Sony CLIE PEG-TJ35 Handheld

Purchased a TJ35 from The Sony Store (Canada). Paid $349CAD plus a 2 year extended warranty for an additional $59CAD. Sony store gave a free screen protector. I don't normally purchase extended warranties, but since I noticed alot of refurbished Clie's for sale on UBID.COM I figure it is a good gamble.

One week after purchasing the Clie, I noticed a rebate offer for $50CAD. Sony Store said they would reprint my receipt with the appropriate date so I would qualify. Therefore, my cost is $299CAD. **Great Customer Service**. Although, they really didn't have a choice. I could have returned the unit (within the first 30 days) and repurchased it during the rebate date range to qualify for the rebate.

So what do I think of the TJ35?? I love it. The microprocessor is noticably faster than other PDA's. The outer case/cover is good quality, and doesn't require the need to spend more money for an after-market one. The screen is bright. However it chews up battery life far too quickly. After fully charging the unit, it only lasted 1 hour while playing Bejeweled, before needing recharging. I have since adjusted the screen brightness to a lower level in hopes the battery will last longer.

Also, I do not like the fact that hotsyncing requires the unit to be turned on, and you have to manually select the hotsyncing program button with your stylus. Other PDA's have a button on the cradle and don't require the unit to be turned on. Which also brings me to the fact that a charging/hotsyncing cradle does not come with the unit. You have to use a clumsy wire connector. Obviously Sony wants you to spend more alacart on the optional cradle.

A note about SONY... I am no too impressed by SONY Corp. Here's why... The TJ35 is not Bluetooth enabled. It only has a memory stick slot. And SONY does not offer a Bluetooth memory stick module to consumers in North America. They do sell one in Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, etc.. Its called 'PEGA-MSB1'. I am having one sent to me from a friend in the UK. The cost is approx $50GBP. I called Sony Corp and they won't tell me anything about the Bluetooth module. They say it is not supported in North America. And they have no idea if it will ever become available here. But who cares. There is a lot of support on the Internet for the Bluetooth module (pega-msb1), with updated drivers and installation instruction so my TJ35 will be Bluetooth enabled without any help from Sony. Who, I am sure, want North Americans to scrap their existing Clies for new Bluetooth enabled ones.