I don't want to be carrying around a laptop or whatnot during college courses in Computer Science, etc., but I am unsure as to whether a PDA such as an Axim X51v would be a good thing to have or not. So, I have a few questions, other than the entertainment-oriented that I have asked in other sub-forums on this site:
1) Is it feasible to use as a note-taking device? If I put in some practice to learning the input method with the stylus, or get a foldable keyboard, can I write quickly enough (I am a very fast typist)? Also, will programs such as PhatNotes (formerly HPCnotes) which I saw on handango.com work well? Can the notes from such programs be imported into Word or whatnot on a desktop for archival and searching on my computer?
2) Will colleges allow them in place of calculators during classes requiring such, assuming I purchased or found freeware that would provide the same functions? Has anyone used one like this and have any opinions?
3) Is it viable to browse on a PPC using a cell-phone tether via bluetooth to research things during downtime, or even just fire off emails or browse a little during spare time?
4) Are they considered unusual to be carrying around on a college campus?
5) Are there any good programs for freeform (i.e. handwritten/image-like ) notes on the PPC? Will PhatNotes/HPCnotes allow for this? If so, is the screen large and easy enough to scroll that it would work well?
6) Can I rely on a microdrive such as the 4GB or 8GB Seagate models for my CF slot to not take a dump on me between synchs with my desktop? Are they prone to failure, and if so, what would be a good alternative in solid-state storage such as a normal CF or SD card to use in the same price ranges relatively?
7) Has anyone here tried using a PPC like the X51v in college, and has an opinion as to whether it is helpful or not? What were your experiences?
1) Yes, very good note taking, you may want some extra batteries, or have access to power though, if it is a long class/seminar. Yes, you will want an external keyboard.
2) Obviously depends on the college. Which one are you going to? In most, the answer would be NO, as you can have notes on it...... But in regular class, not a test, I guess it would be okay, but it depends on the professor/college.
3) Yes, you can use a cell phone for internet, but most campuses have WI-FI anyway, so that is a better option for use with your x51v.
4) No, not unusual, but also depending on college.
5) Yes, there are free-form notetakers, one of which is the built in Notes.
6) Yes, you can rely on them, assuming you don't run around like maniacs shaking your Axim while its reading/writing from the drive.
7) No idea, since I'm only 13 years old and in 7th grade!! I'll let you know in hmm... 6 years! (jk)
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I am a college prof and I say go for it. I use my x51v wireless in the school network and do most of my research with it. Also, palm/pocket PCs are starting to become more than just fadish (IMHO). I use mine to prodcast lecture notes, take voice memos, type notes, excell SS for roll & Grades, etc. Plus, being wireless live allows me to check email and respond while I motor between classes or at the lunch table. It is not a full replacement for a CS major (I imagine you will need regular access to a PC machine) and some of the science profs "may" require you to have the designated calculator (in engineering some of the processes I needed are still not easily available via a PPC). It is also a lot lighter on a person (add a few $150 books, library books, paper, pencils, etc.) and I use mine to watch TV, videos, and listen to music (no MP3 player on me now).
Hope that helps.
PS GPS is really!!! handy when you are not familiar with all the good eating places and you get an invite to one on the fly (I just say "what is the name again?" Google the address then GPS to the place -- and sometimes get there first!
1)It is useful for note taking if you have a external keyboard. If you use the soft keyboard to type, it might take a while and you won't be able to follow up with the lecture. I've tried it. I guess you could try soft keyboards like Tengo which claims that after a while and a bit of practice, you could type at 80wpm which is about my average typing speed on a full size computer keyboard.
2)During classes I don't think anyone will care but in exams, the invigilators have to be dumb to let you use it. You can basically scan a whole book into pdf format, bring it in and search for whatever information you need for your test and just copy it out onto the exam script.
3)Yes you can connect it to a phone but I think you might want to check with other Aximsite members regarding what make and type of phone you have. I'm not too sure about this.
4)I don't see many people carrying a PDA around my uni. I think I might be one of the few odd ones out. Honestly, noone will laugh at you or give you dumb stares when you use. However, typing might piss off a few people who are sitting next to you in class. I've seen a few PSPs around though.
5)I use PhatPad for this. It's a great program and it can be used as a complement to PhatNotes.
6)Microdrives are great but I think they are more power hungry. I don't use a microdrive so I can't really advise you on that but do a search on aximsite, I've read a few threads about it.
7)Yes, me. Great for taking notes, playing games and listening to songs when lectures are boring. I use it for nearly everything from contacts to finance to mp3 to movies.
Just to tell you, a PDA device becomes more of a hobby after you get it. Sure you use it to do those things you asked above, but as you better realize its potential and capabilities, generally you would spend quite a bit of time to put it to it's "fullest use". So beware, a new device can be distracting sometimes. Just my .02$
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ktvyeow, as far as note-taking speed, with Graffiti on my Palm awhile back I could do about the same speed as handwriting things, a bit slower but almost as quick. Is the PPC's input method for handwriting recognition similar in speeds, or is it really that slow? I've never really used soft-keyboards before, always just the Graffiti a few years ago.
darkdestroyer, I'm well aware of the dangers of it becoming a hobby ;) and am ready for that... just don't want to buy it and have it turn out to be useless to me for note-taking especially. I will toss the idea of getting a foldable keyboard I guess...
As far as using it as a calculator during exams, yeah, I know I can't :). Professors would be foolish to allow that, as many would take advantage of it.
On the phone thing, I have already checked that my model would work (Motorola v710). I just am mainly wondering about the browsing experience when using a PPC for light web and email.
I like the tablet pc's you can find on Ebay for ease of use, portability, and usefulness. Some are like small laptops with touch screens that swivel 180 degrees. Just a thought. You might pick up an older one for cheap.
i use my x30h for everything... i even used it today to write my entire 10 page presentation!!! i use my ax even more than my laptop! also if your in a hotspot you can use your laptop via VNC!!!!! im even using it now!
A wireless PDA would be a huge asset on a wired campus IMO.
The transcriber on the X51 is surprisingly fast and accurate with a little practice, but using it for taking lecture notes? I'll predict that your results will be mixed at best.
The real win is you can have dozens of reference texts and supplemental material with you on the PDA, plus you can be online any time, anywhere (almost) provided the campus has wireless access. With so much of a university's assets online nowadays, it's a real advantage to have it so readily accessible.
Anyway, as plugh said, most of my university lectures and materials are online so I just download them all and copy them onto my axim. It's great having all your university materials with you all the time although I don't really use them unless I'm attending a lecture.
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