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