Palm Pilots...

[happyjoy]

Ok, I think I have finally gotten to the point where I need one.

So, the question is, what item features are a must have, and ones that you can live without?

Calendar and Phone/Address book definitely, and are there any that can sync that info by a click away?

Suggestions on buying one... anyone, anyone?

Thanks!

oh and I forgot, I really need to know if anyone uses one with their Mac!!!

 

[missAZ]

Just about any Palm pilot will have a button to hook up the computer and the Palm. Connect the two via the cord and push the button.

Good luck with your palm. Mine was great at first, but then it screwed me over good. I havent used it since april of this year, went back to paper, which is working great. I missed not being able to look over a whole week complete at one time.

 

[cool_is_sexy]

Let me first say that I am a technophobe. But, I LOVE my Palm. I have the super simple Z-22. It is very user friendly, and works fine with my mac. Like GreatLakes said, you just plug the wire from your palm to your mac, and hit a button.

So, the things I do like about mine are:
a) It is comparatively inexpensive in relation to the suped up Palms
b) It does not have so many features that I get lost, but enough to make me feel organized (calender, calculator, memos, contacts, note pad, and a few more things, but that is most of what I use on it.)
c) This is my FAVORITE part- you can color code the calender items, so if I have an session at 10, I can color it yellow, a social event at noon- blue, a DR. appt on Tues- green... you get the idea- basically, I can tell what I am doing just by looking at the color.

I do have to admit that I am in fear of a techno- freak out and losing my entire schedule, but I suppose that is what the hot sync is for


Hope that helps some.

 

[Queen V]

YES, hotsync regularly. I can't say that enough. In fact, pay up and buy a cradle so that it's easy to sync and you will do it daily.

I have a HP IPAQ, and I love it. Although I really liked the week-at-a-glance feature of the Palm Pilot I had before. I use the notepad, calc, calendar, and a few other features, but not the email. It just got too confusing, with some of the emails going to the PDA and some on my computer, then they would get lost... I deactivated that feature, although I can compose an email on my PDA and hit send, and it will be sent when I dock.

I'll probably upgrade at the beginning of next year to an integrated wireless version.

 

[kelvin S]

I have the same as Palpable. It took a little to get used to and I still like the thought of paper, but the longer I use it the more I like it.

Hotsyncing is important that way your information is always someplace else in case something happens to your palm.

I like the color coding features, the option to either "write in" the type directly type it in from the palm keyboard. I also like the search - if you want to easily find someone. I can also set a client to a specific range - every other week - and it automatically keeps the appointment at that interval.

I have a hard cover and was told to use the screen protectors. I can see why I was told to have both.

 

[Lovinghope]

i'm another happy Z22 customer.

 

[Alps]

when you talk about connecting it to the computer what calendar system are you using on your computer? meaning, could i connect it with the appointment quest software that i use?

tia
a.

 

[lmechwarrior]

I believe appt-quest is one of the services that provides outlook compatible email scheduling. When you get your email there should be a file you can click on that automatically stores your appt in Outlook, then you sync and voila, on your PDA.

The biggest reason to buy a fancier PDA is MORE MEMORY. I run out. Also you MUST sync with your computer if you want to have your schedule kept for the year. If you look back a few months some of your scheduling will be blank. PDAs do this to conserve space.

One after-market add-on that is really nice is the Physicians Desk Reference- or Stedmans medical dictionary.

And yes for sure hard case and screen protectors. Be very careful removing an adhesive screen protector from a touch screen though. It can damage it. I use a clear slip type screen protector. It tucks in under the bezel. Pain to get on there, but lasts months, and it's really easy to remove. Plus absolutely no damage to the screen.

Stacey GadgetGirl

 

[Meaty Babby CR3]

sweet! thanks stacey gadgetgirl.. you rock!

 

[Strokin meh Pen0rz]

I have an older Palm M515...older but repair parts are still available. I use yahoo calendar, and have a cradle to sync. 16 meg memory, has a card slot too. Ebay....

I just bought a Rand McNally street map program for it, you can make maps on the computer and download to the palm.

Something nice about palm that no one has mentioned is that palm users can "beam" stuff back and forth. I was meeting with a techno-embracer and he "beamed" me his info and also a Tetris game.

My wife has a Palm Tungsten E -- it has 32 meg memory, color screen, etc. The options are endless.

I got this one because my friend has one and I figgered if it was good enuf for him, good enuf for me.