Maybe retiring Palm IIIXE; replacement suggestions 2

[j0ckser]

[for those responding to discussion please only reference products available IN CANADA. while you may have valuable information about this issue and have USA solutions, I must work within Canada. Please and thank you.]

I have recently acquired a new portable computer that does not have a serial port to sync my trusty Palm IIIXE. i am told i can acquire a serial/USB adapter.

there are 2 parts to my query.

1. the guru (real) at one of my local computer stores advises me that many of the serial/USB adapter cables available on the market do not work very well (he suggests TrippLite). their website doesn't show such a beast, but i seek wisdom from my friends here - in your experience, which adapters do work?

2. the adapter may be a moot point because this palm is a reconditioned machine that i picked for a song and a dance. it has been extraordinarily reliable, but is at least 6 years old, and when it fails, i will want to replace it. unfortunately palm pilots aren't sold in the usual outlets (staples, future shop, best buy etc). i do not want any of the current craze of whiz-bang phones (iphone, blackberry), just something separate from my phone (which could do the job, but if my phone malfunctions i have nothing).

per ardua ad astra

 

[vacunita]

Look into Dell's line of PDA offerings from a few years ago.

I have a Dell Axim x50 with Windows Mobile that works well. Does everything my old Palm IIIc did.

Though they aren't produced anymore, I'm sure you can find someone who is selling there's.

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Phil AKA Vacunita
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Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[r0gerc]

Does your new portable computer have a pcmcia or express card slot?

Roger

 

[j0ckser]

vacunita - it seems that if i go the "old technology" route i'll be seeking a used or refurb no matter whose i buy. however, i had forgotten that dell produced PDAs. thanks for the idea.

r0gerc - so i might be able to get a card with a serial port? GENIUS! never crossed my mind!

per ardua ad astra

 

[vacunita]

it seems that if i go the "old technology" route i'll be seeking a used or refurb no matter whose i buy. however, i had forgotten that dell produced PDAs. thanks for the idea.

Well yes, but its seems these days there's a dwindling supply of PDA's most are now smart phones which you said you did not want. Even Palm isn't offering its line of straight PDAs anymore. They are smart phones.

Basically what I'm saying is if you want a PDA you'll need to look at used devices. As there aren't really any more stand alone PDA's being made out there. Everybody that used to make PDA's now makes smartphones in their place.

HP made PDA's again now smarphones.
Dell stopped making PDA's a while back.
Palm the original PDA maker now only offers phones.
Anything you look at is more likely than not a phone.

You could of course look into Apple's Ipod Touch. Its a Music Player and pretty good PDA as well. No phone. Its got Calendar, Notes, Wifi, Weather, Maps, Youtube, Mail Client, contact list, a limitless supply of Apps to do anything you may need (both free and priced).

Pretty much a full fledged PDA that doubles as a a good Media player.



----------------------------------
Phil AKA Vacunita
----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[Iwontremember]

BLACKBERRY....TOUR OR BOLD!!

Hope this helps.

 

[GLComputing]

Do you just want a phone or do you want other functions (email, web, etc)

What do you want to sync to the phone (contacts, emails, other)?

If wanting to do emails, the Blackberry is best...

I recently did an article on why I prefer it to the iPhone:

http://blog.glcomputing.com.au/2010/02/why-i-prefer-blackberry-over-iphone-for.html

But it depends if those functions are important for you

Regards,
Mike Lazarus
ACT! Evangelist
GL Computing, Aust

http://www.GLComputing.com.au

http://blog.glcomputing.com.au

Join the LinkedIN ACT! Fanatics Group

http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/49896

 

[vacunita]

I do not want any of the current craze of whiz-bang phones (iphone, blackberry), just something [red]separate from my phone[/red] (which could do the job, but if my phone malfunctions i have nothing).

Seems people are missing the point that he does not want a phone, but rather just a PDA.

----------------------------------
Phil AKA Vacunita
----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[j0ckser]

kudos to vacunita: the ipod touch is exactly the correct answer.

synchronizing to itunes, there is a functionality to synch to contacts and calendar from outlook. i can now also retire my trusty ipod, 'cos my music will also be on the 'touch'.

thank you all for your willingness to help.

per ardua ad astra

 

[vacunita]

Glad you like it. Personally I can't live without my Ipod touch.


----------------------------------
Phil AKA Vacunita
----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[iolair]

I upgraded my 515 to a TX a couple of years ago and have been very pleased. Not only can I use it as an MP3 player, but it will do limited video, I can view photos, and of course, it does all the PIM things my old 515 did and more. I love it. The wireless works in an emergency for email and web browsing, but I don't recommend it for full time use. It has an SD slot that I use for extra photos and documents. In case you can't tell, I love it.

Iolair MacWalter
Network Engineer