[jaybanks]

I have been using the Palm lllc for a year now, and it is starting to get on my nerves. Some of you know what I am talking about...battery has NO life, dumped ALL its programs and data 4 times (at al the most inopportune times), and it only has 8 meg with no bells and whistles. I have been waiting and watching the compaq 3670 (64 meg!!!) but no one can guarantee it will sync with my G4 desktop. With my previous experience, what PDA do you folks think I need to tackle?

[TimmyDee51]

In your situation, I would recommend a Newton 2100 or an upgraded 2000 (technically the same thing). While it is bigger than the Palm, it is far far more powerful. Plus, it will sync with your G4 in OS 9 without a problem (you can even use Palm Desktop).

I have a upgraded Newton 2000 and I love it. It's fast (162 MHz), expandable (2 PC Card slots), and has plenty of RAM (4 MB). This RAM is the user RAM, which lets you run many programs at once. For storage, it has 4 MB of FlashRAM built in, but this can easily be expanded to well over 64 MB with the PC Card slots. I have an 8 MB card in mine and I don't know what to do with all the space since Newton programs are nice and compact. The HWR is unparalleled, to the point that I can take notes in lecture in my regular handwriting and it won't miss a word. I have a modem and an ethernet card to connect to the internet wherever I want. Plus, the ethernet card lets me sync with my iMac quickly and easily. Also, I can go at least one week of regular use before even having to plug it in for a recharge. If you use alkalines, I was getting up to two months per set.

If this still isn't enough, you can buy an accelerator for the Newton 2x00 to push the processor to 216 MHz. Also, Paul Guyot is in the final stages of developing an ATA card driver so the inexpensive CompactFlash cards can be used in the PC Card slots. I have owned my Newton for almost a year and couldn't be happier. It's my PDA, my GameBoy, and my laptop all rolled into one.

If you are interested in a Newton, check eBay. It has its own subdirectory. Also, try subscribing to the NewtonTalk mailing list at www.newtontalk.net. There are always people looking to sell. Newtons are also pretty inexpensive now, with a 2100 with a FlashRAM card and keyboard going for under $400. Support from the community for problems and repairs is outstanding. Plus, you would own a unique (and useful) piece of Apple history. Look into it.

[WL2100]

I second TimmyDee51's suggestion. I have a AMP2KU(accelarated MessagePad2000Upgraded). It's running at 215-Mhz. Sorry to hear you lost your info. so many times, I broke one of my Newts. one time, lost ten minutes of info. thanks to a sotware .pkg that allowed a backup to a PC memory card, then I inserted it into another Newt., restored the info. and I'm back in business, yup it was the business info. I needed that hour, I printed that spreadsheet via IrDA to a HP340 with IrDA attachment and submitted my work. Not bad for a three year old machine, oops, I meant computer.