Palm vs. Palm: Which PDA Is Best for a Novice?

Thu Jul 6, 2006 12:48PM EDT

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Reader Bernetta F. Lewis writes: I have a question about the Tungsten E2 Handheld. I am looking for a PDA that isn't for work. I want to organize my addresses, listen to music and the basic things you need to organize your life. I don't need Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for my device. Would this PDA be a good choice for a first PDA? Thanks in advance for your help.

In case you hadn't noticed, the PDA market tanked a couple of years ago, to the point where major companies like Sony abandoned the market and other vendors, including Dell and HP, have scaled back their PDA offerings as smartphones and have picked up more and more of the features that PDAs used to offer.

Palm is still making a wide range of PDAs, and yes, I'd recommend that if you want something affordable and simple, you get a Palm device instead of a Windows Mobile handheld. Hardly a PDA fiend, I still have trouble getting around in Windows Mobile, which really earns its name: It's an awful lot like a miniature version of Windows, bugs and all.

For simple Palm PDAs, you have two basic choices, the Tungsten E2, which you've already identified, and the Palm Z22, formerly known as the Zire line. The advantages of the E2: It lets you open Office docs, has Bluetooth, and expansion slot, and a color screen with twice the resolution of the Z22. With the Bluetooth connection you can browse the web or get email on the device. (I know you said you didn't want Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but someday you might).

The Z22 has none of those features, and doesn't even have an expansion slot, so if you buy the Z22, you're stuck with it as is. It's 1.3 ounces lighter, and it costs only $99 instead of $199. But its abilities are quite limited: You can't even listen to music on the thing. I also think the E2 looks nicer, but at least the Z22 does have a color screen.

So which to get? If you plan on opening any Office apps or want to use the PDA for anything beyond the most basic organizer functions, the E2 is your pick. If you really want the absolute minimum and price is a major concern, go with the Z22. Either way, good luck!

Comments on Palm vs. Palm: Which PDA Is Best for a Novice?

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  • 1 Posted by kaplanchisholm on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    Definitely would have appreciated an alternative recommendation to the PDA.

  • 2 Posted by twizza3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    An alternative recommendation to any PDA is a smartphone. Unfortnaetely, many carriers will chanrge you for data packages, even if you do not want them. But let me run back for a second. PDAs are usually a need because someone wants to be organzied more than they are. Combining this functionality within one's cell phone is not only a good diea, but down the line can open the door for you to do more with simple informaiton. For example, an entry in your addressbook you might want to visit, and need directions. Instead of typing/copying the directions, you choose a menu option that says "get directions" and then your smartphone goes online to get the directions. Other reasons for suggesting a smrtphone is that it is one few device to carry around. You may get tired of lugging your PDA, phone, and laptop on a trip. Lastly, with smartphones, you can do everything that a PDA does, everything that a phone does, and in some cases replace your laptop too.

  • 3 Posted by henleyfan on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    You need to decide on your priorities. If the music is number one, buy an Ipod, which also has a place on it for addresses and calendering. If the calender and the addresses are the most important, the E2 might be a good choice. In general, though, the PDAs seem to have less memory than is needed for really playing and storing music.

  • 4 Posted by blzpkrmal on Wed Sep 6, 2006 11:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    I started with the tungsten E 2 1/2 yrs ago that helped the learn how to use the PDA , trust me you cant learn it all from the book using it is the best teacher. I now have a treo and there is alot more to become used to doing with the smartphone, but they are definitly worth using if you dont like lugging around ton of stuff.

  • 5 Posted by amd9999 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    WARNING: The batteries in Palm devices are NOT designed to be changed by the user. Unbelievable, but true. On a plane and the battery runs out? Tough luck. Very short-sighted on the part of Palm. You can change the batteries in HP iPAQs.

  • 6 Posted by digitalquirk on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    I currently own and use a Palm Z22 on a daily basis. It was given to me by my wife, who "Upgraded" to a pen and paper style agenda/daily planner type of organizer. She's tried the Z22 and the organizer built into her cell phone, but find them too "Fiddly". With her paper-based agenda, she can flip open to the day and start writing. I tend to agree with her; for organizing, nothing beats the good old paper-based day planners and agendas; exactly what Outlook and the software in the Palms try to emulate! I also have an MP3 player, which works great. It's extremely compact and doesn't get in the way when I work or exercise. I couldn't imagine trying to use my Z22 for listening to music, even if it were capable of doing so. Imagine trying to wear it on an armband or as a pendant around my neck. It's small and light, but not that small and light! What a PDA like the Z22 is good for is as an "Extension" to my computer. It doesn't work well on its own; it needs the right software. Plucker and Sunrise are a great combination to grab web sites and RSS feeds for me to read at my leisure on the Z22; turning it into a newspaper/periodical reader. It will also read eBooks. With the Eudora Internet Suite, I can read (and write) e-mail with Outlook. All of this is free! The Z22 is also good for playing games, some of which are also free, and many of which are very affordable. For instance, Patience is great for playing Solitaire, or many other card games, wherever your tastes may be. T-Crisis is a great Tetris. It's a great way for those of us who are a little too old to be seen playing with a Gameboy, but still enjoy playing videogames. The selection of games on the Palm tend to cater to a more mature audience; a definite plus for me! Oh, it will also store pictures, to-do lists, has a database, a great calculator, an expense manager, a dictionary, and all that exciting stuff. There probably isn't much it can't do. 32 megabytes and the limited screen resolution may sound limited, but in actual use it serves well as an extension to my computer that will fit in any pocket and in the palm of my hand. Wrapped in the rubberized case, it's also very robust. Frankly, I wouldn't be scared off by what it can't do. You're not "Stuck" with it as it is; the software can be changed and the right software choices will help many people get much more out of it.

  • 8 Posted by s.e.b-crawford@att.net on Wed May 13, 2009 1:44AM EDT Report Abuse

    I am currently in mourning for my E2. I love PDA's. Using a PDA allows me a lot of versatility, I sync it with my laptop and my smartphone. Never one to put my eggs in one basket, having a PDA allowed me the convenience of writing myself a note without regard for background noise or any other real interruptions. I took it to meetings because it was always quiet and not at all bulky.. The screen was large and allowed for all kinds of personalization so that I could easily use it without wearing my glasses. I used the music application with external speakers while working outside. So what happened to it? I decided I could replace the battery according to some info I found online. Need I say more?

  • 9 Posted by bvoerster on Wed Dec 2, 2009 12:08PM EST Report Abuse

    I have bee a Palm since the first one came to market. My Treo 755p has been in service for over two years and I hane no problem charging the battery. I've ot had to replace one either, however it's a simple lift out battery and could be changed by a 6 yr old.

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