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Hi technies, any recommendations or horror stories about your handheld PC? I take a lot of notes around the office. I usually use my trusty Palm V, but I'm intrigued by these shiny new handheld PC's out there.
The key factors I'm looking for, in order of importrance, are:
1. Reliability: A never-crash platform. 2. Word Processing: Preferably runs MS Word seamlessly. 3. Keyboard compatible. Maybe a bluetooth one? 4. Doubles as a good voice recorder.
Other fancy trimmings like MP3 player, cell phone, camera, etc are not that important. Any suggestions. Posts: 4116 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Well, you can get all you've specified, including the options of the extras that aren't required, in the newer Sony Clie devices. I purchased a Clie (PEG-T665C) last year at Christmas, and I adore it. Mine does not have the camera or video (I don't need those at all), nor is it set up for any wireless connectivity. (I'm already accessible online between 12-20 hours every day. Anyone who needs to reach me while I'm driving to the grocery store or something will simply have to call me on my phone. ) Mine _does_ have an mp3 player onboard, but it's about the last version of the Clie without a voice recorder. I do wish it had that, but that's the only feature I wanted that's missing from this one. The Clie devices are sturdy, feel solid, and are well equipped with newer line processors. Sony runs the Palm o/s, not win, but mine came boxed with quite a bit of software, including Documents-To-Go, which converts MS Office documents for pda use, and manages the document versions during synch to keep current copies on both the pda and the desktop.
The _only_ problem I've had with the clie has to do with the "hold" button on the side. I had a few instances where the device had apparently crashed, where a soft reset didn't fix it, and neither did a hard reset. I was frustrated, until it finally dawned on me that the only thing wrong with it initially was that the hold button had become engaged while in my purse. Boy, did I feel stupid. Then a few weeks ago I was in Best Buy looking at something, and I overheard an employee talking to a customer who'd brought her Sony pda in to be looked at. Same problem...the hold button had become engaged. She was embarrassed, but the clerk told her that it actually happens more than you'd think, and in fact had happened to him when he first got one. So it's a common enough problem that it surely has gotten back to Sony. With luck, they'll address this issue in designing future versions of their devices. Using a case that folds around the sides of the device would probably stop this from happening, but once you realize what is going on, you'll never be fooled by the hold button again.
I love the backlit color screen on mine, and the Sony devices have a bit more screen real estate that most others as well. If only it had that voice recorder!
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My 3-year-old b&w Handspring palm-os device just fell out of my pants when I was pulling them out of the locker at my gym and shattered all over the cement floor. This really sucks, since it is absolutely necessary for me to carry out my work for my technologically backward company. Anyway, I was thinking the same thing as you. I was perfectly happy with what I had, but they're no longer available, so as long as I was being forced into an upgrade, I decided to try out the Pocket PC type handheld, as they look awfully cool.
Anyway, I don't know much about handhelds, but I have a friend who is a programmer and is always good for a bit of information. He personally has a Linux-based pda, but he told me that the best bang for the buck with pocket pc, as far as he knows, comes from Dell. He said that they're about as good as the iPaq, which people tend to get, but considerably cheaper. So I can't tell you from personal experience yet, but I do have mine on order. It cost less than the Palm Tungsten-T even with some extra goodies like 256mb external memory and a faster processor, and appears fairly well packed with fun stuff. I'll tell you what I think of it when it gets here. That's all the secondhand two cents I've got on the subject at this point.
Posts: 2804 | Registered: May 2003
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I just recently purchased a Dell Axim X5 and absolutely love it. It comes with Pocket Word and Pocket Excell on it, both integrate seemlessley with Word and Excel on my laptop. In the notes section there is an option to make voice recorded notes, and there are numerous programs available (some for free) that will automatically record all the notes in a highly compressed mp3 format to save space. It does not have integrated wifi or Bluetooth, but comes with both an SD slot and a compact flash slot. I have heard many folks using it with both connected keyboards and with wireless keyboards, with great results. It doesn't have as many bells and whistles as the ultra top of the line Pocket PC devices, but for the price and with 2 expansion slots it is a tough deal to beat. In terms of price I have seen it selling for as low as $257 shipped if you catch a good sale. There is also an incredibly active and thriving community of Axim users online (aximsite.com) that has really been a wellspring of help, both technical and just interesting stuff. In short, I really love mine.
Posts: 240 | Registered: Jun 2003
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I've had several Dell Axim x5's (I bought and sold both the Basic - 300Mhz - and Advanced - 400Mhz - versions), and I have to say that I'm very impressed by what I get for the price.
I bought my Advanced Axim for $200, and the Basic for $135 earlier this year.
Like Jexx said, you can use Pocket Word and Excel (it has all the regular functionality of the normal office versions), it has a built in mp3 player (MS Media player - if you don't want to download one of the free ones).
Since you've got two expansion ports (something the Ipaqs lack), I tend to use my wireless card in the CF slot, and have a 256 meg SD card in the second slot.
This means that I can bring tons o music, or 2 full length movies (that are surprisingly good quality) with me.
Also, the Advanced Axims come with a very nice cradle (the only downside is that it looks like a VW bug) that can charge your PDA and a spare battery.
Oh yeah, my PDA can last for about 7 hours on full brightness. I'm wondering how long the superbatteries (3400mA) can last for?
Posts: 851 | Registered: Oct 2001
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It's a Linux-based PDA that has all the things your looking for (and most of the extras) out of the box. It's got plenty of memory, a fast processor, and it can run almost anything that will run on a typical Linux machine.
If Linux scares you, fear not, the out-of-the-box version is basically a Linux Lite that hides all the scary command prompts and obscure system doodads. From the pictures, it looks a lot like a warm-tinted and hard-edged version of Mac OS-X. If you're into programming and command lines and such, there's a CD that has the extended stuff on it (it can also be downloaded from Sharp's website).
A big advantage of the Sharp Zaurus is that it has a QWERTY keyboard like the new Tungsten (that is the one with the keyboard, right?), but the keyboard can be dissapeared to make the device smaller and prevent key mashing when you're carrying it around.
EDIT: Slacker, how many mA is your regular battery? It should be a direct conversion from mA to hours, so you can find out the number of mA per hour and find out the longevity of the superbattery that way.
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Slacker, where did you get your handhelds? I just ordered mine from dell.com yesterday, and the basic was $200. I got the advanced for around $270 on special. Did you buy yours used.
One other question, as I'm a bit out of touch with the latest in handheld technology. What's the difference between compact flash memory and secure digital memory? I ordered the compact flash 256mb chip, because it was significantly cheaper. Will I be sorry? Should I change my order before it ships? And that wireless card you're talking about... can you connect to your home LAN with that and get online? I've got a wireless LAN, but I didn't know you could do that. Like I said, I was on top of it about 3 years ago, but I don't even know what's possible now. It's all pretty cool.
Posts: 2804 | Registered: May 2003
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As I understand it there really isn't a demonstrable difference in data transfer rate between CF and SD cards. The speed can depend on who made it and other things.
The main advantage to getting a SD card (I have a 256 meg one myself) is that you can have that extra storage and still have your CF slot open for other peripherals (eg. GPS, Wi-fi, Bluetooth, modem card, ethernet card, digital photos). Even though the SD card is more expensive, I think you would be happier with that in the end as you could have plenty of memory all the time (I never remove my SD card, have tons of mp3s and installed games and such on it) and still use your CF slot.
And, yes, as long as you have a wireless LAN set up you can get your Axim to use that with a wi-fi CF card.
Posts: 240 | Registered: Jun 2003
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I got my PDA's from compgeeks. They don't always have them in stock (in fact it can be rather rare), but if you can find the URL for the PDA, set yourself up for an email reminder. Make sure that if you do, order quickly. Most of the time, they're out of stock within 3 or 4 hours.
Yeah, you can hook your wireless card up to your wireless network. It's a nice thing to have on me when I visit lusti's office, as I can get my email on my PDA there. I've also got AIM on it, which helped save my sanity when I was waiting for my latest laptop to arrive.
There isn't too much of a difference in the memory types on the Axim. The SD card is a bit faster handling data, so movies will be a bit more jerky, but MP3's will be fine.
There is a weird glitch with SD cards on the Axims that drives me nuts: the cards will randomly erase themselves if you reset the unit while it's using data on the SD card.
Posts: 851 | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
Thanks for the wealth of information everyone.
It looks like I have a lot of choices to select from. Sony's larger screens sound nice, but then Axim's seamless word integration and expansion ports sounds attractive as well. I don't know if I am computer savy enough to operate a Linux-PDA, but I will give it a look.
I'm surprised there aren't more iPaq users here. Aren't they the best selling model?
Posts: 4116 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Just an FYI, any device running Pocket PC ( or Windows Mobile as it is now called) will have Pocket Word and Excel.
Posts: 240 | Registered: Jun 2003
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IMO, Ipaqs are still overpriced for what you get.
I wanted one for a long time, but then found that I'd get the same performance for alot less (in most cases, roughly 50%).
Posts: 851 | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
I'd also suggest the Sony Clie, you can also get a nice little fold up keyboard with keys that feel like an actual keyboard, which is really nice. I've had the luxury of being able to play around with one of these a bit...very nice. Satyagraha
Posts: 1986 | Registered: Apr 2001
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I just got my Dell Axim last week, and I got my network card at Best Buy today. So I'm over at my friend's house, who has a wireless network (as do I), and I'm writing this response on the pocket PC. I couldn't do that with my Handspring. Thought this would be a good thread to test drive it on.
[edit: got rid of double post--just so you know what Tom's talking about.]
posted
Still using my trusty Palm XII, but I'm eyeing a Sony CLie SJ33. Color, faster, more memory, MP3 player, card slot, and the price is dropping as it falls out of the spotlight.
I'm committed to using Palm OS because I'm in love with a program called Wordsmith that works better with Word, I think, than Microsoft's own PDA version.
Posts: 7790 | Registered: Aug 2000
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) Mine _does_ have an mp3 player onboard, but it's about the last version of the Clie without a voice recorder. I do wish it had that, but that's the only feature I wanted that's missing from this one. The Clie devices are sturdy, feel solid, and are well equipped with newer line processors. Sony runs the Palm o/s, not win, but mine came boxed with quite a bit of software, including Documents-To-Go, which converts MS Office documents for pda use, and manages the document versions during synch to keep current copies on both the pda and the desktop. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
