Which Pocket PC is best for internet?

[SillyString]

I was wondering which Pocket PC was best for internet. I want it to be able to pick up my universities wireless signal so I can browse any web page and have word capabilities. Thanks for your input.

Brandon 8)

[SillyString]

I was wondering which Pocket PC was best for internet. I want it to be able to pick up my universities wireless signal so I can browse any web page and have word capabilities. Thanks for your input.

Brandon 8)

[Darius Wey]

Well you'd need a Pocket PC that has WLAN capabilities. Most mid to high range devices these days have these integrated. Also, a VGA screen would definitely be great for browsing. You would get the added screen space on top of the standard QVGA (240x320) devices.

The Dell Axim X30 (High) is actually a great buy. Although it does lack a VGA screen, it does have WLAN integrated into it, and it runs WM2003SE with a separate WMP10 ROM update if you wish to embark on that path. The Dell Axim X50v has a VGA screen on the other hand, but so too does the Asus MyPal A730 and the Fujitsu-Siemens Loox 720. These are among favourites in the Pocket PC community. However, they can be a little pricey - but this depends on your budget. There are also HP's rx3000 range which you can have a look at, or if your budget is a little tight, you can even opt for the past generation of HP's devices with the h4150 or h4155. It has WLAN and Bluetooth integrated into it, but does not run WM2003SE, so you wouldnt be able to natively support landscape display. Either way, they all have Pocket Word integrated, although it's nothing "fantastic" if you're looking to do some serious document writing. For the quick, unformatted documents, it is okay, but if you're looking for something a little more functional and advanced, you should opt for something like TextMaker as a program.

[galt]

Originally Posted by Darius Wey

The Dell Axim X30 (High) is actually a great buy. Although it does lack a VGA screen, it does have WLAN integrated into it, and it runs WM2003SE with a separate WMP10 ROM update if you wish to embark on that path.

FYI, the X30 is now shipping with WMP10... just checked!

[Darius Wey]

Originally Posted by galt

FYI, the X30 is now shipping with WMP10... just checked!

Ah - thanks for the heads up. Looks like the painful ROM update may not be needed after all. Not that I own the device anyway...

[Ripper014]

When you say the Asus a730... you should clearify for him that you mean the a730W... soon to be released model... the current a730 only has Bluetooth onboard... and you are missing the Toshiba e800 and e830 models... they would also fit his parameters...

[Darius Wey]

Originally Posted by Ripper014

When you say the Asus a730... you should clearify for him that you mean the a730W... soon to be released model... the current a730 only has Bluetooth onboard...

Actually, I was not making reference to the fact that it did/did not include WLAN. I was making reference to a VGA screen. If you read what I wrote, it would make a little more sense. Either way, you've made it apparent to SillyString that there is a difference between the A730 and A730W in terms of WLAN capabilities. That's all that matters really.

Originally Posted by Ripper014

and you are missing the Toshiba e800 and e830 models... they would also fit his parameters...

:bangin: I always forget about the Toshiba models for some reason. But thanks for the reminder. Actually, I've noticed you've got your eye on the e830 yourself?

[Menneisyys]

Originally Posted by Ripper014

When you say the Asus a730... you should clearify for him that you mean the a730W... soon to be released model... the current a730 only has Bluetooth onboard... and you are missing the Toshiba e800 and e830 models... they would also fit his parameters...

Or, get the Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox 720. It has a wonderful VGA screen and good Wi-Fi.

[Ripper014]

Originally Posted by Darius Wey

:bangin: I always forget about the Toshiba models for some reason. But thanks for the reminder. Actually, I've noticed you've got your eye on the e830 yourself?

Originally if cost was no object... and availability was a simple case of walking to the nearest brick and mortar... I would have gotten a Loox 720... I feel it has the best feature set. The Asus a730 would have been my second choice... depending on how the Bluetooth stack works... and then third the Toshiba...

However... with the much lower price of the Toshiba... now $549can (est. $392us) it is hard to ignore. Though larger it offers a comparable feature set to either the Loox or Asus... and it also features a much larger battery and screen. And in rethinking it... I would want the larger screen to maximize the working space on the PocketPC. Afterall... what good is VGA if you are not going to utilize it for working situations... ie. wordprocessor... spreadsheets... pdf documents... I would love to be able to use these functions without having to scroll...

On a smaller screen I am not sure you could have it in full screen mode easily read the text... having a prettier screen would not be my reason for moving to a VGA device...

Now I just need to be able to convince myself this is the right thing to do... and the right time to do it... as a poor starving student... (not quite.. but close... ) I need to justify changing devices... my Hp2200 suits me fine... and I have all those accessories I would need to replace... starting with a keyboard and Sena case... Don't worry... next time it is bluetooth all the way... no more device specific items...

Extra new Krussell case
Extra unused battery (charged but never used)
Extra side grips
Extra CF Dummies
CF D-Link 660w Wifi card
Hp Foldable Keyboard

and everything that came in the box... don't think I opened any of it... Plus Hp replaced my device at the end of August... so it is relatively new 3-1/2 months...

It has made my nights restless... I just can not seem to make a decision on this one...

:cry: :cry: :cry:[/quote]

[SillyString]

Ok, thanks for the replies. I want a Pocket PC around $300, and I want to use it almost soley for browsing the internet wirelessly using my universities wireless internet. How good are pocket PC's for browsing the internet anyway? How can you type without using a external keyboard? Is a Pocket PC worth buying if I want to be able to browse the internet around campus? Thanks.

Brandon 8)

[SillyString]

*bump*

Brandon 8)