Customer Reviews
It's All About Accessories - The Good and the Bad 
2004-09-03
In today's world of electronic gadgets, there are two things that really are frustrating: 1) Once you buy an electronic gadget - it often is obsolete the next day; 2) You often need to get lots of accessories to get the most use of your gadget. On top of that, when you are ready to buy a replacement gadget to replace the one you want - all of the accessories you bought are suddenly no good. Thus, the dilemma I faced when my old Palm IIIc finally showed signs it was nearing the end of its life was what to buy. I had used my IIIc for 3 1/2 years. During this time, I had such accessories as a Leather Case, A Keyboard, and a Travel Charger. Now as I was viewing what Palm (today) had to offer, I discovered that those nice accessories I owned were suddenly no good because none of the new models that Palm offered were compatible with them. Not a happy camper. As I mention above, this isn't a Palm-specific problem, but a problem with consumer electronics - and something companies in the consumer electronics industry have completely taken advantage of the consumers.
Enter Sony's Clie PEG-NX80V - this is known as Sony's Personal Electronics Organizer. In addition to being a very impressive unit, it did seem to solve some of my immediate problems around accessories, but of-course introduced a new set of accessory problems I did not imagine.
First up the unit itself. It is a beautiful unit that will immediately make a great first impression. It is silver and basically looks like a mini tablet computer. For starters, the unit folds down into its own hard case - so I didn't need to buy any extra cases because this protected the screen (I keep mine in a Day Planner binder, but you still may want a leather cover to prevent case scratches). When you open the unit, you will see a screen and a keyboard - now it looks like a mini laptop. The Keyboard solved my dilemma of having to buy a keyboard (I use mine to enter sales data and really depend on a keyboard - this one works great). Now the cool feature is you can swivel the screen around and fold it back down on top of the keyboard into the traditional PDA view - now its just like a regular PDA. The PEG-NX80V package also comes with a beautiful looking USB cradle in which the back of the cradle is translucent. In addition, the AC Charger unplugs from the cradle and can be plugged into an plug adapter that connects to the unit - now you have your travel charger. Yes, the plug adapter is included. That solved my travel adapter problem (I take it on the road a lot). The unit also has a slot for expanding memory with a Sony Memory Stick or Compact Flash Card as well as connecting a wireless lan card.
There are some other impressive features with this unit. First up the stuff you get out of the box. The unit comes loaded with Palm OS 5. Sony also packages their own version of the Launcher Program - which looks very attractive. The Sony Launcher does get some getting used to, but I like it because it looks good. If you can't get used to it, you can switch to the traditional Palm OS launcher. There is a jog dial on the unit for making scrolling lists very easy. To write, the unit comes with Palm's Graffiti 2, but there is something better - the Decuma Input Handwriting Recognition Software. Decuma Input has a utility where you enter your handwriting and then the unit will recognize your writing. I found the change from standard Graffiti to Graffiti 2 a bit annoying. But Decuma Input is terrific and once you get used to it, you won't go back. The unit will allow you to switch between Decuma Input and Graffiti. The unit comes with an application that will turn your PDA into a Universal Remote Control to use with such devices as a TV, DVD, VCR, etc. Finally the unit comes with a built in voice memo recorder for recording quick voice memos, storing them in the unit and playing them back. Only thing disappointing is a very cheap styled stylus.
As for this being a Personal Electronics Organizer, it has some terrific features - but also some warnings. For starters it has a Built in 1.3 Megapixel Camera with a flash - its only 1.3 Megapixels, so it won't replace your digital camera. It's a nice feature and you can store pictures and do some cool things like put photos in your address book. Be warned - snapping a picture will consume a lot of power from your battery (especially with the flash) - more than you expect. Be also warned, you MUST have a Memory Stick to export/import pictures with your PC and Clie - thus another accessory. There also is a built in MP3 Player (the unit does come with headphones) and a Movie Camera as well. Using the MP3 unit and Movie Camera does require the Use of a Memory Stick - thus this becomes another "required" accessory. The Data Backup Program does also require the Memory Stick. From looking at the specs, it isn't intuitive you need the Memory Stick for these features.
While this is a great unit and it did solve my accessory problems, it created a whole new set of others (namely with the Memory Stick). It is also worth noting to get the Wireless LAN for internet access is a costly accessory as well. However the unit is still very impressive looking and works terrific. Price out what accessories you want and need - then shop carefully. Your bet is to try to get it on sale or for a rebate though to get the most for your money.
After over a year of daily use... 
2004-07-03
This is my third PDA, the priors were Palm IIIvx, Sony Clie 610C. I really use my PDA all day, so I could justify paying a bit more for a nicer PDA. I have friends with CE based machines and they really don't use them nearly as much as I use mine.
Pros:
Too many to mention all of them, but the all add up to great usability. I really used a lot of the features that I thought were just bells and whistles. The flip display is great because you don't need a case unless you are trying to keep the unit pretty. The camera was a life-saver for shooting white boards before they get erased and showing tech support problems that were hard to describe over the phone/email without a picture. The voice memo took excellent notes even at conference meetings (much better than my friend's Palm Tungsten 2). Additional apps such as a mileage log (Trip) have been so important to me that I replaced the hard-wired button for notes with it. The Silk Launcher has a mode that adds more app buttons to the graffiti area.
Battery life is very good. I would often go for 3 or 4 days between charges, regardless of the display brightness. If I reduced the brightness, I could go for a week of light use between charges.
Cons:
A tad big. Too heavy to tote around for MP3s at the gym.
After well over a year of heavy use, the Power/Hold slider button died, making the unit unusable (Fortunately, I sync'd up just a few hours before it broke!).
Decision Time:
Sony want's $150 to fix it. For double that, I can get a new one, and since no other PDA surpasses the UX80V, I think I will do that. I have been very rough on my Clie, but it really is a workhorse for me.
Great PDA for medschool students 2004-06-17
Great PDA, I'm a medschool student and it helps a lot in the hospital and in the classrooms. A lot of free medical software to download from the web. The camera it's awesome, it has a slow shutter function that allows you to take pictures even in dark rooms; the resolution (1.3MP) it's good and I can take pictures of patients, X ray films, CT scans and more with nice quality.
The battery lasts for at least 5 hours of continuous work, and the integrated keyboard helps a lot when you're tired of using the stylus. The internal memory it's quite short, but I bought a 256 MB Lexar MS (not too expensive) and don't have any problem.
I do recomend this PDA for medschool students because it's a helpful tool in the hospital (specially the camera). The free software I found on the web includes drug guides, medical calculators, diagnostic and tratment tools, medical news software, etc, etc, etc.
Best PDA... still! 2004-04-17
The Clie NX80 is still the best PDA around, despite being discontinued by Sony. The latest model, the UX, doesn't even come close in terms of screen size or brightness, camera quality, or overall reliability.
There's nothing on the horizon which is even threatening to make this unit obsolete. It will certainly rank with the best for at least another 2 years.
Considering that unused NX's can now be bought for aboutUS$300, you really can't go wrong. Highly recommended.
Possibly the BEST PDA on the planet right now... 2004-04-01
I've had my NX80 for about two months now and continue to be amazed with what this little device can do. SONY really got it right with this device. Screen in HUGE and bright and the keys/buttons well laid out. I use my NX80 everyday to listen to MP3's, watch movies, play LOTS of games, and use it for productivity purposes (calendar, phone#'s, notes). My favorite games are Billiards, Bowling, Crazy8's, Rumnmy, and GTS Racing all of which look amazing on the NX80. The compact flash slot can be made fully functional with *free* hacked drivers (www.cliesource.com) to really increase the NX80's functionality. I SIMULTANEOUSLY use a 512MB compactflash and 256MB MS Pro stick. I've started experimenting with Macromedia Flash which, by the way, the NX80 can play PERFECTLY. I can transfer "SWF" files that I download from the web (search your PC for *.swf files!!!) directly to the NX80 and play them on the go! The screen protector is an absolute must. I (...) believe I got every penny's worth.
Clie NX80V is a great purchase (if you don't mind the size!) 2008-06-12
A couple of weeks ago, I broke my ClieSJ33, and purchased this upgrade from an Amazon seller after reading the reviews. I'm glad I did! I heartily recommend it, and want to add a few tips:
THE CONS:
*the biggest down side is the size. Now when everything is ipod or cell phone size, this is large too carry around--it is over 5" high (put it this way, you would need to purchase a special size case)--but the other dimensions aren't bad. It is approx the size of a pocket pc
*the camera & video functions (at least on the one I purchased) are not the great, probably not much better than your average cell phone--probably shouldn't be a big consideration for the purchase.
*you probably know this, but this is not a phone (I like to keep my phone separate, but that might be a downer for some people)
NOT SO BAD:
*in terms of other issues, don't sweat Graffiti 2 if you are used to the old writing; it took me about a day to get used to it.
*retractable stylus is smaller, but I got used to it quickly.
GREAT PROS:
*performance wise, this is superior to many pdas I have seen, and definitely a big upgrade from the SJ33.
*extremely versatile screen flips side ways,keyboard.
*also, versatile screen display allows you to go to old setting (if you have had or liked the look of older models) or a new one, and also has a feature that allows you to see time & battery life, and a silk plug in feature that allows you to choose almost any relevant option--including mp3s-at the touch of your stylus)
*unlike the SJ33 and some earlier models, you can expand with a 1GB memory stick (maybe more, I just purchased 1GB).
*if you aren't a big fan of the included keyboard, this is still compatible with the Stowaway models used for the SJ's(that makes function like a mini-laptop)
*mp3 function and included remote are great. I would recommend not using the Sony software, but connecting & downloading the files straight from your computer to the Clie through the "transfer" function on the audio software (and then you just go to "my computer" and drop it directly into the Clie program audio software) or straight to your memory stick.
*battery life is good--be sure to go to place brightness setting at its lowest, and go to Preferences and set auto-off for "after 30 seconds"
*it is even wi-fi compatible when you buy a Sony card (aprox $100, but I've seen them on line for as low as $60).
So bottom line is if you don't mind the size (and not having a phone and
pda together), I would highly recommend this!
Best PDA (no longer) on the market 2007-05-26
1.3MP camera takes excellent pictures too, however camera is prone to die before rest of PDA, so get newest one you can find.
Big screen, keyboard, clamshell, 1.3 mp camera, cool right? 2005-06-25
There is no Bluetooth or WiFi built in. So be prepared to pay about $130 for the WiFi card (which takes the Compact Flash slot). The CF slot is a cool feature, and it being retractable saves space, but the slot can't close with a card in it. It doesn't look as good as my TG50, and the keyboard keys are way to flat and small. My fingers rub right over them. The screen is amazing. It looks so crisp and clear. You can see it outside with no problem. The camera looks very good outside also. It looks like it is 3mp sometimes. The "Capture Light" is more like a flash light, and I use it for that :). The IR port is in a bad place, half is on the side, half on the top. It is annoying when using Clie remote, which allows you to control TVs, VCRs, DVD players, and amps from a variety of brands. The jog dial is cool, and it is better than the 5-way navigator on this size device. The size of this Clie is annoying. It is 8 ounces! 3 ounces bigger than my TG50.
One of the best PDAs in the market 2005-04-08
I've been using my Sony Clie NX80V since a year, and is still impressive the performance of this palm... the swivel screen allows you to use this like a normal PDA or like a laptop, an even better with its small keyboard, convenient for thumb fingers or small hands. I also found amazing the dual (CF and MemoryStick) card reader, and if you buy the WiFi CF card for Clie, you can do everything with this handheld. Besides, it has a lot of convenient software, like the Picsel viewer and NetFront browser. The only software I added is DocumentsToGo, and I can edit my .doc and .xls files (even simple PowerPoint presentations), and still view it in my PC when I plug my Clie to it. The screen is huge, brillant with its wonderful shrinkable Graffiti area, that allows you to add direct access to many applications you use often. Finally the camera is really great (I haven't seen any PDA with a 1.3M pixels built-in camera... and fast), and Sony knows how to make it look beautiful, including the cradle, and the MP3 player sound great, and much better with the hand controller.
It's one of the best products I've ever used
Say Goodbye To Sony's US and European PDA Market 2004-10-09
I love my Sony Clie, PEG NX80V. I bought it less than a year ago, and the resolution, screensize and vivid display still astound my associates. The performance is quick for PDAs made in 2003, and the product is still superior in technology when compared to most of todays sales. I have to complain that Sony stopped offering online updates (drivers, patches, etc) for this product less than 7 months after releasing it. Now, after current stocks run out, Sony will retreat to ASIA, where they are selling the latest PDA, it's really going to blow you away.
Compare Sony to Palm, and Sony comes in about equal. I recommend buying this product new or used, it has never let me down.
