Newb: Palm v PDA

Forums › Legacy mobile platforms (Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Web OS, Symbian, Meego, Blackberry) › Newb: Palm v PDA

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Wannabe Geek

#6681 15-Feb-2006 10:44

Hi all

I was just recommended to these forums to help me out about PDAs and such. Basically I know nothing about them, however I want something to check internet, emails, and process the odd word doc and media file on the go.

I saw the Dell Axim special on the front page (10% on top of the already 20% off), and thought it looked like a sweet deal. However what do you guys reckon?

- Is the Dell overkill for what I need?
- How does a Palm differ from a PDA exactly?
- Is the Dell a good deal and a good PDA (reviews on the net say its pretty good).

Thanks!

freitasm

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#28499 15-Feb-2006 11:22

Welcome to Geekzone... A pocket PC is a PDA, the difference between these and the Palm is the operating system.

It really comes down to what you are more comfortable with-user interface, hardware speed, etc. Both will come with basic PIM functionality (calendar, contacts, tasks), and both can have programs installed.

I hare used Palm for years and now I have Pocket PC devices here. I this they offer a bigger selection.

Your needs will be different of those from other people. The Dell Axim is good, and having Wi-Fi is almost mandatory these days. Some people will prefer a device that can also be used as a phone-for these there are different models.

At the end it's a personal choice.

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Wannabe Geek

#28500 15-Feb-2006 11:30

Thanks for the reply - having the device double as a mobile is not needed.

Think I will do a bit more research into the Dell and then grab it if all is well. So just on the Dell - you guys reckon it's a good price and got good features?

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#28501 15-Feb-2006 11:44

If you only need a PDA, then the Dell will do well - either the mid range (with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) or the top Axim 51v (top range, with VGA resolution) and lots of memory...

The discount is only available through 16 February 2006...

HP does good PDAs too, and you can find them at your local DSE.

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Wannabe Geek

#28512 15-Feb-2006 13:25

Gonna go for the Axim 51v I think

Just to check - Woosh should be the company that I use to connect it to the net?

freitasm

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#28513 15-Feb-2006 13:43

These come with Wi-Fi, so you will need to have a Wi-Fi Access Point at home (connected to your existing Internet cable-modem or ADSL modem), or when out and about you should use Cafenet in Wellington or Fivo in Auckland.

Cafenet is also present in other cities and towns. Mind you, Wi-Fi hotspots are limited in coverage, they are not available everywhere.

If you want an "everywhere" Internet access then you should get a Pocket PC Phone Edition.

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Wannabe Geek

#28517 15-Feb-2006 14:12

Ahhh, thanks for clearing that up. I definetely want to be able to connect wherever I might be - so maybe the Pocket PC Phone is the way to go.

I guess I can choose from these phones then - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devices/pocketpc/phone/apac.mspx and they take my Vodafone SIM card?

Cheers

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#28518 15-Feb-2006 14:19

You actually should look at local stuff only - you will find that Vodafone (since you are talking about SIM card) currently offers the HTC Universal, known in New Zealand as i-mate Jasjar, and the HTC Prodigy, kwnon in New Zealand as i-mate K-Jam.

Both have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so you can use wireless LAN at home or when on a hotspot. The K-Jam is GPRS only in New Zealand (EDGE is not available here), while the Jasjar is 3G (UMTS).

If you go this way, make sure you have a data plan, because casual data will be really expensive. Also don't use the device to browse the Internet when you're at home (unless you are using Wi-Fi) because you will pay much more than any broadband or dial-up solution.

These are the pages on Vodafone:

vodafone: i-mate Jasjar
Vodafone: i-mate K-Jam

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Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

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Wannabe Geek

#28521 15-Feb-2006 14:25

Thanks a lot, you have been a massive help.

So it seems that because I want net access wherever I might be, the range that I have to choose from is severly limited... Not to mention those prices over what I was expecting with the Dell! :)

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#28523 15-Feb-2006 14:28

Exactly... That's the difference between a Pocket PC and a Pocket PC Phone Edition - the convergence including cellular data is great, but it comes at a cost.

Again, it all comes down to your requirements. You might not really need Internet access everywhere as you think. It could be that synchronising at home, plus access over Wi-Fi hotspots while out and about could be enough.

There are quite a few hotpots aroud - forgot to mention that Starbucks (most, not all) provide access through Telecom Hotspot.

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Wannabe Geek

#28529 15-Feb-2006 15:02

This one looks pretty sweet - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/PDAs-handhelds/Windows-CE-pocket-PC/Handhelds/auction-47370497.htm

Has everything I need and also internet access everywhere with Vodafone

[Moderator edit: hyperlinked]

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#28531 15-Feb-2006 15:06

True... Just not the latest OS version (the ones on Vodafone now run Windows Mobile 5.0) and this one runs Windows Mobile 2003 (which is older than Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition).

But it is still very usable, and it will do all you want, and it will do well.