PDAs - Palm or PPC?
Discussion
Still trying to decide what to replace the Psion 5 with and I don't seem to be able to find any decent comparisons between the two operating systems. Can the Palm OS be synched with 'Outlook' for example? Are there any real benefits to either system or is it just a case of personal preference? Any help much appreciated.
Probably worth pointing out that I'm not a computer wizard (like you hadn't guessed!
) and the home system runs Windows XP but I don't want to just roll over and give Bill Gates more money if the Palm setup is just as easy to use!
Probably worth pointing out that I'm not a computer wizard (like you hadn't guessed!
) and the home system runs Windows XP but I don't want to just roll over and give Bill Gates more money if the Palm setup is just as easy to use!
I've just bought my first having sought advice through PH.
Bought the XDA II and totally recommend it thus far.
Synched with my XP Outlook automatically.
Paid £170.00
Only problems so far is I want to buy more things to add to it!
£500 will buy me the TomTom Bluetooth Sat Nav full Euro / UK package and car holders.
£100 will buy me enough memory to store a stack of mp3 CDs and the above maps.
Easy to kiss goodbye to £800 - £1000!
Bought the XDA II and totally recommend it thus far.
Synched with my XP Outlook automatically.
Paid £170.00
Only problems so far is I want to buy more things to add to it!
£500 will buy me the TomTom Bluetooth Sat Nav full Euro / UK package and car holders.
£100 will buy me enough memory to store a stack of mp3 CDs and the above maps.
Easy to kiss goodbye to £800 - £1000!
GCerbera said:
Easy to kiss goodbye to £800 - £1000!
I'll get my coat. Seriously though as much as I dislike Microshite software having a compatible PDA is a must so if you're using Windows+Orifice then get a PocketPC PDA rather than a Palmjob.
That said, it is possible (and there are apps) which will sync palm with Office, it's just not as 'native'.
I would also argue that you will get a higher performance PDA then you would with a Palm, but you'll also pay the premium.
The iPaq range are usually a good bet, particularly now they've expanded their range to all levels.
I suppose the question you have to ask yourself isl do you just want something to hold your contact details or are you interested in the whole mobile computing saga (ie wireless net surfing / email, GPS, portable MP3 playback, portable DivX playback etc).
I was fed up with carting round loads of my toys (iPod, phone, PDA + numerous attachments). The only thing I carry now is my XDA plus a 0.5Gb SD card (for MP3's) and and SD Wifi cards (so I can use wifi hotspots - or rather netstumble!)
Steve
Palm all the way. It synchs with outlook in amuch more flexible way than the MS kit does. hence my MS one being sat on top of my monitor not working because i can't get it to synch for some reason (there are NO options to change for it), and why i'm now on my 5th Palm. Not hugely capable bits of kit, but will do everything that outlook does and more. If you want fancy GPS stuff and the like than go for a MS one.
I've worked in the Palm/PDA industry for 8 years now and you will get varying advice from each platforms' advocators. As mentioned above, really consider what you want to use it for? If it's for a mobile copy of your calendar/contacts/email (PIM) then just select a device you like the look and feel of - they all do this commendably. Also consider the new breed of Smartphones for this use to - i.e. the Orange SPV. If you're after using the device in a much more 'mobile' way, i.e. GPS navigation, wireless internet, MP3, etc., then the MS products are more suitable. I must admit, I haven't had much Palm exposure recently, but have heard they are very good from friends in the industry.
One thing I have consistently noticed is that the Palm devices have a significantly longer shelf live, both in hardware and firmware. Microsoft seems to update the OS every year and new devices come out regularly. Spend £400 on an iPAQ or similar and it will be out of date in a year.
The latest BlackBerry devices are also excellent for mobile email/calendar an my choice, particularly if you have the office infrastructure to support it.
Hope that helps...
One thing I have consistently noticed is that the Palm devices have a significantly longer shelf live, both in hardware and firmware. Microsoft seems to update the OS every year and new devices come out regularly. Spend £400 on an iPAQ or similar and it will be out of date in a year.
The latest BlackBerry devices are also excellent for mobile email/calendar an my choice, particularly if you have the office infrastructure to support it.
Hope that helps...
page3 said:
Rotaree said:
Still trying to decide what to replace the Psion 5 with...!
There is NO decent replacement to the Psion 5 - even after all these years.
Tried CE, tried Palm, Tried Epoc 7. Ended up with a Treo 600. Good, but not as good as the Psion.
I don't understand this, my father has been through a similar issue, he wanted a clamshell device so he can actually type on it rather than scribble on the screen (lets face it, the old 5 series had a stonking keyboard for such a small device).
In the end he's managed to get hold of a Jornada 720 but it's an obsolele piece of kit and a complete bastard to get current apps for.
I would imagine its the proliferation of sub-notebooks and cheap laptops that have destroyed the clamshell device market.
Shame though
>> Edited by fatsteve on Friday 5th March 10:42
[quote]Palm all the way. It synchs with outlook in amuch more flexible way than the MS kit does. hence my MS one being sat on top of my monitor not working because i can't get it to synch for some reason (there are NO options to change for it), and why i'm now on my 5th Palm. [/quote]I had far more syncing problems when I had a Psion, then a Palm than I have ever had with my iPAQ.
rpguk said:
Well now Psion are flogging shares in Symbian we can hope they will move back to what they do best. I must say I'm surprised that no one has stepped into take over their place in the market though.
I have mixed views in Psion, whilst they were the pioneers of PDA technology, they sat on their arses counting the cash (Psions where expensive compared to other PDA's, not to mention their de-facto gold card). Like all of these cases they were overtaken by the competition that produced a better alternative ie something that integrates with desktop applications. I'm not a huge fan of Bill Gates either, but someone had to take the bull by the horns and standardize OS's / hardware spec so that application developers could fill the void (adds competition to 3rd part vendors etc).
I'm glad that the Symbian arm has re-invented itself and their phone OS's are great. My Nokia 7650 had the Series 60 and it's a superb OS. I guess there will be a MS/Apple type debate in the future as phone OS's start to converge, this is obviously great news for the consumer.
there you go
www.oldschool.net/newton/papers/index130.html
Was big when red braces, brick sized mobiles and owning a Porsche was about status (oh sorry, forgot it is..)
www.oldschool.net/newton/papers/index130.html
Was big when red braces, brick sized mobiles and owning a Porsche was about status (oh sorry, forgot it is..)
:-)
it was a sarcastic comment.
I think they (Apple) are doing really well now that Steve Jobs has returned to the helm.
The Newton featured in the Simpsons and early episodes of the X-Files.
But the company (Apple) is leading the way now with design led products (iMac, iPOD) so maybe its time they revisit the PDA market.
Or they could do what Sony has done and design their own version based on the successful & popular Palm platform.
Useful links:
www.pixell.net/newton/
MP3's on a Apple Newton !
Very interesting article "Fans wave their Newtons in silent protest"
www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,54580,00.html
>> Edited by robertuk on Friday 5th March 15:13
it was a sarcastic comment.
I think they (Apple) are doing really well now that Steve Jobs has returned to the helm.
The Newton featured in the Simpsons and early episodes of the X-Files.
But the company (Apple) is leading the way now with design led products (iMac, iPOD) so maybe its time they revisit the PDA market.
Or they could do what Sony has done and design their own version based on the successful & popular Palm platform.
Useful links:
www.pixell.net/newton/
MP3's on a Apple Newton !
Very interesting article "Fans wave their Newtons in silent protest"
www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,54580,00.html
>> Edited by robertuk on Friday 5th March 15:13
robertuk said:
:-)
it was a sarcastic comment.
I think they (Apple) are doing really well noe that Steve Jobs has returned to the helm.
The Newton featured in the Simpsons and early episodes of the X-Files.
But the company (Apple) is leading the way now with design led products (iMac, iPOD) so maybe its time they revisit the PDA market.
Or they could do what Sony has done and design their own version based on the successful & popular Palm platform.
Useful links:
www.pixell.net/newton/
MP3's on a Apple Newton !
Very interesting article "Fans wave their Newtons in silent protest"
www.wired.com/news/mac/0,2125,54580,00.html
>> Edited by robertuk on Friday 5th March 15:07
If Apple went back into the PDA market, it could be quite interesting, following on from the iMac and iPod. It would probably be a highly desirable toy craved for by graphic designers and Audi TT drivers up and down the land. Even more style over substance...
Steve
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