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