Best PDA or Smartphone for a Law Student?

[Cdvqgdqb]

Someone want to recommend a good PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and/or smartphone for me?

I need it for my law school classes - any ideas from the helpful members here at the international law news forum?

In case you're unclear what I mean by PDA, here's a definition:

(PDA), lightweight, hand-held computer designed for use as a personal organizer with communications capabilities; also called a handheld. A typical PDA has no keyboard, relying instead on special hardware and pen-based computer software to enable the recognition of handwritten input, which is entered on the surface of a liquid crystal display screen. In addition to including such applications as a word processor, spreadsheet, calendar, and address book, PDAs are used as notepads, appointment schedulers, and wireless communicators for sending and receiving data, faxes, and electronic-mail messages. Introduced in 1993, PDAs achieved only modest acceptance during the remainder of the decade due to their relatively high price and limited applications, but improved software and lower prices subsequently led to more widespread use.

Here's the definition of a smartphone:

A smartphone is a mobile phone offering advanced capabilities beyond a typical mobile phone, often with personal computer like functionality. There is no industry standard definition of a smartphone. For some, a smartphone is a phone which runs complete operating system software providing a standardized interface and platform for application developers. For others, a smartphone is simply a phone with advanced features.

[doctorAnderson]

I have a Toshiba e755, which is a 2003 model, and I am quite happy with it. It has built-in wireless internet and a decent amount of memory. It has Pocket Word, so I would hook up a portable keyboard and type all my notes in class.

I heard the HP's are also quite good. Whatever brand you choose, I would recommend that you stick with the ones that run Windows rather than something like a Sony Clie, which runs the Palm OS. It's a lot easier transfering files from your Windows PDA to your computer. All you have to do is hook them up with a USB cable. If your PDA runs the Palm OS, you have to buy additional software to make them compatible. Also, you will find that Sony's often come with a lot less memory than comparably priced PDA's.

[assolderefs]

u can try a new hybrid called a smartphone which is a pda/phone...i just got my mom the treo600 for 400+tax with no service plan but the site i got it at raised the price already so its a little over priced right now but it really is kewl

i like the idea, build of the phone as for the general practicality of a smartphone itself is more dependent on what u need..if this is for class go with an dell axim or hp right? but if this is for something to track ur calendar with or use as a phone if u dont mind the bulkiness, this may be an adequate solution...i think its a fully functional pda but im not totally sure =) might wanna find out before u drop big bux though

[Zzmtogae]

here is my take on pdas: i love them.

i dont ever use my cell phone because my wife uses up all the minutes so i dont get to use it much. and if we ever go over our 2000 minutes a month, its my fault because she uses the first 1990 minutes and i use the last 11...and its my fault for going over.

i have a sony clie from back in the day...like 3 years ago. for me, it does the job. i need something for contacts, scheduling, occasional news (using avantgo), and something to interface with outlook for my emails (i wish gmail had pop access...). im thinking of upgrading to something that has bluetooth and wifi...maybe the ipaq. the sony clamshell is nice, though i think they stopped making it.

for people who are used to working with pdas, its definitely necessary. if youre not used to it though, its probably not worth it.

im not too into the smart-pda-phones because the phone itself is too bulky. i do hear good things about the color blackberry and the apple iphone. but too bulky for me. and i dont wanna carry my phone around my belt. i need all my sperm to be healthy.

[Vtfftwji]

I have a $600 PDA and it sits on my desk. save your money. buy a nice phone with scheduling & internet and you are set. maybe a USB key to store files on. PDAs are a dying technology. sales are already rapidly declining.

My suggestion is the Apple iPhone. Here's a great review:

http://reviewhookup.com/apple-iphone...small-package/

Combine that with a Macbook Air:

http://reviewhookup.com/macbook-air-...-in-the-world/

and an Apple TV:

http://reviewhookup.com/apple-tv-the...entertainment/

and you're set for law college!

[Portrirtiemi]

I would recommend the Palm Zire 71. It works very well as an MP3 player, but the digital camera function on it is not as good as I'd like. Anyway, for the price, it is one of the best deals for PDA's - grab it cheap on ebay. Check out reviews on it and you'll see it comes very highly recommended.