PDA Question - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

thesupermikey · 09-30-2004, 01:28 PM

Im looking into getting a new PDA, sometime along the line of the HP Jornada or something with a similer form-factor. Does anyone have any experience with these kinds of PDAs or windows CE?

EDIT: I am also interested to know if they have wifi connectivity

stonegrody · 09-30-2004, 01:57 PM

There are a couple of WinCE Jornadas - They make Pocket PC's and Hanheld PC's. The Pocket PC's are the ones that are touchscreen only, no keyboard and the HPC's are the ones that have a keyboard. The newer HP devices are called iPAQ's.

How much are you looking to spend? A lot of the newer Pocket PC's on the market have integrated WiFi and some also have integrated Bluetooth. Also, what kind of slots would you like? A lot are being released with SD slots only and some still use CF+SD.

I personally like the iPAQ 2215. It has a CF slot, an SDIO slot, runs Pocket PC 2003, compact slim design, integrated Bluetooth and runs around $379.

The iPAQ 4150 is also nice. It does not have a CF slot or integrated Bluetooth but it does have WiFi and an SDIO slot. That one is about $399.

The newer Pocket PC's have much nicer, high res screens but cost a bit more. So it all depends on what you're going to use it for and how much you want to spend.

Dell has some nice PDA's coming out as well. Pocket PC's have been getting better although I still don't feel that they are where they should be yet. The new Pocket PC OS is better but most of the Pocket PC's seem to choke due to the processor speeds. I work with PDA's so let me know if you have any questions or if you have more details about what you're looking for.

bendsley · 09-30-2004, 07:08 PM

The Dell Axim X30's are quite nice with a 624Mhz processor. Up to 128mb ram in them, plus they have a slot for SD. They have both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity.

You might also look at the new HP Ipaq 4700/4705's. This new PDA is one of very few that offer a VGA monitor on them.

This site offers a good review on the 4705 model and also benchmarks it compared to several other PDA's at the bottom of the page.

iblade · 11-23-2005, 09:47 PM

I didn't want to make a new thread for a topic that's already been so much discussed, but the PDA market is changing so rapidly that I still need help in choosing a PDA. Can you guys help me?

Basically, I'm in Japan right now, so I'd like to buy a PDA before coming back. I'd like it to include the following functions:

- japanese text recognition (this is why I'm buying it in Japan) / japanese learning softwares
- e books
- notes
- mail
- calendar/contacts
- emulation (old SNES / arcade games)
- video
- wifi

Of course I'm also planning on buying a memory card. But I am lost. What are the current capacities of handhelds at the moment? I mean what is a decent processor power for a PDA?

My budeget would be 200 ~ 300 USD, knowing that prices can be cut by 30% here. What are you're suggestions?

By the way, nowadays, Wifi connections are available about anywhere. But I was wondering what were the possibilities for wireless connection to the internet in remote places. Can you do it through GPS (by using add ons)? Using bluetooth and a mobile phone? But then it'd depend on your phone's connection... I was thinking about this because I'm planning to travel around the world someday, and I was thinking of bringing a PDA, but could I use it and connect it to the internet in places where there is no Wifi?

Charlatan · 11-24-2005, 06:12 AM

Why not spend a little more and get a Treo 650? You get the best of Palm plus email, web and bluetooth. I don't think it has wifi, but there may be addons that will let you use it. For the most part, I don't need it.

Most importantly you don't need to carry around BOTH a phone and a PDA.

The Treo is GSM multi band -- I've used it all over the world with no problems.

iblade · 11-24-2005, 10:36 PM

Hum, I'm not sure. Do you think it is realistic to try to take notes during class on a PDA?

MikeSty · 11-24-2005, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iblade

Hum, I'm not sure. Do you think it is realistic to try to take notes during class on a PDA?

No.

IMO, a PDA is fine for jotting down snippets/tidbits and assignments, but lecture notes and a PDA/PPC wouldn't go well in my world. I'd prefer at LEAST a lappy. Then again, if the PDA/PPC has voice record, you'd be in good shape.

iblade · 11-24-2005, 11:28 PM

What about handwriting recognition?

iblade · 11-24-2005, 11:31 PM

I'm pretty enthusiastic about this program here...

http://www.phatware.com/calligrapher/

shakran · 11-25-2005, 02:03 AM

if you get one of the external keyboards for PDA's you could take notes on it. But otherwise it's like others have said - - forget it.

Handwriting recognition is not accurate or fast enough yet. It's a LOT better than the stuff on the earlier PDA's, but it still gets confused pretty easy, especially if you're not a super neat writer. And in note taking situations you tend to write fast, and PDA's don't tend to like fast writing when they have to recognize stuff.

ratbastid · 11-25-2005, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlatan

Why not spend a little more and get a Treo 650? You get the best of Palm plus email, web and bluetooth. I don't think it has wifi, but there may be addons that will let you use it. For the most part, I don't need it.

Most importantly you don't need to carry around BOTH a phone and a PDA.

The Treo is GSM multi band -- I've used it all over the world with no problems.

There's a wifi "sled" for the 650. I'm still waiting for a wifi SD card.

Not a lot of need, though. I have unlimited data with Sprint, so anything I need to do on the web with my 650, I can do over PCS.

As an added bonus, it's PalmOS, not Wince.

iblade · 11-26-2005, 01:16 AM

So everyone thinks Phone PDAs are the best? Aren't there advocates for the PDA only around here?

Charlatan · 11-26-2005, 04:57 AM

I just don't see the point... if you are already carrying a phone why carry yet another device?

shakran · 11-26-2005, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iblade

So everyone thinks Phone PDAs are the best? Aren't there advocates for the PDA only around here?

Me. I don't need to be online with my PDA all the time. And when I do, the wifi has always been good enough for me.

asshopo · 11-26-2005, 09:56 AM

Just make sure you are happy with your cell carrier.. once you buy in, there is a good chance you are stuck with that carrier to provide service for your PDA/Phone. Yes, you can unlock some, but carriers are still are a pain in the ass about it.

Also, I prefer PocketPC myself

. But everything I do is Microsoft based.. it's what I have known since Win 3.0 days, it pays the bills, so thats what I use. I use Linux on a day to day basis as well, but I'm 85% MS, 15% other.

iblade · 11-27-2005, 04:30 PM

How exactly does the connection work between PDA and cell phone, in order to connect to the internet? Aren't there any add ons you can just put on your PDA? Like for GPS?

By the way, there is a solution for note taking... I've seen foldable keyboards that look damn cool. But still, handwriting recognition is cooler...

09-30-2004, 01:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
thesupermikey I got blisters on me fingers!!! Location: In my stressless expectation free zone.	PDA Question Im looking into getting a new PDA, sometime along the line of the HP Jornada or something with a similer form-factor. Does anyone have any experience with these kinds of PDAs or windows CE? EDIT: I am also interested to know if they have wifi connectivity __________________ If you are not outraged than you are not paying attention! "Reality has a well-known liberal bias" - Steven Colbert

09-30-2004, 01:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
stonegrody Brooding. Location: CA-USA	There are a couple of WinCE Jornadas - They make Pocket PC's and Hanheld PC's. The Pocket PC's are the ones that are touchscreen only, no keyboard and the HPC's are the ones that have a keyboard. The newer HP devices are called iPAQ's. How much are you looking to spend? A lot of the newer Pocket PC's on the market have integrated WiFi and some also have integrated Bluetooth. Also, what kind of slots would you like? A lot are being released with SD slots only and some still use CF+SD. I personally like the iPAQ 2215. It has a CF slot, an SDIO slot, runs Pocket PC 2003, compact slim design, integrated Bluetooth and runs around $379. The iPAQ 4150 is also nice. It does not have a CF slot or integrated Bluetooth but it does have WiFi and an SDIO slot. That one is about $399. The newer Pocket PC's have much nicer, high res screens but cost a bit more. So it all depends on what you're going to use it for and how much you want to spend. Dell has some nice PDA's coming out as well. Pocket PC's have been getting better although I still don't feel that they are where they should be yet. The new Pocket PC OS is better but most of the Pocket PC's seem to choke due to the processor speeds. I work with PDA's so let me know if you have any questions or if you have more details about what you're looking for. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality. Embrace this moment. Remember. We are eternal. All this pain is an illusion. Tool - Parabola

09-30-2004, 07:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
bendsley Professional Loafer Location: texas	The Dell Axim X30's are quite nice with a 624Mhz processor. Up to 128mb ram in them, plus they have a slot for SD. They have both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. You might also look at the new HP Ipaq 4700/4705's. This new PDA is one of very few that offer a VGA monitor on them. This site offers a good review on the 4705 model and also benchmarks it compared to several other PDA's at the bottom of the page. __________________ "You hear the one about the fella who died, went to the pearly gates? St. Peter let him in. Sees a guy in a suit making a closing argument. Says, "Who's that?" St. Peter says, "Oh, that's God. Thinks he's Denny Crane."

11-23-2005, 09:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
iblade Crazy Location: Kyoto	I didn't want to make a new thread for a topic that's already been so much discussed, but the PDA market is changing so rapidly that I still need help in choosing a PDA. Can you guys help me? Basically, I'm in Japan right now, so I'd like to buy a PDA before coming back. I'd like it to include the following functions: - japanese text recognition (this is why I'm buying it in Japan) / japanese learning softwares - e books - notes - mail - calendar/contacts - emulation (old SNES / arcade games) - video - wifi Of course I'm also planning on buying a memory card. But I am lost. What are the current capacities of handhelds at the moment? I mean what is a decent processor power for a PDA? My budeget would be 200 ~ 300 USD, knowing that prices can be cut by 30% here. What are you're suggestions? By the way, nowadays, Wifi connections are available about anywhere. But I was wondering what were the possibilities for wireless connection to the internet in remote places. Can you do it through GPS (by using add ons)? Using bluetooth and a mobile phone? But then it'd depend on your phone's connection... I was thinking about this because I'm planning to travel around the world someday, and I was thinking of bringing a PDA, but could I use it and connect it to the internet in places where there is no Wifi? __________________ We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

11-24-2005, 06:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	Why not spend a little more and get a Treo 650? You get the best of Palm plus email, web and bluetooth. I don't think it has wifi, but there may be addons that will let you use it. For the most part, I don't need it. Most importantly you don't need to carry around BOTH a phone and a PDA. The Treo is GSM multi band -- I've used it all over the world with no problems. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

11-24-2005, 10:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
iblade Crazy Location: Kyoto	Hum, I'm not sure. Do you think it is realistic to try to take notes during class on a PDA? __________________ We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

11-24-2005, 11:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
iblade Crazy Location: Kyoto	What about handwriting recognition? __________________ We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

11-24-2005, 11:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
iblade Crazy Location: Kyoto	I'm pretty enthusiastic about this program here... http://www.phatware.com/calligrapher/ __________________ We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

11-25-2005, 02:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	if you get one of the external keyboards for PDA's you could take notes on it. But otherwise it's like others have said - - forget it. Handwriting recognition is not accurate or fast enough yet. It's a LOT better than the stuff on the earlier PDA's, but it still gets confused pretty easy, especially if you're not a super neat writer. And in note taking situations you tend to write fast, and PDA's don't tend to like fast writing when they have to recognize stuff.

11-26-2005, 01:16 AM	#12 (permalink)
iblade Crazy Location: Kyoto	So everyone thinks Phone PDAs are the best? Aren't there advocates for the PDA only around here? __________________ We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

11-26-2005, 04:57 AM	#13 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	I just don't see the point... if you are already carrying a phone why carry yet another device? __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

11-26-2005, 09:56 AM	#15 (permalink)
asshopo Insane Location: Michigan	Just make sure you are happy with your cell carrier.. once you buy in, there is a good chance you are stuck with that carrier to provide service for your PDA/Phone. Yes, you can unlock some, but carriers are still are a pain in the ass about it. Also, I prefer PocketPC myself . But everything I do is Microsoft based.. it's what I have known since Win 3.0 days, it pays the bills, so thats what I use. I use Linux on a day to day basis as well, but I'm 85% MS, 15% other. __________________ Patterns have a habit of repeating themselves.

11-27-2005, 04:30 PM	#16 (permalink)
iblade Crazy Location: Kyoto	How exactly does the connection work between PDA and cell phone, in order to connect to the internet? Aren't there any add ons you can just put on your PDA? Like for GPS? By the way, there is a solution for note taking... I've seen foldable keyboards that look damn cool. But still, handwriting recognition is cooler... __________________ We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.