Need advice on device with specific features

[giantgreengoat]

I am in the market for something that will do the following well:
PDF, CBR, Divx/Xvid, Wifi with browser, rss aggregator, streaming video (ala Hulu, Sci-Fi, etc.), and some note taking ability. I don't know if a PDA, pocket PC or tablet thing can do all this. Oh and it needs to be able to fit somewhat in my pocket, something maybe around the size of the Cowon A2.


Any suggestions? Thanks all!!

[giantgreengoat]

Oh also run something akin to eReader for books from Memoware.

[Konrad Pierce]

Any PDA or PDA/smartphone device will certainly fit in your pocket. A slightly larger device like a MID, UMPC, internet tablet, or mini-notebook will generally have a larger screen and greater capabilities, but I'm uncertain whether it would fit your needs.

Most PDAs these days run Microsoft Windows Mobile, generally WM5 or WM6. This is basically a WinCE operating system bundled with mobile (simplified) versions of Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player, Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), and some basic software for things like photo viewing and operating whatever special hardware (like GPS mapping or infrared remote controls, etc) might be integrated in the model's hardware. WM itself is invariably "embedded", which means that it's permanently written to firmware (it occupies ROM) and cannot easily be changed or upgraded; even when it can it must be with a ROM image that is specifically made for the particular device; these are sometimes free, sometimes purchased, not available for all devices.

Transferring data between your PC and WM device involves running a Sync application (included with the device, and free download); this automatically "converts" files into whichever format is required on the destination machine, it also synchronizes all your PIM information (contacts/addresses, calendars, schedules/appointments, notes, tasks, etc) so that the most recent information is updated on both machines.

Additional WM software can be installed. Some improves on the basic WM software with more robust alternatives, some is used to add extra functionality. There are of course plug-ins, skins, themes, games, database engines, and all sorts of specialty software designed to help you manage your finances, pick a good wine, autotranslate voice-recognized German into English, refer to medical databases, model electronic circuits, etc. The WM software world is smaller than Windows PC but still offers many millions of titles developed over many years. Almost all WM software offers free trial use for some period before requiring purchase/uninstallation, so you can evaluate how useful something is and try out alternatives before paying for it. Lots of software (even some of the best software!) is completely free.

There are many PDF readers available, including WM versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader. As mentioned, these devices ship with Windows Media Player (WMP9 or 10), but many people agree that software like TCPMP, PocketPlayer, and PocketMusic is much better; each of these supports all the common (and obscure) audio and video formats, streaming, and other stuff you'd see on desktop equivalents. Note taking is a trivial function, although extensive "typing" by pecking at little characters on an onscreen keyboard can be slow ... if you plan to do a lot of typing you would be wise to consider a device with a QWERTY-button keyboard of some kind, or at least an add-on keyboard accessory. If you plan to do a lot of reading, something with a physically larger screen is more comfortable to use. So again, a PDA is a good choice but your particular requirements and budget are important factors.

Storage capabilities are limited in most PDA devices, but almost all have built-in flash card support (SD, SDHC, CF); opinions differ, but it's generally safe to say that SD and SDHC formats (or their Mini- or Micro- equivalents) will be your best choice - the idea is that the cards will be commonly available, interchangable, reasonably inexpensive, and cross-compatible with multiple devices (maybe even outlive your device). Some kind of carrying case and screen protector are essential (falling off the table can break the screen, $200 repair ...); a spare battery or extra charging accessories are useful if you plan to regularly make heavy use of your device many hours each day.

I recommend you start by looking at the HP iPAQ 210/21X first, it's generally considered the top-end standalone WM PDA available at this time. There are also devices that run on different systems (PalmOS, Blackberries, linux, etc) but I think you'll find that WM is the most common these days. If you can afford to wait a year or two, there should be a number of devices sporting WM7 and the new Google Android OS.

[giantgreengoat]

Wow, that was some great info. I've heard a bit about the iPaq, but was unsure of the features as they apply to my needs. I've used Palm devices and the Sharp Zaurus (linux embeded) in the past, but that was a long time ago and all I've been using since are overly large laptops that don't do well in the wee hours of the night in bed with wife and children when sleep wont come. I saw something about the Nokia N810, but being Linux based I'm worried about streaming video ala Hulu, Netflix Streaming and co. I think there is a mini VLC for it, as far as Xvid/Divx support goes and I'm sure about the CBR feature. I would love something that I could lay in bed with and watch Sci-Fi.com, Hulu, etal, read a comic (cbr), maybe a pdb/prc Memoware/Gutenburg book (Mars Series), type/write a note, and then read the daily comics from XKCD, Penny Arcade and Control Alt Delete. Smatter that with a Retronauts episode and I'm good to go.

I maybe be dreaming. I hope I'm not.

[giantgreengoat]

So, there may be nothing?

[Adama D. Brown]

The big roadblock to what you describe is the streaming video support. Most mobile browsers don't handle advanced sites like those the way they are on a notebook. The N810 would probably be one of the better options, either that or an iPaq 210 matched with Opera Mobile 9.5.

Another alternative--have you looked at the Asus Eee PC? Or possibly an Ultra-Mobile PC?

[palmgeek5394]

Or possibly the new Dell subnotebook (what's it called? The MiniNote?)

[Konrad Pierce]

A UMPC or "submininotebook" (whatever) is probably the best bet; maximum compatibility with desktop PC stuff and websites, as far as mobile devices go these days. How about a MID?

[giantgreengoat]

Konrad Pierce: Was there a MID you had in mind?

[Konrad Pierce]

I don't know much about MIDs; they're a fairly new class of mobile devices and (since I've got plenty of mobile tech already) I haven't really looked into them. Many will use the new Intel Atom processor, which (judging by specs) is generally better than most existing mobile processors.