Sony Clie PEG-SJ33

Like a lot of Sony products, the Clie range has a reputation for good-looking handheld computers. The new SJ33 is a mid-priced and mid-range model but it still cuts a dash.

This being a Sony device, the SJ33 sports a flash design, the emphasis this time around on small and neat as much as on stylish.

The SJ33 has a Motorola Dragonball processor running at 66MHz. This is the fastest processor that the Palm operating system it uses can support.

There is 16MB of memory for applications and a 320 x 320 resolution screen. A memory stick slot sits in the top of the casing, as is the case with all Sony's handheld computers.

These are fairly standard specifications for a good Palm device but Sony has crammed them into an extremely small case - easily small enough for most pockets, though not quite featherweight at 172g.

The novel lid flips up when needed but the screen can be seen through it. Using the power switch that sits on the left side of the case in combination with the jog dial wheel and a Back button, you can look up an address or appointment details and just about read them without opening the lid at all.

For more demanding activities that require a better view of the screen, it is simply lifted out of the way.

An MP3 player and the Kinoma movie player are installed as is a very popular game - AstraWare's Bejeweled.

The power switch doubles as a Hold button, turning everything except the MP3 player off to conserve battery power. That's clever but there are some downsides.

The application shortcut buttons that sit under the screen are very small and the directional buttons are nice looking but almost impossible to use.

There is no docking cradle which isn't so unusual but the only jack for mains power comes through the HotSync cable, which will be a nuisance if you like to charge your handheld while out and about. There is also no HotSync button, so you have to tap at the screen to synchronise.

This is a neat, small Palm, but its few negative points will irritate in time.

Contact: Sony 0870 542 4424
www.sony-europe.com/clieplaza

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