Buying A Hand Held/PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)

Given the wide range of PDAs at your disposal how do you make the right choice? Here we list a few attributes of PDAs, which will help you make the best buy.

INSTALLED RAM

All images in a PDA/ Handheld are stored electronically: the unit of memory being MB (Megabytes). This is important, for the storage space is directly related to the ability to store information and run applications. PDAs do come with upgrading facilities, bear in mind that your PDA has at least 4 MB.

DATA INPUT METHODS

This deals with the ways in which you may enter your information into your PDA. These are the few options:-

The keyboard that varies in size with every model.

The touch screen / stylus pen to be used along with a touch sensitive screen

Handwriting recognition to be used with a stylus and special software allows for hand writing to be translated to text.

MODEM

The modem enables the PDA to send and receive information.

BODY SIZE

The overall weight dimension and style do change from model to model. The smallest PDA, being no more than 16 cubic inches weighing less than 10 ounces has a square shape. Small hand held PCs weigh between one and two pounds and are rectangular shaped. Large hand held PCs come with a keyboard. They measure 8.5 by 11 inches and weigh anywhere between 2 to 3 pounds.

COLOUR DISPLAY

PDA screens can have colour or black and white displays. However colour displays are more battery exhaustive than the monochrome displays.

OPERATING SYSTEM TYPE

The control program type is being explained here. Though MS Windows CE is used for most models 3 Com and other manufacturers use Palm OS. The options hence vary within Windows CE, Palm OS and Pocket PC.

SCREEN RESOLUTION

Resolution refers to the sharpness of display / screen quality. The higher the resolution the sharper the image. Better resolution is easier for the eyes. PDA displays however are very small. Standard resolutions are 160 X 160, 240 X 320, 640 X 240 and 800 X 600

SYNCHRONISATION METHOD

This deals with the various ways in which you may link your PDA to your PC. It is based on what comes with your PDA or what you may want to procure as optional accessories. This is important for backing up files, transferring notes, schedule information, e-mails and even documents.

The range varies from the USB cable that transfers data from hand held to the PC. This communication is however applicable with the newer Pentium II or later computers.

Serial cable with an optional docking station comes next. Identified as "RS 232" it is relatively slower than the USB.

Infrared literally beams into from the unit to the PC without the use of cables. This communication is slower than the serial cable.

Docking station allows you to place your PDA in the cradle and then take it off from your mind. There are no hassles of plugging and un-plugging whenever you synchronise up your data.

WIRELESS MODEM

Though slightly on the expensive side, this facilitates you to receive & send information from any location or time. This increases the functionality of your PDA.

BATTERY TYPE

There are single use batteries as well as re-usable ones. Though purely a personal choice, it may tell on your machine maintenance. A rechargeable PDA demands of a recharge after stipulated hours of use (usually twice a week). Single use batteries, preferably alkaline need to be changed every month or two.

UNIT COLOUR

Colour has no relation to the functionality of your PDA. It, however can make your organiser more fun and personalised. The Palm m 1000 model, for example, comes with a faceplate that can be snapped on and off to change the colour on a whim.

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