[winky]

I am certain this will start a flame war. Oh well, live by the sword die by the sword I always say.

On December 29th I bought an iPaq 3835 pocket pc. This decision was made after much research and prior ownership of a Palm Vx, Handspring PRISM, and a Handspring Edge. After roughly one month of ownership I offer the following information:

If your primary motive is datebook, planner, and address book, go with the Palm platform. Many viable options exist at numerous price points to satisfy even the most discriminating buyer.

If your concern is out of the box Mac compatability, go with the Palm platform.

If you want to get some real work done when traveling, buy the Pocket PC. My iPaq has replaced my laptop when traveling. I can crunch spreadsheets, do word processing with Word, answer email that has been downloaded from my companies VPN, give Powerpoint presentations, surf the net, and additional tasks too numerous to mention. I have complete Mac compatability and sync with both Mac and (God forbid) the PC.

Personally I feel the Mac - Windows debate only hurts us.

Just my 2 cents. Your mileage may vary.

[wubrew]

Personally I feel the Mac - Windows debate only hurts us.
winky, I couldn't agree with you more. Can you tell me what is the best way to sync the ipaq with my mac. Until Palm can come up with a really strong os which I think will take a few more years ipaq seems to be the only choice beyond PIM in PDA.

800 DP G4
400 Pismo
Handspring Platinum

[philzilla]

try http://www.pocketmac.net/

[michaelb]

Originally posted by winky:
<STRONG>My iPaq has replaced my laptop when traveling. I can crunch spreadsheets, do word processing with Word, answer email that has been downloaded from my companies VPN, give Powerpoint presentations, surf the net, and additional tasks too numerous to mention. I have complete Mac compatability and sync with both Mac and (God forbid) the PC.</STRONG>

I'm interested - why replace a laptop? Which laptop?

Is it the form factor (suitcase space) of the iPaq that appeals? Or the way that it is used? (Pen to screen while standing, instead of fingers to keys while sitting.)

Or things like - do you prefer "Jot'ing" your emails instead of typing them?

Personally, I keep addresses, reference eBooks, appointments and info apps on my Palm. I respond to email on my WAP enabled phone (surely you have that in the US, yes?) I use a laptop for Photoshop'ing, full screen web surfing, GBs of travel-friendly music, general computing.

My mileage obviously varies because I just can't see the bulkier iPaq replacing a Palm in my pocket, or a "processor/storage-challenged" miniaturized PC thing replacing my laptop.

Each to his own I guess, but I'd be interested to hear your reasons.

[winky]

Form factor is the main reason. When you travel as much as I do, trading 7 pounds (laptop and ac adapter) for 1 pound is a no-brainer. Inputting text is not as efficient as I would like but I will eliminate this problem once my portable keyboard arrives.

As for processing power, the iPaq has plenty for my needs. I use Word, Excel, IE browser and Outlook without concern for speed. Keep in mind that everything is loaded into ram so there is no hard drive access delay. The memory management is very efficient.

All in all, a good fit for my needs.

[mikithecrackhead]

Hey, winky!
How is the battery life on the iPaq?

trading 7 pounds (laptop and ac adapter) for 1 pound is a no-brainer.

I have to agree with you there. I am a returning student and my new prism with stowaway is much easier, to lug around campus than my ibook. The only app that I use is wordsmith, word processing.
If I needed to run more applications ex. excel, powerpoint than maybe I would consider the Pocket PC~ if it syncs with a mac running OfficeMac, Does it? There is a noncolor iPaq that is substantially cheaper than the color iPaq.

[israces]

have complete Mac compatability and sync with both Mac and (God forbid) the PC.

How are you getting "complete" Mac compatibility? I know about PocketMac, but isn't the pro version (not out yet ) needed to sync a mac and an ipaq for office apps, e-mail and the like?

[ 01-26-2002: Message edited by: israces ]

[MacWebb]

hello all. I have been using my iPaq and Macs together since the iPaq debuted last year. Wonderful machine that feels like the cousin of my Newton 2100 in some ways.

As to interoperability, since my Newtons I have always used my PDAs as standalone machines not worrying about synching or calendars. I use my CF cards to back up the machine and to pass files between my Macs and my iPaqs.

Many of the iPaq programs are designed to be installed on the iPaq and do not require a computer to install.

the only drawbacks are the few pieces of software that do require a machine for the install process.

kevin

[jsuplido]

This is probably the sanest thread I've read for a long time. Everyone here respects each one's point-of-view! It's ... well.... very intelligent.

I've been using the Palm series of PDA's since the USRobotics days. I use the Palm PDA's because of their simplicity. I own a Sony Clié T615, now I don't only admire its simplicity but its design as well.

Again, to each his own.

fireball - http://www.cliesource.com

[ 01-27-2002: Message edited by: jsuplido ]