I want to buy a new gadget for Christmas, and a PDA is a good choice. However, I've noticed how the two latest Apple products (iPhone 3G and 2nd generation iPod touch) are getting better, becoming into quite a temptation for buying them in replacement of the classic PDA or Palm handheld. But is an iPhone good enough to replace a handheld? I need your opinion.

Both devices are similar in price, web browsing capabilities and basic specifications (processor speed and RAM), but there are some differences:

iPod touch/iPhone pros
- Higher memory (16 or 32 Gb)
- Better hardware interface

iPod touch/iPhone cons
- Lack of any reliable software for document edition (like Palm's documents to go or something like iWork for mobile devices)
- iTunes requirements

I've been investigating on the web, but I still need to know user's opinion.

Thanks for your help.

If you're looking for an actual PDA and not a toy, you needn't include an i*.* in your search (except iPaQ). A music player and a smartassphone wannabe are flashy alternatives. Get yourself a BlackBerry, a Sony Ericsson P-series, a Palm or a HTC.

Hey!

I was actually dealing with a very similar dilemma such as this, and I thought I might stop by to add my input!

I think in choosing between the a traditional PDA device and the IPhone 3G, you'll have to solidify what your intents and purposes are.

I'm far from an expert (obviously!), but from my random browsing in my spare time as I make up my mind, I'm under the impression PDA devices are more aimed toward a professional lifestyle (BlackBerry, anyone?) If your primary uses will be managing your schedules, office files and other productivity-related things, I believe PDAs might be best suited for that purpose.

On the other side, I'm under the impression the IPhone 3G is aimed towards whatever you want it to be. Sure, it's first and foremost a phone, but the wide variety of applications and development are what help you turn it into whatever you want. In that regard, you can definitely turn it into a PDA device with the right applications. It's unfortunate but I believe I read somewhere that office support is on the horizon, and although I'm not sure whether that's near or far, I'm sure it might be a deciding factor in your decision.

Personally, I'm probably leaning towards the 3G. Although I hate the idea of enslaving myself to iTunes and Apple, the added bells and whistles of the 3G's ability for customization are pretty attractive. I consider myself to be a casual individual that would like a similarly casual PDA organizer. If you are, instead, a serious business professional, then I think the other recommendations by the first commenter are much better choices.

Best regards!

I have an iphone 3g 16gig, its great,

remember you can download thousands off apps (some free, some fee based (tho cheap from 99cents - 10bucks ish) that do anything you want, your not limited to what comes on it, its totally customizable (to an extent)

like said above, iphones can basically be anything you want them to do, i have no problems using it as an organizer, or putting anything on it that i may need for work. it has support for all office docs that i'd ever need, plus it has access to the net virtually everywhere (where as a PDA you to find a way to get it online as well, or sync it with your online files) so i can download view emails an web pages just as if i was infront of a desktop computer (tho of course on a smaller screen)

the only big complaint about the iphone is the lack of copy / paste and flash, but posts from apple themselves state they're in the works of being added in an upcoming firmware update, so once thats done, it'll be awsome

I have an iphone , its the better option

It all depends on what you're using it for, iPhone and iPod touch have the same hardware interface though, don't know why you said the iPod touch was better in your OP...

I'm an iPhone owner, and have had PDA's in the past, and never really used them for their full potential, but the iPhone is the first phone/pocket-device i've actually *wanted* to use, I find it hard to put down or in my pocket, and I actually care about taking care of it, where as my iPaq's and Axim's and such I didn't care as much for some reason...

SWhisssper <----------------------------
Listen to this man and get yourself a blackberry

Lol the only thing i'd prefer a blackberry over a iphone for is the keyboard, but once you get used to the onscreen one on the iphone, its no biggy really

The Apple company is gonna take anything about the portable life.

game;cellphone;PDA and bah bah bah..

An iphone/ipod touch definitely does not complete with a PDA in terms of general use and features. It's a fine alternative if you aren't already a big PDA user, but if you are you'll only be disappointed by the lack of usability they provide in the PDA department. That's just what happens when companies start combining devices for convenience-- something always has to be cut.