I need a PDA. Suspect that we are still a year or two away from the true convergence PDA/mobile phone/PC combination. The iPAQ seems close but the mobile phone part isn’t there yet.
So if I’m correct about the true convergence stuff (just parroting buzzwords), then I just want a real cheap PDA for now and upgrade later. What do I want it for? To replace all those scraps of paper, sticky notes, notebooks, calendars, lists and the like I carry around and can never find when I need them. I would also like it to synchonize with the PC so I can import stuff into word and excel. Handwriting recognition would be nice but an option keyboard evenbetter. To reiterate, something basic, cheap and handy I can store all that crap in until I get back to the laptop. Thanks
I think you’d want a Palm or one of their clones (Visor, SONY Clie, etc.). Windows PDAs like iPaq have better screens and more capabilities, but for what you describe, I think they are an overkill. The Graffiti handwriting recognition system on the Palm is very efficient once you get used to it, and if you still want a keyboard, there are a couple of choices available.
I personally use a Palm IIIc - I don’t really need color, but the white backlight makes it easy to use in dim light such as meetings, presentations and subways. I admit I’m very tempted to switch to an HP Jornada 400 series PDA, but since my Palm does everything I need I can’t justify the switch. I use a GoType! keyboard to take notes in lectures and presentations.
Since you want simple, you should look at the Palm handhelds, as the others have stated. If you need wireless Internet access, the Palm VIIx is down to only $200, but then you’ll pay monthly connection charges. If you don’t, I’d get the Palm m105. The Visor handhelds aren’t too bad, but the cheaper ones didn’t appeal to me as far as looks go. They were just too square looking. By the way, I’m sure you can find some great deals at eBay.
I personally have a visor prism, and I like it. It has 8mb, is color, runs fast enough to make me happy, and it has the handspring slot on the back of the unit for very easy attachment of accessories.
I have a palm Vx, My wife has an older Cassopedia.
The win ce systems are getting very nice now with expanded mem and the apps to use it. I even think CE devices now come with pocket word and pocket excel which allows you to take those documents with you, modify them and sync them back to your pc. Also it has the ability to play mp3’s through headphones or speaker - so even though you won’t leave your phone at home at least you won’t have to carry around a mp3 player. Also MS streets (I got it for $5 after rebate) allows you to download street level maps with search functions and points of intrest (motels, atm’s, McD’s) - very nice feature. Color screen is very nice too but make sure you get one that backlights instead of a reflective front light.
The palm system is very intutive. There are many apps available but to get the really good ones (ones that allow you to view & modify MS Office) you have to pay 3rd party vendors. With a wireless connection (including IR to some cell phones) or wired palm modem you can check email and surf the web. I’m sure you can do that w/ the ce pda’s too but I have actually done it w/ the palm. You can also get a mapping program but the b&w (more like grey&grey) screen makes it hard to use.
Basically it boils down to (and this is my humble O)
CE OS - very versitle - more complicated to use then palm OS (but not all that bad) - mainly in color - usually more $ - sound - I think win ce will be the future of pda’s if palm doesn’t get it’s act together.
Palm OS - Very easy to use - few in color - by far the most popular device (greatest market share). Most programs available
