PC User to Convert to Macs, but Pocket PC Brings About Problems

[tvfollower]

Oh no, a PC user on MacOSX.com! Kill him! Stone him!

Anyway, for college I am going to need a laptop, and I am very intent on getting a Powerbook (hopefully Powerbook G5s will exist next year). I am currently a PC user, but I have basically been convinced that Macs are the way to go...the sexy looks and speed turn me on.

But, I'm also thinking about getting a Pocket PC (specifically, the HP iPaq 1945, or perhaps the newest descendant of that when the time comes), and I was wondering what Mac users have to say about Pocket PCs. Personally, I think that Pocket PCs are bulky and weird, but then came along the iPaq 1910, and it convinced me that Pocket PCs can be both small (it's thinner than any Palm I've ever seen) and fast, and I love the built in Pocket Word and Pocket Excel.

So my dillema is:

1) Do Mac users not like Pocket PCs?
2) Is it awkward to use Pocket PCs with Macs?
3) Is technology such as "The Missing Sync for Pocket
PC" (Pocket PC iSync conduit for syncing with iCal, iTunes, etc.) perfected enough to be usable?

Any advice? Should I just stick with Palms? The iPaq 1945 is just so damn amazing, though! I can imagine what a similar iPaq next year will be like...

[Giaguara]

Hey, welcome on boards

1) Depends a lot on the mac user. Some do like them, some don't ... (no ultimate truth out there)
2) I'd say no
3) iThink that iSync will work for pocketpcs too. At least my mobile phone and iPod get sync'ed so i have some documents in them, ical, safari bookmarks and the addressbook.
I think i'd go for a palm that runs linux (there is one that does it even when you buy it, i forgot the model) ..

Who knows - Aple might give some surprises even for the palms (likely or less but possible). G5 powerbooks may be out in january, and maybe by then there will be more cool palms (even mac ones?) to choose from.

[Arden]

The Palm is much more widely supported on the Mac, and AFAIK there is much more software for it. You can get programs to read and write Word and Excel documents. Don't let the decision you make about a handheld greatly influence what kind of computer you get.

[Azzgunther]

As far as Pocket PCs go, there's only one program that currently works with Macs. It's called Pocketmac Pro 2.0 and you can read about it here:

http://www.macworld.com/2003/06/reviews/pocketmacpro2/

It's not exactly a booming market currently on the Mac, but like all things it's improving.

[Lycander]

I think Giaguara is referring to the Sharp Zaurus. It's the same hardware as the iPaq (Intel StrongARM CPU, 32 MB RAM, etc) and it ships with embedded Linux installed. A friend of mine was bouncing Linux related questions off me and I came to realize he's got the Zaurus talking to his Mac via some USB driver.

I second the suggestion for you to get a Palm rather than a PocketPC. What would you use the handheld for that your laptop couldn't handle? The handheld would be more of a convienence device to quickly add/get contacts, maintain a to-do list, appointments, reminders, calenders, and the occasional gaming For those tasks I just listed a Palm can handle just fine, and in my own opinion better than a PocketPC. Then leave the heavy duty mobile work for the laptop.

FYI: I write PocketPC programs for a living so I'm not being biased against it.

[Arden]

Wow, poor you, Lycander! Any way to switch to Palm programs?

Yes, I'm kidding.

[Randman]

Get a Tungsten T (either 1 or 2 are solid and the amazing 3 is rumored for October. Get an Ultra-thin keyboard and it's perfect for note-taking. Voice recorder, bluetooth-enabled (add an upcoming wi-fi SD card) and you got it made.

http://discussion.brighthand.com/

Has very good forums and discussions on both platforms.

[Arden]

The Tungsten line is excellent... so is the Zire 71. Also, most of the offerings from Handspring, which is basically the same thing as Palm, are also excellent. The Sony Clié works very well; my dad bought one because it is supposed to be better than the Palm or Handspring offerings, and it is quite expandable. Plus, the text is bigger (and yes, it runs the Palm OS).