PDA: Research your needs

In order to end up with the PDAs best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.

Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of PDAs are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a PDA.

Research the market: PDA essentials

The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the PDA market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:

Operating System: The majority of PDAs run either Palm or Windows. Palm is a much simpler operating system, while Windows offers more multimedia capabilities.

Processor: While processors cannot be upgraded on PDAs as they can be with computers, the bigger the processor, the faster your PDA will run.

Memory (RAM): The amount of memory, or RAM, will determine just how much your PDA can do. If you choose a PDA that has only 32Mb (megabytes), you'll only be able to perform basic functions such as keeping track of appointments and your contacts. Your best bet, regardless of what you want to use your PDA for, is to ensure it has a minimum of 64Mb of RAM. Unlike computers, you can't purchase more memory for a PDA. However, you can purchase an external memory slot that will allow you to store large files.

Screen: While all PDAs feature a color screen, the more expensive PDAs will have better screen resolution than those of less expensive PDAs. Typical screen resolutions range from 160 by 160 pixels to 320 by 480 pixels.

Keyboard or handwriting recognition: While some PDAs no longer offer handwriting recognition, some still offer both a touch screen and handwriting recognition. Additionally, some PDA's allow you to plug an external keyboard into them.

Battery: Today's PDAs feature batteries that last from two to ten hours, depending on what you're using the PDA for. For example, if you're using your PDA to run a word processing application, it will be a bigger strain on the battery life than if you're just using it to keep track of your appointments. Additionally, the brighter and the bigger the PDA screen, the more energy it will require from your battery. PDAs generally either come with a recharging cradle or cable.

Wireless: Most of today's PDAs offer the ability to connect to the internet through Wireless Ethernet (WiFi) or Bluetooth or both.

Expansion slots: Because you can't upgrade a PDA like you can a computer, you may want to choose a PDA that features expansion slots. Expansion slots allow you to hook your digital camera to your PDA to download photos and to listen to music on your MP3 player.

Camera: Today's PDAs often feature built-in cameras, similar to the popular camera cell phones, allowing you to snap photographs wherever you go. The quality of your photos will largely depend on the PDA.

Budget: PDAs are available for every budget. You can find fairly inexpensive PDAs, and you can also find PDAs that are as expensive as a low-end desktop computer. Larger memory, faster speed and better screen resolution all increase the price.

Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself

Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a PDA. For example, will you use the PDA only as an electronic appointments diary or do you want to work with documents, access the net and listen to music as well?

You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.

Have I used a PDA before?
	If you have used a PDA, work out what you did or didn't like about the PDA. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient.

What will I primarily use the PDA for?
	You might chiefly use your PDA for keeping track of your appointments and contact information, or for the ability to surf online and check email. You may want to be able to create documents and use word processing.

What type of operating system do I want?
	You can choose either Palm or Windows applications.

Do I want a PDA with a touch screen, or do I want handwriting recognition?
	Handwriting recognition is gradually being overtaken by touch screens but both are available separately and, in some models, together.

Do I want to be able to connect to the internet?
	Most PDAs can connect to the internet via Wi-fi or Bluetooth.

Do I want the ability to plug in an external keyboard?
	An external keyboard can be very handy accessory to have if you have to type up documents.

How long do I realistically need the battery to last?
	PDA batteries vary in longevity but most last several hours. Running large applications will use more battery life.

What is my budget?
	PDAs range in price from reasonably inexpensive to the cost of a home computer, so avoid the features you don't really need.

Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.

Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of PDAs and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.

Video Links

Dell Axim X5 PDA - User review
Demonstration of Dell Axim X5 PDA and collapsable keyboard accessory. Videopinions are product reviews and demonstrations.