I want to buy a PDA with wi-fi for mobile internet acess, what pitfalls should I look out for?

Question

I have done a little research online about PDAs but, other than favouring the Pocket PC OS, I am pretty much clueless. Any help out there would be appreciated. What running costs am I likely to incur once I have a PDA?

Answer 1

PocketPC is fine, but I personally prefer a Palm-based PDA, especially the Palm Tungsten T/X:

http://www.palm.com/us/products/handhelds/tx/

Palm are well known for powerful, yet easy-to-use PDAs. The Tungsten T/X, which retails for $299, includes built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, a gorgeous large screen, an SD card slot for expansion, powerful applications, and you can use it as an mp3 player, and even play your DVDs (with special software).

Whether you choose a PocketPC or Palm, the only running costs would be if you plan to purchase additional software, accessories, or SD cards. Other than that, the PDA may already come with all the applications and features you would need.

Answer 2

Cost favouring Palm; while a complete Life Drive do run into $400+ I don't see the hoopla is it about getting such device. However for that kind of price you can get only mid-range Pocket PC.

Axims and VGA devices are not physically large and thus painful as browsers, that same goes for every machine either Palm or Pocket PC. If your intention is IMsgr and some other stuff needing not screen then it justifies.

For the same specification that I have Tungsten T3 vs. iPaq 2215 both running XScale PXA 255 Tungsten beats iPaq senseless in multimedia and general OS responsiveness however 416 MHz is the fastest that a Palm hardware has at this moment, Pockets are upping to 600+ MHz by this time. Though I have suspicion that 600+ is needed by Pocket to catch up a 400 Palm in performance.

What I have are both second hand, T3 was heavily used and tortured with screen damage but the only two things I like about my mint Pocket is dual expansion (CompactFlash) and Skype.

Answer 3

I have the Dell Axim 51v
I chose it due to the displays higher resolution.
It will fit more content on the screen. Although some websites have small versions for PDAs, most I go to don't. I am able to scroll around on regular websites and see it all.
I took it on vacation and connected easily to free access points.
In areas with condo complexes, it is easy to find access.
There are not additional costs for using it except for software you buy. I bought some games and a GPS receiver.
WiFi coverage is not complete like cell phone coverage.
You have to look for it and you can't just drive around in you car and stay connected.

Answer 4

Personally I think you need to make sure that the PDA is worthwhile other than just for wi-fi. oh and don't buy a palm i705 off ebay the network it works on has been ended. But I tend to lean towards palms because they cost less

Answer 5

i will in user-friendly terms answer for sprint. i've got had very almost each "telephone" that they had. The wealthy guy or woman might prob be right for you, its trouble-free to variety on, has SDmicro card, WiFi, and is EVDO Rev A (quickest 3g velocity at present). I extremely have pals that have the apple iPhone from ATT, they like their "telephone/mp3 participant/image/action picture viewer" yet they don't seem to be too happy with the "pda" area of it. i'm no longer attacking apple, in simple terms asserting what i've got observed. yet there iphone (at present) would not have : SDcard slot (greater storage) detachable battery (ought to be sent in to apple to alter it while it is going ineffective) Slide out keyboard. you ought to use the touch exhibit screen to variety/textual content cloth/etc... i take advantage of a Motorola Q9c which ATT and Verizion have the comparable telephone in simple terms distinctive call .... Its a pda/telephone and has each thing different than for the wifi. i've got on no account had an argument with it. it has its own keyboard. and is not any longer touch exhibit screen. my 2 cents.

Answer 6

You don't need to spend any extra money. The only drawback in using WiFi is that it drains the battery fairly quickly. So you might want to look into extra charger or batteries.