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[Scrow]

What companies out there are popularly regarded as decent->excellent PDA manufacturers?

I mostly want it for a portable audio device (with AM/FM tuner, though i imagine i'll have to get that as an accessory), an organiser and a portable form of storage for various files i want to take to and from university.

If you really know your shit, go ahead and recommend a model too. My price range is between $200-300 Australian dollars ($260-390 USD) but I might be willing to push it up to $350 AUD ($460 USD). I don’t need unnecessary rubbish like built-in digital cameras and the like. Just the bare essentials (with a convenience or two) will do. I might consider a PDA/Mobile phone hyrbid as well.

 

[mrklaw]

what ratio mp3/FM/carry files/organise?

And do you need organising on the go, or just access to a todo list or address book?

I think a series 60 mobile would do you. They don't have radios yet but you can get headphones with FM in them. They play mp3s, synch with your outlook for contacts/email/notes/todo, and you can store and carry files on the removable MMC card.

You can also get software to view word/excel/powerpoint stuff on them.

and you can use it as a phone


Otherwise, Dell axims are good. Just get the cheapest one (you can get wifi on an SD card later if you need it), but I don't know if they support FM radio?

 

[TekunoRobby]

Otherwise, Dell axims are good. Just get the cheapest one (you can get wifi on an SD card later if you need it), but I don't know if they support FM radio?

They are great! I own an Axim X30 myself and I couldn't be happier. Wifi is a godsend for my setup, now to get a phone that supports bluetooth.

 

[Mason]

I own a Dell Axim X3i, which has built-in WiFi. It's great, I would recommend the Axim line.

 

[SKluck]

I have an X50v. Paid $360 + tax. Dell runs some insane deals. Any other VGA PDA will set you back at least $550.

No complaints except for battery life. X50v gets about 4/5 hours normal use. 2.5 watching movies. 2 using wifi. That and the wifi has some connection problems, but that is a known issue with wm2003se, so every new pda suffers from some bt/wifi probs.

From what you are saying, you'd be best with the x50 lo. 416/64/64. No wireless, maybe bt, I don't know. Floats around $275.

Honestly I'm not 100% sure about the worldwide market for PDAs. Toshiba makes some good ones, but afaik only release them in europe. Or at least that is where they release the majority of their models. In the US, Dell is the only real choice. HP is just too overpriced. Since they fired that whore Carly, maybe next year they will renew some innovation.

Stay at least 100ft away from any Palm at all times.

 

[Pochacco]

What companies out there are popularly regarded as decent->excellent PDA manufacturers?

I mostly want it for a portable audio device (with AM/FM tuner, though i imagine i'll have to get that as an accessory), an organiser and a portable form of storage for various files i want to take to and from university.

If you really know your shit, go ahead and recommend a model too. My price range is between $200-300 Australian dollars ($260-390 USD) but I might be willing to push it up to $350 AUD ($460 USD). I don’t need unnecessary rubbish like built-in digital cameras and the like. Just the bare essentials (with a convenience or two) will do. I might consider a PDA/Mobile phone hyrbid as well.

Sounds like you'd be MUCH better off with something like an iRiver, or maybe even an iPod.

-AM/FM Tuner? Naw.
-Portable audio? Maybe...but you'd need to invest in flash cards. Plus, you'd get horrible battery life.
-Storage? Again, you'd have to buy flash cards (might as well buy USB key drives in that case...)

Get an HD-MP3 player. If you need an address book, etc. then pick up a cheap Palm Zire too.

 

[aoi tsuki]

What Pochacco said. There's a few MP3 players that let you sync your contacts from Outlook and other sources. i unfortunately don't know of any off the top of my head.