I can haz reminder?

January 4, 2008 11:50 AM

Help me get organized: I am looking for a small, very portable PDA-ish device that makes it really easy to program, display, and check off all sorts of reminders (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly etc.) with the option to set alarms.

I don't really need this device to check my email, answer calls, take pictures, or chop, grind, and puree fresh vegetables -- in fact, I would rather avoid any functionality I don't need that complicates operation, which is why I'm hesitant to buy one of the numerous available smartphones, crackberries, and other things with long feature lists. My priorities are ease of data entry, clarity of interface, portability/battery life, and alarm capability.

posted by Krrrlson to technology (16 comments total)

Check ebay for a Sony Clie? I have one in the closet that pre-dates the Smartphone/PDA era. Has a memory slot and (at the time) I found it a pretty functional little organizer.
posted by jerseygirl at 11:55 AM on January 4, 2008

Get a Palm device (an old one will be cheaper) and Datebk6.
posted by grouse at 12:14 PM on January 4, 2008

Hmm. Do you use Outlook, or anything along those lines? I ask because you mention ease of data entry, and you can't get much easier than auto-syncing. Or will you be using this entirely as a standalone device?
posted by box at 12:18 PM on January 4, 2008

I'd suggest an old Palm. The m100 would probably fit the bill, especially as it takes AA batteries rather than rechargeables. You could get one for $4 on eBay. If you want something newer and nicer, the Palm z22 is probably what you want. I'd get it new, with Amazon selling it for $88.

(Palm have pretty much got two lines - upscale stuff such as the old v, m500, T|X, and lower end stuff such as the old III, m100 and z22. I'd say go for the lower end - the higher end is all the bells and whistles you don't want.)

If you're uncomfortable with the text input system (writing on the screen), you could go for an old Psion (not sure what they're known as in the US) - the Revo is probably your best bet, as it's pretty small and svelte compared to the others.
posted by djgh at 12:20 PM on January 4, 2008

I would prefer a standalone device, and one that would let me enter new items directly. However, if there is a good device that requires me to use Outlook, I would consider it.
posted by Krrrlson at 12:23 PM on January 4, 2008

Do you already have a cell phone and a plan that allows you to send/receive a fair number of text messages?

If so, I'll point out that a combination of Twitter and Remember The Milk has been working out for me.

I can create/complete/postpone events from my phone (which admittedly has a QWERTY keyboard, but if you're OK with T9...) by texting RTM's Twitter account, or from any number of other sources (IM, email, through the RTM website). I get my desired reminders via text messages, through Twitter.

If this seems daunting perhaps read articles like this and this.
posted by adamk at 12:24 PM on January 4, 2008

Palm Z22
posted by PowerCat at 12:30 PM on January 4, 2008

I have an old, battle-scarred Palm M500 and it works perfectly for simple things like you are wanting.
posted by willmize at 12:33 PM on January 4, 2008

a Palm with an optional keyboard would do everything you want.
posted by blue_beetle at 12:36 PM on January 4, 2008

I am a million times more organized today than I was before I had a blackberry. I know you said you don't want one, but you'll be a better person once you have one.
posted by Pants! at 12:46 PM on January 4, 2008

Might try Jott and a smartphone, too. Can't get any easier data entry than voice dictation.
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 12:55 PM on January 4, 2008

Palm indeed, with AA batteries for the win. Cheap and useful! For bonus battery life, get a B&W (though the standard battery models might have all been BW).
posted by rhizome at 1:33 PM on January 4, 2008

Sounds like an iPod Touch to me.
posted by spilon at 2:58 PM on January 4, 2008

blue_beetle: a Palm with an optional keyboard would do everything you want.

I have a Palm m105 and a keyboard. They work. I am not using them. You can have them for free. I even have original boxes and a few colour faceplates. Seriously, they're just collecting dust.

mefi mail me if you're interested.
posted by KevCed at 4:32 PM on January 4, 2008

I'd also recommend a Palm Z22 -- perhaps with an infrared keyboard -- as it's light, small, relatively inexpensive, rechargeable via USB, and can do all you requested.
posted by davemack at 4:44 PM on January 4, 2008

Palm Z22. You can get them on ebay for under $50 sometimes. I've had several different ones --all the bells and whistles, mid range and the Z22. The Z22 does everything I need without a lot of stuff I don't. I really needed it for reminders and things like Xmess lists and shopping lists, notes, calculator, not too much else.

Still find myself with handwritten lists though...sacrilege.
posted by pywacket at 6:56 PM on January 4, 2008