Help with TT concerns

[apda]

I am interested in getting a PDA for two main purposes. One is day to day reminder and note taking, PIM functions, plus the odd game and mp3 to kill time in the local dentists office. The other is to use the PDA as a laptop replacement when traveling. It should be able to edit documents but more importantly to read email and perhaps view some web sites. I do not own a PDA yet but have followed several discussions on these pages. I would prefer a Palm OS because of its apparent stability, ease of use and the fact that is the anti-Microsoft. The new Tungsten T looks nearly perfect, especially for use 1 above, but I am concerned about use 2. Does the TT require a clunky cradle to recharge or can you use a simple cord-transformer? I also want to use land-lines for email and web browsing. I have seen very compact dial-up-modem cards for PPCs, but I have not seen anything compact for Palms. Does the TT require a bulky cradle for dial-up-modems? If so I see myself traveling with 1) the PDA 2) the charging cradle, 3) a folding key board, and 4) a clunky modem cradle. Heck, I might as well just take the lap top (except for a few pounds!). I hope my worst fears are not confirmed but would be appreciative of any helpful comments.

[woodworks]

You won't need the cradle when you travel. Palm (and others) sells a travel charger, which is just a small power brick (with multiple plug adapters) attached to a cable. The XT keyboard hasn't been released yet, but I understand the older Stowaway keyboard works with the beta software Palm just released. The problem is going to be the land line modem. So far I don't know of any option other than the sled. If you are in a major metropolitan area, a bluetooth enabled phone is an option. But if you're out in the boonies like I am, you're stuck.

SD card modem, anyone?

[plyte]

Yes, the bluetooth option is probably the best one. You can keep your mobile phone in your pocket or on a desk in the hotel and send an email or browse the internet at the same time. No cable. - This is only possible when you got a connectioin to the net. But in big Cities this should be the case. Otherwise a modem will do the job. Don't worry about the weight. You can't compare a laptop PC to a Palm. In the opera house I always have my Palm with me (in the jacket or in my trousers, so small). But I do not use a modem in "Aida". sIt stays in my car. A laptop would be a little bit bulky in that situation. - But I can see addresses, calendars, databases, pictures, calculations etc. during the intermission. And that is what the Palm is for.

Plyte

[OldBlue]

You can also connect via IR. I have done that with my m505 and Nokia 8290. It's not as stable as a cable or BlueTooth, since breaking the IR beam for any length of time would break the connection, but it is another option to consider that can be done with the Tungsten.

OldBlue