Still asking for PDA/handheld recommendations

I have asked around for recommendations because I am planning to buy one but there are so many choices and I have a limited budget.
Carl has posted on my LJ his recommendations and I have surfed the web for some reviews and found several. The Eten is still rather high-end for me. Aside from that, I have heard from my friend who has contacts in Mobile1 that the hardware isn't very reliable and it hangs. Not a very good thing because I really want to get something worth all the money I will be setting aside. I was thinking of looking at low-priced models that don't have colored screens but I thought that it might be more difficult to have those things fixed in case something happens because of the lack of availability of parts, etc. Maybe I should write down what my considerations are in buying such a gadget.

• Purpose: I want to buy one because of I want to read and edit txt, pdf and doc files anywhere, everywhere, anytime.
  
• Cost: It shouldn't be greater than Php20,000. If it's around Php10,000-Php16,000 I guess it's ok. Lower price? That would be amazing!
  
• Battery life: Will it last me the whole day? What if the battery dies out? Will I be easily able to replace it?
  
• Wear and tear: I am clumsy. Does it easily break or something like it? Sometimes, I drop things by accident. (Maybe a lot of times...)
  
• Compatibility with my computer: I want to easily sync it with my computer. My OSes: Windows 2000 Pro and Mandrake 10 (which I use more often).
  
• Software: I would like a great PIM software and stuff to view and edit my files. There should also be a nice Bible, concordance and dictionary software that I could use on it.
  
• Input: I hope that it has Graffiti or something like it. My current PDA is hard to use because it's like using a keyboard on the touch screen. Not very convenient when you want to take down notes during a meeting or when you just need to jot down a quick reminder to yourself.
  
• Expansion slot: A must have.
  
• Others: A colored screen, mp3 playing capability and image viewing are not necessary. (Although the mp3 feature would be great.) Games are not much on my mind. If it has games in it, like tetris or something, I will manage.
  
• Intended date of purchase: December 2004.
  

Is that list something substantial enough for anyone out there to give me a recommendation? I could expand that list further if I need to. Thank you for your time!

posted by eClair @ 09:13