[Meadowfield]

Hi,

I myself have a Palm III and use it successfully with my USB iMac. My wife prefers to use her older Sharp Wizard since it includes a keyboard, but alas it can't sych with the Mac.

For Christmas I thought I'd give her a new PDA, but since I've been out of the game for a while I am not sure what is available. Sure, I could get her a Palm with a optional keyboard, but I don't think she'll be too excited about that. Besides she would loose five years of data.

A couple questions come to mind...

1) does Wizard sych w/ Mac these days?
2) do they still use flashcards to transfer data to the new one?
3) if not, then I guess she'll have to start from scratch regardless and
I'll have to look into other PDA's. Does Psion still make mac
compatible PDA's w/ on board keyboards?
4) anyone else?

Thanks!

Paul

Psion has announced that it will release new Macintosh software in Q1 2001. There aren't many details out there as yet.

For backup utility and file management only, Psion offers a title called MacConnect. It's pretty pricey, with limited capabilities. There are a couple of translator programs available to download to allow opening/swapping text documents between the Psion and the Mac. These are available from Atelier and Enfour. They work in conjunction with MacConnect.

If you're game to purchase second hand, the Psion series 3C and 3MX are pretty Mac compatible. They go on ebay for $150 to $200. There is a title called PSIMac that works with these units. I believe that it is still available at retail. It allows backup, file management, text conversion, and spreadsheet conversion. It is officially "Not Compatible" with OS9, but it can be tweaked to work just fine (I use it on a daily basis with my Fire Wire Powerbook and my iMac DV SE, both running OS9).

I've tried the Visor, and while I generally liked it, I find the old PSIMac software to be a better match as far as true document sharing and backup ability.

I hope that this helps.

[seanyepez]

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[TimmyDee51]

There is always the Newton (I couldn't help myself)! It is an outstanding PDA, the best ever made in my opinion. It may be a little bigger than a Palm or a Sharp, but if you have something to carry it in, its no problem. I take mine everywhere. The handwriting recognition is unbeatable and if you want, you can use a Newton keyboard. Plus, it syncs well with Macs and you can surf the web and do email with ease. Additionally, for the 2000/2100 (which I would recommend) and also for earlier ones to some extent, you can get excellent programs that cover everything from word processing to data bases to GPS if you choose.

I love my 2000 and am seriously considering the leap to a 2100. Even though they are not made any more, the Newton community offers support like no corporation could offer; everyone is EXTREMELY helpful. That's just my 2¢, but I would encourage you give it a look.

I personally like the iPaq Pocket PC product by Compaq. The design is very nice, the size is perfect and the screen is absolutely beautiful. The icing on the cake is that you can erase WindowsCE and install a version of Linux for PDA's which legitimizes the product in my mind. At over $500 it's too expensive, but I will definitely buy one when they add Mac support (which I hope they do) and it costs under $250.

------------------
Eliott Wolfe
Winnetka, Calif

[Meadowfield]

No Sharp fans?

[sine -''-..-]

Probably not :]

Well I totally agree with TimmyDee. Newton has it all...
With somthing like Newton you'll probably be looking to spend more than on a palm or wizard... Psion is a really good option if you want a built in keyboard, or if you can use somthing larger, a Newton eMate is great as well. Its a laptop-style newton, great machine... somewhat large for a carry-around PDA. For that the Newton MP 2100 is king.

But for if you need a built in keyboard, I'd go with a psion. (a revo would probably be a suitable model.)

s i n e
-''-..-

[Meadowfield]

With no retail support I am curios if Psion offers a refund when you buy direct. Briguy?

[Agent69]

I used to own a Netwon 130 and it was awesome. Instantly on and pretty good at handwriting recognition, it was a pleasure to use. Sadly, it died after two years.

I still mourn the death of the Newton. I would have loved to have seen how it would have matured by now. My hope was that Apple would have released an active matrix LCD screen, supporting thousands of colors, so that I could have an awesome electronic photoalbum.

I was reading this thread because I would like another PDA. Now I just feel bad because there is nothing that offers what the Newton used to.

Jeff (Agent69)

[TimmyDee51]

I know I have voiced this opinion before, but the more I use the Newton, the more I love it. I think about using a Palm and cringe. The screen size is way to small in my book and Grafitti would drive me nuts. Plus, I love the fact that browsing the internet and checking email is a breeze. What can't the Newt do?

[ginoledesma]

The circa 1995/97 Sharp Organizers only connect through a PC Serial port. I was given a Sharp OZ-6500 Wizard and was only able to use it with my PC. The included application looks like it was designed for Win 3.1, and there were no new updates provided for it.

It is possible to back-up that data to a PC. The data can be exported as a plain-text, tab delimited file. There may be conversion errors if you want to load it to the Palm, though.

[Meadowfield]

Thanks folks for all your thoughts. With the wizards out of current production I might try the Psion. But don't fret Newton fans... as soon as I order it Apple will announce the return of their trusty PDA to their production line. My luck.

I'll move discussions of the Psion to a new thread if you care to chime in: http://forums.macnn.com/cgi-bin/Foru...ML/000159.html

[TimmyDee51]

Order one soon then!!!