good, cheap PDA?

[tokin]

i'm looking for a good, cheap PDA which has bluetooth/wireless and is mac compatible. don't need amazing MP3/video playback as i really need it for scheudling and contacts, plus the occasional email checking. anyone have some ideas?? :-D

[Al]

The Dell Axim (http://www.dell.com/axim) range is relatively cheap, I've not used one myself as yet though and I've no idea if they're mac compatible (maybe not being Dell and all).

[azn1art]

I own a Dell Axim x30H (Not in production anymore.) It's a good PDA for a good price. There's a freeware out there so you can sync your the Axim with a mac computer. I have tried the software with my cousin's mac mini and it works.

Edit: Here's a link to one software for a program to sync Windows Mobile PDA's with a mac. Thing is that this one is commercial.
http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=132941

[tokin]

i'd prefer to stay away from dell if possible due to bad experiences and those battery problems...

[azn1art]

Well the thing is that the battery problems were laptop batteries. The batteries in the Axims aren't that much of a threat. Never heard of an Axim exploding before either.

[JickBahTech]

The problem with going Windows mobile is that you wont have native Mac compatibility. Apparently Missing Sync can help with that, but I haven't yet seen how reliable it is. http://www.markspace.com/

If you've got an intel mac you could boot camp and dual boot with windows xp, but that seems like a lot of work for a mobile solution.
For decent WM PDA's, you could look at HP, the 2490 is pretty decent, or look to getting a used 2750. I used a 2750 for two years, and it was easily the most powerful PDA I've ever used, good form factor, dual mem card slots, and used or refurb should be pretty cheap. I would avoid the 1950 as it seems too underpowered and doesnt come with enough RAM IMHO (a fairly big issue with PPC's).
You could also look for a Fujitsu, or Acer, but I've never used one so I dont have any advice there. They seem to have a pretty active fan base though.
Currently I use a PPC-6700 through Sprint, and I love it, but it might be over kill for what you want to do. EVDO and Wifi make it great for mobile communication (and it has a phone too;-).

Another option is a good palm, which should support a Mac right out of the box, but I have heard of some stability problems with the latest updates to Hotsync. Nothing too major though. For the price of the mid spec Axim (around 299) you could probably land a TX with Wifi, BT, and a Half VGA screen. Also you can't really beat the Tungsten E2 for bang for buck if all you need is simple PIM, and it'll handle MP3 and I think a little video too (with a pretty decent screen). However if you really want to do Email on the go I would recommend a unit with Wifi, and the E2 only has BT.

Of course YMMV, so I would also check out some reviews. Whats sad is that it's getting harder and harder to play with these great little gadgets before you buy, as more stores replace PDA's for Cellphone and MP3 players displays.

Happy hunting!

[vousami]

I've heard decent things about the http://www.palm.com/us/products/handhelds/tungsten-e2/ Palm Tungsten E2 - and it's Mac compatible

My boyfriend has the Tungsten T and is happy with it

I had a Palm VII and recently have the Treo 650 - though I much prefer the Window's interface - it's not bad- specially if you're pretty much using it for scheduling and email!

[girl]

You will probably find some unbranded ones on ebay for good prices

[Giorgi]

There is no such thing as "GOOD" and "CHEAP".

[azn1art]

Unless u want to just have a PIM then get the ones from walmart.

[jacubilloro]

Get a Sony CLIO
They are great and some of the older models are quite cheap this days.