| Product: |
Palm Tungsten E |
| Date: |
07.06.08 (141 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Great value
Disadvantages: none
The Palm Tungsten is a sleek cool looking handheld with a vast array of features that are going to suit the majority of users. It comes with most of these features pre-loaded, but there are more on the provided CD which also contains the software to enable synchronization with your PC or Mac. Also provided in the box are several power adaptors which will make in rechargeable almost worldwide. Although the unit comes with Bluetooth there is also an additional cable supplied which will link your Palm to your computer for the transfer of data. I have found through experience that the cable method is definitely significantly quicker compared with the Bluetooth, but again each to their own.
One thing I have noticed is that the lifespan of the internal rechargeable lithium battery is greatly improved from previous versions and indeed other makes of handhelds. On removing the unit from the box it is probably a good idea to charge it for a few hours before diving straight in since the battery is not fully charged on arrival. Me being a guy though had no patience and just got tore in straight away. Initially there are a few simple steps to follow from the on screen instructions, these basically just set up the unit to your chosen specs.
After setup I just played around with it a bit until I got used to the extremely user friendly interface. The touch screen is quite sensitive and the pen which is neatly concealed in a compartment at the side of the unit is of substantial strength and weight. The small back top portion of the pen can be unscrewed to facilitate the reset procedure should your unit crash. This is easily done by simply pressing the recessed reset button on the rear of the Palm Tungsten.
The screen is divided into two portions the upper part is the main visual part whilst the lower in for inserting you data by way of using the pen. This is made easier by the supply of a sticker which comprise of the methods used to write letters and numbers which will be easily translated by the unit. For the most part this is simply normal writing but there are a few differences which are adjusted to fairly quickly.
Now that we are all ready we can have a good old play around with the features which I shall list below, I will also give a brief description since many are self explanatory.
From the main screen there can be seen at the top right hand side a small pop down menu, from here you can access all the programs and utilities of the Tungsten.
The main categories listed are :-
Communications:
1. Bluetooth.......From here you can switch on the bluetooth and set up a connection with a bluetooth enabled device. A cheap bluetooth dongle ( £9.99 from Maplins ) will enable a link with your PC.
Games:
1. Solitaire........which can be installed from the setup CD
Main:
This section contains the majority of the software and programs
1. Calc...............A basic calculator which really needs little explanation
2. Calendar..........A multiview calendar where you can place all your vital appointments and set yourself some reminders.
3. Contacts..........Another which is self explanatory, being that it is a list of your contacts with telephone numbers and email addresses.
4. Documents......The Palm Tungsten comes with a word , excel and other Microsoft Office applications compatible program called Documents to Go, this is perhaps not quite and user friendly as Office but certainly does the job well.
5. eReader..........An ereader which will enable you to download and read your favourite titles.
6. Favourites.......A quick link to all your favourites once you have organised them.
7. Memos...........A neat little program where you can write and store information.
8. Note Pad.........Very like a post it where you just write your message on the screen to help remind you.
9.SMS...............A neat little program to send SMS messages and those important pictures.
10. Tasks............A to do list that can set reminders and keep track of those projects.
Moving on from the Main menu the next option is
Multimedia:
1. Windows Media....for playing movies and videos
2. Real Player..........for playing mp3 files and other types of music file
System:
1. Card Info......This will give you all the information of any SD cards you have inserted into the provided slot at the top of the unit.
2. Hot Sync......Used to synchronize data with your PC
3. Preferences....Here you have the option to change how things look and work and get them just as you like them
Utilities:
1. Quick tour.......A quick instruction into the basic of the tungsten
2. Dialer.............Dials your number
3. Expense...........Keeps a track of your expense account
4. World Clock......Tells you the time around the world
This then is how your unit looks on arrival, but you can change this around in the preferences and move items from one category to another should you desire, but really it is about how the unit works that counts cosmetics are only that. The Tungsten is a robust and very easy to use unit with the capabilities that most us will use. It is very user friendly with the exception of Docs to go which does require a bit of practice. To aid in the speed there are four buttons on the bottom part of the Palm which although are preset to certain programs can by the use of preferences be reprogrammed to those applications of your choice.
My Palm cost me £99.90 from Amazon and I think it was a very good purchase, but then I am a gadget man a would probably say that anyway. I also purchased the aluminium case for £18 which protects my little gem. I'm not going to kid you it isn't the best handheld on the market, but the rest are all away in the £200 bracket so for value for money it is a pretty good buy.
Summary: A really good handheld for the price
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