PDA Buying Guide
PDA is a wireless and mobile device that is replacing organizers to facilitate easy storage and recovery of information related to appointment schedules and important contacts. The database can be accessed anytime and anywhere you go.
Types of PDAs
You find two types of PDAs namely, the 'Palm Pilot type' and the 'Handheld type' that give endless wireless networking to help you better.
The use of keyboard differentiates the two.
Palm PDA does not require a keyboard.
It can be operated using a pen like device with handwriting recognition software and a touch screen to type in information.
The screen size measures 4 inches diagonally with 240 by 320 resolution.
An onscreen keyboard is another medium to input details using the pen like device. It is light to handle and is small sized that makes it conveniently conveyable.
People who are keen to store relevant calendar dates and contact lists will prefer palm PDA, for example, O2 XDA Atom PDA and Palm 1047ML PDA.
Handheld PDA is a better select for frequent Internet browsing and word documentation purposes. It has a sensitive touch screen that is wider than palm PDA screen.
The screen size is 6.5 inches with 640 by 240 resolution. Sizes vary from small to as much as a paperback and even similar to a hardbound textbook.
I-Mate Jasjar PDA and Dopod 838Pro_PDA_Gppv_29--8283>838Pro PDA are handheld models with keyboard option.
Key features in PDAs
You can look for the following features while buying a PDA.
LCD Screens
Liquid Crystal Displays have replaced the monochronous screens as the latter provides only black and white shades for screens. Color screens have umpteen colors and require a lot more battery power.
It is advisable to use a color screen with backlight to attune to the lighting conditions at night. There is a possibility of damage when put under direct sunlight.
HP IPAQ HW6515E PDA and Palm 1047ML PDA have color screens. HP iPAQ RX4240 PDA has wide screen.
Memory
The storage space is sufficient to accommodate operating systems, standard applications and also for word processing. More memory will enhance processing speed. There are expandable PDAs where extra memory cards can save games and road maps.
Calendar dates and contact information can be stored in 16MB memory. Additional software installation would require 32MB and for audiovisual files 64MB memory is preferred.
Operating Systems
PDAs use many operating systems. The most commonly used ones are Palm OS from Palm Inc. and Pocket PC from Microsoft.
Palm OS provides high speed, easy customization programs and many shareware software for games and other applications.
Pocket PC has a variety of features like pocket Internet explorer, MSN Messenger, infrared communication, connection manager, updated Pocket Word & Excel and the upgraded version of Windows XP desktop.
T-Mobile Sidekick helps in Internet surfing, phone chatting and comes with calendaring and phone book options.
T-Mobile Sidekick Color version and T-Mobile Sidekick versions does not support speakerphone or memory expansion slot.
The former has a colour screen with 32MB memory and the second has monochrome screen and 16MB memory.
T-Mobile Sidekick II comes with speakerphone, built-in flash camera and 32MB memory.
RIM Blackberry supports bluetooth mechanism and consists of a browser, a keyboard, a speakerphone and an organizer.
You can check your personal as well as corporate mails a suitable server.
For example, Palm TungstenT PDA, Palm Z22 PDA, O2 XDA Stealth PDA and Mitac MIO168 Plus PDA.
About the Author: Getprice is an Australian comparison shopping service that helps consumers find the best deals when
shopping for PDAs. Getprice works with Australia’s leading retailers to list information such as product specifications and prices, store information and special offers from Australia’s top PDAs retailers in order to help consumers find the right product at the best price. Getprice also publishes buying guides for PDAs and other popular products. All pricing and product information is provided by independent third party Australian retailers. Getprice provides product and pricing comparisons for online shoppers to ‘shop smart and save’. Compare prices or just browse the PDAs category at Getprice.com.au.
More articles by jared424oken
Print Article | Download PDF | 175 views | Feb 23 2007
|
|
