Please help me pick a cheap PDA

[soccerballtux]

I read some Amazon reviews of the Zire21 and it pointed out that it "wets your tongue" and simply makes you want more-- that it's woefully underfeatured.

What are these features?

For now all I can tell is that I just want something to keep track of my schedule with. I'm not sure what else I could want. Wireless would be cool, but I don't think I need it.

Looking to spend no more than $50, preferably more like $25; was planning on something used. For now I'm just filtering through the cheapest highest rated ones on amazon.com

Thanks!

 

[erwos]

I'm gonna be honest: skip the PDA, buy a smartphone. PDAs are de facto dead these days.

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: erwos
I'm gonna be honest: skip the PDA, buy a smartphone. PDAs are de facto dead these days.

If he doesn't need a smartphone I don't see why he should get one just to get PDA functionality. A smartphone will cost more and have worse battery life over a regular phone. I have a BB Pearl but I never use it for anything but calling people. I honestly use my iPod Touch as my PDA and it works wonderfully. For his price range he would have to enter a contract to get any PDA phone for even close to $50, $25 ain't gonna happen even with a contract I don't think.

with that said I would suggest OP look for a used iPaq 3950 or a dell Axim X3/X5.

Erwos has a good suggestion but something tells me if the OP doesn't want tp spend over $50 he won't want to spend money on a Smartphone with a data plan. He won't get a phone without a data plan without a contract. With a contract he would be spending a good chunk of cash every month just for a PDA. And without a contract he's looking to spend $300-500 for a phone so he can have one without a contract.

both I mentioned are older but work wonderfully as a PDA, as Erwos said stand alone PDA's are basically dead. But that doesn't mean you can't find a decent older one.

 

[Pliablemoose]

http://www.geeks.com/details.a...d=X51-416-PB-R&cat=PDA

Finding one for $25 is going to be hard...

A used Palm is ok, the calendars are good on them.

 

[soccerballtux]

Hm, I just found out that none of the palms work with Windows Vista 64bit yet unless you're using a usb IRDA/bluetooth adapter and are lucky. I still use XP a lot, but it would be nice if I didn't have to move to between the two just for updating.

I've got a friend who's willing to sell me his Axim x30 for $35+shipping but those have Vista64 troubles as well; and the reviews for it aren't as good (doesn't look like the UI is very effective at helping you organize).

The Zire 22 looks nice, Amazon has those for $55 which isn't too bad.

QueBert you're def right about the smartphone+dataplan, those run like $40/month or more (minutes+data) and I simply don't need any of that.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux
Hm, I just found out that none of the palms work with Windows Vista 64bit yet unless you're using a usb IRDA/bluetooth adapter and are lucky. I still use XP a lot, but it would be nice if I didn't have to move to between the two just for updating.

I've got a friend who's willing to sell me his Axim x30 for $35+shipping but those have Vista64 troubles as well; and the reviews for it aren't as good (doesn't look like the UI is very effective at helping you organize).

The Zire 22 looks nice, Amazon has those for $55 which isn't too bad.

QueBert you're def right about the smartphone+dataplan, those run like $40/month or more (minutes+data) and I simply don't need any of that.

For $25, and eliminating the problems with Windows 64, have you considered a notepad or Dayrunner?

Seriously...