Using a PDA in 2026: a Guide to a More Productive Year

Smart phones are always demanding your attention with AI features, ads, endless doom scrolling, and even mobile games that you downloaded at 3 AM, causing you to get distracted from work, school, or life. I realized that my smart phone was distracting me from friendships and always left me unfulfilled and upset.

This guide is going to have tips, tricks, and apps I recommend that will replace your $1,200 yearly smart phone upgrade with a $90 device that comes with everything you need-so you can focus on doing something you genuinely enjoy.

You will need:

1. A PDA

I recommend buying from PDAKING on ebay, they sell reliable Palm products that come with everything you need at an affordable price.

1. A Computer

I recommend a Windows XP machine for compatibility and minimal setup, I use an old netbook. Using an older PC can help you install Palm drivers, apps, and the Palm Desktop Program.

1. A Disc Drive

Try a USB one if your PC doesn't have one. A disc drive is needed to install the Palm Desktop Program onto your PC.

1. An Internet Connection

One that can connect to an old PC as you will need it to access Palm DB.

Before you can start using a Palm PDA, you’ll need one. (Shocking, I know.)

Not all Palm PDAs are created equal, so in this step I’ll go over all the models, what makes them different, and which ones work best in 2026. I’ll also include photos for reference.

1. The Palm Pilot is as basic and old as possible, recommendation level 2/10 (1000, 5000, Personal, Professional)

1. The Palm III is the first model with a back-light and an IR port, but it's still pretty old and the Pilot can run the OS, although the IIIc has a color screen, recommendation level 3/10 (IIIx, IIIe, IIIxe, IIIc)

1. The Palm V is the model that finally has a rechargeable battery, which also lasts a week on a full charge, recommendation level 5/10 (V, Vx, VII, VIIx)

1. The Palm m100 is a cheaper model that is not as great as other models but it has a couple worth noting, the m125 has a cover with holes for the up button and part of the screen to display the time when in sleep mode, the m100 models have a capacitor to keep your data when replacing its batteries, and the m130 has a color screen and rechargeable battery and is still used in movie theaters to control the projector, recommendation level 4/10 (m100, m105, m125, m130)

1. The Palm m500 is a follow-up of the Palm V line and has an SD Card Slot for storage expansions and media playback, while the m500 has a grayscale screen, while future models have color screens, recommendation level 6/10 (m500, m505, m515)

1. The Palm Tungsten has many variations and they are all great so I am going to do a Tungsten speed round, the Tungsten T had it's Graffiti Pad slide in and out, the Tungsten W was part phone, the Tungsten C was made for connecting to the internet and browsing the web, the Tungsten T2 was an improvement on the T, the Tungsten E was made as a cheap form of the T models, the Tungsten T3 had it's Graffiti Pad turned into an extendable display which is very unique, the Tungsten T5 removed the extendable screen and instead it is very long but it did still have the virtual Graffiti Pad, the Tungsten E2 was an improvement on the E and it's storage did not get erased when it ran out of battery (I use this one), the Tungsten TX is the ultimate Tungsten as it has everything that the others got right (excluding the T3's extendable screen) all made into one mega PDA boss made for pure productivity, recommendation level 9/10 (W, C, T2, E, T3, T5, E2, TX)

1. The Palm Zire was meant to be extremely inexpensive but had some interesting features so I will just skim them, the first Zires had a non color screen and less buttons, the Zire 31 had a color screen and could play videos, the Zire 71 had a camera and a joystick, the Zire 72 gained a microphone, recommendation level 7/10 (Zire, 21, Z-22, 31, 71, 72)

1. The Palm Treo was like the Tungsten W as it was also a part phone PDA (could it be the first mainstream smartphone???). Other than that there is not much to write home about so imagine the Tungsten W and Zire 72 put together and you will get the main idea, recommendation level 6/10 (650, 680, 700p, 755p, Centro, P850)

1. The Palm LifeDrive is one of the most expensive PDAs in 2026 being almost $480 for a loose device (still less than your yearly phone upgrade even with trade-ins). But this is the perfect send off for Palm OS and the Palm company itself. It has a 4GB micro drive which can be used as a USB drive if needed. It has everything you need to become a productivity BOSS as it has WiFi, Bluetooth, Screen rotation, an SD Card slot, ect. It is a complete boss of a PDA (given you replace the dying hard drive and install the ROM update), recommendation level 10/10

Before you start installing a boatload of apps onto your new (or old) PDA, you should probably learn the basics of the apps that come built in. Don't worry if your device does not have the apps I will talk about, as you might be able to find them on PALM-DB. The apps explained are Calendar, to-do list, Graffiti, Contacts, Memo Pad, Doodle Book, and Docs to Go.

Let's start with the calendar app; My tips for this app are:

1. Sync with the to-do list

In the to-do list you can add due dates to your tasks, which can appear in your daily overviews for the day.

1. Use it often

Write down every new event as well as regular events too; try to use the quick button to open it fast and organize.

1. Experiment with different PC apps

Some PC apps can interact with the calendar app, like Outlook, Palm Desktop software, and Google Calendar HotSync. Try to find some that work for you!

The to-do list app seems pretty useless until you follow these tips:

1. Create repeating tasks

Create a task, click details, set the due date to tomorrow, click repeat, other, day, after completed, every 1 day(s), and end date. This can appear in the calendar's daily overview.

1. Try Phone Lookup

By using Phone Lookup on a task, you can find names in your task within your contacts. So you can find John's contact information if you have something like a "call John" task.

Graffiti is an important staple in Palm handhelds, but it is hard to use so here are practice tips:

1. Write often

Instead of using an on-screen keyboard, attempt to use Graffiti more. Remember, you can drag upwards from the Graffiti pad to the screen to see the guide.

1. Switch from Graffiti 2 to 1

If you have Graffiti 2 and you need a different version, you can install Graffiti 1 instead.

1. Play Giraffe

Giraffe is a simple game where you write a letter on the graffiti pad before that letter falls down to the bottom of the screen.

The contacts app is pretty simple, but there are some tips to give out, so let's do this:

1. Copy Your Cards

Copy your business cards to your contacts to save space in your wallet and have them be easier to find.

1. Use pictures

If you sync/transfer pictures to your device you can add them to your contacts. Stay organized with pictures!

Memo Pad has no complexities whatsoever, so instead of tips, let's go over some uses for memos:

1. Password storage
2. Notes
3. Grocery list
4. Ideas
5. Programming
6. Graffiti Practice

Doodle book is useful too, as instead of typing, you draw. Here are some ideas you can do:

1. Puzzles
2. Quick notes
3. Doodles

Docs to Go is insanely good and useful and easy to use, and I honestly don't have any tips, as it is just a port of Microsoft Office.

Here we go, lets visit Palm DB and download some apps!

Here are my top apps (of what I can think of...):

1. Blue Remote, Wireless HID controller for your computer
2. StarGrid, Indie space shooter battle royale
3. Magic World, Weird Platformer
4. Origami To Go, Origami tutorials in your pocket
5. Novii Animator, Animation creator with color
6. Palmary Clock, Clock app with stop watch, alarms, and timers.
7. Novii Remote, TV remote controller
8. pTunes, Media player that can sync with iTunes
9. Adobe Acrobat Reader, PDF reader
10. Palmkedex, Indie Pokedex Database
11. PowerSDHC, expands the SD card size limit on some Palms
12. VersaMail, Email client that connects to your phone and computer
13. Liberty, Reliable and Customizable Gameboy Emulator
14. Chess Tiger, Chess client with decent difficulty
15. Captain's Mini golf, Indie Mini Golf game with level editor
16. Sim City Classic, Sim City port
17. RocketCHU, Cool Jet pack and laser 2D shooter, also known as Fried-food

Warning! When installing, make sure that the app is free and does not contain license keys or have you change your hot sync ID, as it is piracy! Piracy is a crime, even when the media is discontinued.

Here are my personal tips for maintaining you’re device or just having fun with it:

1. Don’t over charge

Most Palms don’t have charge detection like modern devices, so leaving them on charge butchers the battery. Only charge it when you need to. Also be careful when plugging in and unplugging the charger to avoid damaging the charger or charging port.

1. Buy accessories

By looking on eBay, local listings, or PALM-DR, you can find awesome accessories from carrying cases to wireless keyboards.

1. Download and experiment apps from PALM DB

You don't have to follow my recommendations. Find your own apps, and if you have an Instructables account, feel free to share your favorites by clicking the "I made this" button.

1. Don't be afraid to call the PALM doctor.

You can always find spare parts at PalmDR; they also do repairs. Although you may need some expertise in electronics if you want to repair it yourself.

1. Hang out on the Palm DB Discord

The server is really cool; even when you don't know everything about PALM INC you can have fun. They have a Palm buying and selling page in case you are skimming and have not bought one yet.

1. Be Prepared for battery drainage

Older Palms have old dead batteries. Those batteries are unreliable and will die more often. This is not an issue for palms that use AA batteries, although old AA's can leak and damage the circuitry of your Palm.

1. Know the self-destruct code

Resets are how you fix the sticky software situations. Soft resets are easy, just press the reset button, it is like turning it off and on again. Hard resets have codes in the manual, it is like factory resetting.

You have done it.

Thank you for following my Instructable :). This was the first one I made. It took a lot of work and stress and whether I am able to enter the anything goes contest or not, I had fun and I will do it again. If you enjoyed this short little guide, follow me. I would love to hear opinions, questions, and tidbits from the community, so if you followed this click the "I made this" button and feel free to share what you think. It will help me improve my instructable writing.