why remain with the PPC? or why not remain with a Palm?

[ipaq_wannabe]

it is quite known now that PalmOS is getting its behind kicked by WinMobile... and there is no doubt about it - when it comes to the quantity/quality of applications, interconnectivity, functionality, etc...

however, lets concentrate on the basics - memory management, stability, etc...

i mean, let us be honest with ourselves - we ALL know of our gripes with ActiveStink (there are still no options for PDA overwriting the Desktop)... a dysfunctional memory (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40531&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0) wherein there are no safety checkpoints along the way that would cause problems... or the required number ROM updates (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=39679&highlight=)... the numerous hard resets...

so, i ask you all - why still remain with the PPC? (it doesnt have to mean that we have to defect to PalmOS since there are lots of other mobile OSes out there)

[Menneisyys]

so, i ask you all - why still remain with the PPC? (it doesnt have to mean that we have to defect to PalmOS since there are lots of other mobile OSes out there)

Because it offers far more functionality than Palm OS. For me, this means decent MP3/speex sound recorders (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/newsl_jkwg/JKWG_02-22-05.htm), decent CHM (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=348027)/PDF readers, decent VGA screens, decent image viewers and digicam tools (http://menneisyys.freeweb.hu/PICVIEWERS) (and just-tolerable browsers...).

BTW, I also have a Palm Zire 71 but I don't use it as much as my to most recent PPC PDA's, the 2210 (PIM and sound recording) and the PL720 (everything else). Mostly, I only play games on it.

[surur]

PPC's have only become better as time has gone on, including stability, battery and quality of hardware etc. You needs may have outgrown the limitations of these devices however.

Obviously the device to go for is the one that does the job and gives you satisfaction. I think as geeks mature, and their disposable income increases, they are less inclined to put up with the sacrifices of small devices, and are also less likely to be moving around all over the place requiring a mobile device.

They then get disillusioned with PDA's, but don't know why.

I suggest you analyse your needs, and you may find you are better off with a laptop/ tablet pc. Sometimes a simpler device such as a smartphone or even dumb phone may be all that you need in conjunction with this also.

Surur

[emuelle1]

Yep. My wife recently asked for a wireless laptop so that she can get on the computer more easily and still watch our son. We found an awesom 12" Averatech notebook. If I had the money, one of those would be easier to keep around than a Pocket PC. It would be a little larger, but no more so than carrying a planner.

[egads]

I suggest you analyse your needs, and you may find you are better off with a laptop/ tablet pc. Sometimes a simpler device such as a smartphone or even dumb phone may be all that you need in conjunction with this also.

Surur

I've purchased my last PDA (Dell X50v). I'd like to get a Smart phone but I want a clam shell, and as far as I know, there are no supported clam shell smart phones out there that can be purchased in the USA and used with Cingular. The Audiovox SMT5600 looks nice, but I'd rather have a clam shell :(

Anyone know of any up and coming clam shell Smart phones :?:

[whydidnt]

Well, there is the Motorola MPx 220, if you can still find it anywhere. it would seem to meet your requirements of a clamshell smartphone for Cingular.

It doesn't look like Cingular is still selling it, but I would imagine if you searched other retailers, such as Amazon or the like you may find one.

[Patrick Y.]

it is quite known now that PalmOS is getting its behind kicked by WinMobile... and there is no doubt about it - when it comes to the quantity/quality of applications, interconnectivity, functionality, etc...

however, lets concentrate on the basics - memory management, stability, etc...

i mean, let us be honest with ourselves - we ALL know of our gripes with ActiveStink (there are still no options for PDA overwriting the Desktop)... a dysfunctional memory (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40531&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0) wherein there are no safety checkpoints along the way that would cause problems... or the required number ROM updates (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=39679&highlight=)... the numerous hard resets...

so, i ask you all - why still remain with the PPC? (it doesnt have to mean that we have to defect to PalmOS since there are lots of other mobile OSes out there)


Pocket PC just offers A WHOLE LOT MORE than Palm. (better software, design, wireless, etc.) Also, there are lots of choices for Windows Mobile devices. Though, I agree that Microsoft REALLY NEED TO work on the stability and bugs of Pocket PCs. :roll:

[buss]

I loved my Palm, and for years swore by it, and at it! Problem was a pure seamless interaction with Windows Outlook.

I use Outlook (With a Franklin Covey PlanPlus front end) for everything and needed the same on my pocket device. Palm conduits were not reliable and would drop data or duplicate data.

Made the switch to a HP 415X and have been happy ever since.

[ipaq_wannabe]

it is quite known now that PalmOS is getting its behind kicked by WinMobile... and there is no doubt about it - when it comes to the quantity/quality of applications, interconnectivity, functionality, etc...

however, lets concentrate on the basics - memory management, stability, etc...

i mean, let us be honest with ourselves - we ALL know of our gripes with ActiveStink (there are still no options for PDA overwriting the Desktop)... a dysfunctional memory (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40531&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0) wherein there are no safety checkpoints along the way that would cause problems... or the required number ROM updates (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=39679&highlight=)... the numerous hard resets...

so, i ask you all - why still remain with the PPC? (it doesnt have to mean that we have to defect to PalmOS since there are lots of other mobile OSes out there)


Pocket PC just offers A WHOLE LOT MORE than Palm. (better software, design, wireless, etc.) Also, there are lots of choices for Windows Mobile devices. Though, I agree that Microsoft REALLY NEED TO work on the stability and bugs of Pocket PCs. :roll:

yes - i would have to agree on you on that...

one of the main reasons that i dumped my Clie VZ90 (the most expensive one with the OLED screen) is in its connectivity... due to new assignments and responsibilities in my current job, i then find myself travelling a lot - and i may be in a place where there is only a WiFi connection (no problem for the Clie), but the majority may be in places wherein there are only ethernet ports (no LAN card works with the Clie), or dial-up modems (no modem card works with the Clie). and of course, i did not want to stress myself out by buying extra accessories, etc. just for some connectivity...

and well, since ive used a PPC before; i mean, why not try for it again...

and though there are the usual hard reset hiccups, the Mass Storage Driver issue (well, as of this writing there is an app called Card Export II for PPC); i think ill just be right at home

[biglouis]

As a former PDA retailer who was involved in the early growth of the consumer market I was a heavy supporter of Palm until the end of last year. My support was mainly based on the fact that until Windows Mobile 2003 the CE/Mobile platform was pretty crappy and the Palm OS one stable and straightforward. I think the biggest advance has been a stable and easy to use version of Activesync which in the early days was nothing short of complete and utter rubbish.

As per usual, after beta testing several commercial releases on the unsuspecting buyer Microsoft finally got it right as a result. If anyone thinks I'm being a tad harsh on MS, I'd point out I have been intimately involved with their products since about 1980 so I think I have earned the right to make this type of comment.

However, with the release of Mobile 2003 and better versions of Activesync I really began to feel that Palm was a bit dated and were no longer delivering on their promise.

Firstly, their basic apps have barely improved since the original Palm Pilot. I know that the argument is that you can augment all the basic functionality with 3rd party apps but that basically means you have to ask yourself whether the hardware and OS are an advantage?

I just go to the point where I felt the hardware was unimpressive and the OS was also ho-hum. Each Palm device I bought developed faults after about a year of use (most annoying was the degradation of the digitiser which happened which each device on a regular basis). I did swap to a Treo 650 but I felt it was too heavy and too underpowered although the phone/PDA integration is awesome.

I bought the i-mate JAM part on impulse part on frustration at the thought of waiting a long time for the 650 and then possibly finding out that it was little better than the 600.

I must admit being attracted to the new Palm Lifedrive but I think it is too little too late. I've now invested a lot of time and energy going up the Windows Mobile learning curve and I'm not changing out of that any time soon.

I regret the diminishing power of Palm. The word itself has entered popular language like Biro for a ballpoint pen and Hoover for a vacuum cleaner. I also liked the idea that I did not have to be entirely dependent on Microsoft for all things. But I'm also a realist. Palm has had a good run and may even be able to continue in analagous way to Apple but I'd bet good money that it will not be the platform that 95% of consumers will be using five years down the line.

And it gives me no pleasure to make that final statement.

LouisB

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Interesting topic. I've been using PPCs for so long, I've stopped thinking about the competitors. I don't even know if my original reasons for choosing PocketPC are still valid. Certainly, I've invested a lot of money into great software solutions, so there's the return on investment to consider. The software library now reigns supreme IMO in terms of selection and variety over the competitors. I also love that the file system works seamlessly with the standard Windows file system. Transferring files back and forth using removable media is a snap. The screen resolution (I have a 4700) can't be beat. No other platform out there can top the video playback capabilities. Until a few years ago, none of the others could play music files in stereo sound (and since I'm an OGG user, I'm not sure whether or not I could find an adequate solution with another platform). Combined support for BT, WiFi, SD, and CF are hard to find outside of PocketPC.

I find that I don't have to deal with too many major issues with the PPC. Over the years, I've sacrificed using some of the more daring & individually developed software solutions in favor of more established (and oftentimes more expensive) titles which I believe helps my device's overall stability.