what is best PDA for the money?

by blindfool 14 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  blindfool

  OK, I know we have experts here.

  I've been looking at PDA's mostly for the address book function / contact list function. I keep my contacts on Outlook on my laptop but its a pain to power up when I need to make a phone call on the road. I also would like to get one of the map programs available for PDA's. I have that on my laptop also, but having to power up my laptop to look at the map is a pain.

  I like the Palm Tungston but have also looked at the Sony unit. I wonder if the prices will come down as we get closer to Christmas? It would be nice to get one on sale!!
• 

  Odrade

  I have an IPAQ 1945. I love it.
• 

  teejay

  I have a Sony J20 (I think). I've had it a year and a half. It's a cheapie (about $180 when I bought it... less than $100 now). Won't take pics, won't play mp3s, but for keeping hundreds of contacts, appointments, schedules, to-do lists, notes... man I love it. Very intuitive. Compact. Very easy to work with. I'd be lost without it.
• 

  jgnat

  If all you need it for is the calendar, contacts, and a map, a cheapie should have all the memory you need, $100-150. Just make sure it can hot sync to your Outlook. Then you will be set!
• 

  IT Support

  Hi Blindfool,

  I like the Palm Tungston but have also looked at the Sony unit.

  First, there are basically two competing 'families' of PDAa: Palms (which include Sony) and Pocket PCs. I don't know that much about the Palms, except that they used to be cheap and cheerful and the batteries lasted for weeks, whereas the Pocket PCs were more expensive, but had more facilities that drained the batteries faster.

  However, over the past couple of years that distinction has been virtually eliminated: I understand more functionality has been added to the Palms, including colour screens, the battery life has dropped and the prices have risen. On the other hand, the price of Pocket PCs has come down drastically.

  I've been looking at PDA's mostly for the address book function / contact list function. I keep my contacts on Outlook on my laptop but its a pain to power up when I need to make a phone call on the road.

  I would suggest that if easy and automatic synchronisation with your desktop Windows PC is a priority, and you have no conscientious objection to throwing yet more coppers into Bill Gates' pocket, you should choose a Pocket PC.

  I also would like to get one of the map programs available for PDA's. I have that on my laptop also, but having to power up my laptop to look at the map is a pain.

  If you mean simple maps, Microsoft Streets and Trips might be of interest:

  http://www.microsoft.com/streets/default.mspx

  If you mean one of the GPS navigation systems, Dell (UK) has one on their main Handheld PC page:

  http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/handheld?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

  I wonder if the prices will come down as we get closer to Christmas? It would be nice to get one on sale!!

  I don't know where you live, but if Dell is available, their Axim Pocket PCs offer the best 'bangs per buck' by far. They often have special offers.

  Regards,

  Ken

  PS: I don't work for Dell!
• 

  Special K

  My 17 year old teenager has a

  Palm Tungsten T.

  He uses it all the time. He just bought a small collapsable keyboard for it and also has a little web cam for it.

  He uses it in school everyday. Types up everything from the board and then downloads and prints it out via the computer when he gets home. Surfs the net with it when away from home. Sends me e-mails with it.

  He just loves it and has downloaded all kinds of different programs for it.

  The other day he even programmed it so he can turn on our television, up and down volume, change channels.

  Techy kid, I have

  Special K (techno-clutz)
• 

  Odrade

  LMAO @ your teen K.

  I love teenagers. If I could skip early childhood and just have teenagers, I'd reconsider this not being a mom thing. LOL! (and yes, I do realize that 99% of the population would consider me crazy for saying that...)
• 

  Simon

  PocketPC's are really good - I have an old iPaq (the new ones are much better and smaller) that I use as a cheap in-car GPS. I've used mapopolis and TomTom navigator - both are good.

  However, I've just got a new smartphone and it is much better for me as a PDA - all I need is to carry my contacts and calendar with me (which it does, synching with outlook).

  http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/mobilephones/0,39023925,39157471,00.htm

  I think it's available with another name in the USA and also Motorola and Samsung do versions as well.

  GPS Navigation apps are just starting to appear for it as well - I've tried mapopolis and it's surprisingly usable given the size.
• 

  blindfool

  Thanks for all the replys.

  Simon,

  One of the reasons I've put off buying one of these is that I'd love to have a cell phone that includes the functions I need. I have not seen one available at a decent price through my cell provider (AT&T). Cingular Wireless is in the process of buying AT&T Wireless and I'm trying to wait and see if they come up with any nice deals on new equipment to lure customers into staying with them.

  I may go ahead and get a palm and get used to using it before springing for the cost of a new phone with the functions I'm looking for. It would really be nice to just have one unit that does what I'm looking for.

  Thanks again,

  BF
• 

  avishai

  PDA? I'll kiss someone in public for, like, 10 bucks. Five if she's hot. How's that?