PDA Picks for School

1. Palm or Pocket PC?

The two dominating PDA operating systems today are PalmSource's Palm OS for Palm handhelds and Microsoft's Windows Mobile 2003 OS for Pocket PCs. Both types of PDAs come with a preloaded calendar, address book, to-do list, and other applications. Both are small enough to fit in your pocket easily. And while both require a learning curve, the Palm-based units are generally easier to use than Pocket PC-based devices.

So how to choose between them? Let's start with a pop quiz. (Don't worry, I'm supplying the answers.)

Q: Do you want a variety of PDAs to choose from?

A: Then go with Pocket PC. Sony recently announced it wouldn't release any new Palm OS devices in the United States, leaving PalmOne as one of the last remaining Palm PDA handheld makers. Meanwhile, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, ViewSonic, and Toshiba are among those that sell Pocket PCs.

Check out PC World's latest ratings of the Top 10 PDAs, along with the PDA buying guide.

Q: Do you want lots of software applications beyond those that come preinstalled on the PDA?

A: Get a Palm. There are far more applications available for Palm OS devices than for Pocket PCs.

Q: Don't want to learn yet another interface?

A: You're a Pocket PC person. A Pocket PC's interface and application look quite similar to Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office, but at the same time, the Pocket PC is sufficiently different to require a learning curve. That said, the Palm OS interface is fairly intuitive, but it, too, will involve a short learning curve.

My two cents: If you want an affordable PDA for basic calendars, contacts, and to-do lists, consider a Palm OS device. Example: At $100, the Palm Zire 21 is nothing glamorous, with its monochrome display without backlighting, only 8MB of memory, and no expansion slot (for adding extra memory). But it's a good entry-level handheld for students on a budget. Read PC World's review.

Photograph: Rick RiznerOn the other hand, if you want a selection of sleek PDAs to choose from, shop for a Pocket PC. The $400 HP IPaq Pocket PC H4150 has been one of PC World's highest-rated PDAs, earning four (out of five) stars for its compact design and plentiful features. See PC World's review.

Still can't decide between the two? See "Mobile Computing: Palm vs. Pocket PC" for a comparison.