Some general WiFi questions

manoosie · 06-24-03, 06:17 PM

my boss wants me to get his daughter a pda. Money isnt much of an issue. She needs everything the axim has, but there are some additional things that i dont know much about. Here are my questions...

Are there pdas with WiFi built in them? So, could you just stroll into a starbucks and start surfing without a WiFi card?

How much will a cf WiFi card run you? How much for a sd WiFi card?

What is a bluetooth wireless network? Are these different than the WiFi networks at schools and other places?

Are keyboards and cases going to be available in the very near future for these new ipaqs?

What are the specs(i dont know if this is public yet) on the x7? Could it fullfill my needs?

Thanks guys. I have done some homework around the web, but when it comes to WiFi i think asking the hands on people is a must.;)

stevey500 · 06-24-03, 06:26 PM

I am going to use a wifi PC Card with an adapter... Anyway for a good cf wifi card $58 click here to see it

drunken · 06-25-03, 12:05 AM

There are PDAs with built-in WiFi, the best known is probably the Toshiba e740/e755 or the iPAQ h5450 (which also has built-in Bluetooth)

i picked up my CF WiFi card on eBay for $41.00 USD (it's a D-Link DCF-660W)
SD WiFi cards aren't mainstream yet really, and are pretty expensive - may as well go with CF WiFi if you have a CF slot

Bluetooth is the competing wireless technology to WiFi (aka 802.11b)... it's a short-range radio wireless network, and it is different from WiFi networks - they are not interchangable (use different frequences completely)

dunno about keyboards/cases for ipaqs

dont think anybody knows specs on the X7 but think it could fulfill your needs.

but i think an e755 would do fine, or an Axim with CF card (a cheaper, just as good solution)

ZappCatt · 06-25-03, 12:14 AM

The only problem that I have with a CF wi-fi card is that you then have to use the SD card for storage. They also make teh unit larger, and have to be removed for storage.

I have CF wifi cards, but would rather have had it built-in..particularly since money is not a big issue.

I would suggest looking at the Toshiba 755 which just started shipping with PPC 2003. Toshiba is not getting high marks for customer service over at Brighthand though...

Planet-Ed · 06-25-03, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Are there pdas with WiFi built in them? So, could you just stroll into a starbucks and start surfing without a WiFi card?

Yes there are PDA's with WiFi and even some with Bluetooth build in ... Or you can add those to most so you need to compare the price of those that are built-in to those you you can add the card to and see which route is cheaper. Just because its built in doesn't mean its better ... I like the option of adding that way I can use whatever brand I want so I can pick the drivers that will work with most of my application ...

Quote:

How much will a cf WiFi card run you? How much for a sd WiFi card?

Varies from maker to maker and what sale is going on at the time. I've seem WiFi cards go between $29.00 up to $140.00 but most are around the $40-$80 range. For SD WiFi cards not all PDA's that have SD slots can use them. I like haveing the SD slot for my memory cards that way I can use an array of compact flash periphrials like WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS etc in the CF slot.

Quote:

What is a bluetooth wireless network? Are these different than the WiFi networks at schools and other places?

Bluetooth - This is a wireless connectivity. Most often used to connect to other periphrials like cell phones, PDAs, GPS, computers, headsets etc etc ... It is most often described as a PAN - Personal Area Network and has a range of about 10 meters. They are not compatable with the networks you find at schools, starbucks and places like that. Those places are using WiFi 802.11b LAN- Local Area Networks that have a range in the hundreds of feet. They are 2 toatally different connection tools to meet specific needs.

Quote:

Are keyboards and cases going to be available in the very near future for these new ipaqs?

I would have to assume yes there will be keyboards for the new IPAQs ... They have them for current models so I don't see why news ones would not get one made by someone. There will always be a market for those.

Quote:

What are the specs(i dont know if this is public yet) on the x7? Could it fullfill my needs?

The specs are just a speculation and can easily change so it may or may not fit your needs when its actually or if ever released.

manoosie · 06-25-03, 04:36 PM

thanks guys, i will update you on what i do.