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