Travel and Pocket PCs -- any advice?

[Guest DevonSFescort]

I'm thinking about getting a new PDA. I've got a Palm Pilot but have never been too crazy about it -- I don't like having to write in Palm-approved handwriting -- and am interested in people's experiences with Pocket PCs. It seems like theoretically they would be better for jotting down appointments, which is a big part of what I'd use them for, obviously. I'm also curious to know what the wireless service is like on them. Is it good enough that I could start leaving my laptop at home when I travel and just get by checking emails on my Pocket PC? Does the connection tend to be glacially slow and prone to interruptions? Also, which brand is best -- iPaq, Sony, etc. -- are there any that people swear by or would warn against? Anything else I should know?

 

Thanks for any advice and suggestions on this...

[Rick Munroe]

I prefer and highly recommend my extremely efficient method of scribbling all info on backs of envelopes, napkins, and post-it notes. Works for me!

[Guest DevonSFescort]

What color napkins do you use for overnights? :+

[Guest CJ]

Check out the new series of PDA's from Hewlett Packard. They are excellent. I have the HP5450 and when I have an opportunity to stop for a minute I will have e mail access immediately throughout the United States.

 

Great features fingerprint reader for awesome security...when you modify the setings correctly wipes out all data thereby protecting your clients and you...always backed up on my p.c.

 

WI FI/Bluetooth allowing access to your e mail accounts and surfing allowing access to your accounts anytime anywhere...

 

I have used digital PDA's for years and this one is awesome. The 3395 is also a good machine...check out pen computing and hewletts own website...another bonus is they stand behind their machines and wil have you a new PDA anywhere in the US the next day...added insurance cost but well worth it

 

later<smile>

CJ

 

http://www.gaydar.co.uk/yummmeeeone

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[+ Oliver]

.....unless, of course you misplace the envelope, napkin, or post-it note:-( (as I seem to recall your saying in a very apologetic response to a review). Maybe you should tie a string around your finger to remind yourself (or maybe some more appropriate appendage :9 )

 

Oliver

[Rick Munroe]

>What color napkins do you use for overnights?

 

Sanitary. :+

[HooBoy]

After my cell phone was stolen in Hong Kong along with my computer, I decided I would spring for the Treo from Handspring. It is a PDA/Cellphone.

 

Someone I trust very much was singing the praises of it and even though it cost a whopping $500, I decided my niece would not get a birthday present and my Mom could go hungry for a month. I took out a loan and bought the Treo PDA/Cellphone at CompUSA. Then, I walked around the corner to the Sprint Store to get it connected.

 

ONE hour later (with angry New Yorkers behind me in the line yelling obscenities at me), I told the woman at Sprint that since they did not know how to program the phone and because I was about to be knifed by the guy behind me, I would just go home and try it myself. I am fairly computer literate.

 

EIGHT hours later -- That's why the website has been uploading late -- I just gave up. Oh, I got the cellphone part working but the buttons are so small, the numbers and letters are all in the wrong place and it is actually to big to put in your pocket comfortably. (Is that a Handspring Treo in your pocket or just a big bottle of Viagra?)

 

I had to go to Brazil, got on the plane and ended up in Paris, then went to Houston where I bought a cheap little Sam Sung phone that is easy to use, has the best headset ever has dazzling blue screen that looks great in Limelite. Boys on Ecstacy love it. Then I was off to Brazil.

 

When I got back to New York, the very first thing I did was go to CompUSA and return that Handspring Treo and gave the salespeople a lecture on how they should NOT even sell the damned thing.

 

They charged me a $60 "restocking" fee which puts CompUSA on my creepazoid no customer service shit list. Plus, it meant that my diatribe about how they should not even sell it meant nothing to them.

 

Before I get off my soapbox, lemme just say I think all phone companies are a bunch of crap, but I like SPRINT best because they have a Sprint PCS to PCS feature. I have most of my friends and all of my family on Sprint PCS. We can call each other 24/7 for free. I am sure once the Sprint people figure out that a bunch of homos are calling each other, they will eliminate the service but for now it is fun.

 

Watching old movies, when phones were new, is amusing in that the people are yelling into the phone, "can you hear me? Can you hear me now?"

 

We have come full circle since Alex G. Bell said said, "Watson, get your fat ass in here. I wanna suck some dick."

[Spida]

I just ordered a Sony Cleo with all the toys.. I don't ever go to CompUsa they suck! I always order online best prices! I had to order it so that I can "Test it out at work".. Will keep you posted, however, one of the VP's bought one and set it up himself! I couldn't believe it, he is not computer literate as a matter of fact he can be a pain in the ass. So I figure it must be easy, hope I don't have to go ask him for help when I get it. That would be embarrassing since I am the IT Manager..

 

I will check out the HP, I used to LOVE HP products, however, purchasing moved us to Dell and I unfortunately can only fight so much with them!

[+ deej]

I'm the biggest gadget junkie you'll ever meet, but haven't seen a PDA that really turns my head. For now, the Palm Pilot meets the "good enough" test.

 

I wouldn't bet the ranch on wireless unless you've been there before and know it'll work there. Hell, how often do you hit dead spots just with a cell phone? I'm not giving up that wired connection from the notebook until I've been to the destination once to make sure wireless will work.

 

This is a niche that'll likely see some major new gadgets in the next year with Smart Screens and Tablet PC's taking off, but reviews still say the technology is pricey and not ready for prime time.

 

Now might not be the time to dive in if what you've got is working for you. You might end up spending lotsa money for something that does basically what you already have. ;-)

[Guest fukamarine]

>I prefer and highly recommend my extremely efficient method

>of scribbling all info on backs of envelopes, napkins, and

>post-it notes. Works for me!

 

I have always been a big fan of the old-fashioned loose leaf Daytimer. Decidely low-tech, I know, but I think they are faster and more flexible than all these new toys. They cost a hell of a lot less and the pages can be saved for years for tax purposes and all sorts of other good things.

 

fukamarine

[Huey]

Devon After a few false starts with Palm OS products I ought an Axim from Dell. I love it! It has basically everything one could want in a PDA. Personally a PDA can't replace a notebook though the Axim does give it a run for its money .

 

http://wwwc.dell.com/us/en/dhs/products/series_pda_snp.htm

[Guest zoom]

Here is a timely article for your general research:

 

PDA Sales Slump on Slack Corporate Demand

 

 

Jan 27, 5:55 pm ET

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Handheld computer shipments slumped in 2002, as an expected boom in demand from corporations failed to materialize, according to an industry study released on Monday.

Worldwide shipments of personal digital assistants, or PDAs, the pocket-sized digital companions that can store thousands of appointments, contacts and notes, fell 9.1 percent to 12.1 million units in 2002, according to Dataquest Inc., a unit of research firm Gartner Inc.

 

"The more lucrative enterprise market has been stagnant because of poor economic conditions and a perception that PDAs are not yet capable of delivering sufficient return on investment," said Todd Kort, principal analyst for Gartner Dataquest's Computing Platforms Worldwide group.

 

He estimates that about 70 percent of all PDAs are purchased by consumers and only 30 percent by enterprises.

 

More than 20 million PDA have been sold in just over 5 years, sparked by early enthusiasm over the gadgets. But consumers, lacking compelling reasons to upgrade, have not hungered for newer models in the same manner.

 

Manufacturers had pinned hopes on corporations buying the devices in bulk to outfit their staff with a powerful means to take work on the road, and to allow users to communicate with their offices. But the global economic slowdown forced most companies to reassess technology spending plans.

 

"A lack of significant progress in wireless PDA technologies has resulted in some companies waiting to purchase these devices," said Kort. "The enterprise market is still another year away from embracing PDAs."

 

Palm Inc. (PALM.O), the dominant maker of handheld computers, saw its shipments decline 12.2 percent worldwide in 2002. Still, the 4.4 million units it shipped last year were double the shipments by its nearest competitor, and more than the combined total of its five closest competitors.

 

Palm device shipments represented 37 percent of the overall market, Dataquest said. Palm also continues to lead the market for the software that powers handhelds, with a 56 percent stake, compared with rival Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT.O) 26 percent.

 

Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ), the No. 2 maker of handheld computers, shipped 1.6 million units in 2002, down 27 percent from the year before.

 

Sony Corp. (6758.T) vaulted to No. 3, on a 351 percent jump in shipments, to 1.3 million units. Conversely, Handspring Inc. (HAND.O), which shifted its focus away from handhelds toward mobile phones, shipped only 698,000 PDAs, down 49 percent, Dataquest said.

 

Dell Computer Corp. (DELL.O), which stirred the handheld computer market late in the year with the introduction of its first line of PDAs, shipped 54,000, according to the study.

[Guest VanBCGuy]

My company recently bought me an iPaq, but without bluetooth.

 

I use my PocketPC more than I thought I would, and can easily recommend getting one if you have the dough. The iPaq has the best display of any I have seen. Its drawback is that it does not have removeable battery, and the battery life is short. I got around this by getting an expansion pack with an external battery.

 

I also got a small keypad that fits on the bottom, so you can type with your thumbs, which works very well (especially if you are all thumbs).

 

The thing I like most is being able to download content that I can listen to with earplugs. I travel a lot so I make good use of it. You can get novels, news (NY times), and a lot of NPR stuff which is great.

[Guest ButchHarris]

I have a Pocket PC [ http://PocketPC.com ] that I love, an HP Jornada that's nearly two years old (no phone capabilities).

 

http://www.shopping.hp.com/cgi-bin/hpdirect/shopping/scripts/home/store_access.jsp?template_type=storefronts&category=handhelds&aoid=83

 

But if you can wait, but the Hitachi Pocket PC that will be out in a few months through Sprint PCS. See the link below for details, it's HOT!

 

http://www.hitachi.com/Apps/hitachicom/content.jsp?page=PressReleases/details/Hitachi%20Unveils%20Its%20First%20Microsoft%20Pocket%20PC%20Phone%20Edition%20Handheld%20To%20Run%20on%20the%20Enhanced%20Sprint%20Nationwide%20PCS%20Network.html&path=jsp/hitachi/aboutus/Press-Media/

 

Butch Harris, Publisher

WEBs and VIDs Online!

Gay Erotica's Best Click! ®

http://www.ManNet.com

[Guest DevonSFescort]

Thanks Huey (and to all who have responded so far)...the Dell does sound very interesting. Do you use the wireless service at all? If so, how do you you like it?

 

I agree that a PDA can't replace a PC, though I'd be happy if it could replace a PC for a week or so at a time (when I travel).

[Huey]

Devon, Sorry I don't use the wireless service so I can't comment on how it works. I believe Dell offers a 30 day money back guarantee (though scheck this out on your own) so if you want to try one .. you really have little chance in doing so. As I mentioned before, I really love the Axim and I use the base model. Good Luck .