Need some recommendations for a PDA

[episodic]

Hello,

While in college, I used a handspring visor and a targus folding keyboard for notes - like a mini laptop.

I sold it long ago.

I'm about to start being a teacher.

I really don't have time pour through 2500 reviews again. . .

I want to use this top keep grades, notes, lesson plans, other teacher stuff, resources, etc for my teaching.

I want a full size keyboard like the old targus I had.

I'd like color.

I want excellent compatability with standard Microsoft Office formats. For this reason I am leaning to a Microsoft solution - but maybe you can convince me otherwise.

Expandable would be good.

Looking for the cheapest but most durable deal out there.

This won't be for games or mp3's etc.

Thanks for ideas!

 

[amdguy]

the HP Ipaq series are very good and have several models that fits into your budget, all of them comes with colour screen + bluetooth, good software package.

 

[Ionizer86]

If you want a full-size keyboard, see Think Outside's site to see waht Stowaway keyboards they offer. The Stoawaway keys are 19mm by 19mm, whereas the XT's measure 18mm by 18mm. If you're fine with as small as 17 by 17, you'll be fine with a lot of manufacturer-specific keyboars like the Dell keyboard, giving you lots more choice.

As for documents, just remember that Pocket Word and Pocket Excel aren't what you'd expect. They're really slim on features, and if you save a desktop document to pocket office, you can end up losing lots of features. With either platform, look to 3rd party software such as the Textmaker word processor (which is compatible with Word).

 

[episodic]

Any more thoughts?

I considering the entry level color palm tungsten e

I can get it from the palm refurb store at a pretty good price.

Thoughts?

 

[Ionizer86]

If you're ok with 17mm by 17mm keyboards, something like a Dell Axim X30 + the Dell folding keyboard would be excellent.

How much is this refurb T | E going for?

 

[JackHawksmoor]

Documents to Go 6 for PalmOS (a version of which is included with most Palms) is a pretty good Office program, and apperently more compatible than "Pocket Word". You have to pay for an upgrade if you want a spell checker and thesarus (and some other features).

The Tungsten E isn't bad, but a LOT of the screens make a loud high-pitched humming sound (much more so than normal LCD screens). I returned the one I bought because of that, but it might not bother everyone.

 

[footbal07]

io have a hp 2215 and it handles everything i throw at it and has a number of keyboards to use with it. i think they go for around 350 now which may be a little out of your price range but it is well worth every penny. it has both cf and sd slots along with integrated bluetooth so it is expandable, can be easily connected to wireless internet with a cheap 802.11b cf card, and i believe they come with the windows mobile 2003 se now.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: Ionizer86
If you're ok with 17mm by 17mm keyboards, something like a Dell Axim X30 + the Dell folding keyboard would be excellent.

How much is this refurb T | E going for?

I think it was 139$

 

[Ionizer86]

$139 is a nice price. I don't really like the PalmOS platform, but the T | E seems like an excellent PDA if you don't need wireless. Now, just be prepared to shell out like $60 to $100 for a used or new Stoawaway. Make sure it's compatible with the PDA, and also set aside some money for Documents To Go.

 

[CombatChuk]

Go with the T|E you're already familiar with the palm OS...