The Basics: PDAs
The capabilities of PDAs (personal digital assistants) continue to grow as these devices continue to shrink in size. It seems that each year, more and more features are packed into tiny PDAs that are getting ever closer to replacing your laptop computer.
Most PDAs can browse the Internet wirelessly, usually via 802.11b/g wireless, which lets you check e-mails and stay on top of news and events with a device you can carry around in your pocket. Now, many PDAs are being incorporated into smartphones--PDA devices that also include a cellular phone. That gives them the advantage of connecting to the Internet via cellular networks such as EDGE and 3G. These high-speed wireless networks let you get online anywhere that you can find a cellular signal, so you're not just browsing in hotspots anymore. This service is more expensive than using traditional WiFi (which is often free), but it also gives you much greater range.
More and more PDAs incorporate GPS capabilities as well. This means your PDA works like a typical GPS device, with a receiver that retrieves GPS satellite signals and can map your location. Most of these PDAs feature additional storage space to handle the mapping software (if it's included) or at least an SD memory card with all the maps on it.
Processor speed continues to increase, with most PDAs featuring at least a 400MHz CPU. The working memory grows as well, with PDAs offering at least 64 to 128MB of RAM for running applications.
Bluetooth connectivity is now nearly ubiquitous on new PDAs. This technology will synch up your PDA with your laptop or desktop computer via a rapid wireless connection. It also connects to Bluetooth peripherals such as printers and headsets without having to plug them in.
Built-in digital cameras have also become more commonplace, especially on the smartphone PDAs. These cameras have increased in resolution, with some offering 3- or even 5-megapixel depth and often offering a flash and the ability to record video as well.
Speaking of recording, nearly all PDAs feature a built-in microphone and speakers, so you can use them as voice memo recorders. Headphone jacks are often included, so you can listen to MP3s or watch video complete with stereo sound (some PDAs are starting to add stereo speakers).
Screen resolution is improving as well: Most PDAs offer a 3.5-inch screen with 320x240 resolution, sharp enough to watch video clips fairly cleanly. It's not quite the same as watching a DVD on your laptop, but progress continues to be made. With Windows Media Player on Windows Mobile PDAs, you can also stream online videos. It doesn't support all formats, but there are lots of third-party applications out there as well to boost the multimedia capabilities of your PDA.
As we mentioned, many new PDAs ship with Microsoft's Windows Mobile operating system. Palm PDAs with the Palm OS are also still going strong and offer a similar interface experience. On the Windows front, most PDAs are still shipping with Windows Mobile 5, although some vendors are offering upgrades to Windows Mobile 6, the new operating system that you're more likely to find on current smartphones. Look for all new PDAs to make the switch to the Vista-esque Windows Mobile 6 soon.
Five Questions
1) What kind of PDA should I get?
That all depends on what you want to use it for. If you're just looking for a simple device that carries your contacts and offers a digital day planner, there's no need to go all out on your PDA. But if you want to view or even edit documents away from the office, browse the Web in remote locations, and perhaps use your PDA as a navigation aid, then you're going to have to shoot a little higher. There are PDAs that land all across this range, so you can find one that suits your specific needs.
2) How much do PDAs cost?
Basic PDAs start at less than $100 and move up to nearly a grand for the high-end devices. A PDA with wireless connectivity and mid-range features currently averages around $400.
3) What brand of PDA should I get?
The main brands of PDAs employ one of two operating systems: Palm OS from Palm and Microsoft Windows Mobile from most everyone else. If you like the Palm operating system, you have to go with Palm PDAs such as the Tungsten and Treo smartphones. On the Microsoft side, you have a lot more choices. HP is one of the more trusted brands, but PDAs from Acer and others do just fine. A third OS option from Research in Motion (RIM) is their Blackberry PDAs that are geared toward text messaging and e-mail.
4) Why would I get a PDA instead of a laptop?
PDAs are much more mobile than laptops and even tablet PCs. If you're going to be typing a lot, you definitely want to consider a laptop as your mobile device. But if your mobile needs mostly involve Web browsing, viewing documents, and keeping tabs on your e-mail, a PDA can serve you just as well as a laptop for less cost and less space.
5) What's a smartphone?
Smartphones are basically cell phones that have been beefed up with PDA capabilities. These devices combine PDA power and functionality in a frame small enough to be a portable cell phone. Their screens are usually smaller than traditional PDAs, but they offer the additional ability to be connected to their Internet over cellular data networks, giving you expanded range (although usually with a monthly fee attached).
How to Shop
There is a wide range of PDAs from which to choose from. Processing power isn't as important with PDAs as it is with PCs, but you still want to keep an eye on the megahertz at the heart of the devices you're looking at. The faster the better holds true here, with higher MHz PDAs able to open applications and files more quickly. Most PDAs offer at least a 400MHz processor, with smartphones starting a bit lower.
Another number to check is the memory. The RAM includes the PDA's working memory as well as flash memory storage, while the ROM houses the operating system and core files (and isn't user accessible). Most PDAs offer media card slots for expanding the storage capacity of your device with a flash memory card. You might want to check and see if a certain PDA matches the same cards as your other peripherals. For example, if you've already got a digital camera that uses SD cards, then you can share that flash memory with your PDA--and it'll be easy to view photos on your PDA by swapping out the card.
Most traditional PDAs feature screens of roughly the same size (3.5 inches is fairly standard), although the resolution can vary. If you'll be watching a lot of video clips on your PDA, you want to make sure that your PDA has the sharpest resolution possible. Most PDAs feature screens with 320x240 resolution, although you can find crisper screens out there.
Connectivity is a big issue with PDAs. Most newer PDAs offer 802.11g wireless connectivity built in, although some rely on slower 802.11b or don't feature WiFi at all. You'll find Bluetooth technology on many new PDAs, letting you synch up wirelessly with compatible PCs as well as hooking up wireless peripherals such as headsets and printers.
PDAs offer touchscreens with finger or stylus input, and some even feature full QWERTY keyboards. These thumb-typing keyboards aren't that fast, but they can be easier to use than tapping at an onscreen keyboard. If you'll be editing a lot of documents or composing myriad e-mails on your PDA, consider one with a full keyboard.
Checking the battery life on PDAs you're looking at can be another way to help make your decision. While most PDAs offer five hours or more of battery life, some activities such as wireless Web browsing and GPS navigation really burn through the battery, so it's a good idea to know what your PDA will be capable of.
Before buying, you want to consider taking a trip down to your local electronics store to play around with the PDA models you're interested in. This will give you a better idea of the screen resolution, processor power, and overall design of the PDA than just looking at online images and reading reviews (although Consumer Guide's reviews can be quite helpful as well).
