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alex720l · May 11, 2003, 02:44 PM

Looking for a PDA with good security, the ability to work with and store WordPerfect files (which seems to be possible with a Palm using third party software), and Bluetooth.
The fingerprint password protection feature on the new ipaqs is intriguing but after browsing through a few forums the new ipaqs seem like they might be a headache. Espescially since they are not Mac compatible without third party software.
Which reminds me, I also need it to be cross platform.
What have peoples experiences been??

Thanks

finknottle · May 11, 2003, 02:57 PM

I can recommend the Palm Tungsten, especially now that Real Player (free) is available for it to play mp3's. Palm OS5 is reasonably stable, the palm is solid to hold, does not feel fragile, does not run Windows, bluetooth works well with my ibook and my t68i for internet, SMS and email, runs with Windows (at work) and my macs at home and the price has come down. I've heard that the Sony Cleos are good too but have never owned one. To my knowledge, if you want to run an ipaq with a mac you'll need PocketMac
http://www.pocketmac.net/ but have heard that the App is not great..

AssassyN · May 11, 2003, 03:06 PM

I would recommend the Palm Tungsten|C all day long, except you said you need Bluetooth. Sadly, when getting Bluetooth from a Palm, you lose WiFi, half the processing power, and a good chunk of RAM to install programs into. Unless you absolutely need Bluetooth, get the Tungsten|C (cheapest from www.shopperwiz.com at $418).

If you *must* have Bluetooth, I'd definitely recommend the Palm Tungsten|T and you can also get that cheapest from ShopperWiz

Either of those should do ya fine, but the Tungsten|T is a huge step forward for Palm devices with it's built-in WiFi, 400Mhz Intel processor, and 64MB of built-in RAM. However, if the Bluetooth is whatcha need, the Tungsten|T will do the trick.

BTW, you can see pics of my Tungsten|C here .

EDIT: Palm devices are the only PDA's cross-compatible with Macs & PCs. All PocketPC-based PDA's are only functional with PC's. I've Synced my Tungsten|C with my Mac & my PC and it's worked perfectly every single time, no problems whatsoever. I'm quite pleased the Palm line can work so flawlessly with both platforms; simply install their software onto both machines, and the Palm will sync with either machine it's plugged into, no modifications required.

x user · May 11, 2003, 03:38 PM

I love the form factor of the palm TungstenT. I've had a Palm 3x and a Handspring Visor Deluxe. I didn't like the quality of the Visor at all.

Yoda's Erotic Piggyback · May 11, 2003, 03:39 PM

You need the TungstenT.

maxintosh · May 11, 2003, 05:11 PM

I have a Tungsten|T and I love it.

That being said, I'm not very fond of the Tungsten|C. I like the integrated WiFi and new processor, but the thumb keyboard, bulk, monophonic headphone jack and plastic casing are real deal-breakers, for me at least.

WiFi is pretty cool, if that's what you need, but it's more useful in a business setting. PDAs are generally used away from the home, and the good thing about Bluetooth is if you have a BT cell phone (SE t68i, T610, T608, Siemens S56, Nokia 3560 and more in the near future) and a free dial-up ISP, you can get internet access from anywhere covered by your cell network for only the cost of your cell minutes, which is a bit more flexbible than WiFi.

And the new processor is great for multimedia applications, but without a stereo headphone jack, who cares?

In my mind, the Tungsten|C should have had the same or similar form factor as the T|T, keeping Bluetooth and adding WiFi and the new processor. Hopefully a new T|T will come out soon.

That being said, the T|T is an excellent device that I wholeheartedly reccomend.

neilnet · May 12, 2003, 07:43 AM

I kind of wish I hadn't bought that Sony NR70 now... (grrr...) IMO it's not a good idea to buy any of the Sony models which have the screen that twists.

Mine has broken *twice* despite my babying it.

Other than it breaking and Sony taking considerable time to fix it each time though it's a stylish piece of kit. Syncs well with iTunes and iPhoto using Mark Space SW.

- N

alex720l · May 12, 2003, 08:24 AM

Thanks for everyones input. It looks like the Tungsten or the Clie.

MikeD · May 12, 2003, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by alex720l:
Thanks for everyones input. It looks like the Tungsten or the Clie.

Clie TG-50

AssassyN · May 12, 2003, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by MikeD:
Clie TG-50

Be careful to scope out the specs of each of your choices first though...the Clie's tend to be more flashy, but have a record of broken swivels and less powerful innerds in comparison to the Tungsten line. Just make sure you buy the best one for you, and analyze the internal specs carefully.

CheesePuff · May 12, 2003, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by AssassyN:
Be careful to scope out the specs of each of your choices first though...the Clie's tend to be more flashy, but have a record of broken swivels and less powerful innerds in comparison to the Tungsten line. Just make sure you buy the best one for you, and analyze the internal specs carefully.

But in reality a 400 MHz processor for a Palm is useless - its only good for Pocket PC platforms. There is no speed gain from that and the 206 MHz processor the new Clie uses.

AssassyN · May 12, 2003, 05:23 PM

Originally posted by CheesePuff:
But in reality a 400 MHz processor for a Palm is useless - its only good for Pocket PC platforms. There is no speed gain from that and the 206 MHz processor the new Clie uses.

Graphically enhanced games & escp. web broswing can take advantage of it.

CheesePuff · May 12, 2003, 07:56 PM

Originally posted by AssassyN:
Graphically enhanced games & escp. web broswing can take advantage of it.

But only the games that are graphically intensive are for Pocket PC (Flight Simulator, Age of Empires, etc) and web browsing is just fine on my 206 MHz IBM processor in the Clie. It can not magically make it faster on the 400 MHz Intel... especially for the content it loads.

shrink · May 13, 2003, 11:33 PM

One more vote for the Sony Clie NX70 if you can live without bluetooth. It comes with Palm OS 5, Docs to Go (for word/excel files, not sure about word perfect), mp3 player, web browser, e-mail client, and a built in camera for taking both pictures and video. With the missing sync, the memory stick works flawlessly with iTunes, iPhoto, and even iMovie. I also use a wireless card to share my home cable modem connection with an airport extreme base station.

It normally retails for $600, but new ones are rumored to be one the way so they're on clearance at a bunch of places. The very best deal is over at http://www.overstock.com, where it a refurb sells for $399. But you can use a 10% off coupon from http://www.dealmac.com at overstock, and purchase it for only $360, which is how I obtained mine. The wireless card (SONY PEGA WL100) normal costs $150, but sony is currently offering a $50 rebate on the item. So I picked up a sealed one on eBay for $60 and got the rebate for a net cost of only $10!

Both were great deals. I have heard about the problems with the swivel screen, but I've personally had none so far (although mine is only a month old).

neilnet · May 14, 2003, 10:28 AM

Further to the Clie swivel problems I just got a nice little letter from Sony telling me that it wasn't the clie that failed, but was actually my fault - MY FAULT!

Shrink - you've only had yours for a month, be careful with it! I thought I babyed mine and recall at no point, ever, the screen being twisted the wrong way and yet still it broke

Sony tell me they want significant cash to fix it. We'll soon see about that after a pleasant little report to the Office of Fair Trading...

Anyway - You have been warned!

- N

AssassyN · May 14, 2003, 11:30 AM

Ouch neilnet, that's terrible man...best of luck getting Sony to pay what they owe you. That's just crazy not to cover an obvious flaw.

Crusoe · May 14, 2003, 12:21 PM

I'm using a Sharp Zaurus 5500. It's linux based open source OS. If you don't buy a WiFi card for it you'll have limited Mac support for a while. I FTP into it from my mac all the time and there is a address book sync moving along nicely in the open source community. Works well already.

Also I'm using Open Zaurus which is a open source OS and they have a nice built in Aqua-like interface option built in.

I'm using Konquerer as my browser which is the same code base that Safari is being built on.

Can VNC to and from my Mac.

And lastly I can build apps on my mac and cross compile them for my Zaurus.

It's nice but you have to wrestle with it a bit to get it to obey.

Arty50 · May 14, 2003, 12:31 PM

OK, I'm about to buy one of the Tungstens and I'm leaning towards the T. Bluetooth is more useful to me right now. There is one question I haven't been able to find an answer to though. Is the OS upgradeable on the Palms?

The T comes with 5.0
The C comes with 5.2.1

Will I be able to upgrade to 5.2.1 and later releases, or is it stuck with 5.0 for the life of the product?

CheesePuff · May 14, 2003, 03:17 PM

Aas far as I know, there is no update for 5.2.1 out yet, but when there is you will be able to update.

Arty50 · May 14, 2003, 03:29 PM

Cool, thanks CheesePuff!