JohnnyRock

Thinking about finally getting a PDA, not sure which platform is best...want to do some scheduling, word to go stuff, e-mail/web browsing...any insights?

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madsenj37

Both platforms can do what you want. I reccomend looking into price and syncing capabilites with your current computer. I am writing this wirelessly from sharp zaurus while im in class. This sharp works well for me but it does not sync with a mac (yet). That is the biggest regret I have and I hope you learn from me.

Also, I suggest not getting a sony. They use propriety memory sticks and AAA batteries.

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punx1325

I have an HP Pocket PC, works great. Although I am not biggest fan of HP, I got it cheap. I kinda disagree on madsen about Sony PDA's, the external memory is great if you want to switch stuff out, or hold more files than the basic memory inside. Sony always makes soild products. HP also tends to install a bunch of unnessesary files which bog down your system, but if you know what you are doing and able to remove the files, it works great. I perfer Pocket PC's over Palm's because there are so many more things you can do with a Pocket PC. Word, Excel, Wi-Fi, AIM (Great in class), etc...

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Redlemon

Have you tried The Missing Sync for Pocket PC? I think that would do it.

And, my Sony (Palm-based) has an intertal rechargable battery.

But, JohnnyRock, I have no advice for you; my Sony is three years old and doesn't have a wireless connection. Sorry.

Cynthetiq

I love my palm tungsten C... built in WiFi and keyboard.

i've been a palm owner since Palm Professional and have had one of them for close to 7 years.

they do the job without lots of overhead which I found from the PocketPC...why do I need to stare at an hourglass on a handheld to get to my schedule? switch to my phone book, hourglass... to me that's WTF???

my advice for ALL technology, spend the least and get the most, it's just going to be obsolete anyways.

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madsenj37

I have a Sharp Zaurus. It runs linux (An easy to use one, very windows or mac like). The missing sync company has no plans to support it. The Zaurus does have a sync program that comes with it for Windows, however.

New PDAs have options for external storage ... A Compact Flash drive, etc. offer a better value for storage/price ratio. That is all I was tryng to say

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"Only two things are certain: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not certain about the universe."
-- Albert Einstein

SCrubjay

If it's your first experience with PDA's, you can't go wrong with the Palm platform ...... cheap, easy, lots of programs. However, I switched to the Pocket PC and wouldn't consider going back as I find it to be a MUCH stronger business tool. The real time "ActiveSync" software as well as seamless data transfer between Outlook, Word and Excell made all the difference to me. I'm currently using the HP iPAQ h2215 and am very satisfied as to the funtionality and durability.

Scipio

Pocket PCs do a lot more. If you want to do a lot with it, get one of those. That's what I did.

However, if all you want is a scheduler, address book, and basic stuff like that, I would suggest something cheap, pocket pc or palm.

Think about how you will use it. Only the smallest models on the market are really worth carrying in a pocket, especially if you already carry a cell phone. Just be sure to research it thorougly before you decide on one.

This is the one I got:

http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/ipaq_2215.htm

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JohnnyRock

Thanks...

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Cynthetiq

Palm IIIxe Final Price: $39.97*

If you are looking just to see your needs and want to get your feet wet without a huge cash outlay.

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cthulu23

If I was made of money, I would buy one of those new Sharp Zaurus SL-6000's...basically a Linux server in your pocket.

ratbastid

These days Palm and PocketPC are so feature-comparable that you're almost guaranteed to get a purely political answer to this question...

That said, my purely political answer to that question is: PALM ALL THE WAY BABY!! I've been a Palm user and fan since my Palm IIIx way back when. I'm still using a IIIx because I'm too broke to upgrade--but I've been through THREE IIIx'es since then!

madsenj37

__________________
"Only two things are certain: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not certain about the universe."
-- Albert Einstein

Cynthetiq

I just read that... and I have to say, 20 models in the 3-4 years they had products, well a bit too much don't you think? esp. in comparison to the market leaders Palm which had less than that in the same time frame?

madsenj37

Now that Sony is out of the picture, you have less research to do. If you do not want anything fancy and extra long use time, go with the old palm idea. Cytheniq knows what he is talking about. Chech out ubid.com and ebay. They have new/used accessories for cheap.

__________________
"Only two things are certain: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not certain about the universe."
-- Albert Einstein

Redlemon

Actually, the Sony's will probably come down in price quickly. If it meets your current needs, it would probably be a good bet.

primal

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this question. Palm and Pocket PC are both offering the same features now a days. I think ther is more free palm software though.

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madsenj37

They may come down in price, but the same will probably be true for support as well.

__________________
"Only two things are certain: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not certain about the universe."
-- Albert Einstein

Redlemon

You can get enough support at a site like http://www.1src.com/ (previously ClieSource); using Sony directly has never been useful.

rubicon

Palm Tungsten T3.

The expanding screen is excellent, it's fast, plays MP3 files in stereo, syncs effortlessly with PC and Mac, works perfectly with my Bluetooth phone.

My wife has an iPaq and I find the OS to be very tedious. You can get Palm versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and even Access. You can also get Outlook clones for the Palm if you really need to mimic your Windows desktop.

Oh, I can sync my T3 with my PowerBook and XP system interchangibly.

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JohnnyRock

And the winner is...
Dell Axim X30 with 624 MHz & Integrated Wireless

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wonderwench

Ditto. I have a Tungsten and love it. I also got my first Palm 7 years ago. The Tungsten is my third - the first two lasted a little over three years each. If I hadn't dropped my second one down two flights of concrete steps, I would probably still be using it.

I find the OS very easy to use - and it interfaces well with my Mac. I'm glad to have non M$FT choices. I find that once M$FT totally dominates a market segment, the innovation dies and bloatware takes over just to drive upgrades. No thanks.

robjmq1

Before buying a PDA, read what the owners of the one you're considering buying are saying about it. Check out http://www.brighthand.com/ . Also take into consideration how well your PDA is supported with accessories. There's a good chance you might want to add things like a keyboard, thumb-board, camera, GPS, etc... But because every PDA has proprietary expansion ports (except the CF slot in many cases), you'll want one of the more popular devices.

Personally... I started with a Palm V then went to a Toshiba e740 (Pocket PC). Now I'm looking to sell that in favor of a Samsung i600 SmartPhone. I hate carrying around a cell phone and a PDA.