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General discussion

Palm or Pocket PC?

Mar 3, 2005 11:18PM PST

I've got a problem: I want to buy a pda, mainly for appt., calendar and contacts info. I'm on a budget, so I'm looking into Palm Tungsten E or Dell Axim x30. They are about the same ($199.00), but I don't really know what I should go for. Any suggestions?

Discussion is locked

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re:
Mar 4, 2005 6:47PM PST

if your a windows user, go for dell axim 30. palm is different from pocketpc, if your a beginner, your going to have a hard time learing the grafitti (its a writting tool for palm), unlike in pocket pc, you can easily write by using transcriber, no need to learn any writing tool.

moreover, tungsten e has no wi-fi nor it can be upgraded to wi-fi, but unlike in dell axim 30, if you have enough money to purchase the same, then you may have wi-fi on your pocket pc.

in the end, choosing is upon your discretion

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RE: RE:
Apr 3, 2005 11:31AM PDT

Tungsten can be ugraded to wifi

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Go for the Palm
Mar 10, 2005 1:02PM PST

The graffiti is not hard to learn. Unlike Pocket PC it is very intuitive and does not require you to search files (just like the real windows version). Palm is PERFECT for the features your looking for. WiFi? Once you try to connect to the internet you will feel like taking a nap before most pages load. And alot of sites are not supported by the IE version that comes with Pocket PC models. I have had both types of handhelds and the Palm is by far the easiest to learn and use on a daily basis. I own a Tungsten E and absolutely love it! Don't even bother to think anymore, get a Palm and go for the E!

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Consider the Palm
Apr 9, 2005 5:58PM PDT

To be upfront before reading further, I have been using Microsoft based PDA's and PC's for many years. I even build my own PC's.

Having said this, I have at times lost my contacts/addresses and appointments during a sync "last week", which has made me somewhat irritable and down right PO'd. Good news, after a few hours I fixed the problem which was due to Windows 2000, Microsoft ActiveSync and Pocket PC 2003 not being able to play well together. I won't go into detail.

It just seems too much time is spent on making software work and Sync correctly. I think the PDA should work for the Owner not the other way around.

Ok, moving forward. If you are looking for keeping Appt., Contacts and Files, you might want to seriously consider the Palm PDA.
I think that the Palm OS is more straight forward in general use and in storing and retreiving information. I think it Syncs easier as well.

As I said, I personally "currently" use a Pocket PC and find it to be an excellent PDA but, information is sometimes dificult to find or retreive on demand. It seems you have to drill down too much to find something. Excel and Word files for example. Yes, I did and do use shortcuts, but are you sure you sync'd correctly with your PC? Now you have to dig to make sure. Oh, if you file away Excel and Word Files by categories, you better make sure the same structure is setup on your pc and that ActiveSync has the files listed under options to sync said file. No, you can't just drag and drop without opening folders on both the pda and pc. Makes my head hurt. How much time do you really have?

To be fair, I have quite an extensive Calendar and Contact file. I also have quite a few folders by category. I need it for business and need it on demand. Don't we all?

I don't like to negative but the number one problem with the Pocket PC is the availability of the correct version of after market software. There have been so many different versions of Windows CE, Windows HPC, Windows HPC Pro, and Pocket PC making it difficult at times finding one that is compatible with the newest PDA's OS. Can you say upgrade? This is where I think a person can spend too much time looking on the internet for the right software or OS upgrade.

Did I mention you can Sync a Palm with an Apple or PC based computer? Did you know there is more Palm OS based software on the open market?

Go to any online PDA software site and compare the number of available programs for each PDA and OS.

Bottom line, the Hardware is OK for both units. They both are expandible. Check the included memory Size and battery life for each.

It's the software that makes all the difference. What appears to be a good deal can end up costing more.

Did you check out the Tungsten and Zire models?

I wish you well.

Been there and done it too.

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Go with the Palm
Mar 26, 2005 4:45AM PST

The Tungsten T3 is a great unit. They're on sale
now since the T5 has come out. Having owned both
windows based and palm types of units I'd say the
palms have been a lot less trouble in general. Unless
you need WiFi go with the palm T3 since it has lots
of memory.

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palm
Mar 30, 2005 7:09PM PST

the palm is MUCH more user friendly, and based on your needs, the palm is what i would suggest.

i see pocket pc as more of a business pda.

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GO WITH PPC; AXIM
Apr 3, 2005 3:35AM PDT

GO WITH THE AXIM, it not only has a better OS (Pocket PC lets you do much more than Palm, even though it lacks the free software). Also, the Axim has a good warrenty. I've owned a Tungsten E and returned it because its look was overall a bad experiance, made me feel like a moron using it because it seemed to have been made for monkeys and such. Also, the video and mp3 playback was horrible and choppy. Dell is definately better overall and you won't regret its features.

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Go Pocket PC
Apr 7, 2005 12:37PM PDT

I was a Palm user. After changing PDA's every year due to the low quality of Palms, I went Pocket PC. Oh, my God! What a difference! I am a Pocket PC buff since then.

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Go for the Pocket PC
Apr 10, 2005 9:21AM PDT

Its more functional and easy to use. It synchronzies with your PC perfectly. MS Money, Outlook, Excel, etc.. The compatability and the WiFi are excellent.