Why did the PDA or handheld die down? as far as popularity?

Question

why should I or shouldn't I by one? I'm a college student looking for a parttime job, pysch and neuroscience major... pre-med.. and like technology... is $400 worth the money?

Answer 1

I'm not gonna talk about why, since it's fairly covered, but you should look at www.brighthand.com

check out the reviews and espcially the forum!

Answer 2

Despite the fact that PDAs are declining in sales as smartphones sales rise, PDAs do offer so key advantages, as follows:

- PDA, such as the Palm Tungsten T/X and the Palm LifeDrive offer much larger screens than you would find on any smartphone. The screens on the Palm PDAs are absolutely gorgeous!

- Most smartphones still don't have built-in WiFi for Internet access at HotSpots. Both the Tungsten T/X and LifeDrive do include built-in WiFi. The LifeDrive also includes built-in Bluetooth and voice-recorder. Keep in mind that Palm is said to release a new Treo smartphone with built-in WiFi, but date is unknown.

- There are many more programs that work on PDAs than smartphones.

As a student, I would recommend getting either the Palm Tungsten T/X or Palm LifeDrive. My preference is the LifeDrive. You can take notes, record your class sessions, surf the Web at HotSpots, use it as mp3 player, and even watch DVDs (with special software).

Take a look at the Palm LifeDrive:

http://www.palm.com/us/products/mobilemanagers/lifedrive/

There is yet to be a handheld that is a true replacement to a laptop, but the LifeDrive comes as close as currently possible. It is a lot slower than a laptop, and of course, the screen is a lot smaller, but it is pretty powerful. I would also recommend buying a wireless keyboard if you plan to take notes in class with it.

If you don't have a laptop, I would recommend getting one instead of a handheld. However, the price for a good laptop would be much more than $400. If you already have a laptop and simply don't want to carry it with you all the time, than the LifeDrive may be a good 2nd best. I would give it a try from a retailer. If you don't like it, return it within the store's return policy period.

Answer 3

I think the decrease in popularity is a price/function thing. Top end PDAs are about half the cost of low end laptops, at far less than half the functionality. Other devices (MP3 players, phones) are adding PDA-like functionality at much lower cost than actual PDAs. Phones are often free and come with some of the PDA functionality.

Personally, I love the PDA and never went for the high cost units, strictly mid-level: I store a lot of personal info on it, always have it, have games to divert, don't need or want PC-level power. I've been using them since the Pilot 5000. Personally, I wouldn't go over the $250 level, beyond that you're paying too much for too little power IMHO.

For a student, it all depends on the student. Really, note taking can be accomplished with ease (great outliner software available); sync'ing with a desktop PC in the dorm room to transfer notes/assignments is easy; its WAY smaller than ANY laptop and holds a longer battery charge.

They aren't for everyone, but for those of us who like them, they're fantastic.

Answer 4

Data imput can be a real pain even with a mini keyboard. For $400 you can pick up a laptop why would you go half way with a PDA. There are several phones that have all the functions of PDA's and work as good phones too. But for the most part people that buy PDA's stop using within 3 months. Most people still use a paper based planner just like they did in the 80's.

Answer 5

The PDA and/or handhelds are gradually dying simply becos of the increasing number of mobile phones coming with smartphone functions such as the S/E P990 that runs with a symbian v9.1 UIQ3.0 and Windows Mobile 5.0.

Then there's the form factor, the P990 has a keyboard under the flip, there's a siemens with a keyboard that's right across when slid from the back and there's also the new eten m600, now that's a cool smartphone to have....have a nice day.

Answer 6

Nope. You should buy an all in one deal... my old boss (a VP) had a single device that acted as a PDA and phone. It was super handy. I think you can also get keyboards to hook up to them and do the whole bluetooth blackberry thing.

Answer 7

no i thought i would need one but i found that having a daily planner in my backpack was much faster then finding stuff on my pda. if you are really interested though look into a pda phone so it is more functional. hope you make the best decision! :D