PDA for work and home

[Luc]

I had a PDA many moons ago made by Handspring. I loved it. I had all my appointments/phone book/ e-books - etc in there. I was very happy with my little black and white screen...

Then, Vista appeared and I couldn't use it anymore. Many were stuck like me and Palm (who bought Handspring) didn't update their Palm software to work with Vista. At least, not that I know of...

I didn't use a PDA for a while now but I miss it a bit. I was able to do all my work stuff and read a book while going to work on that thing. I had the night vision screen if I had to read in the dark. Well, useful but now, it should be upgraded...

I had a look at what's available on the market and I'm not sure on where to start. Here's a list of what I'm looking for and what I don't want.

What I would like:

• Have my calendar synchronized with the device
• Phone book
• Read documents such as plain Text files is enough. Word/Excel/PDF is bonus
• Work in Vista

What I would consider great:

• Internet access via wireless network (home) - Web browser - MSN if possible
• Rechargeable battery when on the cradle

What I don't want:

• Telephone-Mobile phone
• MP3 player
• Camera

I do not know if those device that can be hooked on the 3G network work worldwide or are limited to a few regions/countries...

I'm looking at the moment and just thinking about it, not ready to buy.

Any advice appreciated! We might be talking pocket PC more than PDA but I do not really need the keyboard. Reading and clicking is more important than writing...

 

[luvmysuper]

The Itouch has been touted as the Iphone without a phone. Might be worth looking into.

If you change your mind on the phone bit, I suggest you look into the Motorola Droid which does all of the things you mentioned, but - alas, is also a phone.

 

[_JP_]

Consider the iPhone Touch. It's an iPhone without the phone.

 

[Luc]

I will have a look at the Itouch... Thanks Gents!

Any others?

 

[xillion]

Sadly, the PDA of yore has largely been replaced by mobile phones and netbook computers.

Ipod Touch or Ipad, would work.

There is also the Hp Ipaq

 

[Basil]

The iPhone or a blackberry would do all of what you ask.

The iPod touch has a camera as well as the iPhone/blackberries.

You could always go for a iPad. Has 3G capabilities if you sign up for a plan but has wifi so you can connect with a wireless network for all your Internet needs.

And it all synchs with iTunes.

The more I think of it the more I think an iPad would best suit your needs.

 

[Luc]

I'm looking at the Ipod touch 3rd generation it sounds all right...

Do I need Itunes to do everything with it or I can install apps simply by using the Itouch via my wifi connection? Can I do a bit of a drag and drop with the files?

 

[xillion]

I'm looking at the Ipod touch 3rd generation it sounds all right...

Do I need Itunes to do everything with it or I can install apps simply by using the Itouch via my wifi connection? Can I do a bit of a drag and drop with the files?

Apps can be downloaded directly to the touch through the app store via wi-fi. You will have to hook up to itunes the first time in order to set up the device. Your files will have to be synced through itunes. I recently bought a fourth gen touch and it is fantastic. Big upgrade in speed over my 1st and 3rd gen and the new display is phenomenal.

 

[LinuxMintyFresh]

I like my Palm Pre, which can do everything you've asked, including viewing Word and PDF files (not sure about Excel), but, again, it is a phone. Perhaps you should look into a tablet computer of some kind.

Samsung has their 7" Galaxy, HP has Windows based pad and is soon coming out with a WebOS based tablet as well.

 

[Geeno]

I have a Dell X51V, and it's great. Windows Mobile 5.0, Does Word, Excel and Powerpoint, lot's of software available for it, too.

Also - 802.11B wireless, bluetooth, actual VGA screen and it takes Compact Flash AND SD cards. I have an 8 Gig CF and a 2 Gig SD in it now.

Works with Vista and Windows 7 (done both, I know for sure)

Sadly, you can't buy them new anymore, but they are available.

 

[DavyRay]

Just saw this on the Palm Support site.

http://kb.palm.com/wps/portal/kb/common/article/44532_en.html

Also have a Handspring Neo, unused, in the original box. The AAA batteries are still in the box. I will gladly send it to you if you will participate in the Sue Moore PIF currently underway.

 

[fidjit]

Luc

How modern does it have to be ?

I'm pretty sure I've got an "old" Ipaq H2410 hanging around the house somewhere.

For the price of postage it's yours if ya want !!!

What I would like:

* Have my calendar synchronized with the device -( Assuming your Calender is Microsoft Outlook - natively supports ) TICK
* Phone book - ( Assuming your phonebook is in Microsoft Outlook - natively supports ) TICK
* Read documents such as plain Text files is enough. Word/Excel/PDF is bonus -TICK
* Work in Vista - Umm you mean be able to attach to your Vista machine ??? - TICK


What I would consider great:

* Internet access via wireless network (home) - Web browser - MSN if possible - TICK
* Rechargeable battery when on the cradle - TICK ( though I don't have a cradle only the sync cable )


What I don't want:

* Telephone-Mobile phone TICK
* MP3 player - Yes it does have , just don't use it
* Camera - TICK

 

[Phog Allen]

I have been thinking of something similar for awhile now. I wanted an old smartphone for just the pda functions. However, a few things precluded this route. First up is that most carriers have completely locked down the functions of the smartphones so that unless they are activated they won't do much. So even if I put my current SIM card in one of them(even though they have no subsidy money involved to recoup) they will charge me for a monthly data plan. Some older ones like ATT 8424s would function as pda only but they bring $65-95 used on eBay, are in questionable condition, and are all nearly five years old. You know better than to put ANY real money into old used handheld electronics of any kind.

So this brought me to Archos internet tablet at Best Buy. They make these in screen sizes from 2.8 to 7 inches. The link I provided goes to the five inch model. The 4.3 version may be more pocketable if that is what you are looking for. They run Android and what is kind of neat is that Android apps are coming at a lightning pace. They are free too. The Archos has everything a guy could want for a device like this. Wifi, browser, gps, music player, etc. but no ruddy phone which is kind of nice. I too think it kind of stinks that a portable pda type device always seems to be linked to phone carrier at big dollars per month. The Archos is essentially a handheld, wifi connected computer that YOU decide what to do with. I would think a VOIP app like Skype or other would suffice if you wanted voice connectivity with no BS carrier contract nonsense. I am seriously considering one since we have wifi available nearly everywhere in town. Hope this helps.

Regards, Todd

 

[Troggie]

My father has an archos and it works really well. My daugther has an Ipod Touch and that would fit the bill too. Another option is to get a Smart phone without a contract either on ebay or through a local provider and use it as a PDA device. Since it is not activated you would not be charged for service and since all current smartphones allow the use of WiFi you could still do everything you want and if you are so inclined to have a keyboard that would then be an option as well.

 

[Luc]

Thanks Davy and Ian for the offers. I'm still looking but the information in here is quite good! I might take a trip to town to see what they have locally but at the moment, I would lean toward the ITouch...

 

[_JP_]

I'm looking at the Ipod touch 3rd generation it sounds all right...

Do I need Itunes to do everything with it or I can install apps simply by using the Itouch via my wifi connection? Can I do a bit of a drag and drop with the files?

iTunes is what backs up everything on the apple devices. It is a free program so there is no harm in trying it out.

 

[Luc]

iTunes is what backs up everything on the apple devices. It is a free program so there is no harm in trying it out.

Do I need I tune to work the ITouch vs. Computer? I'm asking as I'm unsure that my work will allow me Itune on the work computer.

 

[_JP_]

Do I need I tune to work the ITouch vs. Computer? I'm asking as I'm unsure that my work will allow me Itune on the work computer.

I don't know of any other interface for it unless you jailbreak it. We had iTunes installed on all computers at my last college because it was part of Quicktime. Personally, I go for up to weeks at a time before connecting my iPhone to iTunes. And that's usually because I want to change the various media that I have loaded on it.

 

[Luc]

I don't know of any other interface for it unless you jailbreak it. We had iTunes installed on all computers at my last college because it was part of Quicktime. Personally, I go for up to weeks at a time before connecting my iPhone to iTunes. And that's usually because I want to change the various media that I have loaded on it.

Ah righto... I was wondering in the case that I would, let's say, take a picture, if I needed iTunes to transfer the picture back to the computer or if I could access the device and do a drag-drop...

I think the next step will be to walk down the store and see one that works to understand how it goes...

 

[fidjit]

I'm no Apple Expert but suspect you'll need Itunes to Sync.

That being said even with a Windows Mobile device you'll need Active Sync/Mobile Device Centre loaded on you desktop to locally sync

Another thing maybe to check with IT is what "remote" sync capability you can get. Should be the same sort of access as for people with smartphones.

Using Exchange you can actually update via wireless as well, but you need "remote access" to your Exchange server.

I know why you don't want a phone, so I can't ring you to find out where the frack that cafe is when I'm meeting you next