Consumer Advice on PDAs

PDAs can store thousands of phone numbers,Word, Excel, and Outlook on your computer to
appointments, tasks, and notes. All models canexchange data with a PDA. Pocket PCs have a
exchange, or synchronize, information with acolor display and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
full-sized computer. To do this, you connect theUnlike most Palm OS-based PDAs, replacing the
PDA to your computer via a cradle or cable. Forbattery of most Pocket PCs is usually
models that run on rechargeable batteries, thestraightforward. Price range: $200 to $700.
cradle doubles as a charger. Infrared, Bluetooth,IMPORTANT FEATURES
and WiFi let you synchronize your PDA with aWhichever operating system your PDA uses, you
computer without the use of wires or a cradle.may need to install programs in your computer to
Most PDAs can be made to work with bothenable the PDA to synchronize with it. This
Windows and Macintosh computers, but PDAssoftware lets you swap data with leading PIM
with the Pocket PC operating system usuallyprograms such as Lotus Organizer or Microsoft
require third-party software for Macs. PDAs withOutlook.
Wi-Fi (wireless) capability can access the Internet.All PDAs have the tools for basic tasks: a calendar
Those without can as well with the addition of ato keep track of your appointments, contact
separately purchased modem. Some PDAs canaddress software for addresses and phone
record your voice, play videos, display digitalnumbers, tasks/to-do lists for reminders and
photos, or hold maps, city guides, or a novel.keeping track of errands, and a calculator. A
WHAT'S AVAILABLEnotes/memo function lets you make quick notes
Most PDAs on the market are the familiarto yourself. Other capabilities include
tablet-with-stylus types that feature a squarishword-processing, spreadsheet, and e-mail
display screen, a design pioneered by Palm Inc.functions. A voice recorder, which uses a built-in
(now called PalmOne). Today the main choices aremicrophone and speaker, works like a tape
models that use the Palm operating systemrecorder. MP3 playback lets you listen to
(OS)--mostly PalmOne--and PocketPC devicesdigital-music files stored in that format, and a
from companies such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard,picture viewer lets you look at digital photos. A
and Toshiba. The latter use a stripped-downfew models also include a built-in digital camera
version of Microsoft Windows. A few PDAs use aand keyboard.
proprietary operating system. Kyocera, Nokia,A PDA's processor is the system's brain. In
Samsung, and Sony Ericsson offer units thatgeneral, the higher the processing speed of this
combine a cell phone and a PDA.chip, the faster the PDA will execute tasks--and
Palm OS systems. Equipped with software to linkthe more expensive the PDA will be. But
with Windows and (for PalmOne-brand units)higher-speed processors may require more
Macintosh computers, PalmOne units and theirbattery power and thus deplete batteries more
clones have a simple user interface. You use aquickly. Processing speeds are 16 to 400
stylus to enter data on the units by tapping anmegahertz (MHz), and models typically have 8 to
onscreen keyboard or writing in a shorthand64 megabytes (MB) of user memory. Even the
known as Graffiti. Or you can download datasmallest amount in that range should be more
from your computer. Most Palm OS-based PDAsthan enough for most people.
can synchronize with a variety of desktop e-mailNearly every PDA offers an expansion slot for
programs, such as Outlook Express and Eudora.some form of removable memory card:
(PalmOne models with VersaMail software areCompactFlash, MultiMediaCard (slots also accept
good at handling e-mails with attachments.) And allSecureDigital cards), or Memory Stick. Models with
include a basic personal-information-managementtwo expansion slots can accommodate a
(PIM) application. Palm OS units are easy to use,peripheral device, such as a Wi-Fi wireless
although navigation between different programs isnetworking card, as well as removable memory.
cumbersome because of the operating system'sIf you plan to transfer photos from a digital
"single-tasking" nature.camera to your PDA, make sure the two devices
Most models make it difficult or impossible touse the same type of card.
replace the battery yourself. And beyond theSome PDAs offer wireless connectivity. Models
warranty period, you can't be sure thewith a capability known as Bluetooth can connect
manufacturer will do it for you.wirelessly over short distances to a properly
Most Palm OS models have expansion slots thatequipped computer or peripheral such as a printer
let you add memory or attach separatelyor modem. Models with Wi-Fi can connect over
purchased accessories. All Palm OS-based PDAsmedium distances to a Wi-Fi-enabled home
can be enhanced by adding third-party softwarenetwork or to the Internet at "hotspots" in
applications--the more free memory that a modelcertain airports, coffee shops, and hotels. A PDA
comes with, the more software it cancombined with a cell phone can make voice calls
accommodate. There is a large body of Palmor directly connect to the Internet via a wireless
OS-compatible freeware, shareware, andInternet service provider. It's possible for a single
commercial software available for download atPDA to have more than one of these three
such sites as Many Palm models come withtypes of wireless connectivity.
"Documents to Go:" word-processing andHOW TO CHOOSE
spreadsheet software similar to that used inConsider your ties to a computer. Pocket PCs
Pocket PCs but more versatile. Price range: aboutprovide a Windows-like interface that allows
$100 to $800.simple PC-to-PDA file transfer with drag-and-drop
PalmOne's top-of-the-line-model, the Tungsten T5,capability. They're also better than Palm OS
combines a PalmOS-based PDA with many of themodels for setting up a Wi-Fi (wireless) e-mail
best features of the PocketPC operating system.connection. Most have replaceable batteries, along
When it's connected to a Windows PC, you canwith accessible flash memory to which you can
drag and drop files to the T5's built-in "flash drive,"back up data.
even on PCs that don't have Palm's desktopPalm OS models run a wider range of third-party
software installed.software applications than do Pocket PCs. For the
Pocket PC systems. These resemble Palmbasics, they're still easier to use.
OS-based models but are more like miniatureWhile all PDAs can sync with Macintoshes, only
computers. They have a processor with extraPalmOne models do so out of the box. Sony units
horsepower and come with familiar applicationsneed software such as The Missing Sync
such as a word processor and a spreadsheet.(available at That program and PocketMac ( work
Included is a scaled-down version of Internetfor Pocket PCs. Both are priced under $50.
Explorer, plus voice-recording and perhaps someSmall size vs. extra features. As a rule, a model
financial functions. The included e-mail programwith a larger display or physical keyboard won't
handles Word and Excel attachments easily. Alsobe the lightest or smallest. A PDA with two slots
standard is an application that plays MP3 musicfor memory and peripherals is more expandable,
files, as well as Microsoft Reader, an eBookbut will tend to be larger.
application.Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of
As you might expect, all the application softwareU.S., Inc.
included in a Pocket PC integrates well with theFor the latest information on this and many other
Windows computer environment. You need toproducts and services, visit
purchase third-party software to use a Mac. AndFind More PDAs with Easy Deal at
you'll need Microsoft Office programs such as.