Help with PDA choice

[tahoedrew]

I am thinking I'll be in the market for a new PDA. I had one at my old job (Tungsten E) but they bought it - so I had to leave it. The new job seems as though I'll be out and about more often and it may come in VERY handy (I'm now working in the PR dept. of an ad agency with clients and such).

The thing is I only need the very basic functions: calendar/appointments, contact info, etc. I don't want anything expensive as this will be a purchase I will need to make personally. Another concern is maximum battery life. My Tungsten E couldn't be "in the field" for more than 3 days before losing a charge with just intermitent use (5 days if I never turned it on - which is puzzling, why does it only hold a charge for 5 days if I NEVER turned it on?).

I am on a PC at work, so it will sync with that (can you do syncing with two computers, a PC and a Mac?), Mac support isn't essential, though it'd be nice in case I still have this thing when I eventually leave the agency (though there's no guarantee I'll be leaving anytime soon).

I think that's the majority of it - anyone have recommendations?

I was thinking a black & white screen would provide more battery life, but I don't think even Palm makes their low-end with a B&W screen anymore.

TIA,
~A

[macphanatic]

If you will be driving a lot, consider the Garmin iQue series. I have the 3600 which is Palm OS based. In addition to the standard Palm features, it is also a GPS. I have the street maps for the entire continental US on a 2 gig SD card.

Battery life is not great, but the car kit for gps purposes charges the Garmin as well.

Positives:
1. Will run any Palm OS software
2. Car GPS kit is portable so you can take it in any car.
3. Screen quality is very good. (Although there may be better screens in PDA's now. I've had mine since it was released)

Only downsides so far:
1. a PC is required to install the maps.
2. To sync with a Mac, you need Missing Sync or similar.

[JoeBob]

The clock or something uses power in the Palm products even when off, mine tend to die a bit slower than 5 days.
The cheapest model is the Zire 22, but it also has the color screen.
Computer Surplus sells refurbished older models all the time for $25 to $35, if you only need the simple functions.
I used to sync a IIIxe on both a Mac (home) and PC (work), and never had any issues.

[mattkime]

might be a good idea to get an m500 off of ebay.

[JoeBob]

Here is a link to the store web site.
http://www.softwareandstuff.com/retailstore.html
I second the M500 suggestion, I still have one that works great.
Better link, sorry:
http://www.surpluscomputers.net/store/ma...ItemDetail&item=COM10625

[anonymouse1]

For what you want, hard to beat the M500. Maybe $40 on ebay.

[Seacrest]

PDA?

I carry around a small Filipino boy who has a photographic memory and a knack for figures.

[sscutchen]

I'd look for the hi res color screen. SO much easier to read.

I have a Zire 72, and it is very nice. More features than you need, but you want this screen.

I use Mapopolis. Very nice maps, but I'm not doing GPS. I wish I could display the Mapopolis maps on my Pismo.

I sync with 2 Macs and a PC.

[chas_m]

I second the Z22. Cheap ($80 or so), colour, basic (no battery-killing camera/mp3 crap), PERFECT form fit for the hand, works PERFECTLY with Macs and PCs. I really, REALLY love mine -- and I *hate* PDAs.

[trisho.]

I usually drop in to the Palm Online Clearance Store whenever I have thoughts of getting a PDA: http://store.palm.com/family/index.jsp?c...Id=1179667&clickid=mainnav_outlet_txt

Here is their Treo Special Deals Store: http://web.palm.com/promos/index.jhtml;j...IKAUZEMIV0