Looking for A PDA, Article Links Here

[thsj360]

i have been using a palm tx for about a year now but am thinking about going to widows based pda i do not want a phone with it just pda but i am looking for one that will do everything that a palm tx will do. size and price doesn't matter if it will do everything that the palm will do

[waldonj]

I have been using my old HP Jornada 568 for years and despite a screen scratch and a dented case it still works. However, when I upgraded to Vista I lost the ability to sync i. So I am looking for a recommendation for a new PDA with the following:
1. I want a PDA not a smartphone
2. It needs to be able to sync with Vista and/or Mac oSX
3. It should be able to connect via Wi-Fi for email and after-hours browsing
4. Should be able to maintain an address book, and support simple games like free-cell.
5. Does not need mp3 capability, I use a nano for that.
6. Not too expensive, better yet something that I could pick up used.

[rhussong]

I have a T/X and have had persistent digitizer problems. I use it almost daily to enter information for work. I use graffiti to enter most of my information and the digitizer just doesn't hold up. I am looking for a PDA (not a smartphone) that will sync with outlook. Does any one have any recommendations for me. Any thoughts on ipaq compared to the palm?

[Hook]

I have a T/X and have had persistent digitizer problems. I use it almost daily to enter information for work. I use graffiti to enter most of my information and the digitizer just doesn't hold up. I am looking for a PDA (not a smartphone) that will sync with outlook. Does any one have any recommendations for me. Any thoughts on ipaq compared to the palm?

Honestly, if you are happy with the TX except for the digitizer, replace the digitizer with a glass one from Usedpdaparts.com (the digitizers are new not used). Inexpensive ($35), and for an extra $15, he'll install. Shawn does great work. I guarantee you you will have no further digitizer problems. My three year old TX has been refurbed by Shawn and it is great (see sig).

I know I sound like an ad. I have no connection, just a very satisfied customer.

The Ipaq 210 is a great PDA, though it has its own problems. Read through the forums. It's just a much bigger investment in money (price of unit and price of new software) and time (learning curve for WM).

[tinlizzie]

I am also checking into pda's again. After several years of struggling with/working with my Zire 72, I am still not all that familiar with the palm os. I have learned to use the unit after a fashion and really appreciate the camera and the voice memo, as well as the organizing functions of the unit. Thanks to a lousy battery from China, I was about ready to call it quits on the Zire. Too much lost data due to a too rapidily draining battery amounted to too much frustration. Then I bought and installed a battery from usedpdaparts, and yippee there is life in them thar hills (thanks Brighthand for that sticky). I have now bought a second Zire 72 (silver this time for elegance ) so that I can keep one charging, while using the other.
Now, to my new quest... as of late, I have become very interested in ebooks and was wondering if there was a unit out there that offered a better/larger "reading" screen than the Zire, while still keeping some of the versatility of that unit (spreadsheet and camera come to mind). Using a windows based os would also be nice, perhaps making the chores a bit more user-friendly for me. I have read most of the reviews, but confusion reigns supreme. If anyone could help out with some information, I would really appreciate it. Thanks

Lizzie

[Hook]

I'm not sure you will find a Windows PDA more user friendly. More powerful, yes, but more complex. Given your interest in reading, I would recommend either a Palm TX (same OS but a much bigger, brighter screen) or an iPod Touch (pretty good in the ease of use department) Both can use ereader.

For a camera, you are going to have to go to a smartphone, there are no standalone PDAs with cameras. Again, a windows smartphone would do it,but adding some complexity to your experience. An iphone would give you a Touch plus camera. The iphone is one of the few smartphones with a really big screen.

The real question is this. With a smartphone, you either have to pay a lot of money for an unlocked version or you have to get a 2 year phone and data contract. Is a camera worth all that?

[linbmcd]

I am in a similar position - have a Palm T/X with digitizer problems, and I could go to usedpdaparts.com and get the new digitizer installed. But I am a former Pocket PC user and really miss the Windows Mobile stuff - I still have all my old PPC ebooks stored on my computer in case I ever go back to Windows Mobile.

I'm wondering if I can get an unlocked WM phone with Wi-Fi and use it as a PDA only (including the Wi-Fi) without having to sign up with a carrier and get a data plan to use only those functions. I already have a Verizon phone, and I'm not interested in spending the extra cash every month to get a data plan just to use Wi-Fi.

[Hook]

I am in a similar position - have a Palm T/X with digitizer problems, and I could go to usedpdaparts.com and get the new digitizer installed. But I am a former Pocket PC user and really miss the Windows Mobile stuff - I still have all my old PPC ebooks stored on my computer in case I ever go back to Windows Mobile.

I'm wondering if I can get an unlocked WM phone with Wi-Fi and use it as a PDA only (including the Wi-Fi) without having to sign up with a carrier and get a data plan to use only those functions. I already have a Verizon phone, and I'm not interested in spending the extra cash every month to get a data plan just to use Wi-Fi.

Welcome to Brighthand, linbmcd.

You could just go for a new IPAQ 110 or 210. But, yes, you can get an unlocked WM Phone with wifi and use it as a PDA. You can get older models off ebay for not bad prices. Or you can buy an unlocked new phone, but expect to pay $500-$800 with no subsidy. The other problem you will have is Smartphones tend to have smaller screens. Probably one of the most impressive Phones-that-can-be-used-as-a-PDA is the HTC Touch HD. It has a big 3.8" VGA screen and specs that will knock your socks off. It is also about $800 unlocked.

By the way, as long as you get a GSM phone, you can pop a Pay-as-you-go SIM from AT&T or T-Mobile in and use it for calls. ;-)

[tinlizzie]

Thank you Hook for your reply. I have ordered a TX, since this seems to be my best bet. As I have my Zires for photos, I'm quite unwilling to spend the price for a does-it-all-phone, which, because of my location, still often gives an iffy connection to pple who use their cell-phones at my house; My little Tracphone serves me well for "emergencies" on the road.

[lelisa13p]

Welcome to Brighthand, tinlizzie.

I have a couple of TXs and based on what you've written, I suspect that you'll be very happy with the TX. I have several different Palm devices (see sig below) and the TX screen is a pleasure to view.