PDA Recommendation

[figgypower]

Hey,

the title says it all: I need some advice for getting a PDA, but there's a special clause: it's for my dad. I'm a computer geek and my dad is sort of the opposite. I mean he can do the basics, such as e-mail, wordprocessing, spreadsheets, powerpoint, etc. I recently got a Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 for myself, and for a geek this is definitely cool and useful. Though, for my dad I need something that doesn't require tinkering and doesn't crash too often. I keep hearing the WinCE based stuff crashes more so then other PDA OSes; is that true? I also need a keyboard; my dad can get used to the handwriting recognition, but a keyboard is a definite cruch he'll need at first. What he doesn't need is some super-duper multimedia monster; multimedia functions would be a nice added bonus. So what does everybody recommend?

 

[gtd2000]

I have a Palm M130 - personally I'd recommend a piece of paper stuffed into your back pocket

Old habits die hard

 

[MercenaryForHire]

If your dad's the opposite of a computer geek, why get him a PDA?

I second the vote for the notepad and pencil option.

- M4H

 

[Spyro]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
If your dad's the opposite of a computer geek, why get him a PDA?

I second the vote for the notepad and pencil option.

- M4H

And I third it

 

[astroview]

If you want simple, then Palm OS is generally thought of as simpler. If you want a keyboard look at the Sony PEG-NX70V, PEG-NX60, PEG-NZ90, Handspring Treo 90.

Although does he really need a PDA?

 

[figgypower]

Ok, he's a little behind the average Joe in computer stuff, as far as I can tell. Maybe not the exact opposite of a computer geek. Why a PDA? Well, it holds a lot more information then a pad and pen method, and it's more organized! I mean come on... regular people DO use PDAs these days. That and I need my dad's ancient habits to die... That said, I appreciate some of the recommendations.

 

[PowerMacG5]

I would say get a Compaq iPAQ 3955. You can find it cheap enough nowadays, plus you can use any iPAQ accessory made for the past few years (with the exception of 1910 accessories for obvious reasons). I have never had WinCE crash on me. For someone like your dad, I think Pocket PC 2002 (Windows CE 3.0) based devices are good. The handwriting recognition is easier to learn, plus the GUI is pretty much self explanatory.

 

[SearchMaster]

I love my Dell Axim, and they've been running very cheap lately. You can pick up the 300MHz model for ~180 shipped, or the 400MHz for ~230. If your dad can navigate through Windows pretty well, and Outlook, he shouldn't have a problem picking up PPC 2002.

As for stability, the only time it ever crashes is when I'm running emulators (MAME, PocketNES, etc.). These are pretty hardcore apps, so it doesn't bother me...in addition, crash recovery on a PDA simply involves pushing the hard reset button and it's back up in 15 seconds.

If ALL he wants is basic PDA functionality, the Palms are very good, but I can do SO much more with mine. I recently bought my wife the 300MHz model along with a 512MB Compact Flash card (for $218 total after rebate), and have encoded a lot of Disney DVDs to Divx format so she always has 3 movies to distract the kids when she needs them to settle down. Everybody who has seen movies playing on my Axim has been amazed, and for the money, it's a very versatile tool.

 

[gtd2000]

Originally posted by: figgypower
I mean come on... regular people DO use PDAs these days. That and I need my dad's ancient habits to die... That said, I appreciate some of the recommendations.

Actually here is what happens to people thinking about buying a PDA - this is from my own observation:

PDA Buyer:
Hmm I could really get organised with one of those PDA's..

PDA Buyer Buys PDA:
Wow this is a pretty cool toy - plays with it for the next week.

A week later you kinda get the hang of it...

For the next couple of weeks you actually use it and friends ask about it...

Around 3 weeks later it seems to be in one place most of the time and is not "organising" your life.

Months later you notice you don't actually use it regularly - but you try to do something with it due to the $$'s that you shelled out with it.

You go back to writing stuff on pieces of paper and stuffing them into the back pocket of your shorts/trousers because unlike a PDA when you sit down in your car it won't break

I know of 5 friends who have a PDA - that is what happened to each and everyone.

I think if you ARE an organised person naturally you will make a PDA a very useful tool - otherwise it will just be a momentary distraction. I take mine to meetings now and read books on it while looking like I am taking notes