[H-GEN] PDA choices

[Paul Gearon]

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David Jericho wrote:
> I've finally decided to buy into the PDA idea, and I want to get one
> for myself. I'm not wanting to spend the $1000+ on a top of the line
> unit, so that puts my budget somewhere between the $300 to $700 marks.

It'll depend on what you want to do with it.  There's quite a few java 
phones which do most of the functionality of a PDA now... and you can 
always load apps to do anything they don't do by default.  If you use 
mobile phones anyway then it's one fewer device to have on your person.

> From experience, I would prefer something from the PocketPC lineup[1]
> because I won't have to learn graffiti.
> 
> Does anyone have any suggestions or comments about their purchases, or
> other information?
> 
> [1] Quiet from the Anti-MS gallery please.

Well I've been writing apps for PocketPC lately (as you should know). 
They're OK, but they seem expensive to me.  The Dell Axim certainly 
seems cheap, supports compact flash and SD memory, has a mike and 
speakers, but is a little slow.  The iPaqs has everything the Axim has, 
is faster and now comes with 802.11 built in IIRC, but they're really 
expensive.

Both of these can also be converted to run Linux, though the Axim 
support is still a little immature.

Don't get a Sharp Clie.  I don't know what OS they run, but they only 
support memory sticks.  This seems to be worse than useless.

My favourite is the Sharp Zaurus.  Now that the latest one has been 
released you should be able to get a 5500 for a decent price (I was 
lucky and got one for that deal mentioned on slashdot a few months ago. 
  I got it for about $245 Australian).  The new one looks nice, but it's 
expensive (about $900 Australian).  These things run Linux by default, 
and the system is *nice*.  You have the option of either on-screen or 
the slide-out keyboard, or grafitti, or a "pickboard" (sort of like 
mobile phone input).  If you change to the "Open Group" desktop then you 
can install packages with a apt-get style application.  This machine is 
easily my recommendation.

Just remember to budget for an 802.11 card if the device doesn't come 
with one.  :-)

-- 
Regards,
Paul Gearon

Software Engineer                Telephone:   +61 7 3876 2188
Plugged In Software              Fax:         +61 7 3876 4899
http://www.PIsoftware.com        PGP Key available via finger

Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum
immane mittam.
(Translation from latin: "I have a catapult. Give me all the money,
or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.")



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