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Note May 30 2011 I expect to update the dictionaries and word lists to CSW 2012 later in the year Ronan Some advice specifically for scrabblers on the Palm PDA models below. How much you can expect to pay, where to get them in shops and online, what they can (and cannot) do ... Also help with where you can download the important scrabbly stuff like anagrammers, word "games" etc. Palm OS Programs Note that these are Palm OS devices, NOT Windows (pocketpc) devices like the HP Ipaq, Dell Axim etc. about which I know very little. Be aware too that some devices like the Palm Treo 680 phone can be sold with Windows installed (esp. in the US) - again these devices are not something I know anything useful about.  Note that what I'm talking about here is what is on the Palm device itself not your PC ! You probably will have Windows on your PC and that's fine! Each device comes with a CD for installing the software on Windows to allow you connect to your Palm for uploading programs and backing up your device info. Any queries email <comments@irishscrabble.org> Ronan May 13th 2008

Palm Z22	Palm Tungsten E2	Palm Tungsten T5
Palm TX	Palm Treo 680	Palm Centro

Overview

These PDA devices include calculators calendars contacts address books notepads etc
AND non-wordy programs for when you want something else to do.
You can play games or keep weight-watching stats etc and even read books!

You can read (and edit!) word documents & excel spreadsheets and view pdfs.

Note that what is on the Palm itself must be the PalmOS system.

You probably will have Windows on your PC and that's fine!

Each device comes with a CD for installing the software on Windows to allow you

connect to your palm for uploading programs and backing up your device info.

All include infrared and/or bluetooth for cable-less communications (beaming).
You can send programs and information from one device to another without the need for cables.

Most have a stereo headphone jack so you listen to music as you learn or fret over missed words.
Some have widescreen mode and you can even watch movies!

Typically you connect these to  a PC (you don't have to do this!)  to download programs and BACKUP

your device info! Doesn't have to be Windows, MAC or Linux too are okay.

Most devices have slots for SD/MMC cards which allows you to store information including pictures,
music etc - the maximum size that a device can read varies with each model - see here max card capacities
These are especially handy for loading programs ONTO your device.

And there ARE other older models which will run Lampwords for example, probably a bit slower
and not as glitzy and cool as recent models but will look up your anagrams for you !

Rough specs and purchasing:

Z22

This is the smaller white model.
It is sufficient for simple lookups etc, but I don't believe the resolution is good enough for extended use.
One advantage is has over other models is that the power adapter is connected
via the common mini USB cable as is the data cable to connect to your pc
Also can be left in standby mode even for a week and the power won't drain away.

Lampwords, KDIC, XWords, LampFlash will fit, though Xwords boards need to be scrolled which is a pity.
The dictionary RWD+ and learning tool RWQ+ programs can be installed too (found here ! ) ,
but perhaps without some of the helper databases for wildcard searches etc (it's becoming a very tight fit!)
and these are being added to as I go .. (but see my comments on the E2 model below)

160x160 display
32mb memory (20 useable)
Infrared
weight 3.4 oz

PALM TX

This is the black/slate grey wireless model.

Not a phone though, but a marvellous device.

Lampwords, KDIC, LampFlash and XWords will fit comfortably
as will Stems+ suite including any helper databases for wildcard searches etc.

If you have wireless at home (or if you are away in a hotel or wherever)
this is just the business for reading your email, browsing the web AND word puzzling,
dictionary lookups and word learning and anything else!

SD card slot - you can stick in say a 2GB sd card to store stuff or use for transfer of
data to other devices.

320x480 display
128mb memory (100 useable)
SD slot
Bluetooth 1.1
WiFi 802.11b
Weight 5.2 oz

Palm Tungsten T5

Very similar to the TX but without the wireless feature.
Does have the popup onscreen minikeyboard too, which can be switched on/off to allow
larger viewing area for the web etc. Nice colour display too.

320x480 display
256mb memory
SD slot
Bluetooth
Weight 5.1 oz

I've never had hands on one of these devices, but if the WiFi feature wasn't needed
this looks like an excellent device with more built-in space available than the TX and a fast processor.
Released 2004, not available new that I can see, but might be worth a shot if one is found.

Palm Tungsten E2

Similar again but the keypad is fixed like the older Palms and has no popup minikeyboard.
Look at the pictures to see what I mean.
Like the Z22 the keypad or drawing pad is fixed in place taking up a good part of the screen.
In this space you tap letters/numbers the OR 'draw' them freehand with the stylus.
It is possible and sometimes necessary if you want to get some odd characters entered !

I can't say I took to this device, not least because it wouldn't read my 2GB card (max is 1GB) but that was
just bad luck. There may be some odd limitations on storage too (i.e. a maximum file size) ...
anyhow the upshot was I couldn't get my dictionary db stemdic.pdb (7.5mb) for RWD+ and RWQ+ loaded via bluetooth
Although it plainly said there was 9MB free, then 13MB free when I deleted the 3.5MB KDIC dictionary file
I've since checked and the same required bits n bobs DO fit on my Z22 which supposedly has only 20MB available
to start with ! I guess with a smaller capacity SD card to hand things might have gone much better!

320x320 display
32mb memory (26 useable)
SD slot (max 1GB)
Bluetooth
Weight 4.7 oz

Palm 680 (mobile phone) and other PalmOS smartphones (including the 755 and recent Centro)

This is excellent. You can have your mobile AND your wordy programs all in one.

No WiFi which is a pity else this would be the ultimate device.
That said you can use GPRS to read emails or browse the web too (if you are prepared to pay a little each time)

Includes an SD card slot - oh, this has a camera too ... for photographing the final board after your marvellous games!

No pop-up keyboard - it's a phone with real backlit keys to press with your thumbs like any other mobile!
The keys could be more stylus-friendly though. Because they are rounded the stylus slides off them
so you are forced to use your fingers and the stylus !

Once again note that the 680s/750s etc. are all Palm devices but only some have the PalmOS installed!
There ARE Windows (pocketpc) versions of these phones available, these will not run KDIC,
or the Stems+ suite etc., but they will run a version Lexpert and Xwords.
So mind what you buy. Palm OS is what you should be looking for.

Wish I had a copper coloured one, but think they are US only ...

320x320 display
64mb memory
SD slot
Bluetooth
Weight 5.5 oz

Palm Centro (mobile phone)

Light and neat and quick too ...

As the Treo 680 but less of a weight on your pocket and lovely to hold

touchscreen and full keyboard

Purchasing

So where to get them ? Take a trip into a computer/gadget shop or Argos and you

should be able to get any of the latest models. And you will PAY full whack!

You might be happy with that and know that you can march back IF you have any problems.

However if you are ebay-savvy that is the place to look.
Pay attention to where sellers are selling from, postal rates, insurance warranties etc.

For example Luzerntech are based in Blanchardstown, Dublin
They sell NEW and refurbished models and I've bought both from them without any problems,

I shouldn't even mention problems, they have been great  and ship in no time!

see http://www.luzerntech.com/PDA/

Luzerntech have regular auctions for new and refurbished models on ebay so keep an eye out.

As to tactics for purchasing on ebay ... well that's another story.
If you've never bid before then you might be able to get someone who knows to do it for you.
You might choose instead to use the "buy-it-now" feature to avoid an auction altogether,
but you will probably pay more than in an auction ...

OR you can learn the ropes ...

Follow some auctions to get the feel of how it goes. 

Register and sort out how you will pay (i.e. register with paypal - https://www.paypal.com/)

When you are all set don't bid on the first item that catches your eye, take your time, watch and wait.

Look at past auction results, look at seller feedback.

Decide what is the most you are prepared to pay ...

Look out for auctions with Paypal - this is pretty much the only method I would use to pay.

And don't worry or be too disappointed if something goes for a great price and you miss out.
Great opportunities will come up again ...

For advice see

http://collectibles.about.com/od/ebay/a/ebayabcs_3.htm
http://pages.ebay.com/education/buyingtips/index.html

among others.

Pricing in euros, roughly what you can expect to pay (May 2008):

Final words of advice - they might fit, but don't ever carry any of these in your breast pocket !