Simply put, handhelds are portable electronic productivity
and entertainment devices that come in several sizes with
varying capabilities. They range from straightforward devices
used to look up appointments and phone numbers to more sophisticated
units that play music and videos or connect you to the Web.
First and foremost, the core function of any self-respecting
handheld is its ability to handle personal information,
including contacts, calendar entries, and task or to-do lists.
Most handhelds can connect to a PC, so you can keep your important
personal information synchronized, download applications and
data to your handheld, and back up important information to
your PC. Handhelds also have convenient utility features such
as clocks, calendars, and calculators.
The main things to look at are:
1. Battery Type – single or rechargeable?
2. Display type – color or black & white?
3. Screen resolution – sharpness and ease
of readability
4. Weight – are you going to be carrying
it in your pocket or in a brief case?
5. Data Entry method – do you write on it
or does it have a small keyboard?
6. Expansion – can you add to it to add
more features?
7. Synchronization method – is it easy to
keep your PDA and your computer data in step?
8. Internet & E-mail capability – do
you need to check your email or surf the web with your PDA?
Some handhelds have real keyboards (attached, clip-on, or
plug-in accessories); some have on-screen virtual
keyboards; some include handwriting-recognition applications
and voice recorders; and others limit input and control to
single-stroke characters on a tiny touch screen. Size and
weight can also influence your choice. In most cases, a handheld
weighs between 2 ounces and 3 pounds and fits in a pocket.
And we all know price makes a difference: Typically, a handheld
costs between $100 and $500, although very limited devices
may run less than $100, while some specialized models can
top $1,000.
What to look at when you shop:
- Test the screen both
indoors and outdoors.
- Price the total cost,
including must-have accessories and monthly wireless service
fees. Look for trade-ins and package deals combining devices
and selected accessories.
- Invest in extra batteries
and a second charger, especially if you’ll be traveling
frequently.
- Screen damage is common,
buy a decent case.
- Don’t underbuy.
If, for example, you’ll be using a lot of applications
or storing loads of data, you’ll be quite unhappy if
you’ve bought a device with minimal storage memory.
- Don’t overbuy.
If, for example, you’re using your handheld just to
track contacts and appointments, buying a device with a color
display is probably overkill.
- Stick with a major OS:
a proprietary OS-based device may be less expensive, but you
can’t do as much with it, especially because fewer third-party
suppliers support and develop for it.
- If your device has an
expansion slot, be sure to purchase at least one card for
storage with enough capacity to back up all your applications
and data. Purchase a case with storage for expansion cards
to prevent loss.
- Consider a combo device
instead of carrying a separate phone, handheld, and pager.
Odds are you’ll save money and spare yourself (or your
IT manager) the headaches associated with supporting multiple
devices and signing up for multiple services.
Here is a great site that will help you: http://www10.activebuyersguide.com/
Click on ‘Computer Products/PDAs’; then choose
the ‘Decision Guide’ – it’ll walk
you thru a 6 step process!
What about prices? Once you’ve narrowed it down
to one or two PDAs, check http://www.pricescan.com to check
prices.
