PDA first timer. Make it painless.

[Droo]

Hi there,

I've just discovered this website after a quick googling, and only joining the world of pda's I need some advice.

I live in northern ireland, so, having only backwater electronic store's i've had a limited amount of hands on experience with any PDA's at all. Although I have settled on going for a HP ipaq 4150, due to its size.

Some questions I would like more info on are the following:

1) im going travelling, thus buying a pda (much handier than carting a laptop around). I am interested in a GPS kit. originally I had my eye on a toshiba e740 (which had a CF slot on the top and therefore a cheaper gps alternative to bluetooth) is there any sort of sleeves you can get for a 4150 qith a pcmcia or cf port?

2) extended batteries, is the life much larger? is it worth the extra expense?

3) Bluetooth and wi-fi, does this work in the same way asa laptop in airports and other wi-fi hotspots?

4) web browsing, is it very difficult with such a small screen?

I'm sure there are more questions i'll need answered in the next few days, but if anyone can help with these it would be brilliant.

Many thanks.

D

[gordon440]

Howdy Neighbour,
First of all, forget all the backwater stores we have, they're all jokes. Any of the main internet retailers are excellent( They didn't build reputations by bad service). The first question I would ask yourself is , What do I need the iPAQ for? You need to know that the applications you intend to use it for are actually compatible with the unit. As for travelling, hope it's not anywhere in Ireland, you are going to be disappointed as there currently is no mapping software for here. All manner of sleeves are available and have extended batteries built in although I don't know about value for money vs battery life. Web browsing is a sinch by the way. One other thing I would mention and this is more important to me than the rest and that is a case for your unit. Like you I travel alot and am on a boat, out in the rain, dusty conditions, the lot! You HAVE to check out the Otterbox Armor 3600. If you need more help I will try. The Armor can be viewed at www.otterbox.com and there are alot of retailers for it in the UK. By the way I have a h5550 and I love it to bits!!!!!!!!