[Resolved]PDA/phone Buying

[Cogman]

Hello, I have used a PDA before and kindof know what to expect. What im looking for is a PDA/Cell phone combination for relitvly cheap. Preferably a PocketPC.

I don't really know where the best place to look for things like this are. As well, I have a good contract with the company Im with so how hard/legal is it to unlock a PDA and use it on this network instead of wherever it comes from? Thnx for the info.

 

[KuJoe]

What is your current cell phone provider? Do you plan on getting a data plan with it? What will you mainly be using it for? How much are you looking to invest (all said and done, device, software, hardware, accessories, adapters, etc...)?

 

[Cogman]

My current provider is a small company out of Idaho called Syringa Wireless. I dont know what the data plan is (it is a company owned by my family so I can find that out) I will mainly be using the PDA for organizing but I like to be able to use cell phone features but thinking about it, I probibly won't use the cell phone that often (so if it is cheaper to get a cheap cell phone then I would be happy). I also like to play with thing, and I want it to be flexable. I use windows and don't know how well a Palm would work for me (expecially since I'll probibly be trying my hand at installing things like a linux OS and diffrent programs on it).

Mainly though, for organizing. some cheap games, and cell phone.

I don't have much of a price limit (under $1000) but I would like to keep it as cheap as possible, IE if a cell phone and PDA seperate will be miles cheaper then that is what I want to go with.

 

[Cogman]

I guess really, Im looking for good brand names to go with and I can research the rest. Right now Im looking at HP, dell, and Asus (I don't know what quality any of them really are)

 

[KuJoe]

I would look into HTC products. They are marketed under different names though so you'll have to look around. Also you'll want to find one that works on your network (GSM, TDMA, etc..). I use a Cingular 8125 (HTC Wizard, TMobile has one also under a different name) and before that I used the HP iPAQ for maybe 2 days before returning it. I avoid HP iPAQs like the plague after my first (and last) attempt to use one, nice PDAs, but bad PDA phones.

 

[Cogman]

Thanks for the advice. I am going to end up with just a normal PDA (parents are getting it for christmas) and a phone sperate, Which suits me just fine. I don't know what Im getting but I was told by my dad to stop hunting. (he spoke with one of my computer literate brother-in-laws so im not worried about it).

On a funny note to end it, he was going to get me an Ipod for a pda, lol. Expecially not usefull as I don't really like listening to a lot of music.

Again, thanks for the help.