Palm Tungsten C PDA - MobileTechReview.com Comparison Shopping

Strong Performer with Room for Improvement

Strengths: Speed, Keyboard, Screen, Memory, Battery Life*

Weakness: Limited hardware and multimedia capabilities, unlit keyboard, no Bluetooth, Battery Life*

@ After using my beloved Palm IIIxe for years, I finally decided to replace it (more than 2 years ago, now) with a more modern device (although frankly that old Palm does everything a basic handheld organizer should do to this day!) @ I wanted a powerful device, with WiFi, and of course I only use PalmOS. The Tungsten|C was the only model available that I deemed satisfactory. It boasts a 400MHz...
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@ After using my beloved Palm IIIxe for years, I finally decided to replace it (more than 2 years ago, now) with a more modern device (although frankly that old Palm does everything a basic handheld organizer should do to this day!)
@ I wanted a powerful device, with WiFi, and of course I only use PalmOS. The Tungsten|C was the only model available that I deemed satisfactory. It boasts a 400MHz CPU, which is still one of the faster PDA processors; 64MB VRAM, enough for everything you'd need to store in terms of organizer functions, and which is supplemented by an SDIO slot which can of course accept flash memory; a very good color TFT LCD; an RIM Blackberry-style thumb-keyboard; 802.11b WiFi; and finally, a mono speaker and a mono headphone jack.
@ The Tungsten|C is very fast; operations seem (and in most cases, are) instant, especially when compared with an early Palm PDA. The internal memory is volatile, meaning without an electrical current running through it (i.e., when the battery has been exhausted) the contents are erased. Its capacity, however is perfectly sufficient for most users' purposes, and many (most?) programs can be stored & run from a Flash memory card. The display is very bright, clear, and colorful; it is easily readable in sunlight. The WiFi works well enough for 802.11b, although the range is certainly less than that of, say a PCI card with a good antenna. Wireless HotSync is incredibly convenient, and is fast too! Battery life is strong for normal use; it allegedly lasts a full 8 hours, although I haven't performed any tests myself. I typically charge the unit about once a week, or whenever it is convenient. When using WiFi, however, this is a different story; I believe that with constant wireless usage the unit will only last 2 hours or less.
@ I'd previously been skilled in Graffiti and on-screen keyboard typing, and loathed thumb-keyboards. This was actually the main reason I didn't want this PDA; I just didn't want a keyboard I'd never use! Well, after trying it out, I soon became addicted! The keyboard worked very well, and was much faster than either of the aforementioned methods of input.
@ There are a few capabilities missing in this device, however, that I've always wished had been included. First, I like having Bluetooth simply because it's convenient to communicate between all of my family's cell phones, as well as my PCs (in addition to 802.11 WiFi). 802.11g WiFi would also have been nice, although it was somewhat less prevalent when this unit was first designed more than 2 years ago. The keyboard is also unlit (unlike cell phone keyboards or that of the Treo 650, for example), which means it's virtually useless in the dark (back to the on-screen keyboard!) The Tungsten|C also only has mono audio output, so it's not really usable as a Digital Audio Player. It can, however, play converted video well enough.
@ I used to use screen protectors on my old Palm, but haven't on this one and the screen is in flawless condition. The screen has never stopped working as other users have described. I've always housed this PDA in a generic aluminum hard case from eBay, first one with the hinge on the left side (which is more traditional, I suppose), and then I replaced that one with a hinge on the right side, which is actually much easier to hold in my left hand. I also have never had any other components fail (SDIO slot, headset jack, etc.), with the exception of the keyboard, oddly enough:
@ A number of months ago, I believe the thumb-keyboard began to malfunction. First, the "C" key wouldn't always register a keypress. Then I noticed a few more keys exhibiting the same condition, albeit not quite as severely as the "C" key. The spacebar is in the worst condition, as a single, quick tap will often register 2, 3, or occasionally more keypresses, inserting many more spaces than desired! I don't know if this keyboard failure is due to excessive use, as I don't believe I use it more often than inteded. I believe the problem is as follows: Since the PDA always resides in my pocket, it unfortunately accumulates a layer of white pocket lint. This quickly collects all over the unit; it is obvious on the screen, but it also gets inside the unit, including the SDIO slot (if I use a can of compressed air to blow in there, a cloud of dust comes out!) and under the edges of the unit (I'd hate to take the PDA apart and see how much lint is packed inside). I'm assuming the dust has collected amongst the keyboard circuitry and is in some way interfering with its normal operation. In any case, this PDA has lasted me quite a while and I do not regret the purchase ($333 at the time); in fact the keyboard issue just gives me an excuse to replace it with a new PDA! :D
@ I'm currently debating on purchasing the Palm LifeDrive, although I'd like to see a successor with upgraded 802.11g and Bluetooth 2.0.

By Atomizer - Jun 21, 2006

Great PDA if you are very gentle

Strengths: This PDA is super intuative and the screen is easy to read.

Weakness: It has a plastic case and a glass screen. If the case is bumped or even slightly twisted the glass screen will crack. I have 2 of these now with cracked screens.

I loved my first Palm Tungsten C and when the screen cracked, when I stopped crying I bought another one. Eleven weeks later the screen cracked on this one too. It is possible to send these back to Palm to have them fixed for $150 but they will wipe the data from it and who will have access to your personal information before you get it back empty? By the way, when the screen cracks you can not...
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By jsbellco - May 29, 2006

Amazing unit but!

Strengths: long lasting battery, wireless, keyboard.

Weakness: Sound, Earpiece, Doesn't double as a wireless phone.

This unit is amazing very long lasting battery and the 64mb is more than enough for the average user and it's even better with 256mb Xtra or more, the WIFI works great indoor & outdoor: used it while on different rooms away from the wireless router and it worked like a charm also used it on public places and did not disapoint me either.Did I say that also the processor is blazing fast. Plus there...
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By acemicros - Feb 22, 2006

I have owned a Tungsten C PDA for...

Strengths: Keyboard for people like me who do not wish to learn Graffitti, memory

Weakness: NO TECH SUPPORT! Memory card slot not reading crds (repaired three times!), poor application support

I have owned a Tungsten C PDA for one yer. In that period, it broke 3 times. After spending literally hours on the telephone on hold (long distance calls!) awaiting tech support, I would get an authorization to send it back for repair. Two weeks later, it would come back, work for a couple of months and break again. Customer support is absolutely horrible! I would not recommend any of their...
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By VirtualPanther - May 5, 2005

Good functionality when it works....

Strengths: Fast Processor. Wireless. Long battery life

Weakness: Poor screen!!!! Breaks too easily. Poor support from Palm/overstock

Good functionality when it works. Problem is screen cracks too easily. I was seeing a patient and then went to check my palm and noted that the LCD screen deep in the palm was broken. 5 minutes earlier it worked like a charm, and I did not drop it or bump it. Do not buy the overstock warranty. It is a waste, because about the only thing I would be concerned of happening ie screen breakage is not...
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By stephenr - Mar 10, 2005