I'm looking to purchase a PDA and would like some recommendations on which ones have the best features and performance. I'd like to have the capability to connect to the internet for e-mail, and of course all of the usual "organizing" features (address, calendar, etc...) If possible, I'd like to keep the cost below $300, but I do want a good one that will give me options on expansion/updating. Sooooooo, and recommendations?
Do you want a Palm or Pocket PC? I would highly suggest the latter. Windows Mobile kicks the crap out of Palm OS. I've used a Toshiba e750 since Christmas and I like it a lot. It has integrated WiFi, syncs directly with Outlook/Office, and has dual expansion slots (SecureDigital and CompactFlash). However, it's not the newest thing on the market, so you might want to look around. From what I hear, HP iPaqs and Dell Axims are good as well. If you want WiFi though, expect to pay at least $300. I'd recommend you poke around on here and get a feel for prices. Be sure to look at the thumb ratings and user reviews for all the PDAs you look at. CNet also has a handheld buyers guide that you might find useful.
PDA's are going towards the phone/pda combo. I would recommend looking into one of these. I have the Sprint Samsung PDA and it is a lot less to carry around than both.
Do the phone/pda's have the ability to work with other programs like office and excel? When I was looking for one, they didn't and that may be something to consider. I love the Dell Axims.
the older ones don't. But from what I understand, the newer models have all the capabilities of the current PDA's including the ability to have removable memory cards. From what I hear, the industry is leaning that way. Do some research first because you have to get a model that is compatible with your phone service.
It's not likely that a PDA phone of reasonable quality with expansion capabilities would be in her price range. In fact, there are very few PDA phones available for less than $400. If you're happy with your cell phone, there's no reason to get a PDA phone, IMO.
If the ability to get email via the internet is desirable, then the thing has to have a modem of some description (or be reliant on wifi). If you have a modem then boom you have a phone. She's not gonna find much with that capability in pda-only. So she might as well bridge the gap between 399 and 599 and get a Treo, Samsung, or Smartphone (M$). The PDA/phone combo is genius. Make a mere pda seem like teats on a hog. I prefer Palm-based systems. They use a lot less overhead so your hardware goes farther. Also, the M$ things tend to have a lot of useless and distracting features.
the new PDAs with integrated wifi....do you get actual web pages on them? and at what speed? the internet i get on my phone, while sometimes handy, is pretty much ****. i'm assuming, and hoping, that the PDAs are more like a regular browser. basically, can i change my fantasy football lineup with one or not?
no ****, *******! is it a pain in the *** to get the thing out to dial a number though? seems like it would be. and is that phone available for any service?
