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Best Wi-Fi Portable Browsing Device?

Posted by timothy on from the deep-in-the-stacks-desire-mounts dept.

foxxo writes "I'm a library worker, so I get lots of questions about our collection when I'm out in the stacks. I'd love to be able to access our online catalog and give patrons more comprehensive guidance without directing them to the reference desk. What options are available for a portable device with Wi-Fi connectivity, full-featured Web browsing, and (most importantly) no cellphone-style activation and service fees? Size is important, too; I need something I can carry in my pocket, not a micro-notebook with full keyboard. (And I am a library worker, so low cost is key!)" One device that sounds interesting in this category is the GiiNii Movit (not yet released, but shown off at CES). What can you recommend that's out there now?

8 of 426 comments (clear)

  1. Nokia n810 by murph · · Score: 5, Informative

    No recurring fees, I just picked one up for $222.

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    1. Re:Nokia n810 by Kamokazi · · Score: 5, Informative

      Seconded. Very nice device, and has a physical keyboard, unlike the other one likely to get mentioned a lot.

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    2. Re:Nokia n810 by bluephone · · Score: 5, Informative

      Except the N810 is smaller than the N800, has 2GB of storage built in, and the kb slides out like many cell phones for text message addicts. It's an incredible package.

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    3. Re:Nokia n810 by despisethesun · · Score: 5, Informative

      The N800 also has the advantage of taking regular SDHC cards, rather than the miniSD used in the N810. The full size ones are cheaper, and the N800 can hold 2 of them. And they can be set up as part of the root file system, if you're technically inclined. Plus miniSD cards can be a pain to find in decent capacities, they're kind of the red-headed stepchild of the SD family.

      The on screen keyboard on the N800 is not bad either. Obviously not as good as a physical kb but more than adequate. It's tough to go wrong either way, though, as they're both excellent devices. Definitely the best handhelds available for their purpose.

      (Typed out on my N800. :)

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    4. Re:Nokia n810 by maxume · · Score: 5, Informative

      The miniSD thing isn't that big a thing:

      4GB for $8:

      http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211343

      16GB for $42 (which is only about $12 out of line with regular size SDHC)

      http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134912

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  2. iPod Touch by erayd · · Score: 5, Informative

    Gotta say the cheapest iPod touch is probably going to be a good bet here, particularly as it's a wifi-only device; you don't have to buy a whole cellphone at the same time.

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  3. Yay Wikipedia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Just found this on wikipedia:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handhelds_with_WiFi_connectivity

  4. Archos 5 is my current favorite by russg · · Score: 5, Informative

    Have a look at the Archos devices. You can pickup some of the older models with Wifi as refurbished.
    My Archos 5 is my, surf, watch movies, store data, listen to music, and play games device. The current 5 and 7 are called "Internet Media Tablets".
    With Opera as the browser and flash support its really a nice internet experience for a small device.