Handhelds and Personal Digital Assistants

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Handheld computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs) combine the tools of an organizer with the power of a computer processor in a pocket-sized product. Using a two megabyte hard drive and a unique stylus pen, PDA users can not only keep electronic versions of phone numbers, addresses and schedules, but they can also access e-mail and write memos and notes. The technology has existed since the 1980s, but PDAs didn’t become popular until 1996 with the introduction of the PalmPilot.

Today’s mobile computer users are faced with two common usage models: desktop and notebook vs. desktop and handheld. For its power and price, the desktop is still the foundation on which most users base their work. Desktops are most easily tied to broadband Internet connections, and their larger screens and keyboards still make them the most efficient medium for doing intensive work.

So with the desktop as a foundation, the question then becomes, “Which mobile device is better for me—notebook or PDA [personal digital assistant]?” The answer will depend on your applications and your threshold for inconvenience.

There are two different types of handheld digital organizers: PDAs and Handhelds. PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) provide basic record-keeping tools (date book, personal schedule, to-do list, etc.) and are typically smaller than handhelds. Handhelds are more expensive than PDAs and provide more computing options (software such as word processing, spreadsheets, etc. and web access) in addition to basic organizing tools.

What to look for...in handhelds/PDA's

Several form factors exist to provide consumers with a wide range of choices. Do you want power and performance or a small, compact size? Do you want to be able to do work on your PDA or do you just want to stay organized? You’ll need to decide what’s important to you and what‘s not necessary.

What operating system the handheld uses

Choose Palm OS 4.0 if you want an affordable, easy-to-use electronic organizer with long battery life. Pocket PC 2002 has lots of powerful features beyond a PIM, but PDAs that use the OS tend to be more expensive, have shorter battery life, and work with only Windows computers. Other options include Windows CE, Symbian, and Linux.

Installed RAM

How much data the PDA can store? More RAM allows you to store more applications and files on your handheld. For Palm OS devices, look for 8MB or 16MB. For a Pocket PC, you must have at least 32MB or, better yet, 64MB.

Weight, width, depth, height

How big the PDA is? A smaller, lighter PDA is easier to carry everywhere you go. Look for models that are less than 5 ounces in weight and 0.5 inches thick.

Display

Colour support

Whether the PDA has a colour or monochrome screen? Colour screens are generally easier to read, although they are more expensive and use more power, thereby shortening battery life. It's often difficult to see the difference between 12- and 16-bit colour screens, but the latter can display more hues.

Display type

Which display technology the PDA uses? Be sure to check our reviews or look at the handheld yourself rather than getting caught up in what technology is used. Any given screen type can end up looking great or unreadable depending on the manufacturer's implementation.

Maximum resolution

How much detail the screen can show? Higher-resolution screens tend to look better, with smoother text and more detailed images. Most Palm devices have a resolution of 160x160, although some offer 320x320, 320x240, and 320x480. All Pocket PCs have a screen resolution of 320x240.

Expansion/connectivity

Expansion slot(s) total (free)

What type of expansion slot(s) are built into the PDA? Expansion slots are becoming important, especially for Pocket PCs, several of which now have two built-in slots. Memory Stick, Secure Digital (SD), and Multimedia Memory Cards (MMC) are good for adding more memory. CompactFlash (CF) Type II and Springboard allow you to add either a memory card or an input/output device such as an Ethernet card, a modem, or a Wi-Fi card.

Power

Battery installed

Whether the PDA uses alkaline batteries or comes with rechargeable batteries? Most new PDAs come with rechargeable lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries. Drop the PDA in its cradle when you're at your desk so that it will always be charged up. However, if you go on an extended trip, you'll need to bring the charger with you. (A few models have replaceable rechargeable batteries.) Inexpensive monochrome PDAs tend to use alkaline batteries, which provide power for a month or more. You can buy replacements at almost any supermarket, computer or camera store.

Think hard about how you will use a PDA. If you just want a calendar and personal directory, buy a simple, inexpensive model. If you want audio and Internet access, you’re going to have to upgrade at a price.

Before you buy, try out different PDA’s. You might find that all the fancy software and features are useless to you. Go with the one that feels the most comfortable and sensible.

Check out the quality and quantity of the PDA’s software and hardware peripherals. They could make your decision easier.

Some models have better keyboards than others, so try as many as you can. Once you start adding fancy features like colour screens and stereo sound, the price goes up and the battery life goes down.

If you want to save on batteries, go for a black-and-white monitor. The colour screens tend to eat up your batteries.

When choosing a hardware/operating system, consider the availability of additional software beyond what comes with the PDA. Currently, only Windows CE and the Palm Pilot operating systems have third-party software. However, if you only want an address book and calendar, then you will not need the extra software.