Pocket PC stuff

I have a bad feeling that my Palm's Internal Battery is going bad, so I am starting to look at alternatives. I have a few questions about PocketPC's in general =).

I know that I could get a wireless Network card. Could I get a Wired one, to plug into existing wired networks?

How is the handwriting recognition? It seems to be better then the Palm system.

Hows the battery life, and are the batteries rechargable?

If i were to be developing ON the thing (not just on a desktop for the thing, but ON it), would I want one with a keyboard, or simply a handheld?

What are the best ones to be looking at?

Thanks!

Z.

I would definitely recommend a keyboard if you plan on typing a lot - we had "pentop" pc's, which are basically a proper pc in the same format as a Palm etc (but slightly larger).

They have great handwriting technology, but it is still slower and more cumbersome than typing, even things like renaming a file can make you want to throw the thing across the room if you are having a bad day!

Could I get a Wired one, to plug into existing wired networks?
Yes, different companies make Ethernet NICs. I have one and I can access my email and internet over our TCP/IP Network. Look at MS's PocketPC.com for those card makers.

How is the handwriting recognition?
There are 2 with the Pocket PC. One is kind of like the Plam one, but I like it better. Little less strick on what you can and cannot type. There is also a free style, where you can write anywhere on the screen and it tries to translate it for you. You have to write really clearly for it work correctly. It not bad, but its not great either. I still you the hunt/peck keyboard one the screen.

Hows the battery life, and are the batteries rechargable?
Mine lasts about 3 weeks on stand by. Not sure about use, because I use it off for about 2 weeks before I go to recharge it. Plus I think each model may be different

To my knowledge you cannot develop on the device. It had COM, DLL and .h for VB & C++

What are the best ones to be looking at?
Here is the one I have http://www.audiovox.com/cgi-bin/ncom...prrfnbr=910851
I like it alot and it has won awards from almost all reviewers. The only down to it, is that it has only 32MB.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Zaei
I have a bad feeling that my Palm's Internal Battery is going bad, so I am starting to look at alternatives. I have a few questions about PocketPC's in general =).

I know that I could get a wireless Network card. Could I get a Wired one, to plug into existing wired networks?

How is the handwriting recognition? It seems to be better then the Palm system.

Hows the battery life, and are the batteries rechargable?

If i were to be developing ON the thing (not just on a desktop for the thing, but ON it), would I want one with a keyboard, or simply a handheld?

What are the best ones to be looking at?

Thanks!

Z.

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- I think so.

- It's very good. A LOT better than Palm.

- Yes, they are all rechargeable. Battery life isn't the best but it should get most people through the day. There are a few good cheap charging accessories over here http://www.semsons.com/

- If you were developing you WOULD want a keyboard. Just get a Pocket PC and an add-on keyboard.

- I like my EM500 but it's rather low end. I'd look at the Audiovox Maestro (although battery life is not the greatest), the Toshiba e310, or one of the Jornadas or iPaqs, and Casio's new E-200. Make sure it has PPC 2002 on it.

The Pocket PC is so much more versatile and powerful than Palm OS can dream of. Yes, the CLIEs are nice, but I feel the flexibility can't hold a candle to Pocket PC.

Thanks. Exactly what I wanted to hear =).

Z.