LisaG
Head Honcho
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 7909
Loc: Texas
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The TJ27 and TJ37 only started appearing a few days ago in stores, so I really doubt anyone has had a need to replace their batteries yet!
When the battery dies (generally after two years or more) you send it back to Sony to have it replaced.
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Lisa Gade
Editor in Chief, MobileTechReview
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LisaG
Head Honcho
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 7909
Loc: Texas
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I don't think it's just planned obselescence at work. It costs significantly more to make a PDA with a user replaceable PDA. So you won't find it on budget models for that reason.
Also, Pocket PCs are harder on batteries. Since they last an average of 3 hours on a charge, folks need to be able to swap a new battery in while out in the field if they use the PDA quite a lot during the day. Many Palm OS PDAs (excluding the Tungsten T3) will last quite a bit longer on a charge, so they'll last through a work day of heavy use w/o having to swap a new battery in.
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Lisa Gade
Editor in Chief, MobileTechReview
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LisaG
Head Honcho
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 7909
Loc: Texas
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PDAs that use AAA alkaline batteries have gone the way of the angels because current PDAs' power demands are too high thanks to color displays and fast processors. AAA disposables worked great in the days of the grayscale 16 and 33MHz Palms like the IIIe. They are just not viable anymore. Thus they all have rechageable Lithium Ions these days. If it adds $40 to $50 onto the cost of the unit to make the battery user replaceable, it becomes harder for manufacturers to offer sub $250 PDAs. I do agree it should be standard on more expensive units.
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Lisa Gade
Editor in Chief, MobileTechReview
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LisaG
Head Honcho
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 7909
Loc: Texas
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Hey, cool your jets-- do a little research, listen to someone who has done that research or leave. For the last time, here's the problem. State of the art rechargeable technologies for "affordable" consumer products aren't nearly perfect- batteries don't last forever, nor do they deliever all that much power for their weight and size. The current trend of consumers wanting more processing power, smaller units, wireless networking and better color displays in their PDAs means lots of power is needed. Do study the power requirements of transflective color displays, ARM processors and wireless technologies in contrast with battery technology and power outputs.
Lithium Ion batteries currently used in PDAs deliver between 900 and 2,400 mAh at the consistent high voltage needed by PDAs, which is much more than 2 AAA batteries can deliver at continuous, stable high voltage(regardless of whether they're disposable alkaline, NiCads or NiMH). AAA rechargeable batteries simply won't power recent PDAs for longer than an hour. Not a good solution and that's why they weren't used for color screen models since the days of the early color PDAs- i.e.: the Palm IIIC and Visor Prism. We could switch to D batteries or a couple of 9V units, but then we'd have very large units which no one wants.
Also consider the power requirements of Pocket PCs vs. Palm-- Pocket PC batteries don't last as long because Pocket PCs require more power and more frequent charging, so the battery life cycle of a PPC is shorter than a Palm OS PDA (other than the power-hungry T3 and the Sony NZ90 which DOES have a user replaceable battery). Thus the replaceable battery is more important for a PPC than a Palm OS PDA. BTW, there aren't droves of current PPCs with list prices under $250 with user replaceable batteries. Only the iPAQ 19xx series (the 1945 being right at $250) and the basic model of the Dell X3 come to mind).
Replaceable Lithium Ion batteries can add $40 to $50 to the cost of a unit (must create a rugged power connector, durable battery door that can be opened several hundred times w/o breaking, safe to handle battery for consumers and an internal backup battery to prevent data loss when the main battery is pulled).
As I said, I do think higher end Palm OS PDAs should have user replaceable batteries. But I'd hate to see that become a standard for all units, which would price folks out of lower end models. The Zire 21 wouldn't be under $100 nor would the Sony Clie TJ27 be under $200! And it really isn't that hard to do it yourself (www.pdainternalbattery.com)and the cost is not significantly higher than a replaceable battery for many units.
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Lisa Gade
Editor in Chief, MobileTechReview
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BobTheBass
junior member
Reged: 03/09/04
Posts: 1
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Lisa and Dave:
I enjoyed seeing the dialogue, though a little harsh between the two of you. I am indeed not yet a PDA Owner, for the very reason that I want replaceable batteries on a unit that has a camera. I believe that since PDA's functionality has been established and since it is no longer considered just a toy, that charging a little extra for the replaceable battery makes more sense to me. I personally would be willing to spend more money. I really do not want to wait much longer before buying a PDA. I have some very specific needs of having one, and none include to play games or listen to music. The need of a integrated camera however is required when I buy one. I am currently looking at the Sony PEG-TH55, especially due to its increased size. I only wish the batteries were replaceable. Thanks again to both of you. I would welcome input from each of you, if you feel more comments are needed.
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LisaG
Head Honcho
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 7909
Loc: Texas
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BobTheBass,
If you're interested in a PDA with integrated camera, and don't mind a Pocket PC, check out the ViewSonic V36 with has a replaceable battery and a VGA camera: http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/viewsonic_V36.htm
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Lisa Gade
Editor in Chief, MobileTechReview
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LisaG
Head Honcho
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 7909
Loc: Texas
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If this helps, palmOne sells an extended battery for the T3 that slides onto the PDA like a sled.
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Lisa Gade
Editor in Chief, MobileTechReview
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LisaG
Head Honcho
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 7909
Loc: Texas
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Ah, but many PDA owners buy models with user replaceable batteries so they can change them in the field to extend runtimes-- i.e. you're out on a business trip and it's not convenient to find a charger. The manufacturer has to make the assembly durable enough to handle a daily swap because some users will do just that.
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Lisa Gade
Editor in Chief, MobileTechReview
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Gaffle
junior member
Reged: 07/27/04
Posts: 1
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I have owned a Palm Vx for about 5 years now. I have let it sit in drawer and allow all juice to drain out loosing my info twice now. Recently I have started using it again for work. It isn't as powerful as the latest PDAs available but I still have it powered up a lot and it takes away some battery life. No PDA will last a full day non-stop. I must sync my Palm everyday to save the data on it so while its syncing its recharging. I just orderd a Clie TJ-37 to replace my Palm because of Wi-Fi. Even if you don't charge a PDA every day, road warriors have car adaptors for almost every device you can carry. Having a PDA that doesn't have a replacement battery is no big deal for most people.
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LisaG
Head Honcho
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 7909
Loc: Texas
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Can't guarantee it, but most likely it is the battery that's the problem.
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Lisa Gade
Editor in Chief, MobileTechReview
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LisaG
Head Honcho
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 7909
Loc: Texas
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Visit their web site to get the email addresss and phone number of their tech support who should be able to help you. That info may also be in the Clie manual.
Quote:
Can you tell me whom I should contact at Sony to arrange to send them my Clie for battery replacement?
Thanks,
J
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Lisa Gade
Editor in Chief, MobileTechReview
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