Help!! Which PDA for travelling???

shopaholicsan

Hi, I am considering buying a PDA for my son who is shortly going travelling for a couple of years. The main point of the PDA would be communication - access to his hotmail account, text messaging, limited phone calls and maybe MSN messaging, checking the internet for flight confirmations etc.

I had a look at a few and got totally lost in specifications so don't know where to start.

I also need info on the cheapest way to use it in Canada, South America, Europe and maybe the Far East - is is best to buy sim cards locally or sign up with a company here before he goes. Would he need a wireless connection and then make sure he was near a hotspot or something?

Sorry for the amount of questions, if anyone can advise I would be very grateful or even a suggestion of a shop that would give good unbiased advice would be helpful too.

Thanks in advance.

Shawz

Is this the sort of thing you are looking for



HP HP iPAQ hw6915 Mobile Messenger Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 PocketPC Phone Edition


HP iPAQ hw6915 Mobile Messenger offers integrated GSM/GPRS/EDGE technologies and is packed full of high-end features including a built-in camera and keyboard, GPS Navigation, and multiple messaging capabilities - in a stylish, lightweight design.

• Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile™ 5.0 supports secure push delivery of Outlook information, including e-mail without the need for 3rd party licensing.
• Quad-band GSM technology delivers world wide mobile voice and data services with handset mode, hands-free speakerphone mode, or using a wired or wireless headset.
• Capture and share special moments with the integrated 1.3 MP HP Photosmart Camera and use your Windows Media Player 10 Mobile to download and enjoy MP3s and videos, as well as Internet radio.
• Integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b) provides high-speed Internet access in the office at home and at your favourite hotspots while GPRS/EDGE technologies deliver connectivity on the go

http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/hp-hp-ipaq-hw6915-mobile-messenger-microsoft-windows-mobile-50-pocketpc-phone-edition-description.html

Our Price: £342.48 (£402.41 incl. VAT)

any good

alanobrien

We use Qtek smartphones at work like this one

http://www.totalpda.co.uk/QTEK-S200-PDA-Phone-with-WiFi.aspx

They combine PDA and phone in one quite well.
Worth a look, there are several others on this site.

shopaholicsan

Thanks for the info so far, anyone else have any tips? If I wanted to go into a shop for advice would I need a mobile phone shop or a computer shop?
Thanks

Jago_3

The only advice I can give you is follow everyone elses.
It's good stuff.