How to Buy a PDA

The Specs Explained

You don't have to spend a fortune to obtain a useful PDA, especially if you're mostly interested in keeping track of your schedule, having your address book handy, and perhaps playing a few simple games. Lots of inexpensive personal organizers can handle those tasks. You'll pay more if you want a nicer screen, more on-board memory, or more advanced functions such as wireless connectivity. Those traits are most useful if you plan to use your PDA for entertainment--playing sophisticated games, displaying video clips or snapshots, or playing MP3s--as well as managing e-mail and messaging for work, and browsing the Web.

Important Consideration: External Memory Slot

External memory cards allow you to store music, photos, videos, or applications; some also let you add peripherals such as Wi-Fi adapters. Having more than one slot can be better; some higher-end devices offer two slots so you can use one for storage and the other for a peripheral. Only the most inexpensive devices have no storage card slot. Nowadays SD Cards are the most popular media, though many older devices still use CompactFlash cards.

Important Consideration: Operating System

The operating system is the software that performs a PDA's basic functions. Palm software is less complex, but Windows Mobile has portable versions of Microsoft Office applications and Windows Media Player. Devices based on RIM's BlackBerry operating system have become increasingly popular.

Palm has tended to dominate the entry-level market with its inexpensive (and unconnected) Zires. But an increasing number of Windows Mobile devices are debuting at midrange prices ($150 to $200). While Treos introduced early in 2006 commanded a premium, newer models are going to be slightly less expensive, the company says. Sophisticated, phone-like BlackBerry models such as the Pearl are also pricey.

Important Consideration: Connectivity

Don't expect e-mail or Web access on a very inexpensive entry-level device. Mid- and upper-range models might include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or an integrated phone connection. A PDA that connects to the Internet can be very useful for checking e-mail, messaging friends or clients, or surfing the Web.

Somewhat Important: Screen and Resolution

Expect color on all but the oldest or very cheapest handhelds. You will, however, see a difference in screen resolutions: Cheap Palms have 160 by 160 screens, while midrange and expensive models boast 320 by 320 screens. Some high-end Windows Mobile devices have quarter-VGA (320 by 480) screens. BlackBerry devices have high-resolution screens of unconventional resolutions.

In general, you'll want better quality if you plan on viewing or capturing video and still photos, playing games, or simply making heavy use of your device.

Somewhat Important: Internal Storage

Expect 32MB or even less on entry-level models, and 64MB each of RAM and ROM at the high end. Flash ROM, which stores important data (contact info, for example) that you won't lose if the battery runs dry, is increasingly common in pricier models. If you plan to play MP3 files, download video clips or software, or work on large spreadsheets, you'll want either a lot of internal memory or an external memory slot (see above).