Tell me how to spend $347.00 at Best Buy.

[schild]

I have recently turned a Sony Clie T615-C into the local Best Buy for breaking a month before the service plan I bought (while an employee) ran out. For shame. Anyway, I'm torn between getting a new tiny PC (because I won't have one and probably should) and a digital Camera. While the camera on my phone is quite cute, it just doesn't cut the mustard. There was also the option of getting a Sony PSP and a couple games when it came out, but I can't hold onto a gift card that big for an indeterminate amount of time. Also, I've already got an iPod.

These are what I'm looking at (remember, the money HAS to be spent at BBY) One last thing, I'm willing to go $50-$100 over the retail price (so up to ~$450):

Palms

Tungsten T5 - $399.99
iPaq RX3115 - $349.99

The obvious problem here is do I go with a Palm based unit or Windows Mobile. I've had no experience with either for years, though I suspect that Windows is far better equipped to play WMV/MPG-1 movies in addition to it having Bluetooth AND 802.11b (while the Palm has only Bluetooth).

Digital Cameras

Canon Powershot SD20 - $349.99
Sony DSC-P100 - $349.99
Fuji S5100 - $349.99
Minolta DiMAGE Z2 - $399.99

That's it for now. I'm leaning towards a digital camera since I'm doing E3 and other conventions this year. Any advice from someone who recently purchased any of the above (or otherwise) would be great.

Thanks.

[Lum]

As far as PDAs go, Palms have really caught up to Windows PDAs in the last couple of years. Unless you absolutely HAVE to be able to play WMV format movies (no Palm players for those), basically, pick one of each up in the store and see what you're most comfortable with. Functionally they're about equal. (See if you can get an 802.11g version if you get a Palm though, Bluetooth is pretty useless)

One other thing to consider: perhaps a PDA phone instead. I have a bad habit of breaking PDAs (one of which I actually FROZE, while mucking about in a Colorado winter storm), so switched to a Windows Mobile phone.  The software support is pretty meh, and doesn't look to improve any time soon, but it does the PDA basics  - sync appointments, stores contacts, plays a few games, and will play a DVD's worth of video from a memory card. Admittedly, this is on a cell phone display, but it's still handy on plane trips.

Mine is http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1382808,00.asp">this one, which isn't the best but is the only one that comes in a clamshell form factor which I prefer. The Treos are less phone-y, but have a keyboard built in and there is tons more software for them, since they're fully Palm compatible, unlike the Windows versions which use a stripped down version of the PDA OS.

[Shavnir]

Buy 17 copies of Katamari Damacy and use them as prizes for contests at f13 :P

[schild]

Mine is http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1382808,00.asp">this one, which isn't the best but is the only one that comes in a clamshell form factor which I prefer. The Treos are less phone-y, but have a keyboard built in and there is tons more software for them, since they're fully Palm compatible, unlike the Windows versions which use a stripped down version of the PDA OS.

For the first time since I've started buying cell phones, I can officially say I love the one I have. I believe the model is Toshiba 4050. Screen isn't that big, but it's 480x640. So wallpaper looks great on it and it takes fantastic pictures.

Buy 17 copies of Katamari Damacy and use them as prizes for contests at f13 :P

That wasn't funny. It was asinine.

[Tebonas]

I would ditch my iPod and would buy an IRiver (which I'm thinking about right now, battery at 4h capacity AGAIN) that can play media files as well. But then I never had much use vor PDA capabilities.

Edit: Ok, the PMP-120 is 500 dollar, thats above the price range you mentioned. Just forget what I said.

[schild]

The iriver was very tempting, but with the Sony PSP coming out next year, I'm sure a philanthropical open-source programmer will figure out how to run programs off a memory stick. Shortly after, someone will make a video player/emulator for the PSP and you'll be able to play anything on it. God love 802.11b and USB out of the box.

On that note - my problem with the iRiver was the following:

Why buy a media player with a hard drive when I can get a portable dvd player with 7" screen that can play MPG-3 off a dvdr?

Edit: Which brings me to this - I've already got a Dell laptop with a 17" widescreen and dvd burner. I need to get a device that does something the laptop and my video camera can't do. Which is pretty much portable organization and high-res photos (hence the request for Palmtops/Cameras.