Just need a basic, pocketable PDA, but still want colour and a camera? Then you're in luck: Anthony Newman tests Sony's CLIE PEG-TJ27.
Completing Sony's updated range of CLIE's is the PEG-TJ27, a basic model that is in many ways identical to the TJ37 recently reviewed. It shares the same body, processor, memory, screen and camera; in fact, the only things missing are the integrated Wi-Fi and the headphone jack. However, at a lower price point Sony is clearly targeting a different market.
 | Sony's CLIE PEG-TJ27 makes an entrance at the low-end of the manufacturer's offerings
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Design
Crafted from gun-metal plastic, the TJ27 is small and stocky, giving an impression of robust quality that makes it ideal for dropping in a pocket or handbag. Indeed, with the included cloth flipcover attached and the particular choice of proportions for this device, the TJ27 reminds one of nothing more than a little black address book - and there's nothing more rugged than that.
Measuring 76 x 114 x 13.5 mm and weighing 145 g, the TJ27 is almost indistinguishable from the aforementioned address book in size and weight, too, which is just perfect for a PDA. It sits well in the hand, and is instantly familiar thanks to its very conventional layout.
A square screen occupies the front face of the device. It runs at Sony's usual 320x320 resolution, in 16-bit colour. Although not as impressive in brightness, colour or resolution as the company's extended resolution (320 x 480) devices, we were more than happy with the screen and its touchscreen layer, although we were disappointed with the hard Graffiti area after the revelation of soft input. However, no display feels nice while using Sony's toothpick stylus, which remains sadly unchanged from other recent models.
Also unchanged is Sony's preference for pretty, but nearly unusable, buttons. Below the screen lies a central jog roller for scrolling - without a back button - which is flanked by two horizontal direction buttons. These give next to no feedback, but feel positively excellent in comparison with the two pairs of application buttons. These tiny silver bars make a useful click, but have very little movement and are totally indistinct from each other and from the surrounding surface. When will Sony learn?
The button situation is completed by the now-usual power slider / hold switch, on the lower-right of the side, but also by a camera lens cap cover discretely located on the bottom edge. Finally, the shutter button for the camera is placed so that, when the CLIE is held with the display towards the user, like a digital camera, the button sits naturally for taking a photo. Handy.
A single LED sits on the top of the TJ37 to show power, alert and charging status.
The TJ27 has no proper audio features: the TJ37's headphone jack is missing, and the speaker is now a simple beeper. For those spoilt by media-led handhelds, this is a bit of a shock, but simple PIM features are obviously unaffected
Connectivity
Memory expansion is offered the form of a full-size Memory Stick Pro slot complete with handy internal dust-flap. Desktop connectivity is offered in the form of the typical Sony tangle of wires, with included dongle, two-part AC adaptor and sync cable. No cradle is provided.
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