Advice for new PDA

[Emmadw]

Hi
I'm trying to find a PDA that meets two requirements.

1: I want to connect to the Wireless Network at University. This requires the ability to support WPA TTLS.
2: As I have a camera that takes CF Type I cards, I'd like to be able to use the PDA to review shots. So, either it would have to take the card, or allow me to connect either my camera (Canon Powershot A80), or my card reader (cheap, generic one), both of which have USB connectors.

From what I have found, the iPAQ 4700 seems to be the only HP that has CF, but that seems to be CF II, not CF I. I think that the 2200 might support CF I, but that doesn't seem to be for sale now. I can't tell what sort of WiFi support they've got though.

The Fujitsu ones seem to have the abililty to use CF I and II, but again, like the HP ones, just says 802.11, rather than being any more specific.

Any suggestions?

(The Sony U70 looks nice, but rather too many ££££££££££)

Many thanks

Emma

[Emmadw]

Just read the FAQ. It seems that CF type I will work in a slot that says CF Type II.

I've also been reading the Data Sheet for the Wireless Client that work are recommending to replace MS's Wireless Zero Client, as it supports the encryption used, and it says "Multi-platform, multi-vendor 802.1x client runs on Windows XP, 2000, 98, Me, Pocket PC 2002, and Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC, and is compatible with any 802.1x-compatible adapter card, for ensured compatibility in any network environment." - so I'm assuming that I can install it to any PDA with Pocket PC 2002/3.

In that case, how do the Fujitsu 718 ones compare to the HP iPaq ones? All of the Fujitsu ones seem to have CF slots, though only some of the HP ones do. But, I'm not sure about the rest. I'm not used to comparing processors used in mobile things like these. Just used to the Intel/AMD discussions

Would I be right in thinking (hoping!) that images that are stored by a camera on a CF card as .jpg (I can get them into the PC just by dragging & dropping from the card, don't have to use any specific software), will also be able to be at least viewed on a PDA - so that I can delete the naff ones.

Many thanks.

And sorry for not reading the FAQ

[Charlie]

Welcome to our forums.
I've never used any of the new Fujistu models so I'm not sure how they stack up against HP. I can however say that the HPs are great in my opinion, had a few different models since converting from Palm. The current 2XXX and 47XX have CF slots and they will be able to view jpg images created by your camera without any problems.

[Emmadw]

Thanks for that. I'm also now looking at the Dell Axim - in part because with the x50 you can get a free CD TV card (are they any good???), however, I've read in some bumf somewhere (I think the stuff for the Toshiba ones), that you can display powerpoint presentations?
Do they all do that? Given that it doesn't mention Powerpoint on the list of programs, would I be right in thinking that you have to save it as a "Show" or whatever it is, so you can run it, but not edit it??

The Fujitsu ones by the way have dropped out of the equation, as they don't seem to be in stock anywhere that I can find.

(Nor, for that matter can I find Toshibas in stock anywhere),

[Charlie]

I can't say I know anything about the CD TV card, sorry.
You can get software to run presentations on PDA but it doesnt come included, you need to buy it seperate.

[Emmadw]

Originally Posted by Charlie

I can't say I know anything about the CD TV card, sorry.
You can get software to run presentations on PDA but it doesnt come included, you need to buy it seperate.

Just a thought, some of the specs I have been reading say "Pocket PC 2003" and some say "Windows Mobile 2003" - and yet others mention "Pocket Word" and "Pocket Excel" ... what exactly is in the Operating System, and what, such as the presentation software that you mentioned, comes as extras?

[DaveA]

Probably not much use now, but I got a free copy of Westtek's Clearvue on the cover disc of a magazine (PDA Essentials) which (I think!) included presentation software.

I will try and find which edition it was, in case you want to try and get a back-copy of it.

The Operating System is what runs the machine - equivalent to Windows 95/Windows XP etc. etc. on a desktop PC. I think I am correct in saying that Pocket PC 2003 and Windows Mobile 2003 are one and the same.

Pocket Word/Excel are cut-down versions of the desktop applications, allowing you to create word documents and spreadsheets on your PDA.

Hope this helps!!

[Emmadw]

And they are included in Pocket PC? (As say WordPad is included in "Ordinary" Windows)

[Charlie]

Yes they are included.