Update.

[chaoswolf]

Not sure if anyone can help me out. Palm doesn't like me (or I don't like them, one of the two.) I had 2 Tungsten E's that are both dead & non-savable. I had nothing vital on them, but it was nice to have one. I'm looking at getting a new one, and the HP iPaq or one of the Fossil wrist-PDAs are all I can think of. The disadvantage to the Fossil ones is that I already have a watch, thus will be difficult. With an HP, that I can easily shove into a pocket. Minor request is for someone to help me out. netolu: If you're reading this, what's the stats on the PDA hunt for Handspring?

Anyways, I took the family for sushi tonight with my paycheck. Was a bit more expensive than last time, but it's okay. I can splurge once in a while. Hehe. More to come later, probably tomorrow.

Comments

[postrophe.livejournal.com]

Sushi Good!

(You must join us at FC for our annual family/friends/loved ones sushi run to Todai.)

[chaoswolf]

We'll see if I can get off-radio long enough to do so. I'm Gofur Mom, remember?

[mdlbear]

I don't think you'd be happy with the watch. I'd suggest a Treo or some other cell phone/pda combo, but they're bloody expensive and you'd have to pay full price if you got it before next September or so.

It depends a lot on what you want to do with it; if all you need is a calendar, Sharp and others have "organizers" that aren't PDAs and are much cheaper.

[justeps.livejournal.com]

The major problem with the watch PDA is poor battery life; you'd need to recharge it every other day or so.

General advice: Assess your needs

• It must ...
• It should ...
• It would be nice if (but I can live without) ...
• I'm really not looking for something that ...

Add to that "I'm willing to spend up to..." and see what's on the market.

Consider shopping online. dealnews (http://dealnews.com/), in its various incarnations, is an incredible resource for finding bargains.

1. Look in Categories > Computer > Handhelds & PDAs for current deals.
2. Under "dealcoupon" e.g. you can find 10% off purchases from the Palm Store (through the end of the year).

I'm happily using a refurbished Palm PDA. Two places to look:

1. The Palm Store (http://store.palm.com/)'s "Factory Outlet"
2. Overstock.com (http://www.overstock.com/) Electronics & Computers > Computers & Hardware > PDAs & Handhelds

"Open Box" means "like new," but it will be in different packaging and may be missing things like printed documentation and/or "bonus software" that might be included in a retail box. "Blemished" means it's fully functional, but looks disreputable. If you don't like today's selection, check back tomorrow. Stock changes frequently.

The "right" credit card can help as well; e.g. some automagically extend manufacturer's warranties. The type of card might make a difference as well:

• VISA Discounts (http://usa.visa.com/personal/discounts/index.jsp)
• Get More (http://www.discovercard.com/discover/data/cashback/getmore.shtml) with Discover

Good luck with your quest.

[chaoswolf]

This may seem like a dumb question, but would it take more than an entry level PDA to have WiFi?

[mdlbear]

A little above entry level, I think. I know the Tungsten C has WiFi, and I think there may be a Zire with it. Certainly some of the Windows monstrosities, if you want to go that route.

Some older ones may be available via the used/refurb/demo market.

[chaoswolf]

I wasn't too happy with palm's battery life when I had the Tungsten E model. The windows monsters though evil look like they may be beneficial. I'm willing to take another look @ the palm C, but I don't know exactly.

[mdlbear]

I don't think any of them have particularly good battery life. WiFi, especially, eats up power the same way talk time on a cell phone does, and for the same reason: you're powering up a radio transmitter. It sucks, but...

[mdlbear]

Backlit color displays eat power, too. The old black-and-white palms were limited, but they had terrific battery life. It's a trade-off, I'm afraid.

[chaoswolf]

Well...I think wifi would be a good added bonus, despite the fact it sucks rox.

[mdlbear]

I agree; it isn't the WiFi that sucks, but what it does to your battery life. Depends on what you're using the box for.

If you're likely to be dragging along a laptop anyway, you may not want to bother with WiFi on your PDA. If you prefer to leave the lappy at home, go for it.

[chaoswolf]

would like to not have the lappy around in the hotel room. besides, not convenient having the lappy in your pocket to take #s down.

[mdlbear]

True, but you don't need a net connection to keep track of calendar and phonebook.

[chaoswolf]

we can talk about this later, I s'pose. Mind if I have a look @ your tungsten C sometime?

[mdlbear]

I'll try to remember to bring it home.

[chaoswolf]

That's right...it's Richo's property, isn't it?

[mdlbear]

Yup. So's the Nokia tablet, which is much cooler and IIRC about the same price.

[drewkitty.livejournal.com]

I am fond of the entry-level iPaqs with wireless. Don't buy more PDA than you need today, because tomorrow they will be MUCH cheaper.

[mdlbear]

Second the wireless (WiFi, not cell or bluetooth.) Especially when you're at home or someplace like Baycon.

I'll note in passing that the Nokia 770 has both WiFi and Bluetooth, and I'm very happy with mine. But they're on the high end of the price scale, at about $375. Low-end iPaq will probably work fine.

[mesiunu.livejournal.com]

Wherre's my sushi? *looks at you with big Doe-ish eyes and pouts I luff sushi :(

[imonkey50.livejournal.com]

You might consider combining your phone and your PDA. I've got a Verizon 6700 that works really well for me.

[mdlbear]

Except that I happen to know she's roughly halfway through a two-year contract on the old phone. And phone/PDAs are overpriced, to say nothing of Cingular's data prices.

[selkit.livejournal.com]

*Random dash-by nuzzles and huggings*

...Eeee!

*Darts to work. Caffeinated fox. Bad thing.*

[netolu.livejournal.com]

Check eBay, is what i've been needin' ta do. Kind of busy with stuff, but that's honestly the best check for the older handspring units. You might find some buried in a stock off the Palm website, but not likely. They killed the handspring 'cause it was better then their own models.

Back to eBay though, best bet. Prices vary and as typical with it: If you don't see what you want, check again tomorrow. That's about the best I can do from here. Oh, and listen to what mdlbear said too.

[selkit.livejournal.com]

*Scufflescuffa-scuff-scuffs at pup-pantlegs, coiling up tightly around an ankle. Limpetfox!*

Awrh. Missed you today, was workin' on fursuit bits. I'll pester you tomorrow night, though. *Nosebumps 'n kisses*