Web surfing on a PDA

[katrina011]

I am not new to PDA's but new to wireless web surfing on one. Can anyone tell me if web surfing and posting on message boards is a pain on a PDA? I originally wanted to get a laptop but have the need for a PDA to keep with me as well so I started thinking maybe I could prolong getting the laptop if I got a new PDA with wireless capabilities and could do limited web type things on the PDA.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Brad Adrian]

I am not new to PDA's but new to wireless web surfing on one. Can anyone tell me if web surfing and posting on message boards is a pain on a PDA? I originally wanted to get a laptop but have the need for a PDA to keep with me as well so I started thinking maybe I could prolong getting the laptop if I got a new PDA with wireless capabilities and could do limited web type things on the PDA.

Thanks in advance for your help.

It really depends on the Web site/newsgroup. For example, Jason's got the forum here set up VERY nicely, and you can read and post messages easily wirelessly. On the other hand, to interact on "regular" Web-based newsgroups (like microsoft.public.pocketpc), you really need some kind of newsreader. Unfortunately, neither of the most popular Pocket PC newsreaders do a very good job IMHO.

Personally, I access this site and forums wirelessly a lot and really like how well it works.

[Pat Logsdon]

I am not new to PDA's but new to wireless web surfing on one. Can anyone tell me if web surfing and posting on message boards is a pain on a PDA?
I don't think it's a pain at all. In fact, I'm writing this at a Starbucks over a GPRS connection via my BT phone. When I'm at home, I can post via my inexpensive WiFi network. :mrgreen:

I originally wanted to get a laptop but have the need for a PDA to keep with me as well so I started thinking maybe I could prolong getting the laptop if I got a new PDA with wireless capabilities and could do limited web type things on the PDA.
The only limiting factor I've found is the connection speed (GPRS is not particularly fast, WiFi is), and the speed of Pocket IE. It's by no means a deal breaker, though - PIE just doesn't render as fast as current desktop browsers because it's based on older IE code.

The only thing I'd recommend is that you invest in a folding keyboard if you plan on doing much email or posting. It's much easier and faster for text entry than the on-screen keyboard options. I picked up a refurbished keyboard for my 4150 on eBay for ~$50.

Hope this helps!

[Janak Parekh]

Apart from Brad's and Pat's tips: if you ActiveSync your Axim, and your PC is connected to the Internet, you should be able to start Pocket Internet Explorer and try surfing your favorite sites without any additional hardware. It'll give you a good idea of the experience. :)

--janak

[katrina011]

It really depends on the Web site/newsgroup. For example, Jason's got the forum here set up VERY nicely, and you can read and post messages easily wirelessly. On the other hand, to interact on "regular" Web-based newsgroups (like microsoft.public.pocketpc), you really need some kind of newsreader. Unfortunately, neither of the most popular Pocket PC newsreaders do a very good job IMHO.

Personally, I access this site and forums wirelessly a lot and really like how well it works.

Thanks for the help. I am thinking this may work perfectly for me. Now to figure out which PPC to get. I sold my Axim X5 :cry:

[katrina011]

I am not new to PDA's but new to wireless web surfing on one. Can anyone tell me if web surfing and posting on message boards is a pain on a PDA?
I don't think it's a pain at all. In fact, I'm writing this at a Starbucks over a GPRS connection via my BT phone. When I'm at home, I can post via my inexpensive WiFi network. :mrgreen:

I originally wanted to get a laptop but have the need for a PDA to keep with me as well so I started thinking maybe I could prolong getting the laptop if I got a new PDA with wireless capabilities and could do limited web type things on the PDA.
The only limiting factor I've found is the connection speed (GPRS is not particularly fast, WiFi is), and the speed of Pocket IE. It's by no means a deal breaker, though - PIE just doesn't render as fast as current desktop browsers because it's based on older IE code.

The only thing I'd recommend is that you invest in a folding keyboard if you plan on doing much email or posting. It's much easier and faster for text entry than the on-screen keyboard options.

Thanks for the input. A keyboard would be a must.

[katrina011]

Apart from Brad's and Pat's tips: if you ActiveSync your Axim, and your PC is connected to the Internet, you should be able to start Pocket Internet Explorer and try surfing your favorite sites without any additional hardware. It'll give you a good idea of the experience. :)

--janak

There's something I didn't think about. I need a new PPC because I sold my Axim when times got tough. Off to research!

[Ripper014]

By tough times I assume that you mean finances... I can understand that. However if you are in the market for a new PocketPC... I would wait... if you can afford a new device I would be looking for the arrival of the Asus A730... if you still have some financial challenges then a used Hp2200 might be a good fit. It seems that there have recently been a run on these on all the "For Sale" boards...