Looking for new PDA. Please advise?

Archived from groups: comp.sys.handhelds (More info?)

Hi folks:

I've been looking for a new PDA for a bit, and now that Palm/Handspring has
stopped selling the visor, I'm wanting something new.

My wish list is as follows:

1) Price: Not in laptop range but less than $400US
2) OS: I'm still leaning toward the Palm, but I am also comfortable with
Linux, and IF I need too, I would (ug) accept the Windows CE.
3) The most critical, batteries. I'm not at all happy with the current
trend of companies hard-wiring the batteries into the devices, making you
buy a new unit when the batteries wear out. So what company still has
replaceable batteries, or has some sort of warentee that will replace the
batteries once they wear out, even if for a small fee?

Those are the most critical, but I'm also looking for a PDA that gives me
at least the same capibilities as the old Handspring visor. 8 meg memory,
monocrome screen, calender w/a *loud* alarm (My main use. Keep me informed
of any an all appointments) and syncing with a desktop/laptop.

Guess I better not ask for anything else.
--
Kevin C. Redden
---
E-Mail: kcredden@kevinredden.name
web: kevinredden.name

Archived from groups: comp.sys.handhelds (More info?)

Kevin C. Redden wrote:

> Guess I better not ask for anything else.

Go ahead- the more requirements we know the better the advice will suit you.

Regarding the battery issue you will hardly the optimal solution and as
manufacturers tend to change the battery specs from series to series and as
devices tend to have very short product cycles it is likely that this issue
can not be solved to your satisfaction.

Personally I would suggest you get a cheap Compaq iPAQ from eBay (36xx,
37xx, 38xx, 39xx or 5xxx series) and put Linux on the device.
This will give you software support with latest versions for long.
To get a first impression whether that might suit you take a look at
http://opie.handhelds.org/ and look for the screenshots.

Oliver