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PDA Buying tips and Guide - March 2009
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are replacing daytimes and
organizers for people on the go who need to look up and record
contacts, appointments and other information. The capabilities
of the latest PDAs and handheld computers have been extended to
include web access, email, phone and games. Even though the PDA
market is only a few years old, there are a lot of choices. With
some consideration of your needs, you'll soon have the right PDA
in the palm of your hand.
Handheld & Palm
PDAs can be subdivided into handheld and palm categories based
on the presence or absence of a keyboard. Handhelds are larger
in size and have full keyboards, whereas palm devices don't have
keyboards and are stylus or pen operated. Be aware that
sometimes PDA is used to mean only palm devices while the term
handheld is often used to encompass all handheld computers.
Palm computers are better geared for users looking mainly to
store personal information like calendars or contact lists.
Instead of a keyboard, palm units use a pen-like stylus with
handwriting recognition software and a touch screen for data
input. Alternately, an onscreen keyboard can be used where you
tap each letter with the stylus. Their pocket calculator size
and light weight make them easy to hold in one hand and very
portable.
On the other hand, if you plan on doing a lot of word processing
and internet surfing, you'll need the extra computing power of a
handheld. These computers have a clamshell design with a
keyboard and usually have a larger screen which is touch
sensitive. Some handhelds can be as small as palm units, others
the size of a typical paperback. Professional models are as
large as a hardcover book.
Screen
PDA screens are LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays) like those found
in notebook computers and flat panel displays. Early on, you
could only get PDAs with monochrome screens, but color is now
available. Monochrome screens can be strictly black and white or
display anywhere from 4-16 shades of gray.
Most PDAs are monochrome models, but color is becoming
increasingly popular. Some color screens can display thousands
of colors. Of course, you'll pay more for a color screen, and it
will drain the device's batteries faster. Don't get a color
screen if you plan on using your PDA outdoors because the screen
will wash-out in direct sunlight. It's also advisable to get a
screen with a backlight which makes it easier to read under a
variety of lighting conditions including the dark.
A screen's resolution is measured by the number of pixels
horizontally and vertically (ie. 640x480). The greater the
resolution the sharper the image. Obviously, resolutions on PDAs
are limited by the compactness of the screens. On palm units,
screens are roughly 4 inches across the diagonal with
resolutions up to 240x320. Typical handhelds have larger screens
around 6.5 inches diagonally, supporting 640x240 resolution. If
you want a handheld with even better image quality, Pro models
can support resolutions of 640x480 and 800x600 with screens
around 10 inches in size.
Memory
PDAs employ memory to store the operating system, standard
applications and additional programs. Memory is also used for
working space and data storage. More memory is usually better
because it increases processing speed. However, it's difficult
to compare storage capacity between models with different
operating systems. One model with 8 MB of RAM could store more
data than another 8 MB model with a different operating system.
Most PDAs already have sufficient memory for typical use.
If you want more storage space, you might want to opt for an
expandable PDA, which lets you use memory expansion cards when
needed. Expandable PDAs are also useful if you want to enhance
your experience with a Games, Road Atlas or some other type of
card.
Ergonomics
PDAs come in a wide spectrum of sizes and weights, from credit
card size to the dimensions of a hardcover book. Size directly
influences the portability of your PDA. A palm device should fit
into a shirt or pants pocket while a handheld will fit in a coat
pocket or briefcase. Handhelds weigh between 200-1500 grams
depending on screen and keyboard size, whereas palm units are
lighter around 100-250 g
When deciding on a PDA, hands-on feel is important. For example,
a heftier palm device could strain the grip of someone with
small hands. Alternately, someone with large hands might get
frustrated with the tiny keys on a particular handheld keyboard.
If you're a left-hander, be warned that all palm devices are
subtly designed for right handers. Features like scroll bars,
launch buttons and stylus holders might be in the wrong place
for you.
Operating System
There are a number of different operating systems (OS) used for
PDAs, but the two main players are Palm OS from Palm Inc. and
Pocket PC from Microsoft, who both license their systems to
third party manufacturers. Another PDA operating system, which
is popular in Europe for wireless devices, is Symbian.
Synchronization & Batteries
Synchronization
Synchronization refers to a PDA's ability to share data with
your PC so that the information on your PDA matches what's on
your computer. It's a two-way process that exchanges and updates
information in both machines. You can connect your PDA to your
PC via serial cable or IR (Infra-red) port, though many devices
support both interfaces.
Most palm devices come with a special stand called a cradle
which facilitates synchronization and often recharges the PDA's
batteries. Cradles usually attach to the PC serial port though
some models use USB (Universal Serial Bus). Handhelds can come
with sync cradles or connect directly through a sync cable to
your PC serial port. If your computer also has an IR port you
can ignore the cradle and beam data directly to and from your
PDA. Lastly, there are a few credit card sized PDAs from Rex
that slide into a PC Card slot.
All PDAs come with some form of synchronization software that
will sync information in the standard applications bundled with
the PDA. Since PDA applications do not run on desktop systems,
PDAs also come with separate desktop versions of their built-in
applications. To synchronize your data, Palm OS uses a program
called HotSync while Windows CE has ActiveSync.
If you have a favorite PIM (personal information manager),
investigate whether the sync software supports that application.
Alternately, there are a number of commercial sync programs that
support popular applications like Outlook, Lotus Organizer, Act,
GoldMine, Schedule+ and Eudora. These programs, sometimes known
as conduits, reside on your desktop and interact with the PDA to
sync data for given applications. If you have information in a
desktop application not supported by your PDA, you can often
import the data but the format might be effected.
With the right software and a modem you can also sync a PDA to
your PC remotely. However, you usually have to leave your
computer running which can pose a security risk. Given the
appropriate connection and software, PDAs can access and
synchronize with data stored on a corporate network. Other
programs are available that allow you to sync over the internet.
In this scenario, you keep your information on a web server as
opposed to a desktop PC. Finally, you have the option of syncing
with another PDA to swap info with a friend using the same OS.
Batteries
Most PDAs come with rechargeable batteries and many also work
with regular alkaline. There are three varieties of batteries
available: Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH)
and Lithium-ion (Li-ion or LiOn). The two Nickel based batteries
are considerably cheaper than Lithium ones, but Nickel batteries
lose their charge much faster when not in use. A PDA might
accept only one or two kinds of batteries so be sure to find out
what kind.
Some PDAs take AAA or AA batteries, others use proprietary
batteries. Although manufacturers give quotes for battery life
don't take them too seriously. A fully charged battery can
operate a PDA anywhere from several hours to a month, depending
on how intensively you use it. Battery life should be monitored
carefully because a power failure can result in the loss of all
the data on the PDA. This is hardly catastrophic if you've
recently synced with your PC.
Proprietary, rechargeable batteries don't need to be replaced
and should last the lifetime of the PDA. Many PDAs recharge
their batteries when they are connected to their sync or docking
cradle. Some PDAs can also operate off AC power which usually
recharges the batteries, but check to see if the adapter is
included.
Modem & Online Services
For those who require mobile access to their corporate network,
email or the Internet, you'll need a PDA with connectivity
built-in or available as an accessory. If your PDA has a PC Card
or Compact Flash slot you can buy a modem that will connect via
that slot. Other PDAs have proprietary snap-on modems that
attach to the back or bottom of the device. Devices are also
available that combine a PDA with cellular phone for the
ultimate in connectivity.
Web
So your PDA has a modem and the proper software and you're ready
to hit the internet. Just remember you can't expect to see the
web in its full glory on a 4 inch monochrome screen, though a
high-end handheld color display comes close to desktop surfing.
That said, there are a number of programs that are text-only or
graphical web browsers for PDAs. They reformat regular web
content so it can be viewed on your PDA. Some browsers support
many features of full-fledged desktop browsers like frames,
cookies, downloads, bookmarks, and security encryption. Even
better, many PDA browsers are shareware or freeware.
Another process called "web clipping" lets you send an online
request or query to a content provider, and you get back
stripped down "clips" of information from the site. Many sites
tailor and trim down their content to create a specific channel
for PDAs. Other applications like ProxiWeb use proxy servers to
reformat web content before it gets sent to you.
It's also possible to download web content to your PDA for
offline viewing. Client software like AvantGo lets you choose
the web channels you want, then every time you synchronize your
PDA the web content is updated through your PC's internet
connection. If your PDA has a modem you can also download
AvantGo content online.
Email
Naturally, you'll want access to your email when you're on the
road. Using a PDA you can read, write, send and receive email
with the proper software. Depending on your set-up, you can
synchronize your email with a desktop application or send and
receive it online with a modem. Keep in mind that if you need to
write a lot of email on a PDA, you might want a handheld with a
keyboard. Applications also exist that let you read newsgroups,
participate in online chats and use instant messaging.
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