Which PDA to get: PPC2002, or a Palm OS device?

[LordJezo]

Well, what's everyone opinion on this matter? Pocket PC or Palm?

Pocket PCs do more multimedia type things but also cost $200 more. Palm's seem more efficient at doing what they do but is Palm a dying breed?

 

[RGN]

look at the sony Clies series. Palm Inc. hasn't come up with anything new for years.

I had the same question when it came time to replace my Palm IIIc. After looking at the offerings from all the different manufacturers, it seemed like I would get one of two things.

1) More features. Like wireless networking, MS Office integration. Mainly the PPC2002 devices. But the drawback is that these devices are big. They are heavy, and bulky.

2) Size, if I wanted something that was lighter and smaller than my IIIc, I needed to go with a PalmOS device. They offered memory expanibility, which was important to me.



I made a speadsheet of the different sizes and weights of the then current models, along with the one or two outstanding features.

I endedd up buying a SOny Clie T-415. Its not color, but it has the Memory Stick slot, and it weighs nothing. Its less than half an inch thick, and made out of aluminum. It also only cost ~$150.

I use the thing daily, and do not regret my choice.

 

[Wingznut]

(For a point of reference: I've owned a Palm III, Palm V, Handspring Visor, and now an iPaq. I use my PDA every day at work, because I can use it in the cleanroom. And I'm totally lost on the off day that I forget it at home. 🙂 )

But to answer your question, all you need to figure out is what you want to use it for.

The PalmOS does what it does (i.e. contacts, calendar, notes, etc...), a little better than a PocketPC. But the PocketPC can do so much more (i.e. Word, Excel, MP3's, etc...).

If you only need the PDA for what the PalmOS can do, then get a Sony or Handspring (stay away from Palm).

 

[LordJezo]

Well, I have an mp3 player so I woudlnt need it for that. I dont plan on writing Word docuements or Excel spreadsheets while I am on the road.

I had an old winCE device and used it for the calendar, tasks, and avant go. I really dont care about watching movies either on a small screen.

I wouldnt get a Palm, I would get a Sony Palm OS device if I went that way.

I am just worried that with Palm OS 5 around the corner everything will be completely obsolete soon.

Which has more applications to download things onto?

 

[RGN]

I would be reasonably sure that there are more PalmOS apps out there. PalmOS has been around a lot longer. If you are looking for "calendar, tasks, and avant go" save your money and get a PalmOS device. As for PalmOS 5, I wouldn't worry about it. Since when do we hold off all upgrades since the newest is "right around the corner" 😀



Wingznut PEZ: Half of the Sony line plays MP3's too. Palm Inc hasn't caught on yet. 🙂

 

[LordJezo]

Originally posted by: RGN
As for PalmOS 5, I wouldn't worry about it. Since when do we hold off all upgrades since the newest is "right around the corner" 😀

Yeah, but this is a huge upgrade for Palm. OS 5 is a whole new system for them and will redefine what a Palm OS handheld is. OS 5 can run OS 4 things, but not vice versa.

Only thing is, I have no idea when to actually expect OS 5 devices to be available.

 

[Rectalfier]

I personally like the Toshiba E310

Linky

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: RGN
look at the sony Clies series. Palm Inc. hasn't come up with anything new for years.

I had the same question when it came time to replace my Palm IIIc. After looking at the offerings from all the different manufacturers, it seemed like I would get one of two things.

1) More features. Like wireless networking, MS Office integration. Mainly the PPC2002 devices. But the drawback is that these devices are big. They are heavy, and bulky.

2) Size, if I wanted something that was lighter and smaller than my IIIc, I needed to go with a PalmOS device. They offered memory expanibility, which was important to me.



I made a speadsheet of the different sizes and weights of the then current models, along with the one or two outstanding features.

I endedd up buying a SOny Clie T-415. Its not color, but it has the Memory Stick slot, and it weighs nothing. Its less than half an inch thick, and made out of aluminum. It also only cost ~$150.

I use the thing daily, and do not regret my choice.

On the weight item...the Toshiba e310 which is about $350 is as small and light as any PalmOS based device and whips all of them in functionality.

 

[LordJezo]

Originally posted by: Rectalfier
I personally like the Toshiba E310

Linky

How's it working out for you? Screen good? Easy to sync up? Lack of a CF slot a pain?

That one is my first choice in the PPC arena.

 

[RGN]

Toshiba Pocket PC e310
?Dimensions (LxWxH): 4.9? x 3.1? x 0.4?
? Weight: 4.9oz (w/Stylus & battery)

Sony PEG-T415
Dimensions 2.9"(W) x 4.75"(H) x 0.4"(D) inches
Weight 4.3 oz (including stylus)

yup, pretty much the same. How does the CF stuff work on the e310? You still need a sleeve that double the weight and thickness right?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: RGN
Toshiba Pocket PC e310
?Dimensions (LxWxH): 4.9? x 3.1? x 0.4?
? Weight: 4.9oz (w/Stylus & battery)

Sony PEG-T415
Dimensions 2.9"(W) x 4.75"(H) x 0.4"(D) inches
Weight 4.3 oz (including stylus)

yup, pretty much the same. How does the CF stuff work on the e310? You still need a sleeve that double the weight and thickness right?

The e310 has an onboard SD/MMC slot so whatever peripherals are in that form-factor will work on the e310. I don't know of any sleeves for it.

 

[LordJezo]

The Toshiba is the one I really want..

Still, I can't decide between PPC or Palm....

 

[Rectalfier]

Hehe, I wish. I may purchase it when it goes down in price. I'm just going to stick with my bulky EM500 for now. 🙂

Does anyone have hands on experience with the E310. My biggest gripe about the EM500 i have is that the SD card memory controller is very poor. Videos, Data and games i load off the card are very slow, this is now the case if i use my external card reader. Does the E310 have good support for SD cards?