Anyone use a PDA?

[Bob]

If so what kind and how well do you like it?

[Brad]

I have a Dell Axim X50v which I love.. I don't use it enough to justify it's cost though :-(

My biggest use of my PDA is for reading Ebooks. I purchase all of my books in ebook format and read them at lunch or whenever I have a free moment. The PDA lets me have a whole library in my pocket.

[awd330]

I've used a PDA since about 1998. I love them. My newest toy is a PalmOne Treo 650. It's a phone, PDA, MP3/video player, digital camera, etc.

[Bob]

Any thoughts on these?
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?page=proframe&prod_id=1468693#
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?page=proframe&prod_id=558205

[Brad]

I've used a PDA since about 1998. I love them. My newest toy is a PalmOne Treo 650. It's a phone, PDA, MP3/video player, digital camera, etc.

I want one of those so bad.. it would combine 2 things I usually carry into one. But I have such bad signal from Sprint that I don't want to lock myself in.. Maybe after I switch to verizon, if they get a decent signal at my house, then I'll switch over to the Treo. I've played with a few of them and they are very cool.

[mogwai]

I love my PDA. I'm on my 3rd one. I had an old school Handspring Visor, Sony Clie, and now HP 1910h Pocket PC. I have my eye on the Treo 650 as well.

Of those two you mentioned Bob, I would go for the Zire 72. I like that the 72 has a 1.3mp camera and Bluetooth.

[awd330]

I've used a PDA since about 1998. I love them. My newest toy is a PalmOne Treo 650. It's a phone, PDA, MP3/video player, digital camera, etc.

I want one of those so bad.. it would combine 2 things I usually carry into one. But I have such bad signal from Sprint that I don't want to lock myself in.. Maybe after I switch to verizon, if they get a decent signal at my house, then I'll switch over to the Treo. I've played with a few of them and they are very cool.
I switched from Verizon to Cingular to get the GSM Treo 650. In my current house, GSM tower signals are stronger than CDMA ones.

I love my Treo, but it does require a little more techie knowledge than a simple cell phone or stand alone PDA to keep it running smoothly. Technophobes should probably avoid it.

[OI812]

I have an old Palm IIIe, and it serves the purpose. Main thing is I have two laptop computer, and a desktop.... Just no substitute for the computer.

[Bob]

I am thinking that the Dell X30 would suite me fine. I don't see me ever using wireless internet on it or needing anything more than what the X30 offers. Plus I can get a refurbished one from dell for like $144.00

[Bob]

Well, i went to three more places shopping around last night and think that I am not going with the PalmOne. They don't have a changable battery which I don't like. I think I will try and get a HP or Dell.

[awd330]

What's the estimated battery life for the models you're considering. I bought an extra battery for my Treo 650, but one charge seems to last a long time for me. Most of the time, the extra battery just sits in a drawer.

[Bob]

What's the estimated battery life for the models you're considering. I bought an extra battery for my Treo 650, but one charge seems to last a long time for me. Most of the time, the extra battery just sits in a drawer.
I mean that the battery of the PalmONEis built in so if the battery goes bad you can not buy a new one to replace it is all. ;)

[awd330]

What's the estimated battery life for the models you're considering. I bought an extra battery for my Treo 650, but one charge seems to last a long time for me. Most of the time, the extra battery just sits in a drawer.
I mean that the battery of the PalmONEis built in so if the battery goes bad you can not buy a new one to replace it is all. ;)
Ahhhh. I get it now. 8) Of course, that would give you an excuse to buy a new one when the time comes. :P

[mogwai]

^^^LOL, that's the way I always rationalize things.

[Bob]

Too many desicions in the PC world!

[mogwai]

Bob, if this helps any... if you only plan to do basic stuff (ie. Calender, Word, Excel, etc...), just about any entry level Pocket PC will do. The same could be said of Palm. I wouldn't worry too much about the processing power since most PPC and Palm programs aren't CPU instensive. My HP is 200mhz and it only slows down on the newer version of Adobe Acrobat, Mapopolis and certain games. I can play Divx files without a problem (Although you do have to convert them a certain way...). Ram, depends on your needs, but I have 64mb and that's more than enough for basic stuff. Most have memory card slots, so you can always get a memory card if you need more.

I've used both Palm and Pocket PC, if you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

[Bob]

Bob, if this helps any... if you only plan to do basic stuff (ie. Calender, Word, Excel, etc...), just about any entry level Pocket PC will do. The same could be said of Palm. I wouldn't worry too much about the processing power since most PPC and Palm programs aren't CPU instensive. My HP is 200mhz and it only slows down on the newer version of Adobe Acrobat, Mapopolis and certain games. I can play Divx files without a problem (Although you do have to convert them a certain way...). Ram, depends on your needs, but I have 64mb and that's more than enough for basic stuff. Most have memory card slots, so you can always get a memory card if you need more.
I've used both Palm and Pocket PC, if you have any questions, feel free to PM me.
Thanks man!
I am thinking the Dell Axim X50 fro a few reasons. They offer a free upgrade to Windows 5.0 when it comes out and they are not offering any more support with the X30 from what I have read. However, my cousin is supposed to look into seeing what he can get me off of a HP.

[mogwai]

That's cool regarding the X50. From PPC 2002 to 2003, they didn't upgrade much that they added Bluetooth and WiFi, I believe. I'd like to see that Windows Mobile 5.0 has to offer. Sounds good though...

(Oh... I got my order today, thanks!!!)

[Brad]

I have an X50V.. it's awesome!! You'll love that if you get it.

[Bob]

I have an X50V.. it's awesome!! You'll love that if you get it.
I got the x50 actually. I ordered it Friday night so hopefully it comes this week! I want the GPS adaptors for it too. But that will come later.

[Bob]

Anyone know what all will be needed for me to access the net from my Axim?

[mogwai]

If you got it with 802.11b, you can go wireless around the house if you got a wireless router. Otherwise, the card slot for the X50 is MMC (and SDIO), which means you should be able to get a modem for it. Honestly, when I have have my unit connected to my PC, you can access the internet through it. It's very slow. If it's that slow hardwired, I can only imagine wireless. So unless it's like a WAP site, don't expect it to go that fast. Good choice on the X50 though...

[Bob]

Thanks for the input. I doubt I will hardly ever use internet on it but it might be cool to toy around with.

[Bob]

Awesome! It shipped and should be here tomorrow!

[awd330]

Here are lots of PDA friendly websites. I consolidated a list of portals earlier this year when I got my Treo 650. Try some of these out when you get your Axim -

http://www.webonyourcell.com/
http://209.221.153.18/smallsites/
http://www.pdaportal.com/
http://www.wacklepedia.com/pdahotspots/pda_hotspots.htm
http://www.pdamobileweb.com/
http://www.skweezer.net/
http://www.wapswap.com/
http://www.pdasupport.com/PDAfriendly.htm
http://www.eboogie.com/
http://www.otweb.com/pda.html
http://wap.oa.yahoo.com/

The following is a nice animated satellite weather image that loads very quickly on PDAs -
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/port/satloop.php?satid=ECI8

[Bob]

Thanks for the links! I am going to start checking them out now. :)

[Bob]

I love this thing! First day I have it at work and I have a ton of notes in it already and I don't have a bunch of sticky notes around!

[Brad]

I wish I used mine for that stuff.. I spent $500 on something i rarely open :(

[Bob]

I wish I used mine for that stuff.. I spent $500 on something i rarely open :(
I love the task feature! Now everything is so organized and I don't have to remember where I put things. At lunch I added Danase's invoice to it so I can make invoices if needed and print them out when I get home.

[Brad]

I wish I used mine for that stuff.. I spent $500 on something i rarely open :(
I love the task feature! Now everything is so organized and I don't have to remember where I put things. At lunch I added Danase's invoice to it so I can make invoies if needed and print them out when I get home.

I need something to remind me to put stuff in the PDA and remind me to check it.. like a PDA for my PDA :D

[Bob]

Now all I need is a wireless router so I can get this thing online!