Why can't we upgrade our current PDAs?

[Jeffry]

Unlike a computer, you can't upgrade the motherboard or processing speed of a PDA.

Why is that?

[rob_squared]

Because it would be insanely difficult, dangerous, and time consuming.

[Blazefire]

Most of the parts in a PDA aren't designed to be removed or modified like a PC.

[MonkeyK]

For the same reason that you cannot upgrade a laptop easily.

The focus on PDAs is size. In order to make them as small as possible, components are custom fitted. Another problem is balance, the PDA fits in your had, so not only do the components need to fit just right, but they need to weigh the right amount so that the PDA does not feel wierd.

Neither of these is a restriction in desktop devices.

[Stumper]

Another reason is time and not everyone can do it. Just to replace the digitizer on my old Palm IIIe took me the better part of an hour and I'm very comfortable doing that type of work. It's very cramped and if you don't know what your doing inside one of these little guys it can do alot of damage. Not a place for the average Joe to go digging around.

[legohead]

I understand why it would be difficult to upgrade internal parts, but what is the problem in upgrading the OS? Why are you stuck with Palm OS 4.1 if you got an earlier Palm; why can't you upgrade to 5.0 or later?

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by legohead
I understand why it would be difficult to upgrade internal parts, but what is the problem in upgrading the OS? Why are you stuck with Palm OS 4.1 if you got an earlier Palm; why can't you upgrade to 5.0 or later?

Palm OS5 needs all new internal parts. The processor and chip sets are vastly different.

[dacmo]

Originally posted by legohead
I understand why it would be difficult to upgrade internal parts, but what is the problem in upgrading the OS? Why are you stuck with Palm OS 4.1 if you got an earlier Palm; why can't you upgrade to 5.0 or later?

OS5 only works with ARM based processors, that's why.

[yorrick]

As n2ifp said - OS4 to OS5 is impossible as the OS4 (and older) uses a DragonBall processor. OS5 and onwards uses an ARM processor.

It's like trying to shove Sun Risc based OS onto a Intel based system - the software is incompatible with the hardware!

The other reason why it's not possible to upgrade a processor (say - a DragonBall 66Mhz) into a Palm III device is the voltages and the chip pinouts are different. Then you've got the problem of soldering surface mount devices ... and the processor! Ick!

[PDAJah]

For Psion Revo PDAs there is a company here in the UK (people who used to work for Psion, see http://www.pda-upgrade.20m.com/) and they can upgade the RAM for Psion 5MX and Revo and extend the battery life. The reason I think this has been possible is that Psion, in general, have in the past upgraded the processors, RAM and screen but kept the "chassis" the same for a number of years and therefore I assume the machines were designed with some thought to upgradability. Personally I like my NR70 and would be happy to pay for minor upgardes, such as RAM, but I belive this is not Sony's design approach.

[killah fury]

there are companies that can upgrade the memory on pretty much all palm OS devices... but I think it may just be the ones made by Palm and not Sony unfortunately...

[iebnn]

Companies that sell memory upgrades for Palms charge huge amounts though.

[Ezikial Anta]

Hmmm i dont think that there will be hardware differences, but will OS 5 be able to upgrade to OS 6?

[robrecht]

Originally posted by Ezikial Anta
Hmmm i dont think that there will be hardware differences, but will OS 5 be able to upgrade to OS 6?

Good question.  I think this is theoretically possible if the PDA has flashable ROM.  I don't think SONY has done this in the past, and in this economic climate I wouldn't be optimistic about Palm or anyone else doing this.

[shieldprod]

There is a place that will upgrade RAM on quite a few models INCLUDING Sonys. It's http://www.palmpilotupgrade.com
They also do screen repairs and flash upgrades on the 710.