Help a newbie please

[hansi]

I want to buy a mobile internet device. I don't need a phone, but I want to be able to access the Web and pick up my web based emails worldwide. I haven't a clue about PDA's, Internet tablets etc and would like some guidance re equipment and what sort of costs are involved in accessing the Internet remotely, and also the various makes and models available. Sorry to be so vague, but I am new to all this. Thank you

Incidentally, I have looked at the Datawind Pocket Surfer2 and wasn't impressed

[Martin Laverty]

You could go for a PDA' like the ipaq 114 or 214.

http://www.totalpda.co.uk/HP/HP-iPAQ-114.6968.html
http://www.totalpda.co.uk/HP/HP-iPAQ-214.6975.html

These have wifi so you could hook up to the internet at any wifi hotspot.

They also have bluetooth so you can link to your mobile phone and use that to access the internet. Your phone network will charge for per Mb of data transferred so you best check prices for data with them.

Both of these PDA's have internet explorer and outlook so you can surf the web and check your mail.

[hansi]

Thanks Martin. I'll have a look at those.

[hansi]

Do these have Sat Nav capability too? If not, any recommendations?

[Martin Laverty]

You can add tomtom to them. We do packages for both.

You could also go for something like the 614
http://www.totalpda.co.uk/HP/HP-iPAQ...shed.7310.html

This is a pda/phone so you can just put your sim card straight into it and it also have an internal GPS so its more of an all in one unit. We do bundles for this with the satnav software as well.

[hansi]

That looks good! Sorry, I keep thinking of things I want to ask

1. I currently have a PAYG Tesco Mobile Phone asI am a very low phone user. Would the SIM card work in this device?

2. Are there charges for wi-fi and GPS use overseas?

3 Can I access my web based email and can the unit be synched with my computer for copying over my address books etc.

Sorry for so many question but I really want to research this well as I travel abroad a lot and would particularly want the GPS to work there.

As I said, I am a complete newbie to this, so please be patient with me

[Martin Laverty]

1. Yes but some networks do not allow GPRS data with PAYG you would need to check with tesco.

2. No charge for GPS as the receiver is picking up satelite signals so its nothing to do with your network. As for wifi some places have free wifi some charge you for the access codes. So it depends where you go. For example in the UK mcdonalds do free wifi as do some pubs but other places charges a few pounds for an hours access.

3.Yes to both.

Originally Posted by hansi

That looks good! Sorry, I keep thinking of things I want to ask

1. I currently have a PAYG Tesco Mobile Phone asI am a very low phone user. Would the SIM card work in this device?

2. Are there charges for wi-fi and GPS use overseas?

3 Can I access my web based email and can the unit be synched with my computer for copying over my address books etc.

Sorry for so many question but I really want to research this well as I travel abroad a lot and would particularly want the GPS to work there.

As I said, I am a complete newbie to this, so please be patient with me

[hansi]

Thanks again. I'll delve into it further. I'm away for a couple of weeks but I'll be in touch when I get back.

[Camus8]

Hansi,

try checking out the Pocket Surfer at PocketSurfer About Us and PocketSurfer GizMag

Hope this helps,
Camus

[hansi]

Hi Camus and thanks for your reply. As you will see from my first post, I have had a look at the Pocket Surfer but was not too impressed with the build, and the roaming charges are quite expensive but I will have another look.