Is a PocketPC right for me?

[Tusin]

Hey yall, new here, thinking about getting some sort of PocketPC PDA. First I have no clue which one would be good for what I want to do, second, I am not 100% it is even right for me. All I am looking to do really is Mp3 playback, Browse the Web (just with a Phone line connection for now, so I assume I will need a modem), email etc.... Like very very basic laptop useage, but I really do not want a laptop nor spend the money for one. Ohhhh yeh I know back in the day you could use a Palm Pilot and use it like a remote control for your TV and what not? Can you do this with the lastest Pocket PC's? I know this might seem like a stupid reason to get a PDA, but I am planning on buying a $200.00 remote anyways, and if the a PocketPC can do this, then Hey why not save some cash;). So what do yall think? Is a PocketPC right for me?

[Don Tolson]

You can do all of what you want, including the remote with an iPAQ 2200 series. (Or any other Pocket PC which comes with NEVO software bundled in).

[Pat Logsdon]

Hey yall, new here
Hi there - welcome!

Mp3 playback
There are several excellent mp3 players for the Pocket PC (PPC):
-WinAmPaq (http://www.freewareppc.com/multimedia/winampaq.shtml) (free)
-GS Player (http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA032810/gsp.htm) (free)
-Pocket Music (http://www.freewareppc.com/multimedia/pocketmusic.shtml) (free version)
-Pocket Player (http://store.conduits.com/pocketplayer.html) ($19.95)
-WithMP3 (http://www.ppc4you.com/show.cgi?softid=6015) ($15)

And a few more that I can't remember off the top of my head. :)

Browse the Web (just with a Phone line connection for now, so I assume I will need a modem)
There are several browsers available for the PPC. Every PPC comes bundled with Pocket IE, which works fine in a pinch, but there are others, like:

-Multi IE (http://www.zipworld.com.au/~peterept/#sw_multiie) ($14.95)
-PIE Plus (http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&jid=8CF97A1EF5B72FCDD31XD61BB3193352&platformId=2&productType=2&catalog=0&sectionId=0&productId=84128) ($14.95)
-Thunderhawk (http://www.bitstream.com/wireless/client_index.html) ($49.95 for 1 year)
-Spb Pocket Plus (http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&jid=8CF97A1EF5B72FCDD31XD61BB3193352&platformId=2&productType=2&productId=50351&sectionId=0&catalog=30) (has some handy PIE tweaks - $9.95)
-Skweezer (http://www.greenlightwireless.net/services/skweezer.asp) ($9.95 for 1 year)

And again, a few more than I can't remember.

email etc....
As far as email goes, I've never needed anything other than the "Inbox" that every PPC ships with. If you need something with more firepower, you can always pick up WebIS Mail (http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&jid=8CF97A1EF5B72FCDD31XD61BB3193352&platformId=2&productType=2&productId=48295&sectionId=0&catalog=1) ($24.95).

Like very very basic laptop useage, but I really do not want a laptop nor spend the money for one.
If we're talking about a laptop replacement, let's not forget that you can get a folding keyboard of one type (http://www.thinkoutside.com/products/stowawayxt-oview2.html) or another (http://www.dell.com/us/en/gen/learnmore/learnmore_pdakeyboard_snp_popup_pda.htm) for most PPC models. 8)

I know back in the day you could use a Palm Pilot and use it like a remote control for your TV and what not? Can you do this with the lastest Pocket PC's?
Yes. I believe that most of the Ipaq line of PPC's have consumer-grade IR, and come bundled with Nevo (http://www.mynevo.com/nevo_pda.htm) remote control software.

Is a PocketPC right for me?
Sounds like it! Browse the forums here a bit, see what people are using, what they like, what problems they're having, and I'm sure you'll find something that you like!

[Tusin]

Wow thanks yall, greet information. Yeh I am going to browse around and see what I like, looking through the local ads I see some Toshiba's and HP PDA's for right around the $300.00 mark, and yes I was thinking of getting a little keyboard thingy;)

[jpjehu]

IMHO - the new 805 is getting great reviews for web-surfing. that's not why i got mine, but i hear the resolution difference makes all the difference for the web.

additionally - to answer your overall question - yes pocket pc's are always right for everyone...you included (regardless of needs)

[Thinkingmandavid]

Since you can use it for the reasons mentioned above it is a good idea. If you ever want to do more day planning you already have a tool for doing it. More than likely you will buy it and see there is so much more you can do wihtit that you just may do that. A remote wouldnt have the extra features :wink:

[Tusin]

Who makes the 805? I am looking to spend right around the $300.00 mark or so, any more suggestions?

[Jon Westfall]

If you're up to the $300 range, and you have a cell phone now (that maybe aging), think about a pocket pc phone edition. The most popular one, the XDA (Sold in the US as the T-Mobile Pocket PC or Siemens SX56 on AT&T, sold in US as XDA, Sold in Germany as MDA, sold elsewhere as the QTek...all the same stuff), may be something you'd be interested in. The IR range isn't too good for remotes, but it packs a punch in other areas. Since the XDA II is now out, a lot of decent used XDAs will probably be floating around ebay soon.

Welcome to the group!

[Thinkingmandavid]

The e805 is more than 300. 00
The e405 is in the 300.00 range.

They both have great screens, nice to see them. Play some games on that, and of course all the stuff you wanted to do on it and more :wink:

[Tusin]

Ok so the e405, I will look into that. I live in Alaska and we dont have any Pocket PC based phones Yet, we JUST got phones with color screens, lol. I am planning on buying local from BestBuy/CompUsa/Office Depot, but if I can find a refurb or just a better deal online I might go that route.

[Tusin]

So I am really leaning to the e405 by Toshiba. One question tho, which modem can I use with that? The only modem I have been able to find is this one http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=293045&pfp=BROWSE

[Thinkingmandavid]

That modem willnot work because it is a compact flash modem, the Toshiba e405 is using a secure digital slot. Are you wanting a modem that you can connect to a phone line only, or are you interested in being using your cell phone with bluetooth technology so where your cell phoneis you can have web access?

[spursdude]

If you need something with a CF slot, consider the iPaq 2215 - it has CF and it's an all-around great Pocket PC.

[Thinkingmandavid]

2215 is a good choice, it is around 399.99...Compact flash on a ppc would give you more of a variety such as what you are wanting to do with the modem. HOwever, if it is net access there is also the option of using a wi fi Secure digital card. But they dont work on Toshibas :roll: