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Hi all
I thought some of you might know if this gadget exists.
I need a pocket pc or any mini mobile type pc that come standard with the following features.
1:Modem: fax/modem 56K flex V.90 internal voice
2:modem RJ-11 x1; - modem/phone jack
3:100/10baseT x1; - Ethernet/DSL-modem jack
4: 802.11b/g; - wireless connection
5:Bluetooth for - wireless connection for devices like headphones, big keyboards, printers and so on
6: windows os
7: Must not involve any monthly fees.
And lastly, mini keyboard would be nice but not a must have.
Im looking for somthing smaller than the http://www.dynamism.com/libretto/
About the size of this vulcan flipstart http://www.flipstartpc.com
Purpose is to check email, brows net, and do online banking while away from home. So if the hotel I'm at has wifi, dsl or just a phone, I'll still be able get online.
I could do this from my laptop but would like something way smaller for travel. Besides my laptop died and I was think this might be a good time to do it.
Hi, and welcome to the forums!
Toanswer to your question, most PDA's with a compact flash card slot can accomodate the connectivity you want. With a CF add on card, you can add a modem, or ethernet capabilities. Most Windows Mobile PDA's at the higher end come with both WiFi and Bluetooth, some mid range come with both, but often only one or the other.
You may also want a PDA that has USB host capability, which would allow you to use a mass storage device (like an ipod or other HD with it's own power source) to increase your memory.
As far as the Windows OS is concerned, Windows Mobile cannot compare to WinXP. They are not the same, and navigating the menus is also not the same. Windows Mobile is based upon the Windows OS, so there are many similarities, but both devices you mentioned are mini-laptops running full versions of WindowsXP.
That being said, being able to surf the web and check your email and connect to your bank should be able to be accomplished from a Windows Mobile PDA. There are occasionally issues with Pocket IE and some secure websites, so you may want to test in a store the connectivity to your specific bank.
An alternative to all the many ways of connectivity you mentioned would be a PDA Phone, which when combined with a data plan through your cellular provider would allow you access to the internet wherever you can pick up a cell signal. There are quite a few different models out there today, so depending on who your provider is, you can check out their offerings.
Please feel free to ask more questions if you would like more clarification or have additional questions.
Thanks for mentioning all these options.
The pda with usb2.0 option sounds afforable, I was hoping do it without carrying the extra cards and adapters. But that stuff is pretty small know that you mention it.
is there a usb2.0 56 k modem and ethernet connector that is small compatable with mobil 5 os?
Any CF card adapter is likely to be fairly small, so I wouldn't worry too much about size.
WM5 is still kind of buggy, and not all hardware or software is compatible. And, as far as I know, there are no devices with USB Host cababilities that are currently running WM5. You can find a side by side feature comparison of VGA models <a hrefr="http://www.firstloox.org/VGAppc.htm">Here.</a>
As far as if the CF add-on's will be compatible with WM5, I really don't know. I don't think very many people really still use them. Most of them were designed for the "pre-wifi" standard, to enable connectivity. You might want to consider a small portable Wifi access point instead, which would allow you to plug it into a hotel that had only a wired connection, and create wireless access, like the Apple Airport. There are a couple of other options as well, and they all seem pretty small.
One alternative for you as well, is a BT enabled cell phone that will allow you to connect your cell to your PDA via BT and create a a partnership that will allow you to surf the web.
The only drawback to this option is that BT phones that have not hadf this option crippled by the provider are harder to find. You can check out Howard Forums and see if there is a phone listed for your provider that doesn't kill this option.
All in all, I think you may want to consider getting a device that runs WM2003SE rather than WM5, to ensure you will have fewer hardware or software compatibility issues tho. There are a few devices like the Dell Axim x50V, which has the option to upgrade to WM5 and the upgrade is currently available for it. The iPaq 470x is also expected to have the WM5 upgrade available. (in the spring of this year) The advantage to this is that if you find that hardware or "must have" software is not compatible, you can change back to SE. However, neither of these devices have USB Host abilities.
Trying to choose the right device is always a challenge. I'd recommend that you make your first purchase of a device at a brick and mortar store (if buying new, anyway) so that if you find it's not for you, you can easily return it for a refund and then choose another device. Not all web stores can make returns easily, or for a "just because" reason.
Please let me know if you have more questions!
Linear Mode
