Best PDA for Mac? Whats your pick?
 

Ready to buy a new PDA device-- anyone with strong experience with particular devices with best compatibility with Mac?

Avoid PowerPC at all cost right?

PalmOS seems more Mac-friendly. Anyone had experience with Clie UX50?

I've had a PalmV, PalmVx, Palm Tungsten T, and Palm Tungsten E now all integrate very well with Mac OS X. My only problem with Palm devices is that they touch screen gets all messed up after a while and never seems to keeps it's accuracy. I have no idea if the Sony Clié does a better job at this. I know the the Clié does a worse job at "seemless integration".. you'll probably end up having to use Missing Sync to get your Clié and Mac talking.

Don't forget to consder Dana. It's Palm powered:

http://www.alphasmart.com/products/dana_overview.html

Palm tungsten C would be my pick right now, especially if you have airport. However the Register reports that Palm OS 6 has been released so it may be worthwhile waiting until devices supporting this OS become availible later this quater.

Pocket PC's are the superior hardware and platform, IMHO. DO check out the "dark side" devices too.

There's a reason Mac people bother to struggle with PocketMac and MissingSync PPC to get their Pocket PC to work in Mac...its worth the effort.

Personally, I just use VPC to run Activesync to sync my trusty iPaq 3955, loaded down with a lot of really great applications.

there is of course the third way of the sharp Zaurus linux PDAs.

Appreciate the input...
 

Been really researching this topic...

I wonder is Steve Jobs doesn't have a Mac handheld device up his sleeve that he'll spring on the world and revolutionize the industry with a Mac version....like he did with iPod.

As for PocketPC's, i've heard that even Microsoft is pulling back it's support of the platform. Turning to the "evil empire" of fashionless technology makes me cringe. Spent too many years getting by with Microsoft driven hardware.....

I have gone the VPC route to for my handheld needs, but it feels like the "simplification and convenience" of syncing your handheld device is defeated when you need to boot up VPC just to get something very basic done...

I really appreciate all your input...

Re: Appreciate the input...
 

It's called the Newton. :)

The Newton died many years ago ...

But you are right, i forgot that the Newton launched the whole PDA market, but left it way before PDA's became a way of life....

Go Clie
 

Sony Clie is defintiely the best bang for the buck in PDA's. I use one, and I couldn't be happier with it. My girlfriend and buddy both have Palm PDA's and they like my Clie better.

No extra software is needed to sync. Palm Desktop and iSync are both compatible, even though Sony says it's not.

I have heard that you need Missing Sync for the Clie. Is that only for the UX50?

What model CLie are u using?

My annoying experience with the clie was that I wasn't able to install documents to go without recourse to a PC. Design wise and functionality wise they are fantastic machines but no built in wifi except on the very expensive ux50, whose form factor does not really suit me.

I use the SL10, which is the older version of the SJ22. When I bought mine, the clerk told me I'd have to download "The Missing Sync" to use it, but I didn't. It just worked right out of the box. I have seen TJ25's and TJ35's work right out of the box without extra sofware as well. I use iSync 1.3 and Palm Desktop 4.1, and I've never had a problem.

I'm not sure about the UX50 though.

I have excellent experiences with the Handspring treo 270. Just ordered the new Treo 600, will arrive tomorrow.

My friend has a Treo and loves it. Those seem to be another good choice.

just bought palm Tungsten T
 

I have a Powerbook G4 and am amazed that there was no Infra red port, no Bluetooth and no airport card. I've now bouhgt and installed the airport - so i can connect to the internet.

As I have just bought a Tungsten T, I now have to work out the best way of syncing with my laptop. Do I buy the Bluetooth harware or do I find an infra red device to buy? Any suggestions please. There was a Palm WiFi, but this would have cost more than I wanted to pay,

Finally, I really wanted the Clie TG50, but I was told that this was not compatible with with mac, so went for the Palm. I can do a swap within 14 days if I want to, so any advice here would be useful.

Re: just bought palm Tungsten T
 

Why not just use the cradle to sync? I don't know if the cradle came with it or not, I don't remember, but I too have a Tungsten T and sync it via cradle.

Re: Re: just bought palm Tungsten T
 

I have just bought it and haven't even opened the box yet. I think it does have a cradle, but how does it then connect to Mac? Is there a USB cable?

Yes, the cradle has a USB cable hanging off it. There's a power cord that plugs into the cradle as well to provide PDA battery charging.

Re: Re: Appreciate the input...
 

I still use an MP130 and an Apple upgraded MP2000 to MP2100. I just can't get away from the quick integrated search (particularly on the MP2000 and 2100's).

It is still the only PDA I've ever used that does not lose anything when the main batteries die (thanks to the backup battery). I used a Velo for a while, iPaq and Palm... all of them lost data if they weren't charged within a short period of time.

I do use a Palm V merely for syncing addresses and carrying around when I don't have my TiBook with me.

--Evan

Everyones needs are different
 

And there are now devices that have different Strenths vs. $


1) The Value Leader, Lightest, Slimmest Hi Res Color Palm is the Tungsten E, List $199, wildly available for about $185. Great Application bundle. Only Down Sides. No Blue Tooth or Sound recorder

2) You say you want a Phone and Palm. Treo 600 is the best out there. Only down side, no blue tooth. only availble with wireless contract.

3) You say you want Tungsten E but need blue tooth and the hi res 320x320 pixel display not big enough:) and you want screen rotation too, and maybe a voice recorder to boot Look No further then the Tungsten 3. Only down side Best Price around $360.

4) You say want a Tungsten 3 with more memory and more features and you love Video Games and no Slider, A dedicated Video Card etc. Look no further then the Zodiac Tapeware which comes in both 32 and 128 meg ram version at $300 and $400.

Only down side. Well Its only availble direct from a new manufacturer. It might be too big. It is nice to be able to take it for a test drive in a store. Not sure about the companies return policy?


5) Tungsten W Tungsten 3 with built 802.11.

There you go. 5 very Different Best Palms:)

One word to the wise. Just like with computers new models come out often. All these units came out around october. Rumor has it it that the next couple of months there will be even more new and improved.

Of course that is constant with computers and PDAs

I haven't paid much attention to PDA's since I bought my OLD IBM Workpad, but I picked up the Palm Tungsten E a couple days ago. My video camera SD cards work with it, so I've been loading it up with photos and videos!! No bluetooth, but that's no big deal for me! Very nice 320x320 display.

Kirk