Is it possible/realistic to use a PDA as a home computer and mobil phone?

[william]

Ideally i want to use a PDA (or other device) as a home computer by hooking it up to an external monitor (or use it as a modem for my laptop) as well as use it to make free/cheap phone calls. Is this possible? if so what about connection speeds?

 

[FunSkater]

Not gonna happen.

PDAs are not made to attach to external monitors.
They are limited in what computer software they can run and use processors that are really slow compared to a home computer.

Your laptop will do the home computer job much better. If the screen is not acceptable for you, almost all can use much larger external screens and it is easy to connect full sized keyboards and mouse via a USB port.

Some phones can be used as modems when "tethered" to a computer, IF the cell provider allows it (same phone, different provider = different answer), and if you purchase an additional data plan that allows it (I think it is an additional $40 per month for my plan). I have looked into it and decided to wait until wireless that will be a lot faster and lower cost (since I will get rid of my traditional phone line) comes in November.

You will have to ask about the maximum speeds, and expect them to exaggerate a lot. It will be slower than any high speed modem. Ask for a guarantee of speed and they will likely say no. They run on various levels of networks. Apple has gotten a lot of flack for tying the iphone to AT&T which has a reputation for very slow data transfers.

 

[FunSkater]

Not gonna happen.

PDAs are not made to attach to external monitors.
They are limited in what computer software they can run and use processors that are really slow compared to a home computer.

Your laptop will do the home computer job much better. If the screen is not acceptable for you, almost all can use much larger external screens and it is easy to connect full sized keyboards and mouse via a USB port.

Some phones can be used as modems when "tethered" to a computer, IF the cell provider allows it (same phone, different provider = different answer), and if you purchase an additional data plan that allows it (I think it is an additional $40 per month for my plan). I have looked into it and decided to wait until wireless that will be a lot faster and lower cost (since I will get rid of my traditional phone line) comes in November.

You will have to ask about the maximum speeds, and expect them to exaggerate a lot. It will be slower than any high speed modem. Ask for a guarantee of speed and they will likely say no. They run on various levels of networks. Apple has gotten a lot of flack for tying the iphone to AT&T which has a reputation for very slow data transfers.

 

[FunSkater]

Not gonna happen.

PDAs are not made to attach to external monitors.
They are limited in what computer software they can run and use processors that are really slow compared to a home computer.

Your laptop will do the home computer job much better. If the screen is not acceptable for you, almost all can use much larger external screens and it is easy to connect full sized keyboards and mouse via a USB port.

Some phones can be used as modems when "tethered" to a computer, IF the cell provider allows it (same phone, different provider = different answer), and if you purchase an additional data plan that allows it (I think it is an additional $40 per month for my plan). I have looked into it and decided to wait until wireless that will be a lot faster and lower cost (since I will get rid of my traditional phone line) comes in November.

You will have to ask about the maximum speeds, and expect them to exaggerate a lot. It will be slower than any high speed modem. Ask for a guarantee of speed and they will likely say no. They run on various levels of networks. Apple has gotten a lot of flack for tying the iphone to AT&T which has a reputation for very slow data transfers.

 

[FunSkater]

Not gonna happen.

PDAs are not made to attach to external monitors.
They are limited in what computer software they can run and use processors that are really slow compared to a home computer.

Your laptop will do the home computer job much better. If the screen is not acceptable for you, almost all can use much larger external screens and it is easy to connect full sized keyboards and mouse via a USB port.

Some phones can be used as modems when "tethered" to a computer, IF the cell provider allows it (same phone, different provider = different answer), and if you purchase an additional data plan that allows it (I think it is an additional $40 per month for my plan). I have looked into it and decided to wait until wireless that will be a lot faster and lower cost (since I will get rid of my traditional phone line) comes in November.

You will have to ask about the maximum speeds, and expect them to exaggerate a lot. It will be slower than any high speed modem. Ask for a guarantee of speed and they will likely say no. They run on various levels of networks. Apple has gotten a lot of flack for tying the iphone to AT&T which has a reputation for very slow data transfers.

 

[FunSkater]

Not gonna happen.

PDAs are not made to attach to external monitors.
They are limited in what computer software they can run and use processors that are really slow compared to a home computer.

Your laptop will do the home computer job much better. If the screen is not acceptable for you, almost all can use much larger external screens and it is easy to connect full sized keyboards and mouse via a USB port.

Some phones can be used as modems when "tethered" to a computer, IF the cell provider allows it (same phone, different provider = different answer), and if you purchase an additional data plan that allows it (I think it is an additional $40 per month for my plan). I have looked into it and decided to wait until wireless that will be a lot faster and lower cost (since I will get rid of my traditional phone line) comes in November.

You will have to ask about the maximum speeds, and expect them to exaggerate a lot. It will be slower than any high speed modem. Ask for a guarantee of speed and they will likely say no. They run on various levels of networks. Apple has gotten a lot of flack for tying the iphone to AT&T which has a reputation for very slow data transfers.

 

[FunSkater]

Not gonna happen.

PDAs are not made to attach to external monitors.
They are limited in what computer software they can run and use processors that are really slow compared to a home computer.

Your laptop will do the home computer job much better. If the screen is not acceptable for you, almost all can use much larger external screens and it is easy to connect full sized keyboards and mouse via a USB port.

Some phones can be used as modems when "tethered" to a computer, IF the cell provider allows it (same phone, different provider = different answer), and if you purchase an additional data plan that allows it (I think it is an additional $40 per month for my plan). I have looked into it and decided to wait until wireless that will be a lot faster and lower cost (since I will get rid of my traditional phone line) comes in November.

You will have to ask about the maximum speeds, and expect them to exaggerate a lot. It will be slower than any high speed modem. Ask for a guarantee of speed and they will likely say no. They run on various levels of networks. Apple has gotten a lot of flack for tying the iphone to AT&T which has a reputation for very slow data transfers.