Is the PDA market dead?...Student in need of WiFi gadget

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angry hampster

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2007
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www.lexaphoto.com
I'm a 21 year old student, and am terrible at keeping track of appointments/meetings/deadlines. I really need a device with software that can help keep me organized. However, this device must have 802.11 capability, which is why smartphones are out of the question.

I've read lots of reviews on PDAs and the like, but there's such a tiny market for them since smartphones have gotten big. I've also considered getting a UMPC such as the Asus EEE, which I've heard nothing but good things about that. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to just slip that into a pocket like I would a PDA. I would also like to use the PDA as a portable media player from time to time. Also, this device needs to be under $400...preferably under $300. One more thing, I'd like it to take SDHC cards as well.


Can anyone point me in the right direction or at least recommend me something?


Thanks,
Steve
 
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uli2000

Golden Member
Jul 28, 2006
1,257
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a number of smarphones (mostly Windows mobile, but some symbian also and palm via a addon card) can do wifi a/g. As far as a pda only, well, Dell just cut the Axim line, maybe they have some refurbs or something left. Otherwise, its pretty much HP for WM or Palm. But I think something like the Tmobile dash or wing would work ok for you. Both have wifi and can be had for next to nothing with a contract with tmobile. Even if you dont want to do a contract, you could find either for less than $300.
 
fuzzybabybunny

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
Moderator
Jan 2, 2006
10,455
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Smartphone is kind of a misnomer, although a very widely used one. Technically a smartphone is a phone with all your PDA functions and stuff, but WITHOUT a touch screen.

PDA Phones are phones with the touch screen like the 6700 you linked.

The 6700 was pretty popular I think. The replacement is the HTC 6800 (Sprint calls it the Mogul). Wifi, bluetooth, IR, EDGE/EVDO should all be included. PDA functions work fine. All in all pretty versatile. Biggest problem is that you're forced to use Microsoft products which can get very broken at very bad times.
 
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dwcal

Senior member
Jul 21, 2004
765
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Nokia Internet Tablet. N800 is $230 at buy.com. Ipod touch works too, except 3rd party software is locked down. I use a Moto Q smartphone myself. Works fine for organizing except for the limited battery life.
 
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uli2000

Golden Member
Jul 28, 2006
1,257
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I used to have a xv6700. Its good as a pda, Phone wise, its soso at best. But if you arn't afraid to tinker with it (loading roms), you can make it a great device, though it is a little bulky.
 
secretanchitman

secretanchitman

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2001
9,352
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Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Smartphone is kind of a misnomer, although a very widely used one. Technically a smartphone is a phone with all your PDA functions and stuff, but WITHOUT a touch screen.

PDA Phones are phones with the touch screen like the 6700 you linked.

The 6700 was pretty popular I think. The replacement is the HTC 6800 (Sprint calls it the Mogul). Wifi, bluetooth, IR, EDGE/EVDO should all be included. PDA functions work fine. All in all pretty versatile. Biggest problem is that you're forced to use Microsoft products which can get very broken at very bad times.
Click to expand...

wifi ISNT included for both sprint and verizon. stupid cdma...it has everything else though.
 
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uli2000

Golden Member
Jul 28, 2006
1,257
1
71
Originally posted by: secretanchitman
Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Smartphone is kind of a misnomer, although a very widely used one. Technically a smartphone is a phone with all your PDA functions and stuff, but WITHOUT a touch screen.

PDA Phones are phones with the touch screen like the 6700 you linked.

The 6700 was pretty popular I think. The replacement is the HTC 6800 (Sprint calls it the Mogul). Wifi, bluetooth, IR, EDGE/EVDO should all be included. PDA functions work fine. All in all pretty versatile. Biggest problem is that you're forced to use Microsoft products which can get very broken at very bad times.
Click to expand...

wifi ISNT included for both sprint and verizon. stupid cdma...it has everything else though.
Click to expand...
um, maybe you need to learn how to read. Wifi is implimented by the manufacturer. Sprint/verizon,/AT&T/tmobile/any cell company has nothing to do with wifi. The ppc6700 (sprint) and xv6700 (vzw) he mentioned both have wifi, and can be used wheter or not he subs to a data plan.
 
fuzzybabybunny

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
Moderator
Jan 2, 2006
10,455
35
91
Originally posted by: uli2000
Originally posted by: secretanchitman
Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Smartphone is kind of a misnomer, although a very widely used one. Technically a smartphone is a phone with all your PDA functions and stuff, but WITHOUT a touch screen.

PDA Phones are phones with the touch screen like the 6700 you linked.

The 6700 was pretty popular I think. The replacement is the HTC 6800 (Sprint calls it the Mogul). Wifi, bluetooth, IR, EDGE/EVDO should all be included. PDA functions work fine. All in all pretty versatile. Biggest problem is that you're forced to use Microsoft products which can get very broken at very bad times.
Click to expand...

wifi ISNT included for both sprint and verizon. stupid cdma...it has everything else though.
Click to expand...
um, maybe you need to learn how to read. Wifi is implimented by the manufacturer. Sprint/verizon,/AT&T/tmobile/any cell company has nothing to do with wifi. The ppc6700 (sprint) and xv6700 (vzw) he mentioned both have wifi, and can be used wheter or not he subs to a data plan.
Click to expand...

Yeah, all of these phone have WiFi chips in them that can connect you to WiFi networks. But obviously you need to be in range of a WiFi network and have the proper authorization to connect to it. T-Mobile has WiFi hotspots in places like Borders and Barnes and Noble (I think), but whether you can connect to these is dictated by if you have a T-Mobile Hotspot plan or not.
 
E

erwos

Diamond Member
Apr 7, 2005
4,778
0
76
An XV6700 or XV6800 is probably a very good bet if you like smartphones. Just be aware that WiFi will kill the batteries on them pretty quick. Pack spare batteries, or be sparing with the WiFi usage. I would recommend against a Blackberry, if only because the cell providers have rather large monthly fees to use them compared to a regular smartphones.

If you're really economizing on size and don't care so much about the price, you might also consider a Fujitsu U-1010 (I think it's the U-800 in some markets). It's about a grand, but it's easily pocketable (if you have a fairly large pocket), runs a full-blown OS, and has a better-than-average dock for you to use in your dorm room. Battery life isn't terrible, either.
 
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uli2000

Golden Member
Jul 28, 2006
1,257
1
71
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
BB Pearl. WiFi B&G PDA, phone, Verizon, MicroSDHC and PMP. WIN!
Click to expand...

Only the 8120 from tmobile has wifi, though the 8130 Verizon has does everything else.

 
DivideBYZero

DivideBYZero

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
2
0
Originally posted by: uli2000
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
BB Pearl. WiFi B&G PDA, phone, Verizon, MicroSDHC and PMP. WIN!
Click to expand...

Only the 8120 from tmobile has wifi, though the 8130 Verizon has does everything else.
Click to expand...

Ahh, yeah, I'm tuned into the GSM devices. No CDMA in EMEA.
 
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