A lowly Palm user seeks advice

[Tmachine]

I am new to this forum, so please bear with me. I have been a plam user for the past five years, and generally have been very pleased with my machine. I currently use an m515 and it works great. However, I feel like a character in a black and white movie who has just seen color for the first time! (Pleasantville, anyone?) My friend just showed me his iPaq 3835 and it looks tremendous. Not just the screen, which is indeed far better than plam's, but the entire Pocket PC OS, which I have heard mixed reviews about but which looks really user-friendly. My questions range from your experiences--how do you like not just the iPaq, but the PC OS? to models--the 3850 looks like it will suit my needs, but should I wait and get the newer 400 MgHz model? What is the battery life like with the unit on its brightest setting most of the time? Will a Palm user have trouble switching from Palm OS to the PPC? Finally, I am an accomplished graffiti writer--will I have any trouble navigating the input options on the iPaq?

I know these are a lot of questions, but you have to understand this would be a major move for a plam guy like me. I have not invested in the new machine yet. I welcome any and all feedback!
Thanks for your time!

[DScott]

Greetings;

I myself was a lowly Palm user myself, I loved my 3xe for a year and a half. But then I saw some data that made me consider another unit. I purchased my iPAQ 3635 about a year and a half ago, I was on a waiting list for months, and have loved it. But here is some data for you.

The operating system now (PPC2002) is very simular to running windows on a desktop. Have you every changed versions on your desktop, it'd alsmost be the same going from a desktop to a PPC with graffiti writer experiance. You should have no trouble changing OS'S.

There are four different ways to input on an iPAq and one of them you can "teach" the way you write letters. I use the Block recognizer and it's the most like graffiti.

As for the model to purchase the M515 runs on a 33 mhz processor and the 3850 runs on a 206mhz processor. Just by going to the 3800 series you will be flying, if you want to spend the extra money for the 3900 series and 400 mhz it's your choice.

The battery life I don't know the 3800 series has a L-Polymer battery 1400 mAh/na, on my 3735, with the older battery style, it will last about 6 hours on max brightness maybe less. I use a PC sleeve that has a battery so I can run over the weekend without charging.

I would strongly suggest you read up on the differnt PPC models on this website PDAStreet.com and on pocketpcmag.com. I also strongly suggest that you goto a "Best Buy" Type store and use the units.


Hope this is enough
Scott

[Amy]

I bought the iPAQ 3955. Actually I was fortunate enough to have work buy it for me. I was an advid Palm user. Had the IIIxe for 2 years. I cannot believe I was happy with it for so long..now that I use my iPAQ, I have seen the "other side". You know how your happy with what you have til you see what else is out there?

I had no trouble converting my data over to the iPAQ. My memos didn't convert but that was the only thing. The screen is beautiful, it's very fast and efficient. I took a leap of faith when I left the Palm OS. I just equated it with new technology versus old technology.

Good luck with your decision. I seriously doubt you'll regret buying the iPAQ> go to Compaq's website and read about the differences. I think the 3900 series has better screen and battery lift. It also has a faster processor.

Amy

[mlwill]

I recently changed from a clie to an IPaq. I anyone out there found a nice clie on a plane that was mine. I couldn't be happier that I lost that damn thing. I thought that I loved the palm platform, until I really found what the pocket pc's could do.

I don't think that the two can be compaired; Palms are digital organizes and suit those needs, pocket pc's are very little lap tops and fill a different purpose.

It is easy to change and well worth it.

By the way you can get a very nice HP 568 for $375 US at best buy or circut city. It is lighter and slimmer than the IPaq's and has a little better batt life.

Good luck on your choice.

[mason hatcher]

Hey Amy,

Can you tell us which method you chose to get the info from Palm to PPC?

[Amy]

I was in a hurry with my last response. I used Pocket Mirror. I was lucky that my neighbor had a disk because I seemed to have lost mine. It worked great. I was really surprised. I didn't think it would be that simple. I just had a little cleaning up to do in the address book and that was it.

Thanks for your help.

Amy