Palm Tungsten C

The Tungsten C has a 400MHz Xscale processor, runs Palm OS 5 and has multimedia playback facilities.

It is also the first PDA to take advantage of Palm 5's embedded wireless support, and has a Qwerty keyboard, although it lacks the GPRS of its brother the Tungsten W.

Using a very similar chassis to the Tungsten W (minus the aerial at the top), it's quite chunky and heavy at 178g.

However, this does make it feel comfortable to hold and use. While we're not particularly keen on the idea of a Qwerty keypad on such a small device, this is one of the best to use, as the keys are raised quite high and are reasonably large.

The more traditional layout of the navigation keys means that it's quicker to get to grips with not using the stylus, and we would liked to have seen a jog dial on the side to speed things up. The supplied stylus is fabulous, though, and we resorted to this very quickly.

On the top of the device sits an Secure Digital card slot, as well as an infra-red port and a headphone socket. Apart from the cradle connector at the bottom, that's as far as ports go.

The 802.11b wireless access is easy to set up using the provided software that searches for and connects you to any available network. It also comes with Avant Go, which downloads online content for offline reading.

The screen is a bit of a disappointment, as it's rather dull and pales in comparison even to Palm's own Tungsten T.

Besides the reservations about this and the keyboard, this is a well-built device that fills a niche for those who want a wireless PDA that uses Palm OS.

However, £400 is a lot for a PDA like this and, with the Tungsten T now selling for £255.50, we're not sure that the extra £145 is worth it for wireless.

Contact: Palm
www.palm.co.uk

Specifications:

• Palm OS 5.2.1
• Intel Xscale 400MHz processor
• 64MB Rom (51MB usable)
• 3.5in screen
• 320 x 320 resolution
• SD slot
• Infra-red
• 802.11b
• 78 x 122 x 17mm (w x d x h)
• 178g
• USB connection

See also:

Palm Zire 71

A pocket PC for palm aficionados.  15 Sep 2003

HP Ipaq 2210

Impressive features and a superb screen.  22 Aug 2003

RIM Blackberry 7230

This lightweight device makes it easy to keep in touch on the move.  18 Aug 2003

Sony TG50

Plenty of features make this good value.  25 Jul 2003

Palm Tungsten W

A versatile PDA with built-in phone, fast internet access and email, but no browser.  02 Jul 2003

Like this story? Spread the news by clicking below:

 del.icio.us     Digg this     reddit!