Newbie needin' advice

[bdc]

So I have only owned one PDA in my life and that was a Zire. I gave up on it because it wasn't backlight. I have started looking into a Pocket PC recently to keep up with notes in class, etc. I'm a college student and would like one of the newer video iPods, but I figure a PDA would fit better. Plus I need to get organized! Anyone have any recommendations??? Thanks!

[Darius Wey]

It depends on your budget. Dell offers a good price/performance ratio, plus they always seem to have 15-20% off sales (e.g. today - http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/compare.aspx/pda?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs).

The Dell Axim X51 (520MHz) or Dell Axim (624MHz) might fit your needs. Both have 802.11b Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Windows Mobile 5.0, an SD card and CF card slot, and 64MB RAM (for program execution).

The X51v has a few advantages: namely, a VGA screen (which is stunning compared to the QVGA screen of the X51; great for videos, reading eBooks, etc.), 256MB ROM (as opposed to 128MB ROM; in Windows Mobile 5.0, ROM acts as data storage space, which you can further expand with a memory card), and an Intel 2700g GPU (which helps with 3D games, video playback, and you can even use its VGA-out feature (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,41409:dont_paginate,1) to output a video or presentation on a projector).

I see you wanted a fifth-generation iPod initially. If you want to be the envy of your friends, then go with the X51v. Video playback on the iPod cannot compare to that on the X51v. The screen on the X51v is that much better. ;)

[bdc]

i like the Dell Axim, but price wise I'd have to wait til summer for it. I am looking into buying a used HP for around $200. Tthen selling it near mid-summer and buying either a very nice Dell or HP. :D

Thanks for the advice! If anyone else has any go for it!

Brian