so tough to decide...

[corduroy]

hey all...
i'm having a hell of a time deciding on a pda! first i was considering palm but (IMO) they are rather backwards for how much they cost (poor screens and no CF support). but they do have a large database of medical programs (i'm pre-med).

Currently i'm debating between the Toshiba e335, Viewsonic V35, Dell Axiom X5, and the iPaq 1910. tough decision eh?

The most important thing that i'm looking for is a small PDA. the X5 fails in that dept. 2nd, I would like 802.11b capabilities. None of these units have it integrated and the e335, V35 and 1910 don't have CF capabilities. Battery power is important I've read that the 1910 gets only ~4 hours. The e740 is nice, but my price range is ~300$ max.

so, what do you all think? should i just try to hold off or is their something out that I should look into?

Thanks.

[corduroy]

hey all...
i'm having a hell of a time deciding on a pda! first i was considering palm but (IMO) they are rather backwards for how much they cost (poor screens and no CF support). but they do have a large database of medical programs (i'm pre-med).

Currently i'm debating between the Toshiba e335, Viewsonic V35, Dell Axiom X5, and the iPaq 1910. tough decision eh?

The most important thing that i'm looking for is a small PDA. the X5 fails in that dept. 2nd, I would like 802.11b capabilities. None of these units have it integrated and the e335, V35 and 1910 don't have CF capabilities. Battery power is important I've read that the 1910 gets only ~4 hours. The e740 is nice, but my price range is ~300$ max.

so, what do you all think? should i just try to hold off or is their something out that I should look into?

Thanks.

[ThomasC22]

Axim it is then.

At least, between the choices you presented. The problem is, if you NEED 802.11b support right now, then you need a CF card (there are SD WiFi options being developed but none coming out immediately).

That rules out the e330, V35, and 1910 all in one swoop. A point you already made but you said "integrated" which led me to believe you might not realize that these devices can't take CF cards AT ALL (the 1910 is not "ipaq sleeve compatible".

The e740 (and it's successor) and the iPaq 5450 are out because of the price (as are the iPaq 9xxx series btw). As a matter of fact, if you're looking at only new PDA's (as opposed to used off ebay) you can't even afford a iPaq 38xx series on $300.

Also older Toshiba's (namely the Maestro) are also out because of battery life.

So, either get the Axim (probably your best bet) or look at picking up an older PDA (the only one I can think of would be the Jornada but if you go with that watch out, it only supports Type I CF which a lot of WiFi cards are Type II)

Good luck!

[ECOslin]

Do listen to all the rants for a month or more before you decide. You will get more info on faults and 'wish I hads' in this forum in a week than listening to the initial design crew of whatever PDA for a month.

Edward

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by ThomasC22

Axim it is then.

At least, between the choices you presented. The problem is, if you NEED 802.11b support right now, then you need a CF card (there are SD WiFi options being developed but none coming out immediately).

Sorry, but I think you're wrong. He specifically said that size was his most important criterion and that the Axim failed. WiFi was only his second priority.

Unless his priorities have changed, he should go with the smallest model (probably the iPAQ 1910).

Originally Posted by ThomasC22

The e740 (and it's successor) and the iPaq 5450 are out because of the price (as are the iPaq 9xxx series btw). As a matter of fact, if you're looking at only new PDA's (as opposed to used off ebay) you can't even afford a iPaq 38xx series on $300.

Actually, there are iPAQ 3835s for less than $300. Over Thanksgiving, I saw a Best Buy ad (in Arizona) for an iPAQ 3835 for $250 (probably after a rebate). It was probably a Thanksgiving-only deal, but maybe it will be offered again before Christmas. Whether the 3835 is small enough for Corduroy is another issue.

Also, what is the iPAQ 9xxx series? Was that supposed to be the 39xx series (which would be too pricy right now)?

Steve

[ThomasC22]

Originally Posted by Pony99CA

Sorry, but I think you're wrong. He specifically said that size was his most important criterion and that the Axim failed. WiFi was only his second priority.

Unless his priorities have changed, he should go with the smallest model (probably the iPAQ 1910).

...ok, I've made the "it's not that big" speech before so I'll save you the annoyance other than to say...the Axim IS NOT THAT BIG

Seriously though, holding one in my hand, it's just as big as an iPaq and has more options. Check these out: Pics of Axim and Ipaq

Originally Posted by Pony99CA

Actually, there are iPAQ 3835s for less than $300. Over Thanksgiving, I saw a Best Buy ad (in Arizona) for an iPAQ 3835 for $250 (probably after a rebate). It was probably a Thanksgiving-only deal, but maybe it will be offered again before Christmas.

Well, I just looked on line and couldn't find a price (lower prices locally, who'd a thunk it?) Although he'd still have to pay for the CF sleeve and since size is important he'd probably have to opt for the more expensive Silver Slider which would place him over the $300 mark even with your deal.

Originally Posted by Pony99CA

Also, what is the iPAQ 9xxx series? Was that supposed to be the 39xx series (which would be too pricy right now)?

It was late and I couldn't find my '3' key

[toshtoshtosh]

Get the viewsonic and wait for an SD Wi-Fi card to be released.

[ThomasC22]

Originally Posted by toshtoshtosh

Get the viewsonic and wait for an SD Wi-Fi card to be released.

Well, the other issue is that Pre-Med students usually need more than 32 megs of ram and if he needs a slot for WiFi and a slot for SD that might make a difference...

Plus, we don't know for a fact when SD Wi-Fi cards will be out. It could be a while.

[portus]

In fact, with the budget around $300 and a need for Wi-Fi, there's no other choice than the 300 MHz Dell Axim X5. You need to take into account the cost of the Wi-Fi card.

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by portus

In fact, with the budget around $300 and a need for Wi-Fi, there's no other choice than the 300 MHz Dell Axim X5. You need to take into account the cost of the Wi-Fi card.

Again, he said he would like WiFi; he did not say that he needed it, and he said size was the most important factor.

Steve

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by ThomasC22

...ok, I've made the "it's not that big" speech before so I'll save you the annoyance other than to say...the Axim IS NOT THAT BIG

Seriously though, holding one in my hand, it's just as big as an iPaq and has more options. Check these out: Pics of Axim and Ipaq

The Dell may not be that big, but I don't find my iPAQ too big. However, many people do -- it's a matter of individual taste. And here's an interesting quotation from someone in the iPAQ 1910 thread:

Originally Posted by ThomasC22

Wow, that is tiny. Really, you could say it's Palm V size...It's funny, but height (or lack thereof) might just be the trump card for HP.

So while the Dell may not be that big, apparently you felt the 1910 was that small. :-) And what was corduroy's #1 criterion? Size.

Originally Posted by ThomasC22

Well, I just looked on line and couldn't find a price (lower prices locally, who'd a thunk it?) Although he'd still have to pay for the CF sleeve and since size is important he'd probably have to opt for the more expensive Silver Slider which would place him over the $300 mark even with your deal.

Well, you're the one who brought up the 3800 series; I was just tellling you that some could be had for less than $300.

As for a sleeve, why would he need one? WiFi was a want, not a need. :-)

Steve