PDA Recommendations

epack · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 22

Folks, my current PDA, a Palm Tungsten E, is beginning to fade into the sunset after 3 years. I'm in the market for a new one, but given that the PDA market as a whole is no longer what it used to be, I don't know much about current devices. I would be interested in either suggestions or links to some of those sites where you can respond to questions and narrow your choices.

Here's what I need and don't need in no particular order:

--It MUST be a Palm OS, no others--I have a goodly number of programs etc already in place and don't want to switch to Pocket PC or anything else unless I can install my palm OS progs on it.
--It MUST be able to sync with Outlook (I currently run Docs to Go)
--I do NOT need a wireless device, I don't want a phone/combo--I do not want to read my spam Smile

etc on it. I.E., I don't want to pay a monthly fee for wireless service just for this device (we already have sprint PCS for a conventional cell phone). I want to be able to talk on a phone AND use the PDA at the same time, IOW.
--I do NOT need a camera, but it would be a plus if it had one
--I do NOT need an mp3 player, but it would be a plus if it had one
--It MUST have an expansion slot for an SD card
--I HOPE for one that has a replaceable battery, it would be a definite plus. Good battery life is a plus, tho, needless to say.
--Price point should not be over $350-400 if possible. Less is good but I'm willing to pay more for the right device.

So what I want is a fairly sophisticated, but basic PDA. Something of an oxymoron, I know Smile

but the Tungsten E has served me well, as did my previous Clie T615. I just hope I'm not looking for a new buggy whip!!

TIA

elaine
charlottesville, VA

goretsky

Hello,

For a device which runs Palm OS natively, I think your choices for new supported PDAs are going to be limited to Palm's Tungsten E2 or the T|X models (the Z22 is a basic model which lacks an SD card socket).

Another possibility might be to get a Windows Mobile PDA and run a Palm OS emulator such as StyleTap. I have not used this myself, though, and have no idea how good the emulation is or which applications are compatible with it.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

epack · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 22

Interesting! I had figgered the E2 was the successor to the E, which makes sense, but T wasn't familiar with the TX at all. It appears they may be somewhat similar, from what I can tell, the TX has more mem/storage, a bit beefier processor, a slightly larger screen that can be rotated, and wi-fi capabilities, not counting size, etc. Since upon further thought it can't HURT to have the wi-fi, with or without actually using it, it does at least give me the option in the future should I choose to use it (i.e., pay for it Smile

.

I'd rather have the native OS, I think, emulators sometimes work well, sometimes not. Given all of this, it appears that the TX may well give me pretty much everything the E2 has, plus a bit more for the extra cost. I will go ahead and start collecting opinions on each.

Thanks!

elaine

epack · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 22

UPDATE: I have been researching this like crazy all day, and found a lot of good information out there, not unexpectedly. I decided to purchase the Palm TX, and should have it by the weekend!! I got it for a very good price at New Egg, nearly $50 less than at Palm or even the Mega Office Stores, not to mention tax free Smile

so I'm a happy camper!

I have another question now that I've settled on one, but I'll start a new thread.

Thanks for your assistance!

elaine