Why palm?

[hucsman]

Over PPC? I'm not a PPC defender or anything (never even owned one) nor do I want to start THAT debate. I just want to know what makes you guys prefer palms to PPCs...

[Reggie]

Here's an editorial from Jason Dunn from PocketPcThoughts that might shed light to your question. Jason runs the site:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=168895

[ngwailung]

I owned Palm Vx, m505, m515, Clie TG50, and now a iPAQ h1940. However, after using PPC for several months, I am considering seriously about switching back to Palm.

Windows Mobile 2003 has several advantages over Palm: built-in web browser, e-mail app, Word, Excel, and Media Player. You can't get these in pre-T|T3 version of Palm handhelds, and you only get part of these in Clie handhelds.

However, the OS itself, even after several generations of development, is not stable at all. It hangs up around once a week, and it never happened like this with my PalmOS handhelds. The BlueTooth icon in the Today screen sometimes mysteriously disappear, and all I can do is to reset the machine in order to access BT functionality again.

And I have not yet mentioned the ease of use. Beaming contact records is very clumsy in PPC, and I always wonder: does the Microsoft programmers use PPC themselves? I think it is a common sense that in programs like Address Book you usually can't fit one's title or company name into a single line, so you have to use word wrap to display the full content. Palm does. However, the fact is that I can never read the full titles or company names in my PPC since there's no word wrap in these fields other than the address field!

I have to admit that some PPC manufacturers like HP is working hard to make PPC innovative and attractive. I really like the light weight and slim size of iPAQ h1940 and I think it is the best PDA form factor I've ever met. I really hope that Palm or Sony can have a Palm OS device in h1940 form factor, or HP can manufacture PalmOS devices in h1940 form factor. I even don't mind if the screen resolution remains 320x240, but the only thing I want to get rid of is the buggy Windows Mobile 2003.

[zefod]

i choose palm for smaller apps and more apps.

[Bas_Tyra]

from where I come from ... palm gadgets have higher resell price and easier to sell .... oh also the palm community in my place is great

[brolewis]

My roommate and I go back and forth. He uses PPC, I use Palm. I must say that the new screen on my T3 really impressed him. Of course the built-it WiFi also impressed him (his is older). One thing that most poeple don't post about is the syncing mechanism. I have never had a crash with HotSync. Sure, an occasional error message, but those are easily fixed. However, ActiveSync crashes quite often for my roommate. I have heard several PPC users have this problem as well.

[Buddy1969]

Originally posted by ngwailung
...

Windows Mobile 2003 has several advantages over Palm: built-in web browser, e-mail app, Word, Excel, and Media Player. You can't get these in pre-T|T3 version of Palm handhelds, and you only get part of these in Clie handhelds.

...

I have to admit that some PPC manufacturers like HP is working hard to make PPC innovative and attractive. I really like the light weight and slim size of iPAQ h1940 and I think it is the best PDA form factor I've ever met. I really hope that Palm or Sony can have a Palm OS device in h1940 form factor, or HP can manufacture PalmOS devices in h1940 form factor. I even don't mind if the screen resolution remains 320x240, but the only thing I want to get rid of is the buggy Windows Mobile 2003.

Well, many things are just "taste". Others are definitely functionality.
WM2003's advantages as you describe it are no advantages at all. Office-Compatibility ist way better in DocsToGo (which we got in the m5xx-Models as well), than in PocketExcel or -Word. And in the T3 you have DocsToGo even in the ROM!!! Built in Browser: WebToGo? Netspring in Cliès? PalmOS has it.

Concerning the form factor: It's a matter of taste, but when it yomes to "stylish" I personally rate it like that:
1) Sony
2) Palm
3) any bulky PoPC

As we are with ratings:
Tech-Gimmicks: Sony beats Palm for MM-Enhancements
Usability: Palm beats Sony for smaller, lighter PDAs and better Conduits (I hate Intellisync, we have nothing but problems with it).

Whaddaya think??

[ScottLP]

Depends on your needs:

Mine are simple: as David Allen of Getting Things Done says I need a good list manager which is simple and intuitive to use. The palm fits this nicely.

I do not need/want camera, keyboard, and don't care about wireless or playing MP3s.

[dmxmd]

Originally posted by zefod
i choose palm for smaller apps and more apps.

ditto!

[ScottLP]

Oh and I forgot about speed. Over on the brighthand board there is a thread on the topic of "what can we do about battery life?" I suggested underclocking as in the palm world for myself (and many) there is processing power to spare e.g. in the T3 or any palm OS 5 model, and this is a reasonable way to increase battery life (I think--don't have the T3 yet). When I posted this the reply I got was:

"my iPAQ runs slow enough now. "

[CorkVDH]

I bought a T|C for my wife because she had a program she wanted to use that is ONLY available for Palm OS. I had so much fun setting it up for her I ran out and bought one for myself.

As for PPC, I have too many buggy MS operating systems in my life now without adding another device running their crap.

[dmxmd]

Originally posted by ScottL
Oh and I forgot about speed. Over on the brighthand board there is a thread on the topic of "what can we do about battery life?" I suggested underclocking as in the palm world for myself (and many) there is processing power to spare e.g. in the T3 or any palm OS 5 model, and this is a reasonable way to increase battery life (I think--don't have the T3 yet). When I posted this the reply I got was:

"my iPAQ runs slow enough now. "


I want to try underclocking but I am afraid it might mess up the T3 but since you recommend it I'll give it a whirl. Of course if something happens to my T3 i'm gonna come a be a-knockin' at your house :D just kidding

what's a good 'underclocker'. i forgot the name of one...

[ScottLP]

There was a thread on just that topic recently, but I forget the details.

[edeab220]

I first got Palm in 2000 'cuz it was cheap...

I stayed with Palm because I'm used to it and I can see it grow, while the PPC line just didn't call me as loud as the Palm did...especially the T|T3 :D. I could barely hear the 2215 call me, but the T|T3 called me before it even came out :D

[Caffeine kid]

I've been a PPC user, then to Clies and Tungstens and now I am back to PPC's.

Windows Moble 2003 really kicks a@@.

[brolewis]

undeadkid, what makes it so spectacular. I hear a lot of people, on both side, make such claims, but rarely hear facts to back it up. I am curious why you feel so passionately about PPC

[TheUltimate]

to much hype on PPC

[Buddy1969]

I use both at work, but like Palm way better. Makes MUCH less troubles...

[n2ifp]

One needs to own one to get educated!:D

[dannn]

i think ive been with palm because ive used it more
my first PDA given to me was a palm, it was perfect i never had the need to look for another OS

[Buddy1969]

I came from Palm III to Palm m505 to Sony Clie NX70-V and nor waiting for my T3.
PocketPC I sticked with iPAQ for a while... crappy little bugger.

[n2ifp]

I come from a long line of PDA's. I have been the happiest with Palm. I remember my first Timex-Sinclair...

[brolewis]

I don't go that far back, but was introduced to the Palm back when it was Palm Pilot. Those were the days. Beautiful, small code. Simple displays. It's amazing how far we have come.

[TheUltimate]

I know its pretty cool, to watch technology and see how quickly it advances....pretty amazing stuff

[hucsman]

Would it be fair to say that palms have better software and PPC's have better hardware in general?

[BMEngineer]

I am using my second palm device-T3. Never thought of using ppc cos I am quite sick of windows.

[BMEngineer]

My next laptop might be a Mac instead of Windows....

[Ni+Mh]

Simple. Palm OS is simple. All I need are my simple everyday appointments, supplier, customer contacts, notes. That's bout it. Simple OS for simple users ;)

[CorkVDH]

I had gotten so used to the unreliability of MS products that dealing with their crap had become second nature. Oh, has the PC been running for more than 8 hours? Must be time for a fatal error. Ah, I see it is time for the security update download of the week . . . (I really pity people using WinDoze on dial up connections.)

The Palm T|C was a revelation. It works. I don't have to reset it. The programs are small and stable. I spend my time being productive rather than troubleshooting the system. It isn't perfect, but it sure beats the PPC alternatives.

The T|C has inspired me to wean myself from MicroSloth's garbage. Now I've replaced Outlook/ OE with Palm Desktop and Eudora and Internet Explorer with Firebird. When I get some more money I intend to explore Linux or move to a Mac. My goal is to eventually become MS-free.

All this from the chance purchase of a Palm T|C.

[Antrex]

hey, Firebird rocks =D

[n2ifp]

Additionally, I got tired of Sony's proprietary BS and PPC was NOT an option!

[gothicaleigh]

I love Sony's proprietary BS!
<posted from my VAIO while my Clié recharges, listening to music through my Sony sound system and telling my AIBO to quiet down>

:D

Okay, I lied. I don't have an AIBO. Yet.

[gothicaleigh]

I do know what you mean though. While I like being able to toss my memorysticks from my Cybershot P9 into my NX to view the pictures, the added cost for the Sony name does hurt. Most recent example: my Wireless CF card cost me $150. Why? Sony proprietary reasons.

I do like Sony quality, but the inflated price is too much sometimes.