Anyone use a PDA that isn't a smartphone? Help please,

[scubadude]

It seems that all the PDA type electronics made now are tied to cellphone technology. Well, my wife is volunteering at the zoo and needs a PDA to store at least 25 meg of Doucuments stored in Microsoft Word format. She does not want it to be a smartphone.

I have no personal knowledge of the use of these things and am having difficulty finding current reviews for PDA's.

If any of you use PDA's for storing and carrying this kind of data please chime in.

What kind of PDA do you use and do you like it?

Any tips are appreciated,

Thank you,
Scuba

[Heddi]

1. My husband has a Palm TX handheld

We got it last year...word is they're (palm) not going to make non-smartphone PDA's anymore, which I think is crap. He uses his for work (we're both nurses) and he had all kinds of medical-related garbage on his and he likes it....although thinking about it, he's never actually *taken* it to work and used it for work-related things....it just sits on a shelf for that ONE DAY that he decides to use it for work. Sigh.

A quick look on palm and they don't sell any non-smartphone PDA's. I know that was a problem when hubster went to get his because we didn't want a phone (already had one) and the Palm was the only one we could get. Wanted a Dell handheld but they stopped those as well.

Good luck. Maybe she can find one on Ebay....I'll see if hubby wants to sell his :)

[scubadude]

6. Why doesn't he use it?

Is it simply time pressure? Nursing is a very high pressure situation and I could see why one wouldn't want to appear to be fooling around. Yet at the same time I could see how a PDA could really help out.

Thanks for the tip and the prediction? Hmmmmm...

Scuba

[Heddi]

18. It's a useful tool

but he doesn't do medication calculations (one of the programs)---pharmacy does those to decrease errors. The computers at the hospital have the drug and diagnosis guides that he has on the PDA, and all the rooms have computers, so when he's giving meds that he's unsure of, it's easier to use the computer at the RN station or in the patient's room than to pull out the PDA and use it.

Fooling around is not part of it. Many RN's do use PDA's, and all of the MD's here do, too, but it's just simpler to use the ever-present computers that have the same, and often more frequently updated, information.

Gud luk

[Frank Cannon]

14. I have a T/X, too, and it's like my second brain

I love that little machine. They'll take it away from me when they pry it from my cold dead hands. I actually ditched my smartphone for it. For PDA functions, the Palm is absolutely superior in every way.

I just checked the Palm web site and was shocked to see that you are correct. No more PDAs!! Unfuckinbelievable.

[KatyaR]

19. Me, too. I can't exist without my T|X.

I didn't realize Palm wasn't selling them any more, I guess I'll need to get another one in case something happens to mine.

[johnnie]

2. I have this one

http://www.amazon.com/Mio-P550-3-5-Inch-Portable-Navigator/dp/B000HI0IL6


I got it a few months ago and it is pretty cool. I got it because I wanted a GPS and this has that and other things, but it's not a phone. It comes with Windows Mobile 5 and it has Mobile Office (which has WORD). It also has bluetooth and WIFI.

It has been discontinued, but you can still get them. Probably get them cheaper than what Amazon has them for too.

[scubadude]

5. Now that is interesting!

We have a GPS for the car but this would be cool!

Seems like it is a very versatile PDA and more.

I'm curious if you have the capability of adding maps and waypoints or something like that. If she could add a map of the zoo she could use it to help navigate folks.

Thank you for the suggestion. Off I go to research again!

Scuba

[scubadude]

7. Can your P550 read .pdf files?

This is a requirement I have just discovered.

Thanks,
Scuba

[johnnie]

9. Not right now

But here is a program that you can get for free that seems to be able to do it

http://pocketxpdf.sourceforge.net/

There seems to be more programs out there for it also.

Another
http://www.download.com/Adobe-Reader-Pocket-PC-/3000-2064_4-10260234.html?tag=mncol

[blogslut]

3. Try Ebay

Look for older Palm models:

http://cell-phones.shop.ebay.com/items/PDAs-Pocket-PCs__palm_W0QQLHQ5fBINZ1QQLHQ5fIncludeSIFZ1QQLHQ5fPriceZ10Q2eQ2e50Q40cQQQQ_catrefZ1QQ_flnZ1QQ_mPrRngCbxZ1QQ_sacatZ38331QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em282

[leeroysphitz]

4. I'll bet you ten bucks that if you look on Craigslist for a week you'll find a Palm TX

or tungsten for under 150.

[leeroysphitz]

29. !

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/ele/1022121759.html

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/ele/1020715857.html

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ele/1020331085.html

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ele/1017936484.html

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ele/1017654146.html

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/ele/1017029483.html

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ele/1016769856.html

[scubadude]

31. Thank you leeroysphitz!

I was looking yesterday on Craigslist and got the number for a fellow who has a Palm TX for sale for $160.

The problem is my wife wants a new one.... She is still deciding, now that she knows how much one costs.

I buy used often (I'm an audio nut and prefer getting yesterdays best at a price I can deal with today) and sell things on Craigslist too.

Thank you again, your effort appreciated.

If you are ever in the market for high end audio stuff, many times at a fraction of the cost new, look at www.audiogon.com.

Best,

Scuba

[leeroysphitz]

32. That's a cool site. I used to spend all my money on audio back in the 90s then I discovered computer

and had to make a choice. (plus my ex-wife got all of my equipment I couldn't face starting over.)

Good luck. :)

[kentauros]

8. This is what I use, though it's not a PDA, just the PDA software:

AlphaSmart Dana

16mb onboard with two SD slots.

I love it and use it almost daily for writing :D


What about any of the various electronic-ink "readers", like the iRex or the Kindle? I don't know if they store Word docs or not, but they do store plenty of eBooks.

[scubadude]

33. That is a very cool device,

especially for someone who has to type (like me!). I don't know if it would be practical for a docent at the zoo though. Unfortunately size matters in this case, with little being better. They do a lot of walking and must carry everything they need on their person.

My wife was impressed by another docent who, when asked a question about an animal, whipped out her PDA and rattled off the answer in a matter of a few seconds.

They have about 25 meg worth of .doc and .pdf files that they are required to carry for this zoo. That is a bunch to carry around in printed form, which some do!

Your device seems perfect for an aspiring writer however, which my wife also is. Dang!
Thank you for your advice,

Scuba

[kentauros]

37. You're welcome, Scuba!

:D

I didn't think it was exactly what was needed after seeing all the posts about PDA-like devices and such, but it is perfect for writers and journalists. It's pretty lightweight, is only a word-processor (though other models allow for email and the like) but as I am also an aspiring writer, I didn't want "distractions". We all know how addictive DU is ;)

I hope you find something. I saw that other thread announcing the larger eReader, though it's only a reader and doesn't allow for writing to it (that I am aware of.) I do hope to see that kind of thing developed into a true electronic notebook.

[NYC_SKP]

10. sorry, iPhone here. But it reads documents.

Do you not want a smartphone because you don't want the monthly charges?

[scubadude]

11. Yeah, expense plus the potential for theft, and the fact that

we have recently re-upped with our cell phone provider.

This is mainly going to be a tool to carry info on the hundreds of different animals in the zoo.

25 meg of mixed .doc and .pdf files so far. It's a big zoo.

Thanks,
Scuba

[NYC_SKP]

12. Need it just to read the docs and pdfs, or to edit them and write, too?

There might be some simple readers, sans keyboard entry.

[scubadude]

13. I believe the input necessity is minimal.

I have been looking at ebook readers now.

So much to learn! I love it.

Thank you for the suggestion.

Scuba

[Frank Cannon]

16. The Palm Tungsten T/X mentioned above

...comes with Dataviz Documents-to-Go onboard. This allows you to carry and view/edit Microsoft Word and Excel files in their native format. It also came with a disk with the Palm version of Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing (but not editing) pdfs.

My brother is a physical therapist and has a T/X too. He has a ton of medical and anatomy references and Word and Excel documents on it. We both use ours just about every day. The T/X is a great machine, and even though Palm's not making them anymore, I believe I still saw one on the shelf at Staples just a few weeks ago, so you may still be able to get one there for a song.

[scubadude]

20. Palm Tungsten T/X, Palm T/X, are there several flavors?

I'm looking but can't seem to find a Palm Tungsten T/X. I can find the Palm TX.

Am I missing something?

Thank you,
Scuba

[Frank Cannon]

21. They're the same thing

Palm dropped the Tungsten label shortly after they brought the T/X out. Sorry about the confusion.

[Lucian]

15. Looks like I'm out.

I have a BlackBerry Storm smartphone (which is way better than the iPhone), and it can read Microsoft Word format documents, as well as Excel and PDF.

[JCMach1]

17. Smartphones are probably the ONLY version of Windows that works pretty well

I have no complaints with my Samsung PDA

[Frank Cannon]

22. I had it up to my neck with Windows Mobile Smartphone Edition

on an HTC Dash.

For all the PDA functions that I use regularly--checking e-mail, checking an assortment of reference materials, managing my ever-changing schedule, and carrying MS Office documents on the road with me without having to lug a laptop--I found that I had to go back to a regular PDA and good ol' Palm OS with Graffiti.

[JCMach1]

24. Nary a problem with my Samsung

Also, excellent for music and video... just plug in my 8gig micro sd's and away I go.

Also, love the Yahoo to go app

[Deja Q]

25. The Blackjack II is awesome, but I found my Tilt has a better antannae

Otherwise, no complaints on the BJ II and, indeed, the version of Windows Mobile included with the BJ II grew on me more quickly than the Tilt's, even if the Tilt has full touchscreen capability. Weird. And I don't often care for MS's products.

[JCMach1]

30. Exactly, the only version of Windows that is actually pretty good!

I rarely turn my phone off and only find myself doing a turn-off/on reboot once every month or two.

Other mobile OS's are good too. In fact, would love a Linux phone...

I am just sold on Samsung quality at the moment. They seem to have gotten where Sony was a few years back (quality-wise). And, they make damn good phones.

[Frank Cannon]

27. My T/X does videos and mp3s as well

And the screen is twice the size of your standard Windows Smartphone.

To each his or her own. De gustibus non est disputandum.

[mentalsolstice]

23. Ipod Touch.

eta: Sony Reader PRS-700.

[qb]

26. Beware of used PDAs. I went through 3 Sony Clies. The electronics on each fried within a year.

[nickinSTL]

28. I use a Palm Z22

I don't know if they make them anymore (too lazy to look it up), but it has no phone capabilities...to load stuff on it I need a mini-USB connection to a computer.

I love it. It's great for reading ebooks (I get free stuff off Project Gutenberg - though you can also buy stuff for it), keeping shopping lists and notes, contact information, a calendar, and occasionally it's nice to have the world clock and...I'm addicted to solitaire...I always have either a book or a game of solitaire available if I'm bored. It also has a minimal program with nutritional information on various foods, which can be useful occasionally to help me estimate how much protein I'm eating (I'm on a low-protein diet, so have to keep careful track of how much I eat).

[scubadude]

34. We picked up a Palm TX off Craigslist for $160.

I'm hoping the battery has some life in it. If it doesn't I can replace it for about $10 or so and some soldering. No big deal.

The TX is in excellent shape physically. Came with a charger, USB data transfer cable, OS and application disk, flip cover, hardshell case, stylus, about 10 screen covers and various pieces of paper documentation. Looks like the full package plus.

Now it's time to figure out how to use this thing.

The problem will be how to most efficiently organize my wife's zoo data and figure out what program to use to access it.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated as is your help so far.

Thanks again and best,
Scuba

[scubadude]

35. Thanks again for your advice

After a few hours of fooling around I've got this thing loaded with all the zoo docs and pdfs my wife needs, plus an ebook reader and a few books and a dictionary. Got it playing video's. Wow, this thing is awesome!

Don't have a WiFi spot to test it at but that will be next.

Now I want one!

Thanks again,
Scuba

[Heddi]

36. Glad you got one

aren't they fun>

[Frank Cannon]

39. Ha ha. Glad you're having fun with it.

The other cool thing about Palms is that there's a ton of cool free or cheap stuff out there for them. You could, for instance, load all of H.P. Lovecraft's stories at www.memoware.com. And make sure you get the Planetarium app at http://www.aho.ch/pilotplanets/.

[CatholicEdHead]

38. iPod Touch

with the new apps you can do everything an iPhone can except make calls.