What type of PDA should I get?

[SEVENCROSS]

I'm in the market for a PDA (personal digital assistant), which is best considering, price, features, expansion, reliability, etc. Thanks SevenCross

[LarryM]

iPaq is good.

[zeaal]

I have the same question. Gift for spouse. Look forward to the answerS (cause I know there will be many).

[PackerBoy]

My advice ... Buy a used or still new (older model "mint in box") at an online auction (like eBay, for example). Then see if you like it or use it.

If so, you will decide on your own what make/model/features to upgrade to later on. I started in 1997 with a Palm Pilot Professional, and I still use it. Haven't seen one with all of the buttons and whistles yet that I can't live without.

Key questions:

1. Do you need color?

2. Do you need wireless email or paging?

3. Do you need to be able to play vidoes (MPEGs) or music (MP3)?

4. Do you plan to do computing on it (and need Windows CE, to run Word, etc.)?

5. What do you need it for?

Just my two cents worth.

[Johnny B.]

You're not the first to ask. Here are some earlier comments.

[SEVENCROSS]

Thanks abunch, SevenCross

[dix]

Palm Pilot V. It fits in your pocket. It keeps your business in order. NO need for the color.

[green team 1999]

i have a phillips nino 500,for a few years,lots of software included,is color and i can use a screen keyboard if needed, also can download five webpages from internet.

[JRandomFreeper]

I always recommend the Visor. Handspring is the company that devoloped and licensed PalmOS to Palm. They wrote the book on PDAs.

/john

[martin_fierro]

I've used the Handspring Visor Deluxe for the past two years. It's about $175 now, and you can get it online or even at Target. It uses the Palm operating system, has a USB connection for synching with your PC, and and expansion slot to add "expansion modules" of various types (GPS, MP3 player, basic digital camera, etc).

Key questions:

1. Do you need color?

   The Visor Deluxe comes with a colored case, but the screen is monochrome. Visor also makes a more expensive model called the Prism that has a color screen.

2. Do you need wireless email or paging?

   You can add a cell phone plug-in module to just about any Visor for wireless e-mail.

3. Do you need to be able to play vidoes (MPEGs) or music (MP3)?

   To my knowledge, the Visor deluxe isn't good at playing videos, but you can buy a plug-in module to play MP3s.

4. Do you plan to do computing on it (and need Windows CE, to run Word, etc.)?

   The Visor's Palm operating system won't run Windows programs (Excel, Word) directly, but there IS software for it that "translates" Excel & Word files back & forth between the Visor & your PC.

5. What do you need it for?

   I've found the Visor to be VERY useful for keeping all my notes, appointments and contact information handy. Mrs. Fierro has a similar model (the Visor Platinum and swears she can't live without it.

[RobFromGa]

I highly recommend the M2002.

It works great,

the price is right,

comes in three packs,

works with regular writing instruments,

available virtually everywhere,

never needs batteries,

no reported bugs,

stored documents interface easily with std fax or copy machine,

all software is included in low package price,

automatic backup,

random-access "finds",

upgradeable at low cost,

very stylish,

available in a range of sizes and colors,

it IS TRULY the dream assistant:

[martin_fierro]

Well, I misspoke. It appears that Visor isn't making the Deluxe model anymore -- it's been replaced by the slightly faster Visor Neo ($169). But all the expansion modules should still work in the Neo.

[Big Bunyip]

HP Jornada (pocket PC). After having a Palm for a few years, this is a revelation. No need to learn Grafiti and it syncs like a dream (most of the time, anyway, and if it doesn't, it's a snap to fix).

Even the camera attachment works beautifully.

[Sawdring]

I would wait until they combine a computer with a phone that can also play video and connect to the Internet wirelessly. They could call it a smart phone.

[semimojo]

Gladwell, is that you?

[Sawdring]

Malcolm Gladwell?

[semimojo]

Malcolm Gladwell?

Everyone's favorite futurist (except for maybe Newt).