Basic reading PDA for wife

[acant05]

I am looking for a PDA for my wife with PPC 2003 OS. I don't need gaming, WIFI or BT. Will be running Repligo, TextMaker & Bible software primarily, maybe Acrobat too. I have had a Toshiba e310 for 3+ years. I feel a similar but more recent vintage iPAQ (not TOO recent :-) - price) would fit the bill. Preferably SD card. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Al Cantley

[Darius Wey]

The iPAQ h4150 might be a suitable device (you should be able to find it on eBay). It's compact and features both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It also features an SD slot, so you can add a memory card for more storage space.

[CookieKid]

The iPAQ h4150 might be a suitable device (you should be able to find it on eBay). It's compact and features both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It also features an SD slot, so you can add a memory card for more storage space.

Let's not forget very light and thin also! :D

[Oreocat]

My main reason for getting a pocket pc was for reading, and that's still it's main function, although games do come a close second ;)

I just upgraded from an Asus 620 to an iPaq hx2415 w/2003se. Aside from having to soft reset 5-6 times a week, even with the rom update, it's a fantastic pocket pc for my reading usage. The screen is beautiful, bright, clear and with a great white balance, even better than the 620. One extremely lazy day, I spent 5 hours reading an old favorite, and the battery was still at 40% when I finally went to bed!

They're a little hard to find now, but I know they have some new ones on Ebay, with the buy outright price ranging from $270-$300, if that's within your price range.

Good luck :)

[Hrun]

Why not look at a rz1710. I got one in a tomtom package for the missus as she wanted gps.

Now she uses the pda more than the gps & is well chuffed.

[Ripper014]

Go with something with the largest screen possible... and possibly VGA... I would go with a Toshiba e800 there seems to be a run of them at a very good price lately... in the range of $250.


http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=121459

[heov]

if you don't absolutely need the Pocket PC os, Look into the Palm TX. Great screen,, and failry large i may add, especially for book reading. Has lots of onboard mem as well.

however, it does ahve both BT and WiFi, in a nice package for 300 bucks.

In terms of Pocket PC's, i'd consider a used device. If you're willing to spend over 300, you should be able to find the axim x51v in your price range after the occaisonal coupon, though that device my be overkill.

although the rx1955 from HP may seem likea good candidate, I don't suggest it for many reasons.

[BigDaddy]

I would say since this your wife (the love of your life), I would say go with the hx4700 and a pair of bluetooth headphones. The screen is large enough for microsoft reader and PDF files. The headphones will come in place for audio books and MP3s. Both products are available on ebay for about 50% to 66% of the retail cost.

~Good luck

[Menneisyys]

I would say since this your wife (the love of your life), I would say go with the hx4700 and a pair of bluetooth headphones. The screen is large enough for microsoft reader and PDF files. The headphones will come in place for audio books and MP3s. Both products are available on ebay for about 50% to 66% of the retail cost.

~Good luck

I'd also go with the hx4700, as far as VGA devices are concerned because

- largest screen (4"), as with the e800/e830
- lowest minimal backlight (very important in total darkness!) - in this respect, it's far better than the e800/e830 AFAIK
- great battery life

It, however, lacks the jog dial.

As far as Palm OS devices are concerned, there're both pros and cons in choosing them. You may want to read http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40806 and http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=39067 on this.

[pocketpcadmirer]

I would say, go get a X50V of DELL, if you can find one..its simple nice.

Sunny :)

[Ripper014]

Ok.. let me say it one more time... the e800 is the ideal PPC device for reading (4 inch screen and a VGA screen)... the price is right ($250)... it does have a "jog dial" which without question is the perfect tool to advance a page when reading.

On a side note it has either BT or Wifi... and the e800 also has the Ati chipset (same as the Hp4700) and I believe that the $250 includes the presentation pack (allows video out). It may not be the newest unit on the market... nor does it have an update path to WM2005 but it is the best value (IMHO) on the market.

And no... I don't own one.

[pocketpcadmirer]

Various Fujitsu models also have jog dials.

Sunny

[Paul Martin]

Last year, I got my wife an ipaq 1940, which has PPC 2003. Yes, it has bluetooth, but she never uses it, so I just keep the radio turned off. Mostly, she just uses it to play games and a little PIM use. A couple of months ago, I broke mine, so she let me borrow hers. I do a lot of reading and some MP3s. After I got used to not having a side "jog dial" (on my Jornada 568), it's a nice LITTLE pda. It's pretty bright, especially compared to my Jornada. It does have an SD slot. I'd recommend it.