i really do not intend to start a fight. i'm honestly clueless on the subject. right now i'm trying to decide between a palm tx which would cost me about $200, and a x51v, which would run me about $300. that's with using some coupons and what-not, but i digress. anyway, i really don't know what i want. i haven't used a pda in years.
what i would like:
headphone-audio quality: strange request, but my pda with be my mp3 player and i am an audiophile. i use some very nice canalphones to listen to music on the go. seems like i can get good audio players for both palm and windows, so the issue comes down to more the chip used in the pda and the implimentation. i hear good things about the x50 series, but don't know about the palm.
free software: i honestly doubt i'll be willing to pay for any software whatsoever (well, almost anything)
btw: i have a 1gb sd card so that's what i'll be using either way.
i like the size and look of the palm better
my needs are pretty simple: LOTS of web browsing, lots of audio listening, some very basic PIM functions, and a few good games. mostly i'll be using the device to take notes in school and look up little facts and what-not online. i'll use my pda mostly as a mobile information database.
and, i cannot think of much else, but anyway i know a few things such as the axim should be faster (right?), it has twice the screen rez (which is also less battery, yes?) and then the great debate of which OS is better.
palm i hear has lots of free software, and that is intriguing, but then again it seems that palm is fighting a losing battle against windows mobile. anyway, i know what the general sentiment is here :) , but i'd appreciate some sage advice
Siimply from even a hardware point of view the dell is a better value.
Additionally I've found that Windows mobile is more capable out of the box than is Palm.
As for freeware www.ppcfreeware.com has lots. Just like its sister site www.palmfreeware.com
I had been happily using a Palm for about the last 6 years. Then two weeks ago I upgraded to an Axim X51 & absolutely love it! I am kicking myself for not switching sooner.
I think Palm only has 1 expansion slot where Axim has SD & CF slots. FREE software was a huge consideration for me as well & so far, thanks to Aximsite.com, I have found more freeware than I know what to do with. Good luck.
Had you the need for more PIM and other basic PDA functions I would have recommended the PALM Device. But seeeing as how your looking more for a research and mobile entertainment device I'd advise you to get the X51v.
I think you'll have to change your mind about buying software once you use the trial version of iPlay by 40th floor software. While extremely expensive for Pocket PC software it give the true audiophile the ability to tweak the sound to their hearts content. Bit of a learning curve though but the sonic experience is breathtaking.
HTH
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and, i cannot think of much else, but anyway i know a few things such as the axim should be faster (right?), it has twice the screen rez (which is also less battery, yes?) and then the great debate of which OS is better.
The x51v has a faster CPU, but that does not necessarily translate to faster program speed. In fact, the x51v, because it uses ROM to store the programs, is slower in some respects than the x50v, which can use RAM to store programs. I would say in subjective speed with launching of programs, etc., the Palm will feel faster.
More screen resolution means less battery life usually, yes.
If you are not really into modifying or tweaking the registry and other aspects of a operating system, go with Palm. Also, the Palm T|X model has a nice metal casing which was attractive to me. I prefered Dell x51v because I like to personalize a lot. If you asked this question two years ago when Sony had their Clie line, I would've dragged your ass to nearest Sony store and made you buy the UX50. That was the best Palm device in my opinion. But now, PPC is for me.
@Zaniax: Yes, you can do that on a Palm (via PocketTunes). In fact, you can listen to tunes in almost any app that is not processor intensive(3d games for example).
In essence, palm is simpler, but the ppc's are more versatile, you should try them both at your local electronics store.
I used to own Handspring/Palm products for years, starting with a Handspring Visor, then moving through a Visor Pro, Palm Tungsten, and a Tungsten T3. I was happy with Palm up until the T3. I got tired of waiting for Palm to issue an update to it's OS and also got tired of having to reset the Tungsten almost daily because of one issue or another. My wife had already made the switch to Windows Mobile when she purchased a Dell Axim X50 and, I had to admit, I got more and more jealous as I learned more about the WM interface, the programs available, and the general design of the Axim.
Back in November of '05, I took the plunge and purchased a used Dell Axim x30 624 off of eBay. I have not regretted my decision yet. The operating system is stable, navigation is easy, and the programs available for use are so much better than what I found with Palm. I also like NOT having to press a button each time I want to sync my PDA.
In February, I purchased the Best of Everything package from Pocket PC & Smartphone magazine. I'm going to load a LOT of software on my Axim (I, too, have a 1GB SD card) and might even chronicle my experience for future new Axim owners as I discover what programs work best and where to load them on the PDA.
I have been a long time Pocket PC user (and developer) and I was fed up with my Dell Axim x50v draining completely of power while on three separate business trips. The device was totally useless when I needed it the most, so I decided to examine the Palm TX (since Palms are know for longer battery life).
I purchased one at a local electronics store (for $299 US) with the intent of testing it for two weeks before deciding to keep it or return it for a refund. First, it is a very well designed device and I did like the Palm OS' snappiness. The battery life was also notable longer lasting than my Dell x50v (however it was also internal and not removeable). The TX had WiFi, the ability to play music files and movie files, and has an assortment of freeware/shareware/commercial software available for it. After 10 days of using the Palm TX, I came to the conclusion that I really needed a Pocket PC device for my daily activities for these reasons:
1) The Palm TX cannot fully sync with MS-Outlook on the Desktop PC. Most of the fields for appointments would sync, but not everything.
2) Although fast, the Palm OS on the TX is quite old and outdated.
3) The file system on the Palm TX is not as intuitive as for the Pocket PC device. For my Dell Axim, the file structure looks identical to a Desktop PC (you can use File Explorer to view files, directories, etc). On the Palm TX, everything is placed in pdb or prc files and there isn't a similar, intuitive file structure.
4) There is no "Sync Folder" where you can place files for syncing between the PPC device and Desktop PC. The Palm TX does have a utility called "Documents to Go", however, the syncing of Word, Excel, and text documents is very cumbersome. The "LifeDrive" Palm device does seem to have a Syncing Folder capability, but not the Palm TX>
Because of the above, I decided to say with the Axim x50v and resolve my battery power issue by bringing along a 2nd charged battery on my business trips. Luckily, the Axim has a removeable battery that will allow me to swap it out if it's drained completely (the Palm TX does not).
If possible, I suggest you purchase a Palm TX to test out and return if it doesn't meet your needs.
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Read about a PPC Software developer's trials and tribulations on my Web Blog at: http://ppcdeveloper.blogspot.com
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