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.

[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]

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).


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]

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 :D

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 (http://www.tomchamberlain.com/Axim/)


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.


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]

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]

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]

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 :D

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 (http://www.tomchamberlain.com/Axim/)

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 (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4792&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=1910&start=97):


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.



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.

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

[corduroy]

heh, thanks guys!

I stopped by compusa today to take closer looks at all the previosly mentioned pdas.

verdict?
e335: screen is backwards compared with the V35, 1910 (and probably the X5 from what i've heard). I really liked it though, i just wish Toshiba would price it competitvely.
V35: seems like a clone of the e335 with a better screen and 100$ less.
1910: TINY (which i like), this thing was the size of my wallet billfold, I could really see myself carrying this thing around in my pocket day to day. (Same price as the V35)

WiFi isn't too important right now, I still have a few years before it will be necessary, and by that time i'll be taking huge student loans and pocketpcs will be even more advanced, so i might just hold off on that.

final thoughts: the 1910 is a great size, but it might not be the right shape in order to jot down notes or information because of its small size, but its size makes it extremely nice to carry around in a pocket. It's poor battery consumption is a problem though. I didn't get to see the X5, but if its like the larger IPAQs, then it's a good size to write on but seems rather cumbersome to carry around. It also has CF and SD slots, so there are plenty of options in case WiFi becomes a necessity.

hehe, it looks like it boils down all to size... small enough to carry in a pocket 24/7 or large enough to write comfortably with in any situation... aaaa! :D

I'll probably spend a half hour at Best Buy tommorow trying to decide :D

[ThomasC22]

final thoughts: the 1910 is a great size, but it might not be the right shape in order to jot down notes or information because of its small size, but its size makes it extremely nice to carry around in a pocket.

Not really for or against the 1910 but I would like to point out that the PDA that was the easiest for me to hold/write on is, to this day, still the PalmV. I think width more than thickness or height determine how comfortable it is to write on.