First post and my dilema with choices of PDA/GPS/WiFi

[kobinger]

Hello everyone,

this is my first post here, I have surfed this site off and on for a few months now and find it quite informative and educational.

I own a Garmin iQue M5, that I like a lot. Some of you might be familiar with this nice unit. It sports a GPS (1st or 2nd generation chip, not sure) and all the acoutrements that Microsoft could pack in Windows 2003 Second Edition, but alas no WiFi...

I am having a distinct issue with the M5. I am pretty sure it is only the OS and not the Unit (hardware). I have updated all that I could update on it but still it locks up or freezes, somewhat like a BSOD on a PC. I am not sure what to do at this point. The OS came pre-installed and the interna, ROM. Therefore the M5 never came with a CD/DVD for a reinstall of the OS to install a "fresh" copy of Windows 2003 Second Edition.

After I purchased the M5 (retail but good price) I found another PDA/GPS/WiFi unit that I might like a whole lot more. I am fond of the product this company puts out, as I have built a considerable amount of computers with their motherboards.

The Asus A696 Ultra Slim GPS PDA Sparkles with High Quality Feel - Retail $444.99 AND/OR the Asus ASUS A639 PDA w/ Built-in GPS system Intel PXA 270 416MHz 240 x 320 TFT 3.5" displaying 65K colors - Retail $499.99.

Both the A696 and the A639 units can be viewed here: Newegg.com - Buy Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

I just read that the PPC is prone to "crash syndrome". That is not conforting, specially if there is important data!

Opinions welcome...

Richard

[schmenge]

I can't comment on the Asus as a device, but I'll give you my two cents on the PPC/Windows Mobile.

I was a Palm user for many years, starting with the original Palm Pilot 1000 (I think that was the model) up to the Tungsten line. I can probably count on one hand how may times I ever had a lockup, or other need of a reset, with all my various Palm devices over the years. You'll clearly have more with a PPC, but it is really not as a big of a deal as it seems. Why?

I have been using a PPC for about 3 or 4 years. Although it is not uncommon to need to do a soft reset, freezes, at least for me, as much less frequent. And even when that happens I don't recall ever losing any data as a result of OT, just more of an inconvenience. A reset is pretty quick, and then you are back in business. That's not to say you would not have an app that could suffer data loss, only that this is not my experience.

There are many things that you can do to minimize the chances of ever having to do a reset due to a lockup. For example you can minimize how much third party software you install and where you install it to. I do an automatic reset of my device in the wee hours of the morning (with a third party program ). Do some periodic maintenance (clearing out temp files and such) just like you would on a PPC.

Hope that helps some.