works very well - it improves the look of Palm applications that have not been written specifically to support the hi-res modes. Make sure it is enabled when you play with it in the store.