[Nobody]

I would like to switch my home computers from PCs to MACs. I would first like to replace my PC laptop and Jornada PDA with a MAC laptop and cmpatable PDA. I do not want to loose any of the data in Outlook when I transfer my data. In addition I need to ensure I can still sync my new PDA at work using outlook and sync my new PDA with my MACs at home. Can the synchronization for all applications in Outlook work as I have described? Am I limited to any specific PDA? What software requirements on the MAC side or third party are required? Are there any other issues?

[RonAnnArbor]

You won't lose any data from your Jornada to your mac...macs run Palm desktop, or you can use a sync program to sync to Entourage, iCal, iMail, etc...
Make sure you save your hotsync data files on your desktop. When I got my new Treo 600, everything saved to my desktop on Outlook synced to it when I plugged it into my PC. Then I copied it all over to my Mac by syncing my Treo to my mac.

[Nobody]

Thanks Ron, So Windows CE on the Jornada will be compatible with the MAC? When I upgrade my PDA are there any other ones that will not work, is there a list of compatible PDAs listed anywhere?
Not sure I understand why you saved to your desktop.
I have all my info in my PDA and on a PC. I was going to get a new PDA synchronize the new PDA with my PC then synchronize the new PDA with my new MAC laptop. I also want to synchronize on a daily basis with my PC at work and my MAC laptop at home. Can you synchronize with a PC at work and a MAC at my house without any problems?

[ALG]

In reply to:

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. I also want to synchronize on a daily basis with my PC at work and my MAC laptop at home. Can you synchronize with a PC at work and a MAC at my house without any problems?

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Yes and NO ............. First due to the fact that Mac does not run Outlook you will find trouble with syncing on a daily basis. For example once you sync your Outlook calendar with your Mac you will have to sync with iCal. iCal does not format the same way as Outlook. There is no problem with your PDA syncing the original Outlook information with iCal but when you go to sync with Outlook again on the PC you will get that the information is contained on the PDA and it does not sync with Outlook. Nor does the Contacts (Address Book).
At least this is my experience with Active Sync on The PC. My PDA BTW is running windows 2002.

[JohnnyA]

A few comments for whatever they're worth.
1. PocketPCs sync with Windows PCs via ActiveSync. ActiveSync does not run under Mac's operating system (OS X). ActiveSync is a Windows-only program. Through ActiveSync you can then sync a Pocket PC with Microsoft PC programs like Outlook.
2. If you buy a new PocketPC you will enjoy how much improved ActiveSync 3.7 is with the latest Pocket PCs for USB port syncing with a PC.
3. You can get a measure of syncing between a new Mac and a Pocket PC if you buy and run software called PocketMac (for OS X). See web page. PocketMac has limitations so note what it can and cannot do. The only other alternative is very expensive: Run Windows and ActiveSync right on your new Mac via Virtual PC. See web page.
4. Palm devices (unlike Pocket PCs) are another species entirely. I own an iPaq 4700 (love Pocket Windows/software/games; cannot stand Palm OS/software) so I've only read/heard about compatibility issues regarding Palms. I'd research carefully before you buy. It used to be that Palms and Apple went hand-in-hand. That is no longer entirely the case.

[robtag]

Hi, I'm considering buying a new PDA soon as well, and have a similar problem - I have a Mac at home (eMac 1.25GHz G4) and PC at work (running Windows 98). I like the Palm Tungsten's, but was wondering how to sync between the 2 different computers. As I use the PDA mostly for work, would syncing the PDA with work PC and only overwritting iCal/Address Book on Mac from the PDA be the best workable solution? Has anyone else tried that?
Ciao
Rob

[Nobody]

If you use a pocket PC with Pocket Mac am I correct in assuming that this will sync with Entourage? If this synchronization is successful and I enter new data on my Mac in Entourage will I be able to sync with Microsoft outlook at work and then back again to the Mac?

[stockscalper]

Johnny, I have to disagree with you about the Palms no longer working hand in hand with Macs. I just bought a new Tungsten C and it is absolutely wonderful! It syncs wonderfully and is so compatible. I switched from an ipaq which was hostile to the Mac. Nothing on the ipaq was compatible. Even with some of the Mac pocketpc syncing software it wouldn't let me install new programs and when it synced to the calendar you never knew whether it was going to transfer the data over or wipe out your schedules. You never knew whether the desktop would show without having to reboot. I have none of these problems with the Palm. The desktop always show and everything always syncs as it's supposed to. It's like the Palm is a miniature Mac. Plus its operating system is "Mac" like; the Ipaq ran Pocket Windows and like any windows operating system was prone to crashing. Having used the two, I would never ever consider a pocket pc as a PDA again.

[JohnnyA]

You are right, 'Scalper. PalmOne appears affirmatively to be supporting both OS X and Windows these days. At one point there was talk of dropping Mac support, but it's back now.
Johnny