Manufacturer: PalmOne Model#: Weight: 6.30lbs Height: .65"     Width: 3.07" Length: 4.80" Average Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars	Retail Price: Unavailable Online Sale Price:
Features: P

User Submitted Palm Tungsten W - Palm OS 4.1.1 - MC68VZ328 33 MHz - RAM: 16 MB - ROM: 8 MB TFT ( 320 x 320 ) - IrDA - GSM 900/1800/1900 Reviews (cont...)

This is a nice PDA and a just OK phone. I was hoping Palm would do better with this. At the very least they should have included a Mic/Speaker so I don't have to grab the headset everytime a call comes in.

I wouldn't have spent my own money on this thing, I would have probably gone for the Blackberry.

Since I'm already an AT&T customer, I can switch my SIM card from the Palm TW to my phone when I need a real phone. I'd prefer something more seamless; perhaps having the W only receive calls when my cell phone is off.

PLUSES:
Nice screen
Great battery life

MINUSES:

Only works with AT&T service.
No pop up notification of SMS messages
Requires use of headset
(or extra-cost flip phone cover)
Should have speaker and microphone built in.
Because headset plug is non-standard I haven't been able
to find an over-the-ear headset to replace earbud.
Slow processor
Processor limits unit to older Palm OS
No graffiti area. Must use thumbpad.
Typical worthless Palm cover included, very few aftermarket covers yet available

Date: 2003-07-04
headset troubles
I've had the Palm Tungsten W since back in April 2003. I only have voice service. The unit has a very slow processor (33Mhz), which is fine for most applications, until I try viewing pictures with the included Photobase software. It takes about 20 seconds for a picture to load (which is incredibly slow when trying to view a slideshow). But the biggest complaint I have about the Tungsten W is Palm's choice to use the special 3-conductor Nokia 2.5mm headset jack, instead of the more common 2-conductor Universal 2.5mm headset jack. Anyone who owns this unit will testify that the included handsfree headset is a pain to deal with. Unfortunately, the product selection of Nokia's 2.5mm headsets is limited, and do not include over-the-head headsets, which is the type of headset I'm after. I've had to purchase a clumsy adapter (available at AT&T Wireless stores) in order to use Universal 2.5mm headsets, but everytime the adapter plug rotates in the Tungsten W's headset jack, the Mobile phone application comes on. This is a pain when I am trying to write a note or enter a phone number, and all of a sudden, the wind blows, rotating the adapter's plug just a few degrees, and now the Mobile phone application is on. In addition, if the adapter plug is rotated to certain angles, I cannot hear anyone speaking on the phone at all, so I have to rotate it back a tweak. Such a pain !! And it could all have been avoided if Palm had gone with the common Universal 2.5mm headset jack instead !!

Date: 2003-06-30
Is Palm, Inc., losing it's way??
This is my fifth Palm device, starting with the original Pilot. My employer contracts with AT&T Wireless for our mobile service, so the prospect of reducing the silicone baggage was appealing (formerly carried Palm Vx, Blackberry, and Sony Ericsson T68i).

Unfortunately, the device has been a disappointment. The ergonomics are dreadful in comparison with the Blackberry, or a Nokia phone. The lack of notification when a text message (other than SMS) is a deficiency. The phone is unsafe to use in a motor vehicle, so I've had to activate a second, in-car phone & number. The original, largely Grafitti-based input functions common to previous Palms are much easier to use than the Tungsten's choice of the tiny mechanical keyboard or the tap-to-select on-screen version.

The device is very choosy about where it charges. I have three cradles, plus the travelling adapter with 110V and 12V (cigarette lighter) connections. One of the three cradles won't charge it, and it refuses to accept juice from an auto cigarette lighter, either. I have not found the battery life to be a problem, as described in one of the other reviews, though.

Web surfing is OK, some sites won't allow it access, but for what I use it for, it's acceptable. Being GSM, though, there are parts of the country where there is no coverage - I know this from my prior phone.

Finally, after five weeks' ownership, the annoying wired earpiece necessary to use the phone feature hooked on an obstruction once too often, and evidently damaged the jack. Now, the whole shooting match has to go back to Palm for repair.

All in all, I'm afraid I've pushed the technolgical envelope too far this time.

Date: 2003-06-29
So close, but so far....
This was almost a dream come true, but there is a "feature" with this guy that makes it absolutely useless as a phone - when it powers off after three minutes, people can't call you. Simple as that. What use is a phone where people can only call you while you're fiddling with it?

If Palm had allowed the T | W to remain connected to the GPRS when powered down, I would've given this little beauty a 4 star rating. For my uses, however, my old cel phone and Palm IIIxe are *INFINITELY* superior...