Advice on PDA's - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Neeper · 01-20-2006, 10:22 PM

My photography business is going to be very busy this year. I will need a PDA. I just don't know what's good out there. PALM or iPAQ or "other"? Anyone who has one please give me advice!

browna · 01-20-2006, 10:25 PM

I'd go with anything that runs Windows. Ipaqs are nice, I had one for a couple weeks before returning it a couple years, I couldn't justify it at the time for the cost.

Dell's Xv51's often come on sale too, they're pretty good as well.

If Telus comes out with the Palm Treo700w smartphone (which runs Windows..currently they have a 650w, but it runs Palm OS), I may consider that...to avoid carrying a phone and a PDA. That was an issue also the first time.

FireFly · 01-20-2006, 10:37 PM

Palm is working on the 700 as there is a software issue with the 650. No idea when it's coming out, but I'd say it'll be at least summer.

browna · 01-20-2006, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireFly

Palm is working on the 700 as there is a software issue with the 650. No idea when it's coming out, but I'd say it'll be at least summer.

I forgot we had a TM insider here.

I assume the software issue is the entire Palm OS.

ps. Razr coming?

FireFly · 01-20-2006, 10:46 PM

Well our dealers seem to know something no one else does as they keep telling clients end of January beginning of February. However, there is nothing that has been released to us.

The software issue has to do with.... (I'm not a Data person so I don't really know,) but synching with Outlook and some sort of versa-something? I don't rightly recall. It's not the whole thing, just connection to email.

Neeper · 01-20-2006, 10:57 PM

I am leaing towards something that runs Windows. It's just easier. The Dell Axim's are nice. Maybe I can find a used one in good condition.

browna · 01-20-2006, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neeper

I am leaing towards something that runs Windows. It's just easier. The Dell Axim's are nice. Maybe I can find a used one in good condition.

www.aximsite.com

Neeper · 01-20-2006, 11:05 PM

i sure wish Della had a store you can go to. I would like to see this thing in person so I can compare them. I hate Compaq for building ****ty laptops. I would rather go Dell. Does anyone have an AXIM? I assume you can view photos on it? Can you view videos as well?

Jagger · 01-20-2006, 11:33 PM

I bought an IPAQ recently and am really happy with it. It pretty well does everything I want/need and the SD slot is great for memory issues.

P.S. My wife has a Photography business in Red Deer which is also really busy. Don't think I see the need for her getting a PDA though. What with the laptop, 2 desktops, 3 digital cameras, 3 medium format cameras, tons of studio equipment etc. What the heck will she need one more gadget for? Now me on the other hand......

MRCboicgy · 01-21-2006, 12:03 AM

I have an older Dell Axim x5 that I got for my first year of college, and it works well. I like the fact it has windows, word, excel, messenger and windows media player, not to mentioin built in wireless. the only thing is the power button would stick and then drain the backup battery and i'd have to start from scratch--but i don't think that's a worry on the new ones--just sync with your computer and all will be ok.

Daradon · 01-21-2006, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neeper

My photography business is going to be very busy this year. I will need a PDA. I just don't know what's good out there. PALM or iPAQ or "other"? Anyone who has one please give me advice!

UT Starcom 6700. Pocket PC. If you want high end, you want this. Runs on Windows, has lots of options for expansion and software. Very powerful.

I do b2b solutions in telcom. The majority of our business is systems, but we need to push products for the end user experience. We recommended these to a security company lately that wanted to integrate with their own server wirelessly. Take this if price is no option.

If price is an option, take the Blackberry. Best bang for your buck. Unless you want to actually TAKE pictures with it (as you're in photograhpy) then go with the Palm Treo. Though I can't imagine you're going to want to take pictures with a handheld device. Even the Treo is grainy.

http://www.telusmobility.com/ab/pcs/...com_6700.shtml

PM if your interested on these. I can't do anything about the monthly rates, but sometimes we an get you a decent deal on the device itself.

The Goon · 01-21-2006, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireFly

Palm is working on the 700 as there is a software issue with the 650. No idea when it's coming out, but I'd say it'll be at least summer.

What's the software issue with the Treo650? I got one last month and I love it more than some family members. The only downside I can see is that MY ENTIRE LIFE is on this thing now and if I lose it, I'm hooped.

FireFly · 01-21-2006, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Goon

What's the software issue with the Treo650? I got one last month and I love it more than some family members. The only downside I can see is that MY ENTIRE LIFE is on this thing now and if I lose it, I'm hooped.

Something to do with synching to email. I'm not a data person, so I can't really explain it, but I've only had one person call about it, so I don't think it's something everyone does. You'll know if you come across it, apparently everything will freeze up. Now that's to say don't go out and look for the issue by doing things you wouldn't normally do, but if you do run across it in the normal usage of your device, you'll know. Sorry I can't help further.

FireFly · 01-21-2006, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daradon

UT Starcom 6700. Pocket PC. If you want high end, you want this. Runs on Windows, has lots of options for expansion and software. Very powerful.

I do b2b solutions in telcom. The majority of our business is systems, but we need to push products for the end user experience. We recommended these to a security company lately that wanted to integrate with their own server wirelessly. Take this if price is no option.

If price is an option, take the Blackberry. Best bang for your buck. Unless you want to actually TAKE pictures with it (as you're in photograhpy) then go with the Palm Treo. Though I can't imagine you're going to want to take pictures with a handheld device. Even the Treo is grainy.

http://www.telusmobility.com/ab/pcs/...com_6700.shtml

PM if your interested on these. I can't do anything about the monthly rates, but sometimes we an get you a decent deal on the device itself.

And I do the monthly rates, so you should be okay there. If you have a Telus phone already and are looking to upgrade, let me know and I'll see if I can get you a decent renewal offer.

FurnaceFace · 01-21-2006, 12:19 PM

I bought a Toshiba e805 off ebay from someone locally who really knew his stuff. Toshiba has discontinued the product line but general idea still applies.

I've been very happy with the Toshiba for what I use it for. The big feature for me is it has dual CompactFlash and SD slots and will run as a usb host with the optional cable.

Features Neeper might be interested in: I bought a 4gb microdrive for the CF slot so I've got space for dumping photos off my card or backup copies when I'm travelling. Other good features are viewing photos on the 640x480 display and having basic editting functions.

The microdrive and SD cards also double as an mp3 player and video player. Also good things for travel or commuting. The Toshiba has wireless capability which has worked a little hit and miss but was worth it if for nothing else than Skyping with Mrs. Furnace when I was in Germany.

Make sure you are aware even though the device runs Windows Mobile or whatever, it doesn't treat files the same. Pocket Word, Excel, etc don't give you the same functionality as the desktop versions and will reformat your documents. If you're just viewing or creating basic docs you should be okay but beyond that mileage varies.

Palm has the Lifedrive out which has a 4gb drive. I have no knowledge of it good or bad. A good site for tons of useful info is www.brighthand.com.

Neeper · 01-21-2006, 01:52 PM

WOW!! Thanks for all the replies everyone.

Dardon, I thought about Blackberry and Treo. I am already locked in with Telus for my 11th, 12th and 13th year. I have an awesome rate plan wich I get free incoming minutes that I do not want to lose. I also do not want any data packages or like that. I am really leaning toward something that runs Windows. I like the idea of wireless internet on it.

browna · 01-25-2006, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neeper

WOW!! Thanks for all the replies everyone.

Dardon, I thought about Blackberry and Treo. I am already locked in with Telus for my 11th, 12th and 13th year. I have an awesome rate plan wich I get free incoming minutes that I do not want to lose. I also do not want any data packages or like that. I am really leaning toward something that runs Windows. I like the idea of wireless internet on it.

I don't think you can get a Treo or Blackberry or the UTS 6700 (which runs Windows 5.0 and has EVDO) or any other Telus Smartphone without a data plan added on to your exsisting plan (Firefly? I'm leaning towards a smartphone too, so an answer to this may be useful)...

Plus, if you like wireless internet, you'd need a data plan anyways.

Daradon · 01-25-2006, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neeper

WOW!! Thanks for all the replies everyone.

Dardon, I thought about Blackberry and Treo. I am already locked in with Telus for my 11th, 12th and 13th year. I have an awesome rate plan wich I get free incoming minutes that I do not want to lose. I also do not want any data packages or like that. I am really leaning toward something that runs Windows. I like the idea of wireless internet on it.

Yeah if you want wireless internet, you need a data package.

ken0042 · 01-25-2006, 08:21 AM

My only suggestion is to try one out before you buy it. I was going to get a Blackberry for myself until I tried out the one from work. I didn't like the bulkiness of it, and I found the keys too small for me to use the telephone functions very well.

ah123 · 01-25-2006, 10:04 AM

I have a Dell Axim X51V and I quite like it -- there are "known" issues with Windows Mobile 5, but it hasn't caused me any grief. Any PDA which has Windows Mobile 5 will have the same issues, unless the manufacturor has a workaround.

If you want to use your PDA to view pictures, video, etc get a PDA that has a VGA screen - it will be worth the extra $$$

Couple of sites worth checking out:

www.ipaqhq.com
www.aximsite.com
www.aximusers.com

Good Luck...