[CAUT] Ipaq or Dell

[Jim Harvey]

Greg Newell wrote:

> Listees,
>     I'm contemplating the switch from a laptop to a Pocket PC. Anyone 
> have a strong opinion about Ipaq vs. Dell?
>
> Greg Newell

Overall, don't contemplate, just do it, Greg.

As for brand names, no strong opinions, just issues. Here are a few for 
you to consider while you research:

Speed. If you only run a tuning program, this won't make a significant 
performance difference. But most folks want to do more (and more, 
and...) with their units, often at the same time (background tasks). 
Plus, just like with desktops, the PPC programmers are taking lessons 
from the Micro$oft folks in writing huge, memory and processor intensive 
code. You will be behind the curve soon enough, but it's better not to 
start out on the downside of the curve.

I just read that there are some situations arising from the Windows 2005 
OS, along with a recommendation to stick with 2003 if possible until at 
least another generation of the OS is available. I can't verify this one 
way or another, since I don't monitor the PPC groups -- I read the 
message on an unrelated board.

In another area, CF cards, like VHS tape and 35mm film, are likely on 
the way out, giving way to SD, but there are still a bunch of add-on 
devices that use, make that require, the CF card slot, if that's 
important to you. Having BOTH options gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.

WIFI? Bluetooth? Another judgement call, depending on what (all) you 
plan to do with the PPC. Infrared (likely on any platform?) is 
important, but not just for communicating between units. You might want 
to print invoices...?

Finally, regardless of your decision on which product, you'll want to 
consider some third party options right from the start, and you'll want 
to explore whether those products exist (yet) for your chosen unit. 
These include:

- screen protection (can't be stressed enough)
- 12 v charger
- USB Hotsync / Charging cable (that can be used with EITHER AC or 12v 
chargers)
[the self-retracting types pack small, and are really neat!]
- any case/sleeve/pouch other than what comes with it, regardless of 
manufacturer.

Just my take.
Jim Harvey