Help me find an affordable PDA with keyboard!

[bluemax]

I'm trying to track down one of those ultra-mini-laptop-without-a-hard-drive kind of machines. Like THIS one!
(I'd just buy this, but the place won't sell to Canada.)

What are the keywords I should even be searching for? "PDA" and "pocket PC" always brings up the palm-pilot style machines I have no use for.


This unit is going to sit on my desk at work for one purpose only: to store one large text file of every order I work on so I can search faster. (I currently enter everything in a paper notepad, but I hate spending 10+ minutes flipping pages just to find an order I worked on a few weeks ago.)

I have a small desk which gets cluttered with everything I have to do in a day. This is not fancy office work... just simple text for all the orders I source out and sell. A full sized (or even SFF) computer and keyboard is not an option due to space and budget constraints. An old laptop would work.... the PDA option would be best.

Heck, I'd be overjoyed with one of those 486 "luggables" that look like a larger laptop without the wasted space where a mouse surface is on modern machines.
Those orange gas plasma screens were fantastic for text legibility.

So.... you know what I need.... what do you guys suggest?

 

[Markbnj]

You might consider a pocket pc and fold-up bluetooth keyboard.

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: Markbnj
You might consider a pocket pc and fold-up bluetooth keyboard.

A little bulkier, flimsier, and not as easy to work with in a more permanent setting...

I've considered it, but having to fold up the keyboard when I don't need it and clear desk space, and the flimsy attachment between PDA and addon keyboard.... and I want a wider screen, rather than taller ala Palm-style.

Of course, if it were cheap as low-grade dirt, I'd sure jump on it.

EDIT: Whoops! Didn't see your magic word: bluetooth. That would eliminate the weak connection between the two, but the keyboard alone would probably be more expensive than I'd want it to be....

 

[bluemax]

Bump.

 

[Markbnj]

but the keyboard alone would probably be more expensive than I'd want it to be

I've seen them for around $79, metal construction, pretty well built actually.

 

[Matthias99]

What are the keywords I should even be searching for? "PDA" and "pocket PC" always brings up the palm-pilot style machines I have no use for.

You might try looking for 'palmtop' systems.

Heck, I'd be overjoyed with one of those 486 "luggables" that look like a larger laptop without the wasted space where a mouse surface is on modern machines.
Those orange gas plasma screens were fantastic for text legibility.

Those are sometimes called 'desknote' systems, if you are specifically looking for something like that. Or you can try searching for "portable computer", but that will give you a lot of hits on laptops.

I'd personally recommend an older laptop, although a PDA and wireless keyboard would be smaller. Both laptops and PDAs are pretty handy to have around.

 

[bluemax]

As usual, great advice Matthias99.