Alternatives To Sony?

[NeilShapiro]

I was just about ready to trade in my NX60 on a high-end Sony. Now, I think that would be a mistake. I use my PDA mostly for gaming and ebooks so I am now thinking of the Zodiac. I just don't know. What do people here advise? The Zodiac? A Palm device and then which one would be a real upgrade from the NX60. Please do not bother with this is a good time to pick up a cheap Sony as I have already rejected that concept. Thanks.

[Peppy]

I've got a Zodiac 2 and I love it! It is quite the little work horse. A lot of PDA in a little machine. It has become THE PDA for me for ebboks and games. I have a T3 but that just isn't as good for the games and ebooks. Also, Mp3 is better on the Zodac! I think the biggest thing you'll notice is the lack of a keyboard. But dual SD slots, 128 mb, roll effects, etc etc. You can't beat it!

[Funky Gibbon]

http://www.1src.com/forums/images/smilie/images/smilies/smile.gifAs a PalmOne T|T3 user I'd have to recommend one. I've found mine to be highly reliable and versatile. I use it as a mobile office (DocsToGo, Agendus) a reader (Plucker, PalmBible+) a music player (Pocket Tunes) and a games console (Shanghai, Warfare Inc). The processor is rock solid and I can over/underclock it using Lightspeed.

If you want to take pictures you can buy an SDIO camera for GBP90, and probably the same in USD. You can buy other peripherals like keyboards.

The unit is lightweight and reasonably rugged, and I find the ability to switch between portrait and landscape very useful. I can't comment on the Tapwave models, but you should perhaps take the opportunity to see and try some handhelds at the store before you choose.

[CLiENX]

I think the Zodiac will be a great choice ..... if your interest is more towards gaming apps .... the SONY exit decision really create chaos among its current users ... for me ... it's not only SONY... but the palm is dying too ... so I'm getting the winxp home ultra noptebook version (8" screen) SONY vaio PCG-C1MT ... then ... I'll stop worrying.

THNX

[ugokanain]

That is actually an interesting thought, of the palms or even the pdas are dying. I think of my NX as my portable (even when my main computer is a powerbook:)). You can carry most of your regular info anywhere, can do a lot with it beyond games, mp3 and ebooks. Would probably put to shame some oldies like eniac, univac, etc.
However, most might find the pim, games and music from phones enough for what they need (and why carry more gadgets than needed). Actually some of the current phones are the anathema of pdas in Japan. If we start seeing some of the more sophisticated oriental phones, these might prove the death of pdas yet.

[CLiENX]

Exactly.... here, the P900 is the most popular pda(smartphone) among business men, and I do remember that they used to carry the palm pda with them before the existence of P900. In fact I did try to replace my nx80v with P900, but it seems like there was somethin missing in my life without that NX80V. Whatever it is, I feel more comfortable doing all of my personal staff with NX80V, while having the smallest size of mobile phone (Z600) to carry with me whenever the PDA is not required.

THNX

[Truffy]

I looked at the P900, but was diappointed with I saw as its cheap and flimsy feel.

Besides, I prefer pay-as-you-go to contacts for my meagre mobiloe phone needs, and you never get the best phones on the PAYG tariffs ;)

[olo]

Exactly.... here, the P900 is the most popular pda(smartphone) among business men, and I do remember that they used to carry the palm pda with them before the existence of P900. In fact I did try to replace my nx80v with P900, but it seems like there was somethin missing in my life without that NX80V. Whatever it is, I feel more comfortable doing all of my personal staff with NX80V, while having the smallest size of mobile phone (Z600) to carry with me whenever the PDA is not required.

THNX
I fully agree... I do not see too many advantages in having a device "all in one" if it dies, you are stuffed and since my cellphone providers gives me cellphones for free I have by now two backup phones when it brakes. Furthermore I do ask a lot of a PDA and the P900 has a way too small screen and for pure business and mulimedia purposes it is still not sufficient for my needs...

Quite honestly, I still keep my fingers crossed that Apple will fill the PDA gap with a proper handheld and AFAIK and believing the latest rumors they will present a new device July 5th 2004 :eek:

cheers Nicolas

[ClieKun]

I fully agree... I do not see too many advantages in having a device "all in one" if it dies, you are stuffed and since my cellphone providers gives me cellphones for free I have by now two backup phones when it brakes. Furthermore I do ask a lot of a PDA and the P900 has a way too small screen and for pure business and mulimedia purposes it is still not sufficient for my needs...

Quite honestly, I still keep my fingers crossed that Apple will fill the PDA gap with a proper handheld and AFAIK and believing the latest rumors they will present a new device July 5th 2004 :eek:

cheers NicolasApple PDA.................It does have a nice ring to it :D

[ballistic]

If Apple were to release something, I think it would be more of a portable pocket tablet for media/music/movies as with handheld computing, PIM and wireless (BT & Airport/WIFI) capabilities. Part of the digital hub concept.

Don't hold your breath though, these rumors have been floating around since the death of the Newton and have only been getting worse since the success of the ipod.

I do agree that the Zodiac is currently the best alternative to the Clie. I'm seriously considering grabbing a Z2 as soon as I can test drive one at CompUSA.

[ClieKun]

If Apple were to release something, I think it would be more of a portable pocket tablet for media/music/movies as with handheld computing, PIM and wireless (BT & Airport/WIFI) capabilities. Part of the digital hub concept.

Don't hold your breath though, these rumors have been floating around since the death of the Newton and have only been getting worse since the success of the ipod.

I do agree that the Zodiac is currently the best alternative to the Clie. I'm seriously considering grabbing a Z2 as soon as I can test drive one at CompUSA.You mean like the U 70 that sony released but with PDA buildt in. Sounds nice to me :D I buy it.

[LiteBuLB]

wouldnt Zodiac looks more like a gamming machine than a PDA?? I mean, look at the design it self, it doesnt look proffesional to me, looks more like a machine a kid should have. No offence, hmmmmmmmmmm

[Ezra4no1]

As sad as it is.. I too am also thinking that the PDA market is dieing. Large stores like Best Buy use to have a good selection of PDA, now when you go in you are lucky if they have 1 or 2 on displayed. Where I live, they replaced them with Mp3 players, more mobile phones and things of the sort. Maybe the full use of a PDA is techie for most people and they need something more Dumb down like a gameboy, Mp3 player, or phone where can buy ring tones.

Truth is mobile pHones are big.. And I have to Admit.. the first time I played with a Treo, I fell in love.. I was able to do everything from surf, fax, email, PIM stuff, in my hand inone device.... now imagine a non gaget person with a fairly cheap phone that can take pictures, set alarms, keep schedules, and play games on their Mobile phone. Of course.. Why would they ever need anything else?


As for a replacement for the Clie... I don't know of any other. I am not really a big portable gamer and am more interested in PIM functions and the sort. Personally I think the next best PDA would be Small thin Tablet form PC about the size of the OQO pc or the New Tablet PC Sony will be releaseing soon running FranklinCoveys Tablet Planner Software, but since that has to Boot up and uses moving parts, I'd settle for a same sized Table Windows CE based PDA with Instant on and no moving parts internally Running the same software re-compiled for that OS.

[ClieKun]

wouldnt Zodiac looks more like a gamming machine than a PDA?? I mean, look at the design it self, it doesnt look proffesional to me, looks more like a machine a kid should have. No offence, hmmmmmmmmmmDid`nt they promoto as a gaming device?!