Sony Clié PEG-SJ20

The best 16MB entry-level Palm OS PDA around, the Sony Clié PEG-S360 ($180 street), has just been replaced by an even better model, the Sony Clié PEG-SJ20 ($200). The PEG-SJ20 offers a higher-resolution monochrome screen (320-by-320 versus the PEG-S360's 160-by-160) and enhanced white-screen backlighting, making it equally usable indoors and outdoors. The 16MB Handspring Visor Pro is comparable in price to the PEG-SJ20 but doesn't offer the enhanced display technology. And Palm's only 16MB PDA, the Palm m515 ($400), costs more than the PEG-SJ20 because of its color display.

At 4.0 by 2.8 by 0.6 inches (HWD), the silver PEG-SJ20 is not as tall as its predecessor, and it weighs slightly more, at 4.5 ounces. The PEG-SJ20's internal, rechargeable lithium battery is rated for 15 days of use.

You can easily operate the PEG-SJ20 one-handed with the jog dial, Back button, Scroll button, and four application buttons. When we first depressed the device's Power button, it stayed depressed until we pried it up; then it worked consistently. You'll get a reasonable but not rapid response from the 33-MHz Motorola Dragonball VZ processor.

The PEG-SJ20's Memory Stick expansion slot opens the door for add-on storage and accessories, such as the Sony Memory Stick and the Sony Clié Memory Stick Camera Module PEGA-MSC1. The unit has no external keyboard, which is typical of an entry-level device, but you can add the Sony Clié Compact Keyboard PEGA-KB11 for $90. A USB travel cable is included, and an optional cradle accessory, the Sony Clié USB Cradle PEGA-UC50, is available for $30.

You can synchronize the PEG-SJ20's standard Palm OS Software 4.1 PIM applications with Lotus Organizer, Microsoft Outlook, or Palm Desktop using the included synchronization conduits. The unit also includes a host of bundled utility, productivity, travel, health and leisure, and gaming programs, which could take hours to explore. For example, Sony includes five Memory Stick utilities and a handful of software, including DataViz's Documents to Go Standard Edition 4.0 (for viewing and editing Microsoft Word and Excel files), Franklin's Mobipocket Reader, and Vindigo 2.0 (a group of city guides).

The PEG-SJ20 can run Palm OS–compatible games such as Astraware's Bejeweled. Its excellent display, easy navigation, and Memory Stick storage all benefit gamers. The latest Sony PDA accessory, the Sony Clié Game Controller PEGA-GC10 ($40), can boost the gaming features in the PEG-SJ20. Another entertainment option is the Sony Clié Audio Adapter for PEG-T Series PEGA-SA10 ($130), which converts the PEG-SJ20 into an MP3 player.

The Sony Clié PEG-SJ20 is the front-runner entry-level Palm OS PDA, not only because of its included features and software but also for its ability to work with an appealing array of accessories. For only $20 more than the previous model, this package provides an excellent value to consumers.

Product: Sony Clié PEG-SJ20

Street price: $200

Requires: Pentium/133 processor or better (Pentium III/450 or better recommended for Windows XP); 64MB RAM (128MB recommended for Windows XP); 128MB hard drive space; CD-ROM drive; Microsoft Windows 98 SE, 2000 Professional, Me, or XP

Company Info: Sony Electronics Inc., 888-315-7669,