Hello group,

I will be doing a bunch of travel in the next few months, business and personal,
and I was thinking that one of these iPAQ rx1955 devices would be a good/cheap
way to do the most basics of keeping in touch by sending basic emails to family
that I've arrived ok and such. I originally thought of getting a cheap-o
laptop, but they are clunky and more expensive when compared to these small PDA
devices. I do not plan on doing any actual work on this device, as I've read
about complaints about the small amount of user memory either slows down the
device or crashes it (or both) when trying to multitask with it and whatnot. If
anything, I just want to play some chess (while on the plane), then check email,
then research wikipedia or googlemaps, none of these applications at the same
time. Also, anyone have any experience with the 'factory refurbished' models?

Any opinions / advice appreciated,
-lloyd

Well it depends where you are travelling to as regards internet access
but personally I would go for a device that has Bluetooth connectivity
in preference to WIFI.

With WIFI there is the problem of finding a Hotpsot, gaining access to
it and then configuring your email client's SMTP settings. You could of
course access webmail but that is rather cumbersome.

With Bluetooth you can hook it up with a BT mobile phone and
send/receive email and browse wherever you have a signal. Having said
that there is then the problem of whether you have a compatible phone.

Outside of continental America you will need a GSM phone that operates
on GSM 900/1800, a Tri band GSM BT GPRS phone with an email client and
browser is so useful, if you don't have one try some research about
prices of phones where you are going as they may be cheaper and then
get it unlocked so that you can use your own or a local SIM. I took a
picture of my wife and myself on top of Ayres Rock and emailed it
straightaway to a dozen friends for a princely total of about 30p
(55cents US) much cheaper and better than a postcard. This was on a pay
as you go Triband mobile phone with camera that cost me £60. It was
unlocked so I could use a local SIM or my own SIM which has the same
GPRS rates for the UK and abroad.

Using the phone's keypad I can do simple 'hi got here OK' etc emails,
receive emails (download headers only so you filter out what you really
want to read) and even simple browsing. The PDA would come into its own
for more lengthy emails and detailed browsing. The Word application is
a little better than a text editor, but not much, still, better than a
kick in the teeth.

Regards

Might take a look at http://BevHoward.com/TravLite.htm for some thoughts
on this.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev] wrote:
> Might take a look at http://BevHoward.com/TravLite.htm for some thoughts
> on this.

I also have a Blue Angel variant, the O2 XDA IIs (brand new, unlocked
and debranded off ebay, well chuffed at only £106) and agree that it
satisfies the majority of a travellers needs, but I also use a Jornada
720 with Textmaker for proper typing. Really pleased with both.

Regards

Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev] wrote:
> Might take a look at http://BevHoward.com/TravLite.htm for some thoughts
> on this.

I also have a Blue Angel variant, the O2 XDA IIs (brand new, unlocked
and debranded off ebay, well chuffed at only £106) and agree that it
satisfies the majority of a travellers needs, but I also use a Jornada
720 with Textmaker for proper typing. Really pleased with both.

Regards

I would decide AGAINST the rx1950. Its built-in RAM memory is just not
sufficient for *many* games or other tasks, let alone decent multuitasking
(where WM5 is especially strong).

Therefore, I'd recommend going for, say, the Acer N311, which has a similar
form factor & weight and isn't particularly expensive. Furthermore, it's
VGA.

--


--
Werner "Menneisyys" Ruotsalainen - Microsoft MVP - Windows - Mobile Devices
Please see the Pocket PC Mag Expert Blog (including mine) at
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/ - you will definitely like it.


"Lloyd Fergussen" <lloyd.fergussen@NONE.COM> wrote in message
news:1jjrg.33084$543.7487@trnddc04...
> Hello group,
>
> I will be doing a bunch of travel in the next few months, business and
> personal, and I was thinking that one of these iPAQ rx1955 devices would
> be a good/cheap way to do the most basics of keeping in touch by sending
> basic emails to family that I've arrived ok and such. I originally
> thought of getting a cheap-o laptop, but they are clunky and more
> expensive when compared to these small PDA devices. I do not plan on
> doing any actual work on this device, as I've read about complaints about
> the small amount of user memory either slows down the device or crashes it
> (or both) when trying to multitask with it and whatnot. If anything, I
> just want to play some chess (while on the plane), then check email, then
> research wikipedia or googlemaps, none of these applications at the same
> time. Also, anyone have any experience with the 'factory refurbished'
> models?
>
> Any opinions / advice appreciated,
> -lloyd
>
>

I was going to buy the rx1955 but I found the hx2495b on sale for just $45
more. Very glad that I got the upgrade, the hx2495b is very cool and it is
a far more capable PDA. Faster processor, more memory, 2 card slots, bigger
battery, and a built in security program. Shop around and see if you can
find a deal on the 2495b. I now like the IPAQ more than my laptop for
travel.

Try uBid.com (http://www.ubid.com) for a refurbished model. They offer
extended warranties at a reasonable price. My experience with them was
the customer service was excellent...enough that I purchased a second
PDA from them...which was a refurbished hx2415.

Chris


Lloyd Fergussen wrote:
> Hello group,
>
> I will be doing a bunch of travel in the next few months, business and personal,
> and I was thinking that one of these iPAQ rx1955 devices would be a good/cheap
> way to do the most basics of keeping in touch by sending basic emails to family
> that I've arrived ok and such. I originally thought of getting a cheap-o
> laptop, but they are clunky and more expensive when compared to these small PDA
> devices. I do not plan on doing any actual work on this device, as I've read
> about complaints about the small amount of user memory either slows down the
> device or crashes it (or both) when trying to multitask with it and whatnot. If
> anything, I just want to play some chess (while on the plane), then check email,
> then research wikipedia or googlemaps, none of these applications at the same
> time. Also, anyone have any experience with the 'factory refurbished' models?
>
> Any opinions / advice appreciated,
> -lloyd