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Need Help Picking "The One" - pda Discussion Forum
Greetings! I am giving in to the technological world (kind of) and want to purchase a PDA.
I don't know where to start.
Here's what I don't want: a phone because I have one and love it.
Here is what I want: Something not too hard to learn;
WiFi; GPS would be a total bonus;
Calendar to sync with Outlook;
Address book... what else does a PDA do?
I'm not sure if I would need Bluetooth if I don't have a phone...
A start would help me so much!!!
Thanks!
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I too am looking for info on PDAs.
I would like one that does everything.
But mostly I need an alarm to keep track of the many appointments I have during the day.
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I've been using an HP travel companion as my PDA.
It has all the features you are looking for including GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth.
I would suggest getting bluetooth in any device that you are buying.
Bluetooth can be used for wireless links to headsets, phones and other devices.
This devices works great as a stand alone device, but it is much more powerful if you connect it to the Internet.
If you have a bluetooth phone consider getting a data plan.
With a data connection and the GPS system I can not only get directions, I can find the cheapest gas price.
This feature alone has paid for the data service.
You will also be able to retrieve your emails and browse the Internet.
If your phone does not have bluetooth I would consider getting a phone that has everything built in like the Motorola Q, the Samsung Blackjack II, or the Blackberry Curve.
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Thanks for the suggestion.
But when looking thru the HP selection, I was overwhelmed by the choices.
I guess I just really need a scheduler that I don't have to program everyday.
Something that I can add continuous reoccurring appoinments.
I don't need games or a camera.
Music would be nice.
Maybe TV. Texting or e-mail cababilities more than web browsing.
Phone? I'm just really leary of getting involved with a service contract.
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Yolande,
I have a much older Palm Tungsten E.
I really enjoy it.
I let my wife use it and I haven't been able to get it back from her.
The palm is reasonably simple to use.
It will sync with Outlook and work as an organizer.
Some other things that we use it for: A memo pad when shopping for things to remember to research;
A calculator to figure out those difficult sales prices;
I already mentioned Outlook and the scheduler;
The phone book, though the one in my phone is really good to;
Address book; and here's some of my wife's favorites;
Photo viewer; a video viewer;
And a music player.
I am really quite surprised with the quality of this little gadget, as it has lasted over 4 years in our not so easy care.
Of course, we have a hard case for it.
I am now in the process of looking for a new one for myself.
Oh, and if you don't like the whole re-learning how to write thing, these little gadgets have a popup keyboard - another feature that my wife likes.
Good luck, and I hope this helps.
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Thanks for the info but I've decided not to get a PDA after all.
Most of the phyical stores don't sell them anymore.
They say that PDAs are getting replaced my more advanced cell phones.
Right now the cell phone that has most of what I want is a model by AT&T.
I can't remember the name of it now, but it's about $100 just for the phone, and to get it at a reasonable price, you have to subscribe to a plan for 2 years.
I'm just really leary of having to subscribe to a mobile plan.
My mom had a bad experience with Verizon, and my niece belongs to T-mobile.
She's always running out of minutes (but then she's on the phone constantly).
I currently belong to Virgin Mobile.
I like that they don't require a plan.
You can buy minutes as you need them or you can select a date to automatically pay to add minutes( they use PayPal as a source for payment).
They have a phone out, the Wildcard.
It has a lot of the things I want to have in a cell phone.
You can text, IM, web browse, camera (which ctually I could do without), e-mail, it's bluetooth capable & has a speaker phone.
With this I could e-mail my alerts from my PC e-mail address to my phone to help me remember my appointments.
So, as soon as I can raise the $100 for the phone, I'm going to get that.
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Yolanda, if you want to reconsider purchasing a PDA then try the Palm TX, it is easy to use right out the box, it is wif-fi and bluetooth enabled, GPS has to be purchased separately, but it can be done.
Want to watch movies, or listen to music or watch music videos?
You don't need an iPod, the TX will do that for you, want to read a book, with the TX you can download books, many are free, and read them, Want to take that Word document with you, or all your outlook contacts, the TX will do that, perhaps you want to know how much each person has to pay, including the tax for lunch or dinner, download one of the many free programs that are available for Palm Handhelds.
Used a flash card program to quiz myself for a math class I was taking in college.
I've had a Palm TX for almost three years, it was recently damaged because my roommate placed it in a cup holder with liquid, so I had the option if I wanted to replace it with something else.
Nope, went out and ordered another TX.
It is indispensible.
So if you reconsider your decision, check out the Palm TX.
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Thanks Bytte, for the info, but I don't believe I'll need all that (maybe the music part).
I have no idea what Wi-Fi is.
A lot of the people I know don't have cell phones, let alone computers, so I don't need anything more complicated than an alarm clock that I can program to give me an audible signal every couple hours to help me keep track of the stuff I'm supposed to do every day.
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What about the battery?
The only thing really holding me back from the Palm TX is that the battery is non-replaceable...
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Bettye,
I am looking at the Palm TX but have heard that there are some compatibility issues with Outlook.
Do you use this feature at all and have you had any issues?
Thanks!
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Bettye, I'm also looking to purchase a Palm.
The TX sounds perfect.
My big thing is being able to see the calendar in a "month at a glance" format (as well as weekly and daily).
How does the monthly calendar screen look?
How does it show appt.s for each day in the monthly format?
trbaily@hotmail.com
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Bettye - I'm also looking for a device such as the Palm TX.
Besides phone, I want to be able to listen to audiobooks.
The biggest difference between audiobooks and music is that it's important to have the place saved - I don't want to start over my 8 hour book section from scratch every time.
It's also important to be able to rewind and fast forward within a track without having it jump to a new track.
Can the Palm TX do that?
Also, do you use a bluetooth headset/headphone with it?
If so, which one, and can you listen to music/books as well as phone calls?
Thanks for your help!
It seems that many of us have appreciated your opinion on the Palm TX.
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I've been a Palm user for years - I could stay in bed if someone took it from me.
I currently have a Palm Tungsten E2.
I love the PDA BUT it has a whine that many people on the net are complaining about.
I've emailed Palm with a response that it's normal (which doesn't sound like they are working to fix it).
I found a software tool that will stop it but I have to execute it each time I turn on my E2.
I'm wondering if the TX has the high pitched whine as well.
Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks!
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I didn't realize that;
Bought a TX 2 wks ago;
Trouble syncing it from the beginning and now even tried to sync in a software (the bible) and trouble doing that also;
Is anyone else having trouble hot syncing with the TX--I'm in school and my preceptor got one 2 days ago and said some things won't sync because there's a program problem with the Palm.
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I have purchased not one, but two Palm T/X.
I've had nothing but problems, particularly with the digitiser.
I play a lot of games on my T/X and in a short period, the digitiser is off and parts of the screen are now frozen.
I really want a PDA as a planner, and when it's working, the Palm products are perfect for that.
HOWEVER, I called Palm Tech Support about the digitiser problem.
They informed me that they were no longer doing any R&D improvements on the Palm products EXCEPT for the phones.
I think it's somewhat unethical to continue selling this product, know that it has problems, but not invest any R & D to correct KNOWN problems.
The problem with the dititaliser is legendary for the Palm.
I have bought over the years, at least 5 Palms, starting back to M100.
Now I'm looking at the HP iPaq and Dell.
FCJ
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I have a Palm and have had problems with it also.
I couldn't sync some programs I bought for it and it no longer syncs with my computer.
They have virtually no tech support.
I'm thinking of getting either an I phone or a blackberry.
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(note Original Poster was in 2007)
LI-Ion battery is good for 2-3 years depending on how many recharge cycles you run it thru.
When it does stop recharging fully, you can go to UsedPDAparts or other services recommended by BrightHand.com for replacement battery.
Mine is running for 4-5 hrs depending on whether I'm running music or just reading text.
Older users reported better mileage but I recharge daily or more.
I have to read a lot and tend to use it for Video and MP3s.
Other users have less usage and can go a week without recharging so I think it's more clear when reporting run times and specific app usage.
Wifi/Blue Tooth will definitely use more juice.
I'll replace the bat.
By a pro or learn to solder a replacement when the time comes.
Check out BH for other PALM TX specific questions.
The issue for new owners is if they are also running Vista 6.2 desk or older XPs which take the old Desk 4?
Just fine. You might find the newbie questions and responses full of info to help you decide.
They had a big inventory clearance last T-day.
I bought all of my PDAs online thru AMazon and other than a really bad beginners experience with a E2 no issues.
I found the best support thru the PDA community and the most coronary inducing stress thru Palm's defunct customer service.
Not to say Palm wasn't helpful but it only covered the basics.
If it wasn't in the manual, nobody there could help.
Brighthand are all longterm users so they have all sorts of info.
The Palm is no longer continued and it's just inventory clearance but when it's only a couple of hundred bucks, it's a fairly good deal compared to a 500-700 HP device.
Whoops, sorry people.
I didn't realize the OP was in 2007 since i was looking at 2009 replies.
I'd say for anyone curious, post your questions on BrightHand for 2009 and let's start a new thread especially for Vista troubleshooting.
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[Deleted by the author on Jan 29, 2009 6:17 PM PST]
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I also am having problems with the TX digitizer.
I have only had the TX for 3 months :(.
Re-calibrating the digitier only results in a modest inprovement on its accuracy for about 3 hours.
I am getting rid of it & getting a asus MyPal A626.
Too bad, the palm TX could have been just what I need.
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