Blackberry vs others

[swatsurgeon]

I'm looking at getting an all in one...could care less about the phone aspect since I'lllikely not ever use it but the email, planner, keyboard, text messaging, etc is what I'm looking for.
I've seen the blackberry, sidekick II, Treo 600....
all personal reviews are welcome...preferably users of said equipment

[Roguish Lawyer]

I have a "blueberry" but do not use the voice function. I like having a separate cell phone so I can use the blackberry while using the phone at the same time. The blackberry is great for e-mail, address book and notes. Has Internet access, but is very slow. Mine can open word documents too, although the utility is limited. I tried using the calendar, but went back to paper because it did not meet my needs. I have to schedule hearings and things frequently, and I need to be able to see entire months with daily detail at a glance, and this is not possible on the blackberry.

[rickmco]

Had a nextel blackberry, couldn't use it alot of places. Got a T mobile Ipaq 6315. Can use about anywhere, including outside us (quad band phone). Can get email from GSM/GPRS, Wifi, Bluetooth. Has a real browser unlike the blackberry. Full PDA functionality, can use SD chips. Have all my maps and use my bluetooth GPS with it (Most of US on 1 GB sd card). The device has its moments, but like it better than my old blackberry.

[magician]

I am looking hard at the IPAQ and similar devices, myself.

I want:

1. web and email access
2. integrated cellphone, w/ Bluetooth so I can use a cordless earset
3. ability to play video (like episodes of Seinfeld, when I am stuck in a taxi)
4. support for .lit and .pdf files so I can read ebooks
5. ability to read Word and Excel files, and make simple entries into Excel spreadsheets.

the biggest problem that I am encountering at this point is figuring out which PDA, bar none, is considered the best, sparing no expense.

any advice will be gratefully appreciated.

[rickmco]

The IPAQ 6315 does all this. I use it daily. I looked at everything else and this one had the most bang for the buck. Replaced my blackberry and my Ipaq 4150. And the cost for service is $50 a month cheaper.

[magician]

cool....my iPod has a 40GB hard drive...it does not appear like any of these PDAs use a hard drive. Am I missing something?

bottom line: I want to purchase the best, most state-of-the-art device available, because it will have the best longevity.

I also need it with slots for removable storage.....and the ability to attach USB devices like external mini-drives.

is the IPAQ 6315 considered to be the most advanced unit of its type?

thanks for your help.

[Smokin Joe]

magician,

I just got the IPAQ rx3115. Its not what your looking for but I will offer this I put a ton of crap on my memory in the IPAQ when I first got it, and it killed the performance. I have since moved all my stuff to an 1gb SD card. It made a world of difference in the performance.

So, try to keep your memory as clean as possible and use memory sticks. Also you might want to check out DVD for pocket PC its about 20-30 bucks but it allows you to compress DVD's to fit on to your pocket PC. You can get about 2 or 3 full blown movies on a 1 gb stick (depending on the settings you select). The down side is it takes a looooooong time to compress each DVD.

HTH.

[Guy]

I'm going back to the "walkie-talkies"

I just brought a new cellphone and the SOB came with a DISK and a thick-a$$ manual to boot.

The face rotates in some wierd direction and I've yet figured how to manipulate all this BS!

A "Blackberry" would have shut me down. I looked at an "I-Pod" and gave up.

[magician]

Originally Posted by Smokin Joe

Also you might want to check out DVD for pocket PC its about 20-30 bucks but it allows you to compress DVD's to fit on to your pocket PC. You can get about 2 or 3 full blown movies on a 1 gb stick (depending on the settings you select). The down side is it takes a looooooong time to compress each DVD.

Now that is what I am talking about. I knew that it was possible to do that, as an old friend of mine used to watch movies on his. In fact, he had an entire library of movies...and could use his PocketPC as a video source for output on a television. He also did some crazy stuff with GPS that has me intrigued.

If I can watch Seinfeld reruns, movies, read eBooks, surf the web, check email, track expenditures, write memos and take notes....and use it as a phone with a Bluetooth earpiece....I am there.

Now...I just need to figure out what device is the most high-end available now. I looked on CNET, hoping for a simple declaration that "model xyz is the best unit of its kind, period," but got overwhelmed by detail.

Guy...just go get an iPod, brother. You will thank me later. Believe me: you will figure it out in about two minutes, max.



s.
-

Posted this before but the XDA IIs has most of the current protocols/features. With the right software you can download 3 DVD's to a 512 SD and play them on this device. (One of the guys at work has done this ). I need to ask him where he found the compression software for this. I wasn't particularly interested in this feature.

Cingular - Siemens SX66 (GSM)
Verizon - PPC-6600 (CDMA)
Sprint - PC-6601 (CDMA)
XDA IIs outside the USA.

You can get this device for your favourite cellular protocol GSM or CDMA plus the sleeve for GPS.

Siemens variant and pics
QTEK Pics (European name)

[magician]

what is up with XDA III's?

http://www.gigaom.com/2004/12/the_next_hot_poc.php

and

http://www.jeffsandquist.com/PermaLi...20a4dca83.aspx

for example.

these units...look like the cat's meow. Thanks for the tip.



s.
-

[Smokin Joe]

Originally Posted by ghuinness

Posted this before but the XDA IIs has most of the current protocols/features. With the right software you can download 3 DVD's to a 512 SD and play them on this device. (One of the guys at work has done this ). I need to ask him where he found the compression software for this. I wasn't particularly interested in this feature.

Cingular - Siemens SX66 (GSM)
Verizon - PPC-6600 (CDMA)
Sprint - PC-6601 (CDMA)
XDA IIs outside the USA.

You can get this device for your favourite cellular protocol GSM or CDMA plus the sleeve for GPS.

Siemens variant and pics
QTEK Pics (European name)

Glad you saw this thread Ghuinness....I was about to refer magician to you.

I'm also curious about what software that guy at your work used because DVD for Pocket PC is really slow. It takes about 2 hrs to compress 1 DVD. Then about another 20 mins to convert it to the pocket pc SD card.

Marketing.....

XDA II (MDA II, QTEK 2020 , IMate ? etc) was the first release ( prior to mid-2004 ) and did not have integrated Bluetooth/WiFi.

The device released near the end of 2004 (XDA III's, XDAIIs, MDA III, QTEK 9090 etc) has the Qwerty Kbd, integrated protocols and some have camera's.

The II series have camera's (more real-estate to support the hardware). I think the European variants of the III's have cameras but not sure. With the pull-down keyboard there isn't a lot of room for a camera. However, with the integrated bluetooth it would be easy to find an add-on.

I am not exactly sure about the manufacturer. I think they are all Siemens but I could be wrong. Names are changed for all the Cellular vendors and to confuse consumers

www.expansys.com has most of the attachments for International PDA's and USA. (Check the USA box in the upper right hand corner).

Great device.

Originally Posted by Smokin Joe

Glad you saw this thread Ghuinness....I was about to refer magician to you.

I'm also curious about what software that guy at your work used because DVD for Pocket PC is really slow. It takes about 2 hrs to compress 1 DVD. Then about another 20 mins to convert it to the pocket pc SD card.

I'll ask him. I think it was freeware. He didn't complain about compress time. I am fairly sure he would have ditched it for speed or price.

[rickmco]

This works well, but is somewhat slow. Can shrink a movie to 128Kb. Plays through your Windows Media Player when done.

http://www.pocketdvdwizard.com/