[FearM9]

Hi. I am currently in the market for my first ever PDA. I really don't want to spend alot of money...if I can keep it around $100 or so I'll be happy. The only thing I really want to do with it is to keep a daily schedule, store names/numbers/addresses, planning of small projects here and there, and jotting down notes and stuff. Any recommendations? Thanks.

[zpjohnstone]

I got a $180 handspring 2 years ago at target on clearance for $100 when they were discontinuing a model. My girlfriend also got a really good deal on one of the colorized handsprings at bestbuy in their clearance/returned/refurbished area.

If you only need it for basic functionality, I would look for the best deal, as they will all be able to do the job.

[skipshady]

Try eBay.

I got a Sony Clie PEG-SJ20 for $100 about a month ago using "Buy Now" on eBay and I absolutely love it. I looked all over but I just couldn't get a better PDA in the same price range.
It originally retailed for $200-plus and now it's down to $150.

Check out Cnet.com and other sites that review PDAs and look at features that come on PDAs in your price range.

I find that of the PDAs that run Palm OS, Sony and Handspring get the best reviews while Palms tend to get mixed reviews.

[Maczebus]

I've always wanted one, but never really known why.
Previously it wasn't a problem. Since I was at university, I had no money. Now I've got a few notes to call my own and still want one.
I need a reason.

What do you folks (who have one), use them for - and have they by now become almost indespensible?
Are they just toys or do they really have an everyday use possibility?


Edit - Just had a look on UK ebay, found a Sony clie PEG SJ-30.

Currently at £92 (will rise) with 2 days left. Shipping from Boston (US) so extra £25 on top.
Assume I will also have to buy another AC adapter as the US one won't work over here.

Still looking though...

[skipshady]

Originally posted by maczebus
What do you folks (who have one), use them for - and have they by now become almost indespensible?
Are they just toys or do they really have an everyday use possibility?

The reason I got it was because I'm really disorganized and I really need it to maintain order in my life. The address book sorts and categorizes my contacts, and synchronizes with the address book on my computer.
The alarm feature on the To Do and datebook are nice as well, and I can't get that on a paper organizer.

One great bonus has been Vindigo. You enter an address and it finds restaurants, bars etc, near that address and gives you reviews and directions. It also has movie listings and Bathroom Diaries which gives you locations of public restrooms near an address.
You have to pay $25/year (or $3.50/month) after a 30-day trial, but for me, it's worth it.

[FearM9]

Thanks for the advice!

--------

Originally posted by maczebus
I've always wanted one, but never really known why.
Previously it wasn't a problem. Since I was at university, I had no money. Now I've got a few notes to call my own and still want one.
I need a reason.

What do you folks (who have one), use them for - and have they by now become almost indespensible?
Are they just toys or do they really have an everyday use possibility?

I am in the same boat as well. Ever since college I've been using a DayRunner and yellow stickies to stay organized and what not. So far it's been cheap and it works for me.

But on the flipside I like having toys and the idea of owning a PDA and whipping it out to use the stylus and press buttons really appeals to me.

Looking at the big picture though I don't think a PDA of any type is gonna drastically improve the efficiency of my life.

I still want one though.

[Maczebus]

Originally posted by skipshady
The reason I got it was because I'm really disorganized and I really need it to maintain order in my life. The address book sorts and categorizes my contacts, and synchronizes with the address book on my computer.
The alarm feature on the To Do and datebook are nice as well, and I can't get that on a paper organizer.

I too take prizes for my ability to be disorganised, and that's what I thought a PDA could help me with. I just don't see how much more it could help me than my current sytem does. I have a pretty good Nokia mobile phone which does all the scheduling alarm stuff and keeps all my contacts stored - I also use good old fashioned paper and pens.

One great bonus has been Vindigo. You enter an address and it finds restaurants, bars etc, near that address and gives you reviews and directions. It also has movie listings and Bathroom Diaries which gives you locations of public restrooms near an address.
You have to pay $25/year (or $3.50/month) after a 30-day trial, but for me, it's worth it.

Sounds a good idea for you living where you do. And I might be moving to London soon-ish, so could come in useful there. However I live in Southampton, I could tell you the decent bars and restaurants myself - very quickly.

Thanks for the advice though: was interested what you needed it for as you seem to be of a similar disposition to me and I get the impression we have similar (style) jobs.

I've (without figuring out why I need it) decided on the Clie SJ-30 probably, though purchasing it is still a way off. I have half a feeling I want to upgrade my PC or laptop (prob PC), so might do that instead.


But FearM9 pretty much sums it up for me.

Especially:

Originally posted by FearM9
Looking at the big picture though I don't think a PDA of any type is gonna drastically improve the efficiency of my life.

I still want one though.

[zpjohnstone]

I use mine for time management/billing, contacts, grocery list, project data, etc. I haven't added any software or hardware, and it's very job oriented. I was considering getting the ethernet module, but it would only be useful to me if their was a palm SSH client available.

I too, am incredibly, preposterously disorganized, so if I write something down on a sheet of paper or sticky pad, it's as good as gone, which becomes a problem when part of your job is documentation.

[TheWakeUpBomb]

Originally posted by skipshady
I got a Sony Clie PEG-SJ20 for $100 about a month ago using "Buy Now" on eBay and I absolutely love it. I looked all over but I just couldn't get a better PDA in the same price range.
It originally retailed for $200-plus and now it's down to $150.

The SJ20 is really nice. I love the hi-res monochrome screen (which saves battery live, particularly if you don't need color). Palm's Zire is $99, but it seems more like a kid's model (only 2MB of memory).

If you can get the SJ20 for $100, do it. I'd still recommend it over the cheaper SJ10, because the SJ20 has rechargeable batteries, which will save you trouble and money in the future.

[kerpow]

I deal with PDA's at work all day and I think that unless you are the kind of person that has 5 meetings a day they're over-rated. If you're on the road alot it could be useful but you'd likely have a laptop that would do the same thing.

For me they are too expensive for what they really are - an electronic planner. A pocket size diary would do the same. I will get one someday though. I can only assume that mobile phones and PDA's will integrate into one product that will become a handheld communications device. Get wireless broadband on board, a tiny digital camera, build in 5Gb disk for MP3's and general data and a nice fast uplink like USB 2 or Firewire and they'll be really cooking. Nokia or Ericsson will have something like that out in a year or so and I could see myself shelling out $500 for that as it's about the same price of a decent phone and a PDA in todays market.