Travel Technology - SDA or MDA, or maybe a Treo 700w

Ive decided to simplify my gadget life or at least try to. I often carry multiple devices and Im trying to sort things out where I have multiple devices but only carry the one that is most appropriate for the trip I am on. For instance, why carry a full fledged PDA if I have a computer. Possibly some exceptions, but I think that gets the idea across.

In doing this I think I need to WM5 devices, one that is a laptop replacement (I realize the limitations in that but at least close to a laptop replacement) and one that is for much lighter duty. Im looking at the Dell X51v and HP comparables for the laptop replacement.

But what I really need some suggestions about is the lighter duty one. Something that I would often carry alone when I needed to do the following:

1) check email and make a quick reply (email is Exchange server and they support network syncing with WM5), Helpful if I could at least view MS Office based attachments. Push isnt necessary

2) Check the web for an address, map, etc.

3) Check my contacts to make a quick call or send a short email

4) Check my calendar for upcoming things and sync to the server to see if my secretary has added anything

5) Check my tasks for things I am supposed to be doing

6) Enter a new appointment or two while I am out and sync to the server

7) Serve as a Bluetooth modem for a Mac or other computer with EDGE or better speeds.

8) Be a decent phone for voice and SMS.

Needs EDGE obviously and WiFi.

Basically no heavy data entry or long mail.

So can an SDA do that? Or do I need to go to something like a Treo 700w or and MDA. The smaller the better if it will do the above. It has to be able to sync remotely with an Exchange Server. Thanks for any advice or insight.

Ive decided to simplify my gadget life or at least try to. I often carry multiple devices and Im trying to sort things out where I have multiple devices but only carry the one that is most appropriate for the trip I am on. For instance, why carry a full fledged PDA if I have a computer. Possibly some exceptions, but I think that gets the idea across.

In doing this I think I need to WM5 devices, one that is a laptop replacement (I realize the limitations in that but at least close to a laptop replacement) and one that is for much lighter duty. Im looking at the Dell X51v and HP comparables for the laptop replacement.

But what I really need some suggestions about is the lighter duty one. Something that I would often carry alone when I needed to do the following:

1) check email and make a quick reply (email is Exchange server and they support network syncing with WM5), Helpful if I could at least view MS Office based attachments. Push isnt necessary

2) Check the web for an address, map, etc.

3) Check my contacts to make a quick call or send a short email

4) Check my calendar for upcoming things and sync to the server to see if my secretary has added anything

5) Check my tasks for things I am supposed to be doing

6) Enter a new appointment or two while I am out and sync to the server

7) Serve as a Bluetooth modem for a Mac or other computer with EDGE or better speeds.

8) Be a decent phone for voice and SMS.

Needs EDGE obviously and WiFi.

Basically no heavy data entry or long mail.

So can an SDA do that? Or do I need to go to something like a Treo 700w or and MDA. The smaller the better if it will do the above. It has to be able to sync remotely with an Exchange Server. Thanks for any advice or insight.

There are lots of options here and it seems to boil down to your personal preferences and modes that you work in when mobile. The laptop is pretty much required so we are always going to be carrying that and with WifI, EVDO and LAN cable options we can connect almost anywhere that some kind of connection is available.

For the handheld device the modes that you use it will probably drive the decision beteen a smartphone or a WM PDA or a Blackberry. The smartphones are optimised phones with some mail/PIM sync with Exchange. My favorite here is the Cingular 2125 (the HTC Faraday) in the US or the Orange C600 in the UK. The Orange device has the MSFP/AKU2 option available that works well with Exchange 2003 SP2 (directpush, BB like experience etc). That update is not yet available from Cingular for the 2125. T-Mo has the SDA which looks like another Faraday derivative, also dont see the MSFP update for that yet either. I like the 2125 form factor better than the SDA (less brick like) and because my current phone is the HTC typhoon which is very similar.

If you need to do more than just keep an eye on what is going on when mobile, such as create lengthy replies to email or need to view Word, PPT etc docs then the PDA form factor will probably work better. There is the WM 5.0 Treo 700W that I think does have the MSFP update and there is a new iPaq from HP coming soon (the 6900) that has a similar form factor to the current 6500 series but has WiFi, GPS, GPRS, EDGE and will ship with WM5 with the MSFP update.



The PDA's are converged devices and while they have better screens and better input options I dont like using them as phones and they are bulky compared to a smartphone. So since I take my laptop everywhere I prefer to use a smartphone for the form factor, long battery life, optimised phone and good enough mail/PIM capability. If I want to do serious email I just take the laptop out of suspension and I'm on the network in a few minutes. I work with people that hate the limitations of the smartphone and want the converged PDA style for better display and data entry and they live with the other limitations or work around them using a bluetooth headset for example.


so yes, the SDA will probably do what you want :-)