Sort of thinking about a PDA...any info?

[skidooridr600]

Well, I'm going back to school and I want to buy myself a little end of the summer gift. hehe. So I was sort of thinking, hey a PDA might be sort of cool.
So I started looking around and I think I may want the pocket PC OS or whatever MS calls it.
But now I noticed the Palm OS can basically match the Pocket PC OS.
I don't think it'll really help me much in school, but I was thinking I might like to maybe download all the news and weather before I go, and then I could read through it when I have free time. Is there ways to do this? Also, I'd like to use it maybe as an MP3 player just for a few songs. Continuing, I noticed one is able to watch video on it. I was wondering how well this actually works. Finally, I definately want to use 802.11b on it.
The other thing I was thinking is I could keep my computer repair appointments straight and I could write down addresses or something. Any and all info would be just wonderful on your expierences with PDA's and maybe recommend one to me. Thanks guys!

Oh and for Price, heh I really don't want to spend that much on it, like $150 and I'll probably look to getting a used one.

[ImaNihilist]

IMO, PDAs are just an expensive gimmick. Good for what? Jotting down notes? Calender? Fantastic. A $500 calender. Good buy.

I suggest getting a notebook, a pen, a Gameboy and Super Mario 3. Grand total, like $150 and it can do everything a PDA can.

[mynameis]

Originally posted by skidooridr600
I was thinking I might like to maybe download all the news and weather before I go, and then I could read through it when I have free time.

It is called AvantGo, it is a nice service, and it is free up to a point. Basically you subscribe to different little daily news papers/magazines, you only get to choose so many before you have to pay. I never paid for the service but I still enjoyed it.

As far as 802.11 goes, it is pretty kewl on Pocket PCs but I don't know about PalmOne, I don't even know if PalmOne has 802.11 cards or applications. When I used a wireless Pocket PC before the only thing I could really do with it was browse the internet on that tiny *** screen and instant messaging, which actually was pretty kewl. I wouldn't buy a PDA planning on using it wirelessly, there just aren't any apps that are terribly useful.

My recommendation, get a small/cheap PalmOne device. If you get a huge pocket PC or PalmOne device you'll never use it because it is a pain to lug around. I also recommend against getting the most expensive because personally I would be paranoid about breaking it or losing it, I assume others would feel the same way.

I have a Palm Tungsten T, it isn't a current model but I like it, it is very small(smaller than any of the current models) and it is built very tough. I don't keep it in a case or anything, those are just too bulky, I just keep a screen protector on it and throw it in my bag/pocket.

[kpxgq]

i dont feel like repeating myself so...

http://www.sharkyforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=231952

http://www.sharkyforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=222431

http://www.sharkyforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=242612

[kpxgq]

ahhh some of you guys are criticizsing PDAs too much.. they are not for everyone, but they are not useless gimmicks for sure... i too am a college student and I use my PDA for EVERYTHING!!!

- i use SNES/GBA emulators to play games if i am early to a lecture... (www.morphgear.com)

- i use my PDA as portable mp3 player.. i use a 512mb SD card which holds about a full days worth of songs.. CF based PDAs can use CF card which have capacity of up to 4gb. Just plug in a headphone or earbuds and its basically an ipod.. also you can turn off the screen to save energy.

- i use the built in mic to record voive memos or lectures...

- i use the built in 802.11b to check my email and occasionally browse the internet...

- also i use mine to take notes... i dont even take a notebook to campus... using the stylus is not too hard but if you are serious about taking notes i suggest a thumb-board.

- also i download e-books and read em using (www.ubook.com)

- also alot of my professors post up their lecture notes as adobe acrobat or powerpoint presentation... my PDA can read both those formats plus with the 802.11b i can download it straight through the internet..

- also my particular PDA (ipa 4155) has built in bluetooth so I can access internet using my BT cellphone as a modem.

- using "betaplayer" or "pocketMVP", the PDA makes a great movie player.... both these programs can play divx and DVD rips with ease.

- there is also ALOT of great software for PDAs if you look around... for instance if you are a math/engineering student, they actually make TI-grapghing calculator emulators for PocketPC



your $150 budget kinda limits you.... for you i would reccomend a used DELL Axim x3i

- They can be had for around $200 and are very good... built in 802.11b and 400mhz xscale cpu.

[kbw]

I have a Sony Clie JT37 it works good as an MP3 player and plays movies just fine, it also has a file converter that lets you copy Video to your Memory stick in the form of Quicktime, you can store about 30:00 of video on 64 Megs so if you have a 256M or larger stick you can fit on a 90:00 movie. I like to put a few Simpsons with comercials edited out about 20:00 each and some MP3's on my Mem stick for those slow times at work.

[SkyDog]

I'd be lost at work without my PDA. Being a network admin, it's great to always have connectivity to the network in my pocket. I can connect wirelessly from any of our buildings (or elsewhere for that matter) to administer servers or network equipment, check mail, view contact info like phone numbers, and all sorts of stuff.

Even if I didn't use it for all that stuff, I'd buy one for the calendar functions alone. I'd get writers cramp trying to keep my appointments up to date. With the PDA, I just have to sync to my Exchange (or Outlook) mailbox to get all my appointments.

I might eventually get around to trying to use it for fun stuff someday. :)

[skidooridr600]

Well, thats a postive. Looks like you either like pdas or hate them...