We're considering buying a PDA and may want to take it on our trip to Europe next month. Any suggestions on traveling with a PDA. Do you take extra batteries (or buy there) or do you take recharger and adaptors and converter. Any recommended programs (translators, restaurant selections, etc.that are must haves?) We try to pack lightly - don't want my electronics to weigh more than my clothes! Thanks in advance for your help.

Whether you take extra batteries or chargers depends on the model you get. Here is the catch, at least for Palm compatible models, ones that take batteries are fatter to carry around but do not need chargers. Ones that need chargers are thinner to carry around.<BR><BR>Also examine you memory need. For Palm models, 2MB bottom of the line is sufficient if you are content with the information you manually enter. But once you start adding goodies, city guides, dictionaries, etc you reach 8MB easily and need to go to the top of the line 16MB models.

Personally I have a Handspring Visor Deluxe with 8 MB memory [it's a little thicker than 3Com Palm versions]. I have citysync software for three cities [London, Paris & Rome] loaded into it and still have more storage left [approx 25% used]. My datebook beginning February 2000 is filled but that makes no difference. I have some other software loaded and some games.<BR><BR>It uses AAA batteries and takes about a month before I need to replace them (and I make my appointments beep all the time). How much space can AAA batteries take up anyway. All I know is, if I chose to [I don't because I like the feel of books and the fact that books can act as barriers when dining alone], I don't have to bring any quidebooks since the software has pretty extensive discussion on sights to see, restaurants, even has a map, and I'm not taking any chargers.<BR><BR>

Last fall, my fiancee and I spent six weeks in Italy while she did research in a number of archives (she's a history grad student). She had a Palm Vx and one of those expandable keyboards (folds to just over the size of a PDA). For just entering text in the archives, it was a brilliant alternative to a laptop. She used it quite a bit, but never had to recharge it (I believe Palms have long-lasting batteries in general). Nevertheless, we took the base/charger for it (which is quite small as well) and an AC adapter for the plug; we just never used it. I can definitely recommend the Palm Vx, but don't know much about other PDAs. Good luck!<BR><BR>Oh, and as for software, I think translator programs and/or dictionaries are pretty reasonably priced. This company: http://www.portableinternet.com offers maps/cityguides, including Frommers ones, but unfortunately I don't think they have European cities yet.

Thanks for the helpful information. Anyone else have any suggestions for PDA choice?

WHY WHY WHY? You are on holiday, so do not take any PDA, laptop, or anything else that reeks of being remotely related to work. Get away from it all. Leave it at home. Go, have fun, and DO NOT EVEN THINK of work or the idiots that are still there in the office slaving away like the good little corporate drones they are. Work sucks, travel is wonderful. Only idiots and anal retentive geeks would want to carry a PDA or a laptop when they go on holiday. Which are you? Oh, I see, you are both, an anal retentive idiot.

I strongly agree with the fake Mr Gates above....if you feel you must carry a PDA or a laptop on vacation then you really should just stay home and donate your vacation time to the company. Because you know the company is really concerned about you and will treat you right.

Hey guys, back off. You're making the wrong assumption. I'm not obsessing about work - I'm a happily retired 60ish woman who would love to put all of my voluminous travel research (a fun hobby)into a simple to access form. And playing games on the plane could keep my husband occupied on the long rides. <BR><BR>No need for the cynicism when someone asks a reasonable question.

I have a Handspring Visor Edge. I put the Lonely Planet Rome guide on it. Not sure how much I will use it, but we will see. In the past I tried putting the French Laungage dictionary on it, but that turned out to be very useless. However, I do put reservation info etc. on my calendar and then download that to my PDA. That way I have the confirmaton dates etc. handy (I also carry the paper copy in my suitcase!)

On another note, I have been interested in getting a pda with keyboard to keep my journal while on the road. Right now I keep short notes in a notebook at the end of the day and right my journal when I get back home - would like to actually keep my journal on the road.