PDA Suggestions?

[Lokan]

I've recently been promoted at my workplace to a position that requires a lot of data organization and note taking for further recap. I'll also be needing a contact managing app as well as sync'ing capabilities for my laptop and desktop.

I don't want to spend more than $200 on a PDA, and would like to keep it lower than that. I'd love for a color screen or at least something where I can use in the dark.

Any suggestions would be wonderful, and if you have links, even better! Also, are there any trusted PDA information sites, sorta like what anandtech is to PCs? Thanks in advance!

 

[MysticLlama]

What I would suggest is the HP 1910, it's a little out of your price range at $299, but they can be had for $249 various places after a rebate, which is a good deal.

The best part about the 1920 is that it's roughly the same size as a palm V (tiny), and has one of the new transflective screens that is very very nice. The only drawback to it is that is has less RAM than most other models usable because of the flash configuration, and you'll have to add a couple of apps (thus using up even more memory) to get the full PPC2002 application set.

The next best thing, price range wise, would be the Dell Axim (the lower model one) that can be had for $199 after discounts and rebates. It's bigger and clunkier, but still a nice device, but the wait time to actually get one can be pretty nasty I've heard.

As far as sites to check out stuff about PDAs, I'd recommend the following:

MaximumPDA (A bud of mine that I've written a couple reviews for and he gives me free e-mail )
PocketPC Thoughts (One of the biggest PPC sites on the net AFAIK)
Brighthand (The best PPC forums anywhere)
PDABuzz (Another good general review/news site)

 

[Lokan]

Rock, those sites are exactly what I was looking for! Since you write reviews, would you mind letting me know why you choose the particular models over others? Also, since I'm a newb at these things, what's better? Palm or PPCs? Like, the pro's and cons of each? I know PPCs have Office apps which would probably be convienient due to my use of Office on the desktop, but if palm integrates adequately then that's fine. Also (I know, tons of questions), I've been eyeing the m130 due to low cost and color display, what are your thoughts? And finally (bout damn time I know), where are good places to purchase from? I love newegg (who doesn't?), and don't mind B&M stores but generally see items cheaper online, hence the question. Thanks for the help! It's truely appreciated.

 

[Lokan]

Bumping to gather a couple more responses (hopefully!)

 

[bocamojo]

Yeah, the Dell Axim 300MHz 32MB RAM is a pretty good deal right now. It's 249 retail, but I think you can get 10% off right now, which brings it down to 225. Not sure about a 50 dollar mail in rebate, but they sometimes offer that too. Comes with a USB sync cable, but no docking cradle. You can buy that later for an extra 30 or so, I think.