| PDAs can store thousands of phone numbers, | | | | purchase third-party software to use a Mac. And |
| appointments, tasks, and notes. All models can | | | | you'll need Microsoft Office programs such as |
| exchange, or synchronize, information with a | | | | Word, Excel, and Outlook on your computer to |
| full-sized computer. To do this, you connect the | | | | exchange data with a PDA. Pocket PCs have a |
| PDA to your computer via a cradle or cable. For | | | | color display and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. |
| models that run on rechargeable batteries, the | | | | Unlike most Palm OS-based PDAs, replacing the |
| cradle doubles as a charger. Infrared, Bluetooth, | | | | battery of most Pocket PCs is usually |
| and WiFi let you synchronize your PDA with a | | | | straightforward. Price range: $200 to $700. |
| computer without the use of wires or a cradle. | | | | IMPORTANT FEATURES |
| Most PDAs can be made to work with both | | | | Whichever operating system your PDA uses, you |
| Windows and Macintosh computers, but PDAs | | | | may need to install programs in your computer to |
| with the Pocket PC operating system usually | | | | enable the PDA to synchronize with it. This |
| require third-party software for Macs. PDAs with | | | | software lets you swap data with leading PIM |
| Wi-Fi (wireless) capability can access the Internet. | | | | programs such as Lotus Organizer or Microsoft |
| Those without can as well with the addition of a | | | | Outlook. |
| separately purchased modem. Some PDAs can | | | | All PDAs have the tools for basic tasks: a calendar |
| record your voice, play videos, display digital | | | | to keep track of your appointments, contact |
| photos, or hold maps, city guides, or a novel. | | | | address software for addresses and phone |
| WHAT'S AVAILABLE | | | | numbers, tasks/to-do lists for reminders and |
| Most PDAs on the market are the familiar | | | | keeping track of errands, and a calculator. A |
| tablet-with-stylus types that feature a squarish | | | | notes/memo function lets you make quick notes |
| display screen, a design pioneered by Palm Inc. | | | | to yourself. Other capabilities include |
| (now called PalmOne). Today the main choices are | | | | word-processing, spreadsheet, and e-mail |
| models that use the Palm operating system | | | | functions. A voice recorder, which uses a built-in |
| (OS)--mostly PalmOne--and PocketPC devices | | | | microphone and speaker, works like a tape |
| from companies such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard, | | | | recorder. MP3 playback lets you listen to |
| and Toshiba. The latter use a stripped-down | | | | digital-music files stored in that format, and a |
| version of Microsoft Windows. A few PDAs use a | | | | picture viewer lets you look at digital photos. A |
| proprietary operating system. Kyocera, Nokia, | | | | few models also include a built-in digital camera |
| Samsung, and Sony Ericsson offer units that | | | | and keyboard. |
| combine a cell phone and a PDA. | | | | A PDA's processor is the system's brain. In |
| Palm OS systems. Equipped with software to link | | | | general, the higher the processing speed of this |
| with Windows and (for PalmOne-brand units) | | | | chip, the faster the PDA will execute tasks--and |
| Macintosh computers, PalmOne units and their | | | | the more expensive the PDA will be. But |
| clones have a simple user interface. You use a | | | | higher-speed processors may require more |
| stylus to enter data on the units by tapping an | | | | battery power and thus deplete batteries more |
| onscreen keyboard or writing in a shorthand | | | | quickly. Processing speeds are 16 to 400 |
| known as Graffiti. Or you can download data | | | | megahertz (MHz), and models typically have 8 to |
| from your computer. Most Palm OS-based PDAs | | | | 64 megabytes (MB) of user memory. Even the |
| can synchronize with a variety of desktop e-mail | | | | smallest amount in that range should be more |
| programs, such as Outlook Express and Eudora. | | | | than enough for most people. |
| (PalmOne models with VersaMail software are | | | | Nearly every PDA offers an expansion slot for |
| good at handling e-mails with attachments.) And all | | | | some form of removable memory card: |
| include a basic personal-information-management | | | | CompactFlash, MultiMediaCard (slots also accept |
| (PIM) application. Palm OS units are easy to use, | | | | SecureDigital cards), or Memory Stick. Models with |
| although navigation between different programs is | | | | two expansion slots can accommodate a |
| cumbersome because of the operating system's | | | | peripheral device, such as a Wi-Fi wireless |
| "single-tasking" nature. | | | | networking card, as well as removable memory. |
| Most models make it difficult or impossible to | | | | If you plan to transfer photos from a digital |
| replace the battery yourself. And beyond the | | | | camera to your PDA, make sure the two devices |
| warranty period, you can't be sure the | | | | use the same type of card. |
| manufacturer will do it for you. | | | | Some PDAs offer wireless connectivity. Models |
| Most Palm OS models have expansion slots that | | | | with a capability known as Bluetooth can connect |
| let you add memory or attach separately | | | | wirelessly over short distances to a properly |
| purchased accessories. All Palm OS-based PDAs | | | | equipped computer or peripheral such as a printer |
| can be enhanced by adding third-party software | | | | or modem. Models with Wi-Fi can connect over |
| applications--the more free memory that a model | | | | medium distances to a Wi-Fi-enabled home |
| comes with, the more software it can | | | | network or to the Internet at "hotspots" in |
| accommodate. There is a large body of Palm | | | | certain airports, coffee shops, and hotels. A PDA |
| OS-compatible freeware, shareware, and | | | | combined with a cell phone can make voice calls |
| commercial software available for download at | | | | or directly connect to the Internet via a wireless |
| such sites as Many Palm models come with | | | | Internet service provider. It's possible for a single |
| "Documents to Go:" word-processing and | | | | PDA to have more than one of these three |
| spreadsheet software similar to that used in | | | | types of wireless connectivity. |
| Pocket PCs but more versatile. Price range: about | | | | HOW TO CHOOSE |
| $100 to $800. | | | | Consider your ties to a computer. Pocket PCs |
| PalmOne's top-of-the-line-model, the Tungsten T5, | | | | provide a Windows-like interface that allows |
| combines a PalmOS-based PDA with many of the | | | | simple PC-to-PDA file transfer with drag-and-drop |
| best features of the PocketPC operating system. | | | | capability. They're also better than Palm OS |
| When it's connected to a Windows PC, you can | | | | models for setting up a Wi-Fi (wireless) e-mail |
| drag and drop files to the T5's built-in "flash drive," | | | | connection. Most have replaceable batteries, along |
| even on PCs that don't have Palm's desktop | | | | with accessible flash memory to which you can |
| software installed. | | | | back up data. |
| Pocket PC systems. These resemble Palm | | | | Palm OS models run a wider range of third-party |
| OS-based models but are more like miniature | | | | software applications than do Pocket PCs. For the |
| computers. They have a processor with extra | | | | basics, they're still easier to use. |
| horsepower and come with familiar applications | | | | While all PDAs can sync with Macintoshes, only |
| such as a word processor and a spreadsheet. | | | | PalmOne models do so out of the box. Sony units |
| Included is a scaled-down version of Internet | | | | need software such as The Missing Sync |
| Explorer, plus voice-recording and perhaps some | | | | (available at That program and PocketMac ( work |
| financial functions. The included e-mail program | | | | for Pocket PCs. Both are priced under $50. |
| handles Word and Excel attachments easily. Also | | | | Small size vs. extra features. As a rule, a model |
| standard is an application that plays MP3 music | | | | with a larger display or physical keyboard won't |
| files, as well as Microsoft Reader, an eBook | | | | be the lightest or smallest. A PDA with two slots |
| application. | | | | for memory and peripherals is more expandable, |
| As you might expect, all the application software | | | | but will tend to be larger. |
| included in a Pocket PC integrates well with the | | | | Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of |
| Windows computer environment. You need to | | | | U.S., Inc. |