Technology new palm tx

[PluckyDuk8]

Hi all,

I'm thinking of getting a new palm t/x (I have a mac)...what do you all think of it, and does anyone have a lifedrive?

Thanks,
Plucky

 

[nebrfan]

Has anyone purchased/played with the new palm tx? I'm interested in one - but i'm not sure if it would be prudent to invest in the palm platform. Any suggestions?

 

[kurogoma]

I got a T|x and am happy with it. What convinced me was the screen size and the WiFi, the screen is about 50% bigger in area than the older palms.

This is my first handheld, but when I tried the ones other people used I always thought the screen should be bigger, just makes reading easier. The landscape mode also helps.

I hope I will be able to use it for a while...

 

[nebrfan]

I got a T|x and am happy with it. What convinced me was the screen size and the WiFi, the screen is about 50% bigger in area than the older palms.

This is my first handheld, but when I tried the ones other people used I always thought the screen should be bigger, just makes reading easier. The landscape mode also helps.

I hope I will be able to use it for a while...

Thanks for the response - How well does the wifi/browser work?

 

[kurogoma]

How well does the wifi/browser work?

The WiFi works very well for casual internet surfing, but also for wireless synchronizing with the computer. I actually don´t think I will use the USB cable much, it was not faster than the WiFi.

 

[Chemguync]

The WiFi works very well for casual internet surfing, but also for wireless synchronizing with the computer. I actually don´t think I will use the USB cable much, it was not faster than the WiFi.

What about memory? Do the PDAs like T/X and T5 have enough memory to store all the medical programs you need? My school requires palm os, so i'm looking at the lifedrive(sp) cuz it has 4 gigs and the dual wifi/bluetooth.. but also the voice recorder.. I had heard that some pda software requires being installed on the pda itself, not the flash drive, so I was worried about running out of space.. is that really an issue?

 

[dsp]

i have the same question down under treo and would be interested in an answer for both the Tx or the Treo.. thanks for a good question.

 

[kurogoma]

What about memory? Do the PDAs like T/X and T5 have enough memory to store all the medical programs you need? My school requires palm os, so i'm looking at the lifedrive(sp) cuz it has 4 gigs and the dual wifi/bluetooth.. but also the voice recorder.. I had heard that some pda software requires being installed on the pda itself, not the flash drive, so I was worried about running out of space.. is that really an issue?

In the main memory of the T|x I installed 7 programs (epocrates, DxSaurus, Merck, MedCalc...) and I still have 84mb available out of 128mb. I also bought an additional 1gb flash card for mp3 files.
This is my first handheld, so I haven´t really figured out yet which programs I´m going to really use, but I don´t think I will use 20 or more. I guess most people settle on 3-6 programs they really use.
If in doubt, just check how big the programs you would want to use really are.

 

[mastry]

I am also a new owner of a Palm T/X and I LOVE it. It's my fourth Palm (V, Clie, T3, and now T/X) and the best one.

But I would not use it without my favorite way of entering text for it: MessagEase.

You can get it for free from http://www.exideas.com (free for the first two months).

If you spend a bit of time learning how it works, it makes the experience of actually using your Palm (or any PDA in fact) much more efficient.

 

[Iwy Em Hotep]

So I have some questions about purchasing a PDA soon for 3rd year. I'm trying to decide among the Palm T|X, Tungsten E2, and iPaq rx1950.

My main use for a PDA will be to store medical database information. Wi-Fi for email would be nice but is not critical. I also have a Mac, and would like to make the PDA play nice with it.

Pros for each:
T|X (+): Wi-Fi, large screen, Palm interface
E2 (+): cheap, good battery life, Palm interface
iPaq (+): Wi-Fi, good battery life, small size

Questions:
1) Is battery life that critical? I don't want to the PDA to die on me while I'm on the wards, so hearing that the T|X gets a little under 4 hours on a charge gives me pause.

2) How is medical software for the Pocket PC? I know that there are lots of Palm medical programs out there, but I can only imagine myself using ePocrates and some calculators right now.

3) If I get the iPaq, I will need to get Missing Sync as well. Can anyone comment on whether this is a PITA, or does it "just work?"

 

[EatMoreChicken]

I'd get a Palm TX if I were you. The larger screen, WiFi, faster processor, and more memory would push me to the TX over the E2. The batter life issues for the TX can be a concern. They say it will last 4hours on continuous use w/ the wifi off. But they clam a person typically uses their Palm about 40mins a day, so it will probably last a few days before you need to recharge.

I wouldn't even bother w/ the IPAQ b/c softwarez is harder to find.

 

[smc927]

I bought the Palm T|X and have a Mac (iBook). Here is my review (compared to the iPaq 1945 I used to have, which had essentially the same features). This is my 4th or 5th PDA.

**Screen: Large, landscape view enabled, bright, clear. Love it.

**Memory: 128 meg, 100 available to user. I have Dorland's medical dictionary, Bates Physical Exams, DO/OTM (Kimberly), thousands of pages of other ebooks, etc, and still have 80 meg available.
------Expansion slot allows me to easily add more memory. (Check out newegg.com.)

**Size: Just right. The iPaq 1945 I had before was slightly slimmer (and a slightly smaller screen). It felt too small. The T|X feels great in my hand.

**Weight: Heavier than my wallet, lighter than my iPod (20 gig ipod I got for free, yes - really... check out my signature link).

**Case: The flip-cover attaches to the side and opens like opening a book. I really like that feature. 3rd party cases enclose the entire PDA making it significantly heavier and thicker - although they offer improved protection.

**WiFi: Works great. Connects easily. Check email and surf the web. Not as fast as a desktop computer, but fast enough. You'd still want to do your regular web work on a desktop/laptop.

**Bluetooth: bluetooth is bluetooth, does it's job. Great for wireless syncing.

**Mac Friendly: Works with my Mac easily. iSync syncs it with my iCal and address book easily. "Missing Sync" software can be purchased separately to do all sorts of fancy WiFi-syncing things.

**Battery life: Company says 4 hours on a charge - mine is doing fine. That's 4 hours ON time - when would you have it on 4 hours straight? Recharge every few days - kind of like a cell phone.

**CONS: Battery cannot be replaced by user. PocketPC has more handwriting/input options - although Palm's Graffiti 2 works very well. Skype doesn't make a Palm PDA version. AvantGo doesn't make a program for Mac (although a free alternative works and does the exact same thing).

**Software: Palm based software is still the only good option for Mac, and many businesses still use it. I don't see it going out anytime soon.

 

[DW3843]

nice responses. thanks

I am also about to get a PDA for next year (as in July). I'm probably going to stick with the TX, but the Lifedrive is attractive based mostly on its gigantic memory.

If I get the TX I will likely buy a memory card (maybe a gig) just for personal files or whatever else.
Is this a good idea, or is springing the extra dough for the Lifedrive a better idea in the long run.?

By the way, I've never had a PDA before . . . and I have a Mac. (thank god)

 

[Iwy Em Hotep]

nice responses. thanks

I am also about to get a PDA for next year (as in July). I'm probably going to stick with the TX, but the Lifedrive is attractive based mostly on its gigantic memory.

If I get the TX I will likely buy a memory card (maybe a gig) just for personal files or whatever else.
Is this a good idea, or is springing the extra dough for the Lifedrive a better idea in the long run.?

By the way, I've never had a PDA before . . . and I have a Mac. (thank god)

I think it would cost less money to buy the TX and 2 2GB cards. From what I've read, the Lifedrive isn't as stable as the TX.

 

[ramonaquimby]

I think it would cost less money to buy the TX and 2 2GB cards. From what I've read, the Lifedrive isn't as stable as the TX.

it seems only two palms offer wi-fi. bummer cuz i'm really feelin' the E2. this will be my first palm so i want to make the 'right' decision (is getting a palm the first wrong idea? is a dell better?). anyway, i stumbled across this review and became confused cuz i thought one needed wi-fi to check email/internet? if i'm right, explain this review to me:

"Using Bluetooth and my Moto v551, the palm T5 can also be used to check e-mail. Since I can't access personal e-mail at my work, I can use the T5 to send and receive messages and, browse the internet anywhere I have my phone (no WiFi needed)."

huh? i want to be able to check email/internet via my palm (that i don't won yet)...the TX and C seem to be the only (very expensive) options

 

[Iwy Em Hotep]

There are two different wireless protocols involved here.

1) Wi-Fi. This is the wireless you likely have in your school/home/library and the one that most laptops use to go onto the internet. Also known as 802.11b or 802.11g. Requires that you be around a wireless access point.

2) Bluetooth. This is a short range wireless protocol designed to replace cables, like USB cables. It can be used with a Bluetooth-compatible cell phone to access the internet, but of course you need the phone and the data plan.

On a related note, before getting a PDA to use with your Bluetooth-ready phone, make absolutely certain that the two are compatible. Many phones do not work with the TX, for example, for no apparent logical reason.