CNET editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 08/01/2003
- Released on: 06/16/2003
Cosmetically, the most notable and obvious difference between this model and the NX70V is the color; this guy is black instead of silver, which we like. Sony also offers a backlit keyboard for nighttime note-taking and a spring-loaded CompactFlash expansion slot that opens and closes like a cassette deck on a boombox. The advantage to this design is that the slot is hidden and covered when not occupied by a card. Better yet, the NX73V now accepts certain manufacturers' CompactFlash cards, including those made by Lexar and SanDisk, not just Sony's Wi-Fi PEG-WL100 data radio. Therefore, you can now use both a CompactFlash card and a Memory Stick or a Memory Stick Pro at the same time--finally breaking a Sony taboo.
A few other improvements are based on Sony's user (and editorial) feedback. First, the swivel screen has been reinforced a bit. Hopefully, this new hinge will be less prone to damage than that of earlier models. Also, the function buttons have been moved from one end of the screen to the other. That way, when the unit is in tablet mode with the screen flipped around, the buttons will be at the bottom of the screen for easier accessibility.
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| The NX73V has to be a bit large to make room for a big display, a keyboard, a camera, and a CompactFlash slot. |
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| It is slimmer than earlier NX-series CLIEs, though. |
Otherwise, the 8-ounce unit is identical to the NX70V, with the same large, 320x480-pixel, high-resolution screen; swiveling 310,000-pixel camera lens for taking pictures and shooting low-res video clips; and tolerable minikeyboard, which isn't quite as tactile as the one found on BlackBerry devices. But with a little practice, you'll find that it's certainly usable and a good alternative to Graffiti 2 and Decuma Input, a second handwriting-recognition program Sony has thrown in for good measure. A cradle is included for syncing and charging the device, as well as a small, donglelike accessory that attaches to the bottom of the device and allows you to charge or sync sans cradle via USB.
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| Common component: The device's jog dial gives your thumb an avenue to navigation. |
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| The NX73V's cradle puts the device at a comfortable angle for desktop use. |
As noted, the NX73V runs Palm OS 5.0, packs a speedy 200MHz processor, and carries 16MB of RAM, though only 11MB are available for use. It also houses 16MB of ROM and the same VGA (310,000 effective pixels) camera found in its predecessor. Typically, CLIE handhelds or personal entertainment organizers, as Sony calls them, come with good software bundles, and this model is no exception.
On top of the company's tricked-out version of Palm OS 5.0, all the usual PDA features are here, including a calendar, an address book, a to-do list, an alarm clock, and software that allows you to sync with Microsoft Outlook--but Mac users will have to purchase an extra software package to sync with their machines. An e-mail client (CLIE Mail), a Web browser (NetFront), an image viewer/editor, a document viewer, a remote control, and a movie recorder are preinstalled, but you'll need Sony's $150 PEG-WL100 Wi-Fi card to take advantage of the advanced communication capabilities.
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| The odd-looking headphone jack above the Memory Stick slot accommodates a special in-line remote. |
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| You can use CompactFlash media for extra storage space or plug in Sony's pricey Wi-Fi adapter. |
In addition to taking instant voice memos, the handheld plays MP3 or ATRAC3 sound files, and as with the NX70V, Sony bundles a wired remote and earbud headphones. On a critical note, we feel that this model, like the NX70V, is a bit volume challenged, though the audio is rich and vibrant. Using our test headphones, we found that the CLIE never reached levels loud enough to block out background noise.
As far as software extras go, the package includes a CD-ROM that's chock-full of programs--though some are trial versions--and utilities. The best of the bunch are a world clock, an image album, and Presenter-to-Go. Each application needs to be installed separately, which is a bit of a drag, but it allows you to fill up your memory with only the programs you intend on using.
The NX73V houses an Intel StrongARM 200MHz processor, which is fast but has been superceded by the Palm Tungsten C's 400MHz XScale chip. The 16MB of internal memory is a bit skimpy, though Sony will gladly sell you a Memory Stick to expand your RAM; we recommend at least 64MB. Fortunately, this model supports Sony's higher-capacity Memory Stick Pro media, as well as CompactFlash cards from certain manufacturers. Again, the 65,536-color, 320x480-pixel screen is impressive, offering a bright, sharp image down to the smallest icons. The games we loaded, trial versions of GTS (a car racing game) and Zap2016, not only looked good but played smoothly.
Looking good: The screen pays for its attractive looks by eating up battery power.
As one might expect, the built-in camera can't compete with even an entry-level point-and-shoot model, but it takes passable 640x480-pixel pictures that are suitable for viewing on the device itself or e-mailing to others. The video is also decent, but again, we're talking Webcam--not camcorder--quality.
The included lithium rechargeable battery--which, thankfully, is removable--offered average battery life. With the screen brightness set at the halfway point, the CLIE ran a Kinoma Player movie file for 3 hours, 21 minutes before the battery lost its juice. This is a reasonable performance, considering the CLIE's large screen is a power hog and that playing video and sound taxes system resources. You can maximize battery life by minimizing backlight use.
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Where to buy
PEG-NX73V CLIE Handheld:
$649.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$649.99 | See Site |
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