Pocket computer or PDA - what's your experience?

[frankfriend]

Real mobile computing as I see it, will often require being able to get to:
1] regular applications [word processing, spreadsheets, databases]
2]email
3]internet access
4]messaging & calendars etc
5] wifi access

6] possibly telephpne - tho I am quite happy for it to be separate

The real problem is that most of the PDA's have such small screens and keyboard facilties that I just can't see them being that great.

Besides which the PDA class seems to be dying off.

I am therefore considering the pocket computer or ultra small laptop class. The Asus EEE seeme to be about the right target size, tho smaller would be even better. They seem to be about the affordable price level.

What is your experience of using these classes of equipment, and do you have any recommendations.

The `key criteria as I see them are:

a] small & light
b] large color screen so you can see the internet
c] a decent keyboard

If only the Psion series had kept going!!!!

What do you think?

Best regards

Frankfriend

 

[Sohail]

I prefer pocket computers as they're more professional and easier to use...

 

[iholla]

PDA is out for me. Due to obvious reasons. I am more for pocket computers cause the screens are bigger and they have a lot more functionality, compatibility and software available.

However, since compact means you want to have as much power as possible in a small enough gadget, then from pocket pc, I'd say the communicator is the best option.

With it you get all pocket computer power and functionality. screen size, gps, camera plus smartphone. This helps you get rid of yet another gadget...the smartphone.

Since what we are looking for in pocket pcs is portability, production capability and communication services, I'd say first choice Communicator, second Pocket PC. PDA...nah ah!

if my post was useful, add it to my reputation, thanks

 

[satheesh]

I have Pocket PC.
Really Nice.

 

[frankfriend]

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far. iholla, I guess you mean the Nokia Communicator series? Interestingly that uses the Symbian OS, which I think is the 'heir' to the Psion o/s of some years ago.

Best Regards

 

[cstamper]

I use a Palm PDA. Like it very much.

 

[iholla]

iholla, I guess you mean the Nokia Communicator series? Interestingly that uses the Symbian OS, which I think is the 'heir' to the Psion o/s of some years ago.

I actually meant pocket pc with in-built phone functionality. The Nokia communicators are greatly limited in functionality and processor speeds.

I know QTEK have a PS2 or something. Its a pocket pc with phone functionality. A Communicator. If your pocket pc can make calls, send sms, e.t.c then its a communicator.

 

[callumacrae]

I hear that the Hp iPaq series is really good.

 

[easykey]

I have an HP IPAQ 2790. Brilliant - easy to write using the stylus so no keyboard. Since its Microsoft Mobile OS theres lots of free applications for it.

I would prefer built in internet access e.g 3g or something but otherwise I have no complaints. I connect to my phone with bluetooth so no real problems.

The newer smartphones are OK but I hate the idea of having a big, chunky phone and also I often write on my IPAQ while talking on the phone...

 

[mattspec]

how much have you got to spend?

this is a brilliant phone/computer

http://www.htc.com/www/product.aspx?id=640

i currently use the blackberry curve, also a very nice phone but very expensive plans.

 

[frankfriend]

Thanks again for all the great ideas coming up.

iholla, sorry for misunderstanding you. The emphasis I guess for me should be on the pocket pc - as you say if it can also have a phone capability that's OK. Of course a pc with wifi could perhaps communicate via Skype, and that way have quite a bit of phone technology.

Alex Mac & easykey - thanks for the HP IPAQ info - that does seem to be the leading PDA/Pocket PC contender.

Mattspec - the new HTC is getting so of hohum reviews in the UK - as though it is really the starting point as it is said to be a bit bulky and heavy and not that great for the money????

Best regards

 

[kkenny]

PDA's are really becoming outdated (Palm in general, they have bad releases compared to the BlackBerry)

I think if you really want a mobile phone, go for the BlackBerry, it's a PDA and sort of a mobile office laptop in one.

Or if you're really into the Windows PC series, go with the Palm, the onmly problem with Palm is sometimes in the beginning, you get overwhelmed with options, it'll take you about 2 weeks to set everything to the way you want it.

If you really don't care about the phone part, just get a pocket pc from palm (the non phone versions) or get the ones other people have been reccomending. (I'm not so good on pocket pcs)

 

[wolf693]

My smartphone (Samsung Blackjack 2) works really great, for me at least. I got it and immediately started using it and it works great!

 

[Submariner]

Well, I guess I'm a dinosauer then. I still use my PDA, it's a Dell Axim that seems to fit the bill. I considered going with a SmartPhone but didn't want to tie myself down to a specific provider, although I don't see dropping my exisiting provider anytime soon.

As far as the small keyboard issue goes I like the various methods of input for the Windows Mobile and definitely prefer them over what Palm has to offer. Plus I sync it with both my work and home computer (although only one email account can by sync'd, you can set others to use SMTP and leave msgs on the server to be captured by your main box).

Well, that's my 2 cents...

Take care and good luck hunting down your choice.

James

 

[frankfriend]

Hi,
These are really useful comments.

The IPAQ seems to be the leader in the PDA area. I had read recently that the new HTC id very expensive, and a bit clunky? Whatever happened to those small Compaq Pocket PC's?

Best regards

 

[circuitz4u]

My iPod touch serves as a great pocket computer.
Safari (Web browser), Mail, Notes, Music, Videos, Photos, iTunes store, Calendar, Weather, Stocks, Calculator, YouTube, Contacts, it goes on and on!
They have great battery life too!

 

[ThePaintGuru]

I like to think of myself as a power user of PDAs, so when I have one I want to be able to do some real work on it. That's why the last PDA I bought was one of the old clamshell HP Jornadas: it had a keyboard. The keys were tiny, but large enough that I could actually touch-type on them, similar to a Psion (if anybody knows what they are).

Now, no PDAs have attached keyboards anymore like the old ones did, and that has pretty much turned me off to them. Sure, you can attach a folding keyboard or a thumboard, but you're still left using a portrait screen that really isn't designed to display a document at all, let alone a full width page. The HPCs could do that, which is why I wish they were back .

Jornada 728 (It's smaller than you think)
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?cc=us&product=82118

 

[frankfriend]

Hi PaintGuru,

The Jornada, and the Psion are the type of machine I quite like - because they have a keyboard and a screen.
That's why I was thinking of an Asus EEPc.

Anyone tried one?

Best regards

 

[ThePaintGuru]

I haven't but thanks for pointing them out. I've got to wonder why the EEPC website has links to every search engine, social networking site, and map site on each page though. Reminds me of a parked domain

 

[CoolFinalFan]

BlackBerry all the way, a much better device!