Bluetooth vs. WiFi

[The Engineer]

I'd like to synch and access the internet on my PDA (HP4150) wirelessly, and having read-up a little, it seems it would be better to use the Wi-Fi functionality rather than bluetooth. So, two questions:

1. Should I go for Wi-Fi over bluetooth everytime?

2. Can anyone recommend a reasonably-priced adaptor for my PC to get me started?

[wullie]

Buy a bluetooth usb dongle for youir pc on ebay they cost around £15 and set up activsync accordingly. I have used bluetooth on an ipaq 3850 for some time but prefer the cradle with usb. If you want to access the net on your pda using the bluetooth connection via your pc connection it works ok within 10 metres but I lose connection after that. Hope this helps
wullie

[wullie]

Quick anorak update I also use a wifi hub to broadband, D-Link ADSL router DSL-G604T and I get good results with that as opposed to the bluetooth around 175 metres and the speed is much better for the net but for sync still prefer the cradle

Wullie

[The Engineer]

Thanks for the advice, but I can't see any advantage in going to Bluetooth over WiFi unless it's significantly cheaper. Plus, can I connect via Bluetooth anywhere in the house?

[wullie]

Bluetooth has a limited range, some advertise ranges of 100metres but I found 10metres in doors is about right. WIFI is more expensive to install but I can still pick up out in the back garden 150 metres away and thats through three rooms inside. Depends what you want to do with the PDA, getting emails and MSN chat is ok but surfing with the PDA is a waste of time. I haven't tried viedo streaming as my WIFI network is 54mps but the PDA is only 11mps and thats close up probably nearer 2 mps at a distance.

Wullie

[Great2bfree]

I'm using bluetooth on my H4150 and it works fine. Also note that the 100m range one will work like a 10m indoors. Video streaming isn't at all bad on bluetooth. The only draw back would be that you need to be about 4m alway from the BT AP(access point).

Also consider that the price of wifi devices have fallen. You can find a good USB WIFI 11Mbps 802.11b for $18 US Dollar @ http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=33-325-102&depa=0

Then a USB WIFI 54Mbps 802,11g/b one for $28US @ http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=33-325-101&depa=0

So you can surf the internet or whatever via a computer.