| sonal Data Assistant (PDA) has won rapid | | | | activities. |
| acceptance among university students and executives | | | | Communication - Look for integrated Bluetooth 1.1 and |
| who are constantly on the move because of its ability | | | | a built-in 802.11b Wi-Fi adapter |
| to package a lot of different data requirements into a | | | | Smartphone - Combines the functions of a mobile |
| palm sized device. The PDA is designed to make a | | | | phone with a data management device in a single unit. |
| busy life easier by providing sensible connections to all | | | | Phone capability requires a separately purchased |
| the information you need, have it at your fingertips | | | | service contract |
| when you need it, and transport it to other systems. | | | | Audio Output - A headphone jack is essential for |
| Once 'organised' with your PDA, you will have all of | | | | listening to your audio files |
| your contact phone numbers, be collecting your emails, | | | | Cradle/Charger - This device allows for easy |
| process your business orders, display your | | | | connection and synchronization with your PC while |
| photographs and relax to your mp3 library. Many | | | | simultaneously recharging your battery. Consider buying |
| PDAs also act as a digital recorder and have windows | | | | an additional cradle for the office for maximum |
| based compatibility for word processing and | | | | convenience. Some PDAs include a cable or a special |
| spreadsheet financial calculations. | | | | cradle that provides an interface with your desktop |
| PDAs At the simplest end of the market, a PDA can | | | | computer to synchronize data. |
| help you manage your daily to-do lists, keep track of | | | | Battery life - Each device will have its own battery-life |
| your diary and record your memos. But it's important | | | | characteristics. Battery recharge life is also dependant |
| for people moving into using a PDA to understand that | | | | upon the data you are processing. You can use |
| it is a tool that is most beneficial to an already | | | | manufacturer's specifications as a guide to compare |
| organised mind: it won't actually do the organising for | | | | between brands and models, but these specifications |
| you. But if you find you need to view and manage | | | | are laboratory measurements and may not reflect |
| documents on the go, keep track of your | | | | your actual use. |
| appointments and have instant access to your name | | | | Bluetooth - This wireless technology lets you to |
| and address book, then the basic functions of a PDA | | | | exchange data with other handheld devices or any |
| will probably enhance your productivity. And of course | | | | other Bluetooth enabled device such as a cell phone, |
| the added bonuses of listening to your mp3s, watching | | | | fax machine, personal computer, laptop computer, |
| short video clips, reading ebooks and being able to | | | | headset or printer. The Bluetooth feature will allow you |
| rehearse and review your presentations can only help. | | | | to add an external keyboard. |
| PDAs with the Windows Pocket PC operating system | | | | Digital camera - PDA cameras usually capture low |
| and gutsy memory are compatible with your normal | | | | resolution images (around 1.2 megapixels), which are |
| windows and office environments. Screen size and | | | | perfect for emailing but not ideal for printing. |
| image resolution can be critical if you intend to use the | | | | GPS - Global positioning system allows you to |
| device for reading books and managing text-heavy | | | | navigate from any point on or near the surface of the |
| documents. While sales of PDAs have steadily | | | | earth. |
| declined over the past two years, losing to smartphone | | | | Music/Audio - The MP3 playback quality will depend on |
| technology, the main manufacturers have advanced | | | | the bit rate of the audio file and the quality of the built-in |
| the usability of PDA devices with faster processors, | | | | speaker. The audio quality is often better when played |
| increases in memory and multimedia capability. In many | | | | back through a quality headset. |
| situations, smartphones have been able to replace | | | | PDA Screen - PDA screen sizes are measured in |
| many functions of the PDA, combining data | | | | inches diagonally and are available from 2.6 inches up |
| management with mobile phone technology. But if you | | | | to 5 inches on the very high-end. Larger, brighter |
| want to work with spreadsheets and web pages on | | | | screens require more power to operate therefore |
| your PDA, smartphones are at a disadvantage from | | | | increase battery consumption. |
| smaller screen sizes and data storage capability and | | | | Processor speed - refers to the speed in which a |
| sometimes cost, but they obviate the need to carry | | | | PDA coordinates its internal functions. Processor |
| two devices. | | | | speeds are measured in MHz (megahertz) and range |
| What to look for | | | | between 4 MHz and 624 MHz. Although these |
| There's a hand-held PDA device to suit practically | | | | specifications can change rapidly as technology |
| every budget and need. You need to consider just | | | | develops, it is recommended to have a processor |
| how much data you want to carry with you and how | | | | speed of at least 16 MHz for general day-to-day |
| connected you want to be. Obviously more memory, | | | | functions. |
| faster processor and bigger screen attract higher price | | | | Video capture - Video playback often requires an |
| tags. You can compare brands, models and prices by | | | | additional expansion card and a third-party software |
| searching au using the following specifications to guide | | | | download, and higher memory capability. |
| you. | | | | Web Browser - Used with a Wi-Fi connection, lets you |
| A budget basic unit might offer a processor speed of | | | | browse the internet as you would from a desktop |
| 16 MHz, 8MB of memory and at 2.5 inch (diagonal) | | | | computer. |
| screen. At the high end, you can get a 4GB micro hard | | | | Wi-Fi - Integrated 802.11b WLAN (wireless local area |
| drive, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, 400 MHz | | | | network), enables you to connect to the internet in any |
| processor, 256MB memory, with expansion slots, 4 | | | | hot spot. Enabling the Wi-Fi features tends to consume |
| inch (diagonal) LCD screen with 65,000 colours and | | | | battery life quickly. |
| 640 x 480 display resolution, GPS functionality, MP3 | | | | In summary |
| player, digital camera and instant messaging. In the | | | | You may like to consider whether you are a novice |
| middle of the range you will find devices with 64MB of | | | | (that is, new to PDA technology), an entrepreneur or a |
| memory, a 200 MHz processor, 3 inch screen and | | | | technophile, and make your search based on your |
| built-in microphone or audio input jack. Bear in mind that | | | | level of understanding of the technology involved. As a |
| all of these specifications and functionalities change | | | | novice, you will be searching for a basic unit, as a |
| continuously, and devices are upgraded with new | | | | technophile you will be looking for all the bells and |
| features over very short spaces of time. | | | | whistles. An entrepreneur will be searching for the |
| Apart from processor speed, memory and screen | | | | most adaptable capabilities. The following might assist. |
| size, some of the critical specifications that you can | | | | Choose amongst functionalities. Consider you need for |
| use for cost and brand comparisons include: | | | | mp3 players, or video players, or web browsing. |
| Data input - While some models have a full QWERTY | | | | Doubling the functionality of your PDA may reduce the |
| keyboard built-in, you may want to consider adding a | | | | need to have to carry another device around in order |
| fold-up full-size external keyboard. Entering lots of text | | | | to enjoy the benefits offered. |
| with the small built-in keypads or using the handwriting | | | | How much internet access do you need? Bluetooth |
| software can be frustrating. | | | | connectivity can give you mobile phone enabled |
| Audio input - A built-in microphone or microphone jack | | | | internet access, Wife can give you access from hot |
| is needed for recording voice memos and meeting | | | | spots, and simple cable connection to your desktop |
| notes and store audio files. | | | | computer can let you read your emails on the road. |
| Music playback - MP3 audio file playback can | | | | Go for maximum memory for money. Memory |
| sometimes need additional software. | | | | determines how much data your PDA can process |
| GPS - While there are a number of purpose-built | | | | and store, and its ability to handle applications. Memory |
| hand-held devices for industrial applications, your PDA's | | | | can be boosted in many devices using expansion slots |
| GPS capability may not be suitable for rugged outdoor | | | | and flash memory cards. |