[Timothy Maxwell]

I currently own a Palm Vx. I use it all the time. But, it is a little dated now. I would like to buy an updating PDA. Should I stick with Palm? If so, which would be the best one to buy?

If you think that other manufacturers such as Sony or others are better, please recommend a product that you think is best. Thanks!!

[Avon]

ITs really not that dated. The only palm that will be an upgrade for you is the m500 or the m515. I do like the M515, nice display.....

[kman42]

Originally posted by Timothy Maxwell:
I currently own a Palm Vx. I use it all the time. But, it is a little dated now. I would like to buy an updating PDA. Should I stick with Palm? If so, which would be the best one to buy?

If you think that other manufacturers such as Sony or others are better, please recommend a product that you think is best. Thanks!!

It may not suit your needs, but it sure has mine and many other early adopters so I thought I would plug the Danger Hiptop. It is being branded by Tmbile as the Sidekick.

It is more of a communicator than a PDA, but I thought I would mention it.

kman

[art_director]

i'm looking at the siemens sx56 that at&t wireless just announced. it's a spendy bugger but it's great. the unit is a phone / pocket pc hybrid and oh so sexy.

imo the pocket pc is the way to go. they just offer so much more than the palm os.

[midwinter]

Originally posted by Timothy Maxwell:
I currently own a Palm Vx. I use it all the time. But, it is a little dated now. I would like to buy an updating PDA. Should I stick with Palm? If so, which would be the best one to buy?

If you think that other manufacturers such as Sony or others are better, please recommend a product that you think is best. Thanks!!

Newton 2100. Seriously.

Cheers
Scott

[klinux]

The choice depends on your usage. Simple PIM = Palm. Rich multi-task, mutli-media capabilities = PocketPC. Adventurous = Zaurus.

[voodoo]

Originally posted by klinux:
The choice depends on your usage. Simple PIM = Palm. Rich multi-task, mutli-media capabilities = PocketPC. Adventurous = Zaurus.

What about battery life, mobile networking, interaction with the Macintosh etc.?

[klinux]

Battery life = Any PDA with brightly lit color screen will surely have a shorter battery life. The answer to this is also quite subjective depending on usage. I can't speak for Palm but virtually all PPCs have lithium ion batteries exceeding 1000 mAh. I am pretty satisifed with mine.

Mobile networking = PocketPC rules. Most have a compact flash card slot which means a large inventory of network, wifi, bluetooth, modem, and serial port cardw are available. A variety of network protocol is also built in, including terminal service (remote desktop) application. Palm is divided among using a variety of technology and form factors e.g. Memory Stick, SD (few SDIO products available), Handspring, sleds, etc.

Interaction with Mac - Neither PPC or Zaurus interact with Mac natively. No good commercial solution either. Palm wins hands down on this.

[klinux]

Dupe.

[goMac]

I'll be the first to say PocketPC sucks for internet/networking. I admit once you get the damn little thing online, its cool, but its not easy. It must have taken 3 weeks of me and my friend fiddling with the thing to get it online. Multimedia is not impressive at all compared to what the palm can do. (Both Palms coming soon running Palm OS 5 and current Sony's can do MP3s).

I owned a PocketPC, and I got it on the internet in about 2 days. However, this one didn't have Internet Explorer pre-loaded. I attempted to load internet explorer from a lot of computers, Windows machines, Macs running VPC, nothing worked. Both IR and serial failed.

I bought a m500 recently (I had a Visor before). Both Palms were a breeze to set up and where much better than the PocketPC's, and had full mac compatibility. There was also so much more software for Palm (and I could actually sync it to my machine). I have web syncing in OS X to my palm so it downloads web sites to my palm. You can also get a modem for the m5XX series pretty easily.

If you're looking for real power, buy the high end Sony. It has a keyboard, digital camera, MP3 Player (with headphone port), color with a high resolution display, and a memory stick slot.

[torifile]

Pocket PC. Palm hasn't done anything cool recently. PPC is a newer platform, but it's got much more potential. I got the toshiba e740 and I've been able to get it online, check my email and sync over airport. Once I figured it out and how to get VPC working right, it's been great (and figuring it out only took a couple days). Battery life is my only complaint. It's a great PPC. Builtin wifi, SD and compact flash slots available. Plus it has a replaceable, rechargable battery which is nice.

Palms, I've not been impressed with for years. Back when I got my first one (1999), they were cool, but they can't do a whole lot more now. And with PPC prices dropping through the floor, they no longer have a price advantage.

[Anomalous]

Originally posted by Avon:
ITs really not that dated. The only palm that will be an upgrade for you is the m500 or the m515. I do like the M515, nice display.....

I agree. Your model is recent enough that you'd be better off waiting a little longer and getting a Palm OS 5 device.

[fisherKing]

i've been looking for a new pda as well, something basic.

so far, nothing seems to justify replacing my Vx, altho those little sony's look nice...but w/o the backlight, the screens are not so good...

so i'm also thinking of waiting for new palms...

[klinux]

Originally posted by goMac:
I'll be the first to say PocketPC sucks for internet/networking. I admit once you get the damn little thing online, its cool, but its not easy. It must have taken 3 weeks of me and my friend fiddling with the thing to get it online. Multimedia is not impressive at all compared to what the palm can do. (Both Palms coming soon running Palm OS 5 and current Sony's can do MP3s).

I owned a PocketPC, and I got it on the internet in about 2 days. However, this one didn't have Internet Explorer pre-loaded. I attempted to load internet explorer from a lot of computers, Windows machines, Macs running VPC, nothing worked. Both IR and serial failed.

I bought a m500 recently (I had a Visor before). Both Palms were a breeze to set up and where much better than the PocketPC's, and had full mac compatibility. There was also so much more software for Palm (and I could actually sync it to my machine). I have web syncing in OS X to my palm so it downloads web sites to my palm. You can also get a modem for the m5XX series pretty easily.

If you're looking for real power, buy the high end Sony. It has a keyboard, digital camera, MP3 Player (with headphone port), color with a high resolution display, and a memory stick slot.

Again, if you want something basic and something that works with OS X out-of-box, there is no argument from me - Palm devices rule.

What generation of PocketPC were you using? Plugging in a network card or a wifi card is strictly plug-n-play using DHCP. I was up and running in literally minutes.

As for multimedia, all PPCs sold within the last two years can do MP3 out of the box and MPEG/DivX with free downloadable software. The only Palm PDA that could have done that was the Clie and not all of the Clie could do decode MP3. Furthermore, no Palm can decode DivX files AFAIK. Even if they can, where are you going to store the large files? SD and MS, two storage formats that Palm devices use, remains much more costlier than CF media.

Lastly, Palm OS 5 devices are first-gen still relatively rare. Good luck finding and using it whereas Pocket PC is widely available and the price is dropping fast.

Oh, all PPC released in the last 2-3 years have PIE (Pocket Internet Explorer) installed in ROM. Again, how old of a device were you using?

Because of the more powerful CPU and more abundant storage on PPC, it has always been easier to download media-rich web content onto PPC (see Avant-Go and Mazingo). No such thing as web-clippings!

The only Palm device that is worth getting, IMO, is the Clie. Not surprisingly, it is the one closest to PPC in terms of performance!

Again, for simplicity and Mac compatibility, get Palm. For power and media, get PPC.

[goMac]

This was a HP running the latest Windows Pocket version.

Honestly, its pretty worthless to play divx on the ppc. If you want to watch movies, get a laptop. Handhelds are really not meant for movies. And palms can do music just as well as ppc's.

F.Y.I. I am porting movie tools for Palm to Mac OS X so you can play converted Quicktime movies on the Palm.

Originally posted by klinux:


Again, if you want something basic and something that works with OS X out-of-box, there is no argument from me - Palm devices rule.

What generation of PocketPC were you using? Plugging in a network card or a wifi card is strictly plug-n-play using DHCP. I was up and running in literally minutes.

As for multimedia, all PPCs sold within the last two years can do MP3 out of the box and MPEG/DivX with free downloadable software. The only Palm PDA that could have done that was the Clie and not all of the Clie could do decode MP3. Furthermore, no Palm can decode DivX files AFAIK. Even if they can, where are you going to store the large files? SD and MS, two storage formats that Palm devices use, remains much more costlier than CF media.

Lastly, Palm OS 5 devices are first-gen still relatively rare. Good luck finding and using it whereas Pocket PC is widely available and the price is dropping fast.

Oh, all PPC released in the last 2-3 years have PIE (Pocket Internet Explorer) installed in ROM. Again, how old of a device were you using?

Because of the more powerful CPU and more abundant storage on PPC, it has always been easier to download media-rich web content onto PPC (see Avant-Go and Mazingo). No such thing as web-clippings!

The only Palm device that is worth getting, IMO, is the Clie. Not surprisingly, it is the one closest to PPC in terms of performance!

Again, for simplicity and Mac compatibility, get Palm. For power and media, get PPC.

[robby818]

The Vx is a great model. Small size, rechargable battery, solid feel.. When they came out they were a bit pricey but unlike a lot of gadgets they proved to have relatively long life spans and people got their moneys worth from them. OS 5 looks promising but it may be a while before you see it implemented in more than just a handful of models. The current crop of color Sony clies have beautiful screens but other than the better screens I'm not sure if there is a compelling reason to make the switch from a Vx. If you are using a Mac to sync, it's prob better to stick w a palm device for now. Yesterday I played w a 3900 series Compaq pocketpc and I was really impressed w the brightness of the screen. Dell is supposed to introduce $200 and $300 pocketpcs next month- if they have the same display technology as the 3900 series compaqs I'm getting one and possibly ditching my Palm Vx.

[klinux]

Originally posted by goMac:
This was a HP running the latest Windows Pocket version.

Honestly, its pretty worthless to play divx on the ppc. If you want to watch movies, get a laptop. Handhelds are really not meant for movies. And palms can do music just as well as ppc's.

F.Y.I. I am porting movie tools for Palm to Mac OS X so you can play converted Quicktime movies on the Palm.

BS! I will bet you money that you are not using a HP Pocket PC running the latest "Windows Pocket version." The oldest version of HP Jornada, which was the 52x series, was introduced in April of 2000. That model (and all subsequent Pocket PCs regardless of brand) is based on Windows CE 3.0 which has Pocket Internet Explorer installed in ROM. So, if you have one that does not have PIE, you must be using a 1999 or earlier machine. Care to retract your statement?

Second, don't tell me what I can or cannot do on my PDA. Who the **** do you think you are? Why shouldn't I be able to watch a Pixar animation short while I get my car washed? If I want to play MP3 or MPEGs or DivX on my PDA, then I am going to buy one that does - which is what Pocket PC offers. At least I am fair, as I have said before, if you don't care about rich multi-media capabilities, then Palm is for you. (Oh, BTW, all these capabilities are available for any PPC introduced since 4/2000. So don't tell me your HP with the "latest" software cannot play MP3 or MPEG.)

Oh, Palm does not do music just as well as PPCs. Only certain Palms, like the high end Clies, can decode MP3 out of the box. PPCs also plays WMAs. One may not like WMA but at least that is an option that is offered that Palm does not have.

Lastly, the irony is that if no one wants to watch a movie on their PDA, why are you making a QT converter tool for Palm?

[klinux]

Dupe.

[El Pre$idente]

Someone is smoking dope.

A Pocket PC released without Internet Explorer? Where? When? I have the first generation, very first Pocket PC (CE. 3.0) - The Cassiopeia E-115. It's two and a half years old and still kicks even Palm OS 5 and the next gens Palm's in the backside.

Palm can do mp3 as well as PPC? Which Palm? The Clies with the decoder chip and headphone sets only. And then, can Palm multitask mp3 while browsing the web and using Word? Oops. Palm's don't multitask while playing media. They only have save states. And most have no speakers.

[El Pre$idente]

Originally posted by klinux:



Lastly, the irony is that if no one wants to watch a movie on their PDA, why are you making a QT converter tool for Palm?

That hurt!

[torifile]

Wow, for the first time in my life (and possibly the last), I agree with KH. Amazing.

Palms can't hold a candle to PPCs. Networking with a Palm? It's non-existent. With Jag and my e740, I can map my home directory over airport. Internet? Out of the box, the e740 is configured correctly to work with my ABS. I sync wirelessly and I've even streamed mp3's from my ti to my PPC, just to see if it could be done. Please. Palms aren't anywhere close.

[El Pre$idente]

Originally posted by torifile:
Wow, for the first time in my life (and possibly the last), I agree with KH. Amazing.

That doesn't mean there's something wrong with me

[Anomalous]

Well, what do you know - the first OS 5 device (the Tungsten T) has arrived! I sure hope you held out a few extra days so that now you have a much more advanced option.

[El Pre$idente]

Originally posted by Anomalous:
Well, what do you know - the first OS 5 device (the Tungsten T) has arrived! I sure hope you held out a few extra days so that now you have a much more advanced option.

It's still crap. No networking. Only SD expansion. Only 16MBs memory. No real multi-tasking, it still uses save states which mean you can't play an mp3 while using another application. The aweful Graffiti handwriting system which is completely unnatural is still there.

Documents To Go is still the only way to handle serious files and even then it is a really terrible application and runs in the old 160x160 resolution!

Still, I really like the 320x320 screens. Too bad about the rest otherwise...

[torifile]

Originally posted by Anomalous:
Well, what do you know - the first OS 5 device (the Tungsten T) has arrived! I sure hope you held out a few extra days so that now you have a much more advanced option.

Again, nothing spectacular about it. Except that it now officially puts PocketPC's in the same price range as Palm devices. Smart move. The ONLY thing palm had going for it was that they were cheaper. Now what have they got?

-t

ps - holy ****. two KH posts that I agree with.

[goMac]

Originally posted by klinux:


BS! I will bet you money that you are not using a HP Pocket PC running the latest "Windows Pocket version." The oldest version of HP Jornada, which was the 52x series, was introduced in April of 2000. That model (and all subsequent Pocket PCs regardless of brand) is based on Windows CE 3.0 which has Pocket Internet Explorer installed in ROM. So, if you have one that does not have PIE, you must be using a 1999 or earlier machine. Care to retract your statement?

If you read what I said, I said my friend had one, not me. Go learn to read. He is running Windows Pocket 2002.

Originally posted by klinux:

Second, don't tell me what I can or cannot do on my PDA. Who the **** do you think you are? Why shouldn't I be able to watch a Pixar animation short while I get my car washed? If I want to play MP3 or MPEGs or DivX on my PDA, then I am going to buy one that does - which is what Pocket PC offers. At least I am fair, as I have said before, if you don't care about rich multi-media capabilities, then Palm is for you. (Oh, BTW, all these capabilities are available for any PPC introduced since 4/2000. So don't tell me your HP with the "latest" software cannot play MP3 or MPEG.)

I don't have a HP. Yes, my friends HP can play MP3, but no better than my Palm (Unless you are really excited to see a WMA logo in color while the MP3 plays).
[/B][/QUOTE]

Originally posted by klinux:

Oh, Palm does not do music just as well as PPCs. Only certain Palms, like the high end Clies, can decode MP3 out of the box. PPCs also plays WMAs. One may not like WMA but at least that is an option that is offered that Palm does not have.

And I am ported the mac link up to software that plays MP3 on the palm. The software is only $20 which is still cheaper than a PPC.
[/B][/QUOTE]

Originally posted by klinux:


Lastly, the irony is that if no one wants to watch a movie on their PDA, why are you making a QT converter tool for Palm?

For MP3 support.

[Fvck You]

1. First of all, when you criticize the amount of ROM in the Palms in comparison with PPC's, I don't think that's really fair. It's been my experience that the programs for Palm are smaller in size hence they don't require more standard memory.

2. Second, people always start by saying "if you want to do something basic, use a Palm." Well, isn't that the point? I mean "klinux" can get his panties in a wad over this, but can you all tell me you are truly getting more productive value out of your PDA because you do multimedia and MP3 out of the box? The memory is just so limiting for those types of things. Going from my 5 gig iPod to the paltry memory of a PDA does not sound appealing to me. There just seems to be this "look what I can do" attraction by the PPC but I never really see that it makes that much productive difference.

[klinux]

FU: You have an odd fascination with guys and panties. Nothing wrong with that, of course.

If all people want is something basic, there's a IBM Workpad (essentially a Palm) with KB on sale for $64. You can get a Palm VII for $50. See today's http://www.gotapex.com/deals.php. Maybe this is all Timothy needs; good for him to save that few hundred bucks by forgoing a high end PDA.

But clearly, most people seems to want more than a basic PIM device. This is why Palm decided to go with a color screen, MP3 capability, multi-media capability, in their new OS and devices.

You said PPC sucks compared to iPod in terms of audio playback. I can argue well, your iPod's PDA capability is paltry compared to my PDA. So what? They are meant for different audiences - one is primarily for audio playback with basic PIM functionalities, one is primarily a PIM augmented with other multi-media, GPS, networking capabilities. Two different devices for two different needs, so just chill the **** out.

As for goMac, PPC 2002 (and 2000) both come with IE preloaded in ROM. You cannot delete it even if you want to! PPC does not sync to Mac well so I do not know if that's what you did. However, when connected to PC via its USB docking station, the PPC can directly browse the web using USB passthru. I still don't know what problem your friend had with trying to download IE (???) or get it connected to internet but any networking device (modem, LAN, wifi card) I put into my PPC 2000 is plug-n-play.

As for MP3, my point still stands. Any PPC released in the last 2.5 years support music playback out-of-the-box. This is only partially true in the Palm world.

[goMac]

Originally posted by klinux:
As for goMac, PPC 2002 (and 2000) both come with IE preloaded in ROM. You cannot delete it even if you want to! PPC does not sync to Mac well so I do not know if that's what you did. However, when connected to PC via its USB docking station, the PPC can directly browse the web using USB passthru. I still don't know what problem your friend had with trying to download IE (???) or get it connected to internet but any networking device (modem, LAN, wifi card) I put into my PPC 2000 is plug-n-play.

As for MP3, my point still stands. Any PPC released in the last 2.5 years support music playback out-of-the-box. This is only partially true in the Palm world.

My device was Windows CE and did not have IE in ROM (although I think CE was better at networking). I tried syncing my Mac with both the older syncning software, and ActiveSync on both PC's and Mac (running VPC) over BOTH the serial cable and IR. Both failed (although the PPC made a clicking sound).

The day the thing broke for good I went out and bought a Handspring, one with a smaller screen, no greyscale, and a speaker not as good. I was pretty happy with it, and I now own a m500.

Also, Windows Pocket handwriting recognition just plain sucks. Graffiti is much faster.

[El Pre$idente]

Originally posted by goMac:


Also, Windows Pocket handwriting recognition just plain sucks. Graffiti is much faster.

There you post more crap. The PPC's system supports Graffiti, regular handwriting, Transcriber and Block Recognizer.