what type of device do i need?

[Tarquinius]

Hi, I wonder if someone can help me. As I'm new to this technology I'm finding it a bit of minefield! I want to buy a single device to do the following, in order of priority from highest to lowest:

MUST HAVES:
1. Ability to access my emails anywhere on the move. (I need this ALL the time, not just near wi-fi points)
2. A calendar / scheduler function
3. A portable fold-away, but full size (nearly) keyboard that can be plugged into the device to write long emails. Do any PDAs or Smartphones have good keyboards available as an accessory?
4. Ability to sync. the calendar and emails with my laptop (running Windows and email / calendar in Outlook) (don't mind either wired or wireless connection)

IDEALLY, I also need:
5. A device that will give me a GPS system (possibly through adding any additional software / hardware as necessary). For use mainly in the car, but ability to be hand-held would be good if possible.

Nice to have:
6. The device to also function as a mobile phone.

Is there a device that has all the above functions?
I had thought about a Mio PDA with inbuilt GPS, but am I right in thinking that would not function as a mobile phone?

Alternatively I had thought of some sort of Smartphone, eg a Blackberry, Nokia Communicator etc, but my concerns on these are how well they function as a GPS device (screen size - is it big enough?) and whether I could get a proper keyboard as an accessory?

If I had to forego anything above list I would probably give up the mobile phone functionality as I already have a phone. If that's the case is a Mio my best option?

Can anyone advise me what type of device I need?

Thank you very much

[Martin Laverty]

You should look at these devices.

http://www.totalpda.co.uk/section626.aspx

The imate range above are PDA's and phones and you would be able to bundle these with satnav packages to give you everything you would be looking for.

http://www.totalpda.co.uk/HP-iPAQ-hw6515.aspx

The HP 6515 has GPS receiver built so it is an all in one unit although it doesnt have wifi if you are looking for that.


http://www.totalpda.co.uk/Freedom-fo...-Keyboard.aspx
This keyboard will work with all the above PDA's if you give me a call i can go over some of these units in more detail.

Originally Posted by Tarquinius

Hi, I wonder if someone can help me. As I'm new to this technology I'm finding it a bit of minefield! I want to buy a single device to do the following, in order of priority from highest to lowest:

MUST HAVES:
1. Ability to access my emails anywhere on the move. (I need this ALL the time, not just near wi-fi points)
2. A calendar / scheduler function
3. A portable fold-away, but full size (nearly) keyboard that can be plugged into the device to write long emails. Do any PDAs or Smartphones have good keyboards available as an accessory?
4. Ability to sync. the calendar and emails with my laptop (running Windows and email / calendar in Outlook) (don't mind either wired or wireless connection)

IDEALLY, I also need:
5. A device that will give me a GPS system (possibly through adding any additional software / hardware as necessary). For use mainly in the car, but ability to be hand-held would be good if possible.

Nice to have:
6. The device to also function as a mobile phone.

Is there a device that has all the above functions?
I had thought about a Mio PDA with inbuilt GPS, but am I right in thinking that would not function as a mobile phone?

Alternatively I had thought of some sort of Smartphone, eg a Blackberry, Nokia Communicator etc, but my concerns on these are how well they function as a GPS device (screen size - is it big enough?) and whether I could get a proper keyboard as an accessory?

If I had to forego anything above list I would probably give up the mobile phone functionality as I already have a phone. If that's the case is a Mio my best option?

Can anyone advise me what type of device I need?

Thank you very much