Best Windows based PDA?

Spinning Hat · Post by **Spinning Hat** » Sat May 06, 2006 8:33 am

Ok.. I've been looking at PDAs, and have decided against Palm powered devices this time around, because they're a drain on battery life, and require a ton of third party software to read Wrod docs, Email, etc. and I figured Windows CE would be a little better option.

So I pose the question to all of you: Which Brand/ model of Windows powered PDA do you use or would you recommend? technically speaking, the Dells have more power (More RAM and ROM, faster CPU, etc.) but I'm not sure on Battery Life. Anyone used the Asus PDA? There are only 2 or 3 out there that are on the market running Windows CE, so the choice isn't a terribly wide ranging one, but difficult just the same.

XMEN Iceman · Post by **XMEN Iceman** » Sat May 06, 2006 11:14 am

I have a Compaq, which I got from an executive who could not figure out how to use it and got frustrated with it.

I like it alot, I strongly recommend it.

Post by **XMEN Gambit** » Sat May 06, 2006 8:28 pm

I really like my Axim X5. It's an older model, true, but that means I could pick it up cheap.

Works great, no problems, good battery life. A bit larger than most, though, so depends how important that is to you. Definitely not something to stick in your shirt pocket. I like the flexibility of using CF and/or SD cards. Most PDAs don't use CF, but CF is fairly inexpensive and by far the most flexible. No built-in wireless, but can get a CF wireless card.

Spinning Hat · Post by **Spinning Hat** » Sun May 07, 2006 1:34 am

I'm looking at getting a refurbished Dell Axim X51 with the built in Wireless... It's not a bad price, and I like the looks of it a lot more than the HP.

BlackRider · Post by **BlackRider** » Sun May 07, 2006 7:13 pm

I'm with Ice... I LOVE my Compaq iPaq. I got that thing in 2001 and not a single problem yet! I've dopped the thing many times and it hasn't a scratch to prove it. (Dropped it once on concrete from about 4 feet... it was in its case, but that was only enough to keep it from scratching, hardly any padding at all. No harm done what-so-ever.)

All this vs my Dell laptop which I dropped 2x from about 2.5 feet and the screen went out on me.

I am looking around at the newer models though since most of them now have built in wi-fi. W/o wi-fi, all I use the thing for is solitaire and as a phone book. (I don't like to store names & #s in my cell.)

Slightly off topic... I need to figure out how to use my iPaq as a 'micro-controller'. I want to use the pins on the I/O ports to drive motors and servos. I don't want to buy a microcontroller... but I have been looking at the Basic-Stamp kits.... Otherwise I'll have to stick to my desktop serial port for some more 'static' projects until I can afford a microcontroller.

Post by **XMEN Gambit** » Sun May 07, 2006 9:01 pm

BR, it can be done, of course, but do you really want to put your PDA at risk? All it takes is one component in backwards or one short-circuit, and your PDA is history. If you want to use a PDA as a microcontroller, I'd recommend you pick up an old Palm or something for cheap. Or, if it has IR capability, use that. However, IR will be slow...

Spinning Hat · Post by **Spinning Hat** » Sun May 07, 2006 10:04 pm

Did you drop the laptop on purpose?

I haven't ordered one yet, I was going to go look at the Palm PDAs today, to see what their Tx was like, but I think I'm pretty much sold on the Axim... I just wish I could get my hands on an HP and the Dell and compare side by side. But the black and Silver of the Dell looks so nice....

BlackRider · Post by **BlackRider** » Sun May 07, 2006 10:46 pm

No Hat, I do not deliberately destroy my things... actually I was very cautious and careful with that laptop. Both times it fell were when I tripped on the cord. :\ In the end, I gave it away... I really wasn't happy with that dell... though this gateway isn't turning out much better. If the Axim turns out nice let me know... otherwise I'll probably be getting a new iPaq once I get the $$$.

Gambit, the risk is accepable... it IS a 5 year old handheld that only gets used for solitaire and as a phone book. In the end, I'll probably go through all kinds of work to get a flashing LED, then I'd get bored and move on to start the next project that will never get finished. (Like my webcam project... though I still consider that one on hold.)

XMEN Iceman · Post by **XMEN Iceman** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:01 am

BR...what model Dell laptop? I might have a screen to replace it. Opps...nevermind...I see you gave it away.

Spinning Hat · Post by **Spinning Hat** » Tue May 09, 2006 11:25 am

I'll let you all know when I get it. I'm in the "job transition" phase right now, and My first check from NWA isn't going to be a full one, so hopefully in a couple weeks I'll be able to order it.