[DigitalEl]

The subject line says it all. I want a Christmas present (for myself). I'm looking for a PDA that's...

- < $200
- Color Screen
- Mac (Entourage) Friendly
- That's about all.

I don't need Bluetooth or a cellphone or tons of memory; I have less than 100 people in my Address Book. It doesn't have to be the fastest or the lightest either. It doesn't have to be made of titanium or play MP3s. Just an affordable, Mac-friendly, color PDA.

I've searched this forum for a solution and visited stores... Looking at a dizzying array of devices, but figured I'd ask here before plunking down cash.

Opinions?

[veryniceguy2002]

Originally posted by DigitalEl:
The subject line says it all. I want a Christmas present (for myself). I'm looking for a PDA that's...

- < $200
- Color Screen
- Mac (Entourage) Friendly
- That's about all.

I don't need Bluetooth or a cellphone or tons of memory; I have less than 100 people in my Address Book. It doesn't have to be the fastest or the lightest either. It doesn't have to be made of titanium or play MP3s. Just an affordable, Mac-friendly, color PDA.

I don't think you can find a PDA that can satistify everything you want. Especially if you really a cheap but colour PDA.

The only one that I can find that can do colour under US$200 and Mac friendly would be Palm Tungsten E (only US$199).

I wouldn't go for any PocketPC based device if you want to be Mac-friendly.

[DigitalEl]

Thanks. That $199 price point seems to be the going rate. Sometimes people here know of clearance deals or have suggestions I haven't thought of. I was hoping for some of that action.

Thanks for your suggestion though. I've seen that Tungsten and it'll certainly do. I just want to make sure I haven't overlooked anything else.

[veryniceguy2002]

Originally posted by DigitalEl:
Thanks. That $199 price point seems to be the going rate. Sometimes people here know of clearance deals or have suggestions I haven't thought of. I was hoping for some of that action.

Thanks for your suggestion though. I've seen that Tungsten and it'll certainly do. I just want to make sure I haven't overlooked anything else.

Oh... there's a Sony Clie clearance sale at Sony, but the ones with <US$200 Clie are all run on PalmOS 4 (i.e. based on old Motorola DragonBall processor, not the new ARM based ones).

[DigitalEl]

Okay. Any of those cheap-o Clies would do. Since they're Palm OS-based, would I be able to HotSync them the same way I would a regular Palm device? As I understand it, the Sony devices require extra software to sync w/a Mac.

Edit: The specifications listed on the above-referenced page only mentions Windows OSes.

[FlatLyna]

I have a Clie SJ-30 that works fine with my G4. I'm using the standard Palm Desktop 4.1 for Mac which works for Calendar, Address, Notes and Tasks.
AFAIK, the "Missing Sync" software is only required if you want to sync pictures and MP3's with it.

[Macola]

Originally posted by FlatLyna:
I have a Clie SJ-30 that works fine with my G4. I'm using the standard Palm Desktop 4.1 for Mac which works for Calendar, Address, Notes and Tasks.

Ditto for my PEG-T615C, which is also listed on that clearance page. It syncs fine with Entourage.

[DigitalEl]

Originally posted by Macola:
Ditto for my PEG-T615C, which is also listed on that clearance page. It syncs fine with Entourage.

That's great to hear! That 615C is actually my top choice of the ones mentioned here, so far. Can you use iSync to sync that one with Entourage or are you forced into using Palm Desktop?

While we're at it, here are my finalists:

Sony Clie 665C
Sony Clie 615C
Handspring Treo 90

Each are referenced on these forums in older threads. Updated (Panther?) opinions on each would be appreciated.

Edit: To reiterate. Mission #1 is hassle-free syncing between the handheld and Panther/Entourage. Using only iSync would be ideal! Am I asking too much?

[slider]

If you do a search on www.pricegrabber.com you can find some refurbished ones for like $159. I also just ordered a Tungsten E for my dad for Christmas for $187.50 and has free shipping from www.newegg.com

Edit: Took a look at your 3 picks, seriously take a look at the Tungsten E at newegg, it has more ram and a faster processor for just a few bucks more, you'll probably need to pay for shipping on those other anyways. Well, good luck with your final choice.