After going back and forth about what to do, I finally decided just to choose the regular purple Memory Stick. I wanted to be able to simply transfer MP3s and other files directly to the device without having to worry about filtering it through any software. For me, this has worked out just fine, and I'm glad I chose the regular purple Memory Stick. Plus, it was $20 less than the equivalent MagicGate version.

A few negatives
I would be remiss if I didn't mention a few areas in which the Sony CLIE fell short for me.

The headphones
I didn't particularly care for the headphones. They looked cool, but I felt a little goofy wearing them. I prefer using the ear bud style headphones.

Lack of recording capability
The CLIE can't record audio like the Compaq iPaq can. I'd find this capability useful. Maybe this feature will be included in the next version. In the meantime, I'll continue to use my Sony Memory Stick recorder when I need to record something important for posterity.

No Audible.com compatibility
I absolutely love downloading books and radio shows from Audible.com (at http://www.audible.com) and would love it if the Sony CLIE could play that proprietary format, but it can't yet. Maybe in the future it will. In the meantime, I'll continue using my Rio 500.

Loses data when battery dies
I know this probably seems like an obvious point, but once my battery ran out when using my CLIE. The device totally reset, losing all the data I had entered since the last time I performed a HotSync operation. One of the things I liked about the Palm V was that it would maintain enough power to save data even after it could no longer power on normally. The CLIE doesn't seem to do this, but the charger does separate from the cradle and plug directly into the device, so it can be charged rather easily.

Where to find more information
There are a huge number of things to talk about with the Sony CLIE, and I can't possibly mention them all here. In the Product Availability section of this article, you'll find some links to more information about the CLIE.

Conclusion
Do you absolutely need a Sony CLIE? Probably not. Do you really want a Sony CLIE? You probably do. If you're excited about your device, you'll use it more. If you're not, it's just an expensive paperweight. During the last days of my Palm Vx, I stopped carrying it in my shirt pocket and only used it sporadically. My new Sony CLIE has helped to reinvigorate my interest in the Palm OS platform and in organization in general. What could it do for you?

Dan Velasco is a Senior Technical Editor for DominoPower Magazine and occasional contributor to PalmPower. He is also the Manager of the Web Development Team at IDG Global Communications in San Mateo, CA. You can reach him via e-mail at dvelasco@dominopower.com or on the Web at http://DanVelasco.com.