Customer Reviews
Good but flimsy 
2003-11-01
I was happy with the features and screen of this PDA, although its plastic construction felt flimsy compared to my old Palm V. Unfortunately, I have had to return this CLIE for repair/replacement. The innards of the memory stick slot broke loose. SONY warranty service answered my call promptly, and quickly sent me a pre-addressed FedEx carton for return of the unit.
Best Clie yet 
2003-10-02
I have had a Sony Clie PEG-S360 for a year. We just bought the SJ33 for my wife and I am blown away at what it can do. We have had no problems with it. My wife has fallen in love with it and is constantly looking for a new reason to use it or show it off to her girlfriends.
Color matters! 2003-09-10
Functionally and economically, this pda is great! I read all the other reviews before buying the first one for a friend. At first, I thought the comment about 'the flip cover being an annoying metallic sheen' in one of the reviews rather odd (especially when the black pda that I ordered came and it looked great). Later, I ordered another SJ33 pda for myself, this time in blue(also available in light blue & orange). After laying eyes on the blue pda, I have to admit that the review was quite on the nose. I am having a hard time getting over how tacky the metallic/reflecting flip cover is on this pda! However, when my friends saw it, they thought it was cool because it looks different than the rest of the pda's out there...and it might be good for gals who want to use it as a mirror, too. I guess it's just a matter of preference; but, if you're buying it for someone else, it would probably be safer to go with black.
A True Pocket-Size PDA 2003-09-07
has best mix of truly usable PDA functions, fast processor, great screen, compact size, affordable. Unfortunately, Sony dropped the universal IR remote feature of the earlier T615, I wish they had kept that. The MP3 player feature works well enough, though will balk at some files if it doesnt think the copyright is kosher, can be pretty annoying. But for true PDA use as calendar, memo pad, etc I find it to be very usable, and carry it with me always. The size and screen lid make it easier to carry in a pocket than some of the other bigger PDAs. I note that those I know who bought the fancier and larger do-everything VX70 PDA never actually use it, whereas the Sj33 is on the job every day doing actual work!
Cheap materials for casing? 
2003-09-06
I agree this is a great product, but has anyone else here noticed that the faux metal casing you see when you flip open the cover scratches really easily? I don't know how they're getting there, but every couple of days I notice a new little nick on this silvery material. Is it just me?
This one is worth it!!! 2006-07-09
Since 2001, I have had a Palm M100, 105, 500, Clie SJ-22, and now the SJ-33. This isn't a pocket pc, but I love mine and would highly recommend it--especially if you don't mind the fact that Sony doesn't make them anymore.
Docs to Go works great, and so does the MP3 player (you can bypass the Sony software and download songs directly as you would any other MP3 player). Runs videos well with Kinoma. The sound on the MP3 isn't great solo, but better than nothing--and it works great when you plug it into your computer speakers. Also, the MP3 has a "hold" feature that saves battery life. Also, dimming the light can also help with the battery.I would also recommend buying a Stowaway XT portable keyboard (works great and you can charge it while you type), making this little thing work like a mini-laptop. Basically with my SJ33 and keyboard, I can go anywhere, read a digital book, or do my work or some writing, while listening to music.
Best Palm I have ever owned 2005-04-06
I am a long time palm user. First the Palm IIIC, then the Palm m500, then the Sony Clie SJ-22 and now the Sony Clie SJ-33.
I have been using this SJ-33 since May of 2004 when I got it on a closeout sale for $149. It was the best deal on electronics I have ever received. I love the fact that I can sync outlook, word and excel documents. It helps with my work as an engineer greatly. The other thing that is great about this little handheld is that the Dragonball processor has more than enough juice to play movies. Little known fact about this handheld is that you can burn dvd's (using PocketDVD) and then convert them to .pdb format using Kinoma Producer 3 to watch full length movies on this palm. As far as I know it is the only pre Palm OS5 device that has the horsepower to do this. Granted, you have to buy PocketDVD and Kinoma Producer, and I recommend a 256Meg memory card to hold one movie but even with these costs you get the functionality of a much newer machine. The battery life is excellent, especially compared to my old IIIc and m505. I have a seperate memory stick that I use to listen to MP3's on this palm, that functionality is great as well. I take it to the gym in the morning and I either listen to MP3's or I watch a Seinfeld episode or 2 while I am on the stair master. There is enough battery life to watch two entire movies on one charge (with the brightness set to the middle). I already know that I will be using this PDA until it breaks and goes into the trash can.
Pros:
-Excellent multimedia capabilities
-Jog dial, if you have never had one, you need one!
-long battery life, and it is replaceable
-very rugged construction, I have dropped it from waist level several times and aside from some scratches, no internal damage
Cons:
-You have to buy third party software to get full functionality
-Sony support is dwindling since they have exited the US-PDA market
-I wish the memory card slot would 'lock', when I have accidentally dropped it on the ground the memory card literally launches out of the slot, going several feet away
Sony support nonexistant 
2004-12-19
If sony could get a zero, I would give them a zero. Sony has no concept of giving their customers any after purchase support. The battery on this clie has never held a decent charge. Due to my work, I am not able to leave it plugged in all day; so I tried to find a car charger. No one had one not even sony and their support never emailed me back. I decided to replace the battery and once again no one had a replacement, and sony was non responsive. I guess by halting support of their clies sony believes that everyone will have to buy a psp. NOT ME!
Excellent PDA for an affordable cost 2004-05-27
This is my 2nd PDA. I had a Casio PV-S1600. So I was used to monochrome screen and no snazzy apps.
This palm OS based color CLIE just blasted me away.
The palm 4 os based software are easily available online. The PDA serves all my purpose ... entertainment or work. The built in mp3 player is great.
I give it a thumbs up!
Cons:
A faster proccessor and RAM needed... (yes im greedy)
No cradle available with package
Built in Speaker not loud enough
Lousy product support from Sony 2003-12-24
We bought several units for office staff. Liked the unit's functionality, but several units had re-charging issues. Could not get satisfactory help from Sony, wanted nearly $500 to "fix" one unit, claiming that it had evidence of moisture damage to the mother board. At that time, it was less than two weeks out of the box, and never exposed to moisture. There was no one from Sony to talk to, despite their fancy voice interactive service line. Called numerous times. Best I got was a commitment that the service team that dealt with it would call me back within 24 hours.... nothing doing. Eventually returned the unit to me - without repair done.
