PDA buyer

[morficus]

I'm looking into getting a PDA, but I don't know much about them [yet]. So I've been reading stuff about them and I've came to thte conlution that...

- must be a PocketPC (not Palm)

- At least 32mb of RAM

- backlight color screen

- cardreader slot (SD would be nice)

- nothing over $250

- joystick would be nice, but not a must

WiFi, Bluetooth and all of that is not important right now.

I don't need a 'thumb board' (pointless...)

But there are still some unasnwer questions that I could ifnd anywhere...

Like....

- what options do I have when it comes to the OS? Is Windows Mobil all there is?

- can I install another OS after?

- does the proccesor speed really matter? what is a good speed?

I was looking at some Toshibas and now I was going to look at some HP's and Asus.

Any recomended brand or specs I should keep a look out for?

[Gabureiru]

try iPaq h2215 from HP/Compaq.

[morficus]

thanx for the sugestion, but that doesn't answer my original questions.

btw: any reason you like HP over Toshiba or other brands??

[Silverity]

For your money, I'd recommend iPaq 2210/2215 too.

It has 64Mb RAM, SD & CF slots, Bluetooth.

All PocketPCs have a joystick (well, all, but hx4700 - it has touchpad) and color screen with backlight.

what options do I have when it comes to the OS? Is Windows Mobil all there is?

PocketPC's come with Windows Mobile preinstalled.

can I install another OS after?

You can sometimes update to newer version (like from 2002 to 2003, or from 2003 to 2003SE), or you can install Linux on some iPaqs

does the proccesor speed really matter? what is a good speed?

yes it matters, 400 MHz and higher are good

Edited March 24, 2005 by Serenis

[Tungsten T]

I love my Tungsten T and recommend it to all.

Why only PPC?

[ZZOOzzoo]

- can I install another OS after?

585655365[/snapback]

Only if PPC manufacturer provides manual rom for future OS upgrade.

HP's OS upgrade support is quite poor, so consider Dell or other ones.

[aeros69]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/pocketpc/default.mspx

Try this website, it gives u some insight into what options/specs u need and what pda is right for u.

[raskren]

iPaq's are, and have always been overpriced compared to Dell. Check out the Dell Axims (X30 or X50). They're incredible values and you can often find additional coupons and rebates online.

[KayMan2K]

All modern PocketPC devices have much more than 32MB RAM, lit color screen, SD slot... but none of them have a joystick (just a 5-way directional thumb pad).

OS Option = Windows Mobile for PocketPC. A PocketPC be definition runs Windows. 2003 is the old version, 2003 SE is the current version, and 2005 will be released later.

There are Linux distros for some PocketPC devices but they don't run well and can seriously mess up your device.

DON'T GET HP

iPaq's used to be the best, but HP bought over Compaq and corrupted the product. They now look fugly and HP's customer support is "if you want an upgrade, buy a new model. I don't care how new your PocketPC is... we will not offer you the chance to pay for a software upgrade. we just don't care." Dell is pretty good and nice prices. The iPaq 5000 and 2000 series are still nice machines (designed by the old iPaq team), but HP has already declared no upgrades for them. I own the iPaq 5555 and have used the 2215 (it includes a universal remote control!). It is a small and powerful unit.

So can you install another OS? You can upgrade to the newest Windows Mobile version only if your manufacturer makes it available (not up to Microsoft) and HP doesn't anymore.. but they used to be the best in this department.

If you want to play movies and 3D games you should to get a 600mhz processor.. in addition to being faster is has some special MMX stuff for multimedia. A 400mhz processor is fine for playing 2D games and watching low resolution movies. A 203 Mhz processor will have trouble with movies (more so with DiVX) but perfectly fine for normal PIM functions. So you only need a fast processor if you want games and vidoes... the Office apps and whatnot run fine on a 203 mhz processor.

Screen sizes now come in 320x240 or 640x480.. but the latter is very expensive and certainly out of your price range.

EDIT: Typo.

Edited March 24, 2005 by KayMan2K

[Vice]

- what options do I have when it comes to the OS? Is Windows Mobil all there is?

- can I install another OS after?

585655365[/snapback]

you can install linux as an alternative to Windows Mobile 2003SE.

If you want to play movies and 3D games you need to get a 600mhz processor

Don't listen to this advice 400MHz is enough to play movies and 3D Games.

Why you think 600MHz is needed is beyond me its overkill.

[KayMan2K]

you can install linux as an alternative to Windows Mobile 2003SE.

Not on every device. It has the potential to completly screw up your PocketPC. No PocketPC Linux distro is good enough to use on a daily basis. This is a fun project to work on, but for everyday use you really only have 1 option... Windows Mobile for PocketPC.

Don't listen to this advice 400MHz is enough to play movies and 3D Games.

585665811[/snapback]

A 400 Mhz processor cannot play back a 640x480 DiVX video file at acceptable speeds and as media codecs get more complex.. the playback gets slower. It can handle 320x240 video OK and lower bitrate WMV.

Some 3D games can run fine on a 400 Mhz when they use minimal 3D elements or are optimized specifcally for the processor (few are), but the newer ones do have trouble playing at decent speeds, especially at 640x480 resolution. Ports of Doom, Duke Nukem, Quake don't run well on a 400Mhz processor.

If the 400 Mhz processor is accompanied by an ATI Imageon graphics chip or the added MMX functionality then the multimedia tasks are certainly boosted.

[morficus]

okay, so here is what I have narrowed it down to.

analyzing what you guys have told me, I've decided to go with a dell.

HP and Asus are too expensive and Toshiba is not all that stable.

My options are:

axin x50 (415mhz)

- $259

- sleek design

- 1100mah battery

or

axim X30 (624mhz)

- $279

- faster CPU

- 980amh battery, but better battery life

so what do you guys think??

[Silverity]

A 400 Mhz processor cannot play back a 640x480 DiVX video file at acceptable speeds and as media codecs get more complex.. the playback gets slower.  It can handle 320x240 video OK and lower bitrate WMV.

585666001[/snapback]

lol, I've played 1024x576 DivX on 2210, runs fine :p

[jeff_pony]

I am looking at a dell (so much cheaper than HP!) Axim X30 wireless, can this have gps added as an upgrade?

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

im fairly sure youd be able to add GPS to that...

I would highly recommend an Axim... the x30 624MHz is great... i love my x50 mid.... just wonderful. you should either get the x30 high or x50 low.

[Cube]

either x30 or x50 would be a good choice. depends if you really want a cf slot or not

[Shadrack]

i like my iPaq h1945, and enjoy what I can do with it. I think 266MHz is fast enough for me. It allows me to play some SNES games and all my old NES games on the go, and it plays video formated for it flawlessly. You can get them now for $199.

Hehe...that being said, I wouldn't buy from HP again. For exactly the reason KayMan2K pointed out: their upgrade policy is pure crap.

[KayMan2K]

I am looking at a dell (so much cheaper than HP!) Axim X30 wireless, can this have gps added as an upgrade?

585681224[/snapback]

Yes. You can purchase a Bluetooth GPS unit or a SD GPS card.