Main
About
Contact
Articles
Shop
Cells
PDAs
MP3s
iPAQs
Palm Pilots
Pocket PCs
iPODs
Blackberries
Accessories
Home | Contact Us | Site Map | News
ALL HANDHELDS.COM:
Your #1 source for PDAs, Palm Pilots, iPaqs, and Pocket PCs!
Selecting a PDA:
by Deryck Richards, Managing Partner DESKTRONIX
Carrying around an address book and planner is becoming a thing of the past. With new PDA developments, you can manage your contacts and schedule, use e-mail, and even listen to music. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), originally called "Palm Pilots," previously were used just for retrieving basic information. Today, using some of the more advanced models could possibly replace the need to carry a laptop computer. Modern PDAs can play music, games, videos, write documents, and connect to networks and databases -- nothing short of a desktop computer.
Although newer PDAs have the processing power of a computer, they still have some limitations. Inputting information is done by handwriting recognition or by a miniature keyboard. Skilled users can input 20 - 30 words per minute, less than half the speed of a good typist on a full-size keyboard. PDAs with a color screen tend to run through battery life faster. Finally, because the small screen size the number of prograqm options that can be displayed, the programs available aren’t as advanced because the user doesn’t have as much control over the program.
Despite these limitations, the market for PDAs is continuing to expand. Students, doctors, and business professionals are increasingly relying on PDAs for computing on the go. Common PDA applications include spreadsheet, word processing, database, financial management, and games. PDAs synchronize files with your computer so that you can take your important information with you and update it when needed.
What to Look For When Selecting a PDA:
The two basic types of PDAs are Palm and Windows Mobile devices. The Palm Pilot was the first PDA available and its operation is very intuitive; some compared it to the Macintosh. Windows Mobile devices run an operating system very similar to Windows on desktop computers. Although Windows Mobile offers advanced features, its interface is still somewhat difficult to navigate in comparison to the Palm.
When purchasing a PDA, make sure that the programs on the PDA are compatible with the programs on your computer. Test out different models, with keyboard and with handwriting recognition, to see which one fits your preferences best. Also consider which application you will be using most. If you plan on using your PDA primarily for e-mail, get a PDA with a good keyboard and good battery life. If you plan on taking digital photos, your main concern should be the quality of the digital camera and the screen.
About the author:
Deryck Richards is the founder and managing partner of Desktronix. With an extensive background in computer information systems, Deryck manages hosting and data center operations for Desktronix. He also provides system administration and technical support to small businesses as he has since 2000. For more information on Deryck Richards and Desktronix, visit
desktronix.com.
Electronics Newsfeed
For more articles on PDAs as well as iPaqs, Palm Pilots, iPods and more - be sure to visit the
Handhelds Article Archive
Please feel free to contact us anytime:
feedback@allhandhelds.com
©2005 All Handhelds.com | Home | Site Map | About | Contact | gAMeS | Shop
ALL HANDHELDS.COM:
Your #1 source for PDAs, Palm Pilots, iPaqs, and Pocket PCs!
by Deryck Richards, Managing Partner DESKTRONIX
Carrying around an address book and planner is becoming a thing of the past. With new PDA developments, you can manage your contacts and schedule, use e-mail, and even listen to music. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), originally called "Palm Pilots," previously were used just for retrieving basic information. Today, using some of the more advanced models could possibly replace the need to carry a laptop computer. Modern PDAs can play music, games, videos, write documents, and connect to networks and databases -- nothing short of a desktop computer.
Although newer PDAs have the processing power of a computer, they still have some limitations. Inputting information is done by handwriting recognition or by a miniature keyboard. Skilled users can input 20 - 30 words per minute, less than half the speed of a good typist on a full-size keyboard. PDAs with a color screen tend to run through battery life faster. Finally, because the small screen size the number of prograqm options that can be displayed, the programs available aren’t as advanced because the user doesn’t have as much control over the program.
Despite these limitations, the market for PDAs is continuing to expand. Students, doctors, and business professionals are increasingly relying on PDAs for computing on the go. Common PDA applications include spreadsheet, word processing, database, financial management, and games. PDAs synchronize files with your computer so that you can take your important information with you and update it when needed.
The two basic types of PDAs are Palm and Windows Mobile devices. The Palm Pilot was the first PDA available and its operation is very intuitive; some compared it to the Macintosh. Windows Mobile devices run an operating system very similar to Windows on desktop computers. Although Windows Mobile offers advanced features, its interface is still somewhat difficult to navigate in comparison to the Palm.
When purchasing a PDA, make sure that the programs on the PDA are compatible with the programs on your computer. Test out different models, with keyboard and with handwriting recognition, to see which one fits your preferences best. Also consider which application you will be using most. If you plan on using your PDA primarily for e-mail, get a PDA with a good keyboard and good battery life. If you plan on taking digital photos, your main concern should be the quality of the digital camera and the screen.
About the author:
Deryck Richards is the founder and managing partner of Desktronix. With an extensive background in computer information systems, Deryck manages hosting and data center operations for Desktronix. He also provides system administration and technical support to small businesses as he has since 2000. For more information on Deryck Richards and Desktronix, visit
For more articles on PDAs as well as iPaqs, Palm Pilots, iPods and more - be sure to visit the
Please feel free to contact us anytime:
©2005 All Handhelds.com | Home | Site Map | About | Contact | gAMeS | Shop