Switching BACK to Palm and ACT! (but scared)

J

Jamzzzzz

New member
This post IS in "E" forum also, but hoping to get 2 points of view as I need to make quick and informed decision. Please forgive, but I don't feel dupliate post is bad if it gets different points of view.

Guys,
Please bear with me as I give PLENTY of detail.

I am considering switching back to Palm after being away for a couple of years. Details follow.

First, a few basic questions. All objective HELP is greatly appreciated.

--Is this the best Palm forum? Others you guys visit?
--Is Palm struggling? Many Palm reviews now seem REALLY low and owner feedback on sites such as CNET are terrible! (Well below 80% and some models in the 60% range. Yes, grain of salt, but even the "frownie face" icons here were more than I'd expect.) Seems quality, support software, graffiti 2 and many other issues are NOT the Palm I left behind 2 years ago.
--Considering Tungsten E for budget reasons and philosophy that I'd rather upgrade every 2 years than have latest and greatest at double the price. (Staying on backside of bleeding edge.)
--Will Tungsten E be enough for ACT! for Palm usage? Any downfalls of this device? (Personally, trying to quit always buying latest and greatest and just upgrade "workhorse" products more often.)
--T3 is probably my first choice but don't know if I need all that for double the price. Is the slide feature nice? Necessary? Convenient? Gimmick? I don't see the slide to be a total hindrance like some have complained. Just pull out of pocket, slip up and start, right? Is there any slide device that completely protects screen?

Please help with questions. Others that like detail, keep reading...

MY PARTICULAR HISTORY AND ISSUES (if more detail needed):
Started off in the early days with Palm. Also a long-time ACT! user, I was part of the beta testing for ACT! for Palm. Got a free copy and then found my device wouldn't support it. Great! Well, as devices advanced and color became standard, memory capacity grew, expansion slots, etc, I was ready to change. Became enamored with the iPaq and made that jump. Believed the Act! Link for PocketPC would help me but found it WORSE than lacking for someone who tweaks and pushes ACT!

Love the iPAQ. Don't get me wrong. Any warnings you've ever read, I never experienced. ONLY frustrations are file structure and "find" which REALLY sucks. Other than that, it's incredible. Only problem is, it's Outlook and I'm not! Outlook, for my particular needs is just wrong. Seems Microsoft believes we all sit at a desk all day. I don't! I don't need all the functionality of sending invitations, etc. I need the histories, notes and customization of ACT! (I'm in the car calling on 15-20 customers per day and depend HEAVILY on reviewing past activities.) Therefore, ACT! is my only choice.

I resent that ACT! has not further embraced PocketPC and hate to play their game. I DID love Palm when I used it years ago, just made a different decision. Loved the "David" against Goliath. Loved the innovation, etc. Just don't know if it's still there and my first session of searches have SCARED the snot out of me. Hope that's enough.

PLEASE, no flaming or tangents. I'm sincerely hoping to come back to Palm unless the warnings become too great.
 
just traded in my wifes clie for a T3 and dumped all of her Act stuff onto it. works like a charm. they just updated act for palm so it is now in hi-res and much better then the former act for palm. i forget how well everything works together on the palm vs. sony. i will not be leaving again.
 
1. ACT! for Palm is a great app! Do you have the latest update? You need the patch otherwise it won't work with Palm OS 5. I've been using AFP on a Sony Clie NR70 (Palm OS 4) and it has been working flawlessly. I also enhanced the fonts for Hi Res (search this forum and the Clie Source forum for Hi Res fonts.) See below re Palm OS 5.

2. If you use ACT! it means you need your PDA for biz. Don't be cheap. Get the T3. Consider your PDA as a vital productivity tool.
You don't cut corners with the "toy" with which you both make your dough and have some fun. Not counting extra memory and a faster microprocessor, the T3 would do a better job than the E because it has a voice recorder and the landscape mode - great for viewing spreadsheets and a better viewing of the ACT! screen.


3. You can get the T3 in the lower $300. I just order mine at Amazon for $330. You can get it cheaper, but with Amazon you can return it within a month if you don't like it.

4. Users at ACT! for Palm discussion forum assured me that AFP
works with no problem on the T3. I have no reason to believe it won't. I don't see any reason why AFP won't work with E.


5. I use ACT! as extensively as you do, and in my car as well.
So hear what a fellow road warrior is telling ya: The T3 is better for the car - bigger screen, more resolution, better grip.
Don't forget a portable charger. I have 110V outlet in my car so I got the regular wall charger - this way I can charge it anywhere when I'm on the road.

6. No reason to bitch about ACT! going for the Palm OS. It's more stable than the MS Win product. They made the right choice.

Pretty soon I'll have the T3 myself and I'll be happy to report.

Hope I helped.
 
Thanks. Sounds like we have very similar needs. Feel free to stay in touch about your experience. PM okay.

Call me dense, but where is the Act for Palm forum? I've looked but must have missed several times.
 
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