Along the same lines as above, my current Palm m125 has never worked quite right; it goes into conniptions if you try to install anything extra on it, it has wonky desktop software, and has now started to refuse to synchronize altogether. Yet it’s sooooooo useful! (When it’s working properly.)
What kind of PDA should I get? I’d like it to be able to accept a keyboard and be reliable and robust. Any recommendations of ones to look at – or avoid?
I’ve had nothing but bliss with my Palm Tungsten C. And with its built-in keyboard, I can type far faster than anyone using Graffiti can do.
I just got a Tungsten T5. I haven’t had a PDA prior to this, but the lack of ability to customize things “just so” has annoyed me. I don’t know if that’s a problem with PalmOS, the T5, PDAs in general, or the limited software on it out of the box.
I haven’t had it long enough to comment on battery life. The HotSync is already misbehaving, so that might be something to think about.
I’m really happy with my HP iPac Pocket PC (I think it’s the 1935 model.)
I’ve had it about a year, and I bring it out into the field with me every day. Battery life is really good - I only have a charger at work, but I don’t need to charge it every day. I didn’t get the fanciest model, but I’ve added a few things to it and it’s done just fine. I don’t have a little keyboard, but I think they do make one for it.
I find more things to use it for every day.
Cowgirl, what’s the synchronization like?
I like my Palm Treo 600 which is also a phone. Gives me access to email wherever I’m at. Also takes pictures, but kinda crappy at it. A new model 650 just came out.
I like my Sony Clie tj-37. It was one of the cheapest PDAs I found that included Wi-Fi. I don’t know if Sony is still selling them in the US. I can sync it wirelessly through my home network, I don’t even remember how to do it with a cable anymore. I have used the internet wirelessly with it, but it really uses a lot of battery power when I surf. During normal (non-wireless) use the battery lasts a long time. I have a Sony digital camera so I already had a few Memory Sticks, if you don’t have any they can be expensive. It plays MP3s and has a (fairly poor) camera, although with enough light I can get decent pics, good enough for emails. I use it a lot for eBooks and a few games, and for organizing stuff.
Personally, I’m extremely fond of my Handspring Treo 90. It doesn’t have a phone, but it DOES have a built-in keyboard AND it accepts Graffiti. That means I can use the keyboard for longer text things, and use Graffiti if I have a shortcut or very short text message to enter. It also has a slot for an SD flash card, which I use for back up purposes. I’ve never had any problems running new programs on it, or Hotsyncing it with Outlook in Windows 2000 or Windows XP. The big problem, though, is that it is no longer manufactured. But if you can find a used model, or an overstock model, I would highly recommend it. (We did get a used model for my husband, and haven’t had any problems with it, either.)
Matt, I synchronize it to both of my computers without any problems at all. I don’t use a wireless hot-sync though - those may be a little different. The only trouble I’ve had is operator error (like when I’m dumb and change files on the desktop AND the PDA), but it walks me through that stuff.