help me find a pocket pc.

hi.

i am a digital man on the go. I have my laptop (See sig), a kodak 5mp digital camera, iriver h320 mp3 player and used to have an audiovox ppc. Now i am looking to replacing my dead vox.

my requirements:
size: not too big, not too heavy
cpu: xscale 400mhz or more OR StrongARM 266 or better
ram/rom: 64mb minimum. 128 or more is better.
slots: CF or MMC slot supporting up to 1GB extension
connections: wifi (b or g), bluetooth (no need for infared, but i don't care)
screen: don't quite care.....not black/white (so no palms)
OS: don't care if its linux or windows


right now i am looking at the Asus MyPal a730w. Seems to meet all those needs, but how is it quality wise. Since it is an asus, i think it is built solid, but better check. also how long is the battery life? ProPortable says it is 3 hours, other sources claim 9 or more.

the Dell Axim X5 also is roughly in the same boat....but its a dell

any suggestions...?

here is my deal with dell... i have 2 dell desktops (that i heavily customized...perforamnce wise), the XPS M233s and L866r and so far so good, but i guess i am just tiered of having "dell" spring up everyone.....they shove their name on everything. but i don't think the company is all that bad, at least both of my desktops came out ok.

I was considering Asus because it was cheaper (on ebay). Since it is a lesser known brand, there are less bids on the MyPal series thus the overall price is less, although the retail price is roughly the same. I don't want a Compaq/HP iPaq for 1 reason, i've had to deal with their tech support once already (about a hpna unit) and it was the WORST experience i've ever had to go through.

I'll admit i haven't taken a look at the dell pcc line up in a while...maybe its time for me to take a 2nd look at dell.

What I really like about the mypal is that it has a built in camera (although totaly trivial...would be nice that i could occasionally leave my digital cam at home). and of course the bluetooth and b wifi is a nice touch.

well...here is another problem:
the software (just like for every other hardware) is built to work with windows....what about linux? Must I have WinXP installed on 1 partition of my laptop or will i be able to sync with linux?

here is a question....do i really need the latest and fastest 624mhz the axim offers, or will i be fine with maybe a last year's HP off newegg with a 400mhz?

lol...really..so far:

dell is slightly cheaper than mypal but lacks the cam. however has almost 100more mhz under the hood and "accelerated graphics"

the mypal has more features crammed into it but is slower, and costs a bit more.

lets see......internet.....gaming...reading ebooks....calander/scheduler.....phonebook backup (just in case my cell phone goes whack....its an old nokia 3595), if it comes with a keyboard....could throw in school work on the list. since my laptop only pulls off all of 2 hours batt, and is heavy to drag, the pocket pc might be a great school computer alternative (remember i am still in high school). and as always....office tasks. i will need to keep inventory on my family's ebay business. for the gaming purpose, i want to extend the memroy (via CF or MMC...doesn't matter) to 1gb so i can store some games.

i games somewhat ok on my 266mhz StrongARM (overclocked to just under 300), though the genesis/snes emulator ran slow (the nes emu ran fine)

This post isn't going far...or is this section of the forums slow?

Regardless, i was offered a MyPal a730w , brand new, sealed, with a 3 year ASUS warranty for $370 + shipping. ProPortable charges $568. However, the dells are also on a 20%-25% off sale....hmm....

although the camera is a nice touch, i think i'll go with the dell x50v.

and jordan...nice find. green dots for you


EDIT: maybe not. i priced the x50v with a case and keyboard, and it came out well over $500. so now i am debating weather or not i need the keyboard. i am guessing that for wireless use i will....like if i am chatting with peolple online doing it touchpad will suck....and the mypal ahs no keyboard. ugh...i think i ireally need to do the thing and order that damn dell with a case and keyboard. i won't get the extra warranties and all that junk

got it