Everybody and their brother in the gadget journalism business has reported that palmOne shipped the Zire 31 today. First a quick review of the features:
- 160×160 color display with contrast and brightness controls– supports thousands of colors,
- 200 MHz Intel ARM-based processor, Palm OS v5.2.8, 16 MB RAM (14 MB user accessible),
- expansion slot supports MMC, SD, and SDIO memory cards,
- standard mini-USB connector, and
- comes with Palm Desktop Software for Windows and Mac and Software Essencials CD.
Now let’s try to focus on the unique or at least interesting insights. Some of them are rather contradictory:
- InfoSyncWorld:
{The 200 MHz Intel ARM} processor… does a number on battery life. In our usual AtomSmash burndown tests with the screen on maximum brightness, the Zire 31 lasted a mere 2 hours 14 minutes before giving its first warning, finally dying after only 2 hours, 38 minutes. Given that palmOne’s previous handhelds in this price-range in some cases had double-digit battery life, that is very unfortunate.
- Brighthand:
I’ll have to get back to you about battery life. I’ve had it for over a week and the battery is still at 71 percent. I haven’t even taken the charger out of the box yet. Not bad for a 200 MHz machine….
With MP3 capability just a card-purchase away, I’m sure the Zire 31 will make an excellent companion for kids and parents alike, and it should hurt sales of single-purpose MP3 players whose storage is limited to the size of a card. After all, those devices don’t have the ability to handle contacts, dates, photos, books, documents, email, and all the other myriad things people find to do with their handhelds.
- MSNBC:
How do you make the 21 better? First, add color. The new Zire 31 has a 160 by 160 pixels STN display with contrast and brightness controls. Kick it up a notch with a 200Mhz Intel ARM processor and a boost to 16MB of memory. Then improve the PIM (Personal Information Management) software. Add an MP3 and photo viewing software, a SD/SDIO card expansion slot plus a stereo headphone jack and you start to understand that Pa1mOne is very serious about their lower-end devices.
- TechTV:
I’m surprised at the display choice for the palmOne. The price may seem right and a worthwhile sacrifice, but I’ve seen better displays in CLIEs that cost the same. The color display palmOne chose for the Zire 31 takes a step back with antiquated STN technology. I found it much more readable in low-light conditions, but it falls short on color richness. I’m not demanding a high-resolution display, but something with more vibrant color reproduction….
For entry-level users, the Zire 31 comes with an enticing price. But I’d recommend the palmOne Tungsten E for just $50 more. If you’re going to go color, you might as well do it right.
- PC Magazine:
The Zire 31 compares favorably with other affordable PDAs…. {With} its color screen, music-player features, and solid PIM apps, the Zire 31 is a good choice for anyone looking for an inexpensive PDA that goes beyond the basics.
- BargainPDA:
{For} $150, it is capable of doing just about anything I can do with my higher end PDAs (T3 and Garmin ique 3600). In fact, the Zire 31 offers similar performance to my Tungsten T at half the cost. I did find a few minor problems with Zire 31 design that I will describe… in this review. But for those looking for their first PDA, or even us power users looking for a tough and dependable backup � I strongly recommend the Zire 31.
- CNET:
For CNET Labs’ tests, we installed Kinoma Video Player and looped a video clip, with screen brightness set at 50 percent. The battery called it quits after 2 hours, 50 minutes, which isn’t great, but the Zire 31 isn’t meant to be a full multimedia device. When playing MP3s, the unit’s performance improved, clocking in at 3 hours, 20 minutes. The company says the… battery should last up to one week with normal use.
- PDA Buyer’s Guide:
The Zire 31 is the most affordable color PDA to hit the market and packs a lot of features in for a low price. This is the perfect entry level unit for those of you who have limited budgets, are first time buyers or aren’t sure if you want to make a significant financial commitment to a PDA just yet.