what are the advantages of having a PDA

5489

Platinum Member
Aug 12, 2001
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what do you people do with your PDA's

i guess i'd like something to keep appointments and remind me when they are coming up. and all my phone numbers and stuff. but do people experience data loss with pda's occasionally? i wouldnt want to lose all my phone numbers or appointments.

but if thats the only thing people use PDA's for. i might as well save a couple hundred dollars and get a planner.
 

Manzelle

Golden Member
Oct 6, 2003
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My life isn't that hectic to justify a PDA...of course 95% of the people who own them probably have a similar lifestyle (whether they admit it or not) but whatever...as for phone numebers...anyone who is anyone is in my head (or my cell phone) and I never forget appointments because I don't have them that often (doctor or otherwise)...a waste of cash to the average person...just another toy...
 

Looney

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
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I do all the normal PDA stuff like calendar and crap, but 95% of it's uses is actually as an ebook reader. But something else that i'm thankful for at least once a month, is Mapopolis... i can't count how many times i've been thankful for my PDA because i've gotten lost and needed directions... and it was available just a few clicks away.
 

nsafreak

Diamond Member
Oct 16, 2001
7,093
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81
I use my PDA for book reading, keeping track of expenses, e-mail, usenet (gotta love built in WiFi on the Dell X30 Advanced), scheduling and various other things.
 

imported_Phil

Diamond Member
Feb 10, 2001
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I use my iPaq 2210 primarily for satellite navigation out on the road, coupled with a TomTom 3 GPS kit. It's truly excellent :)
However, it's also great for contacts, appointments, using it as an alarm clock, updating my jobs on the road via email, which is via Bluetooth, and using it as an MP3 jukebox.
While I'm not going to say I'd be lost without it, it's extremely useful.
 

phonemonkey

Senior member
Feb 2, 2003
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I've got a Dell Axim x5, and I play lots of Simcity 2k, watch movies & tv shows and all the usual PDA type stuff like addresses and sending emails.
 

Spikesoldier

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 2001
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at work (IT), we have a slew of user names and passwords that i just cannot remember (passwords must meet a certain criteria) and the passwords are very hard to remember, and also the usernames are. i must have at least 20 differnt ID and passwords on my axim, priceless to me.

not to mention the mp3 capability and among other things, carrying around my emails and keeping important things like contacts and phone numbers.
 

Zim Hosein

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Super Moderator
Nov 27, 1999
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I read the news while traveling, it's easier to hold than a newspaper on NYC subways :)
 

NakaNaka

Diamond Member
Aug 29, 2000
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I used to use my PDA to read the paper on the NYC subways like Zim (Zim - I didn't know you were from NY) but I gave that up over time. I just sold my PDA because I couldn't justify having it. One of those things that was cool at the time and then not. Maybe when I'm older I might need it but for now, nah. Also, despite being a completly tech person, I would rather right stuff down in a little notebook. Nothing beats that.
 

DJFuji

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 1999
3,643
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a pda is like a computer-- unlimited uses. I use my toshiba e750 to watch movies (512mb SD card), surf the web (built in wifi), read ebooks, listen to music, get directions (MS Streets 2004), and of course, perform PIM functions.

I use to carry around a paper-based dayrunner, but even if a PDA could only do PIM stuff, it's worth it because it constantly syncs to my PC. That means no more printing off calendars each time my schedule changes, and no more worrying about losing data if i lose my dayrunner. All data exists both on PDA and on PC. My data is far more important than my hardware so i can afford to lose the device whereas i COULDN'T afford to lose a dayrunner.

In the future i'm looking at adding a bluetooth connection for a PAN and a GPS module to integrate with software to get audio navigation system for the car. Sprint also allows you to use vision on a PDA with an aftermarket (epensive though) cable to get a broadband (144kbps) internet connection.

Ultimately, the key to the PDA is its versatility. It can be used for practically anything.
 

Yossarian

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
18,010
1
81
Originally posted by: 5489
i guess i'd like something to keep appointments and remind me when they are coming up. and all my phone numbers and stuff. but do people experience data loss with pda's occasionally? i wouldnt want to lose all my phone numbers or appointments.


no, you sync it up with your computer so you always have a record.
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
46
91
I use my iPAQ 4150 in combination with my Belkin Bluetooth GPS for car navigation. I also have AIM and ICQ loaded and do FTP and remote desktop as well. I also check my email when I'm away from my desktop. I have Adobe for PDF documents and view/edit Word/Excel documents on the fly. I also keep track of my bank accounts with Pocket Money and use Avantgo for offline content. No to mention watching vides and playing music off my 512MB SD card (I also stream music through WiFi from my desktop computer when I'm doing yard work outside).

Then there's the usual PIM duties and dozens of other things I do with it.
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
Meh, I replaced my PDA with a series 60 Nokia cell phone that stores notes (passwords/model #'s etc) & haven't looked back.

Now, if someone can put a PDA/cell phone in a small form factor I might be interested, but I won't carry both a phone & a Windows based PDA, just too much crap to carry, and the current combined form factor is still too big...