mac user, looking at tx

[nyleetch2]

I used to have a pc desktop and mac laptop. At that time i bought a pocket pc (ipaq) but ive since switched completely to mac and my missing sync software stopped working properly, plus im just annoyed by the incompatability. I could fix that problem by buying new software but...

i'm now looking at palms (specifically the tx) and my question (a rather loaded one) is: are palms very compatible with macs or just moreso than ppcs? Are there a lot of programs that i wont be able to run or install on my palm because im syncing it with a mac? Is palm desktop(for mac) good enough a program compared to iCal and mac-addressbook etc. that i won't miss the fact that my ppc synced directly with those? (i know i could get missing sync/palm to keep using those programs but that just seems pointless/a waste of money).

So basically, ive heard palms are more compatible with macs, but is the switch worth my while or am i better off spending $20-40 on missingsync software and sticking with the status quo rather than spending $300 on a new palm system?

whew! I appreciate any input you guys can give.

[califzeph]

Very compatible! We switched to iBooks from PC's a couple months back, and last month dumped our pocket PC's for TX's. We are very satisfied!

[bh77a]

Very compatible... Both my iMac and iBook work great with them. My TX is set up on my iBook. Syncing is not a problem... The only downside is occasionally I will have a program that is in exe format that needs opened before I can sync the prc. (Happened with a game and the developer was nice enough to provide me with the PRC files, so all ended quite well...).

[nyleetch2]

awesome, thanks for the feedback! Do you feel that the palmdesktop program works well enough compared to iCal and mac addressbook etc.?

(and for programs that install via exe is it possible to sync to a friend's pc to install the files or would i have to setup a whole new sync-relationship thing for that computer?)

[Gon-So]

I hate the Palm desktop for Mac. The windows version is admittingly better. But we have iCal, which is awesome. As for media a SD card and a memory card reader are necessary. I don't have the missing sync. Please tell me how it worked.

[Splat0104]

Did you try contacting Mark/Space about the issue with Missing Sync not working ?

My version (4.0.6) works fine with both Panther and Tiger - so maybbe there is a simple fix they can lead you through...

The Palm version of Missing Sync works fine for me on both Panther and Tiger.

... And seems to be far more useful than the Palm Desktop. And with the Documents to Go reading/writing Native Format Word/Excel files and the inclusion of BT and Wifi I can't see a reason not to go Palm over PPC right now. Although I haven't tried out WinMobile 5 yet...

[_Em]

The only downside is occasionally I will have a program that is in exe format that needs opened before I can sync the prc.

Many exe's are actually self-executing zips or cab files -- try renaming the file to .zip and uncompressing it -- the prc file is usually inside.

[_Em]

Do you feel that the palmdesktop program works well enough compared to iCal and mac addressbook etc.?

(and for programs that install via exe is it possible to sync to a friend's pc to install the files or would i have to setup a whole new sync-relationship thing for that computer?)

1. No idea - I haven't used Palm Desktop since OS 9 days... I use the iSync conduit to sync iCal and the address book to my TX. This works just fine, although there are a few fields that the conduit doesn't handle properly (IM, etc.).

2. I sync with both a mac and an XP machine; there's no problem doing both (it even allows you to sync between outlook and iCal). Also, once you've synced once with the PC, you can just share the Install folder and browse the files with the TX or the Mac to install :)

[schu]

I have Missing Sync 5 and it is really nice, the way syncing should be. MarkSpace wrote all their own conduits to sync with the Apple apps, plus it supports 3rd party conduits. It supports conduit "Sets" so you can just go to a pop-up and select a set you have made to easily turn conduits on and off. Supports Wi-Fi syncing which Palm never did on the Mac and lot more. Definitely worth $40 bucks.