Not too long ago, price points for PDAs were so high that buying one would be considered a luxury. Those days have come and gone however and if you have been holding off on purchasing one till now, your waiting has paid off! With price points at an all time low and feature sets at an all time high, there truly has never been a better time to get a great value on a high quality Personal Digital Assistant. Sifting through the wide array of options may seem a bit daunting at first; however, the process can be made easer by going through a few key components that should narrow down your search. With this in mind our buyers guide will now take you step by step through the some of the most important aspects of choosing a PDA most suitable for your needs.

Operating System

The first step in choosing a handheld is to choose an operating system. The operating system of your handheld will determine the look of its icons and menus. Beyond that, it determines what basic functions the device can perform. The two basic PDA operating systems are the Windows OS and the Palm OS. Below are some attributes that pertain to each respectively:

Windows OS (aka Pocket PCs)

• It has much the same look and feel, but not all of the features of the full Windows OS
• Runs mobile versions of MS applications like Word, Excel or Powerpoint
• Comes with Pocket Internet Explorer
• Navigation is pen-based, or you can use your finger
• All have one or more expansion slots (Compact Flash and SD on older models, miniSD or microSD on newer phone edition models) which allow you to add more memory.
• Zero-configuration connectivity for wireless networking.
• Are compatible only with PCs running Windows.
• They all include a stereo headphone jack and Windows Media Player
• have three handwriting options pre-installed on the units
• Battery life averages three days on a charge with average use
• Windows Mobile 6 Professional incorporates a cellular phone into the Pocket PC

Palm OS

• Include calendar, notes, outline, calculator, mail and contacts programs.
• Can edit Word, Excel and Powerpoint documents using third party software.
• Some models include CDMA support
• Are compatible with both PC and Macs.
• Over 16,000 software titles available
• Reverse compatible with older devices and software
• Great Handwriting Recognition
• The touch screen accepts stylus and finger input for navigation

Screen Size

Screen Size will become a very important factor especially if you are using your PDA to view documents on a regular basis. We recommend choosing a screen size over 3 inches.

Standard Memory

With more and more applications being developed all the time, the standard memory begins to become an issue. For Basic use we suggest 16MB of standard memory or higher. However if you plan to store a lot of MP3, photo or video files then this aspect becomes less important as you will have to add memory via the expansion slot. In that case it may be prudent to choose a PDA with a lower standard memory.

Dimensions

Size is an important factor in a PDA. Since a PDA is a highly portable device, considering the dimensions before making your final selection can be an important step in choosing the right model for your needs.

Warranties

Most PDAs come with a limited one-year warranty from the manufacturer that covers defects only. Manufacturers’ warranties usually come in the box with the camera and require the receipt and proof of purchase to activate. Extended warranties from retailers are often available. Retailers’ warranties vary greatly in scope and price. Most plans last two years, but many are good for four. They can cost anywhere from $35 to $200. Warranties usually cover normal wear and tear, water damage, damage caused by dropping the PDA, etc. Be sure to read the fine print, though — terms and conditions differ from retailer to retailer.

Summary

With price points continually coming down and feature sets continually going up, it is a great time to purchase a PDA. With all of the above considerations in hand you should now be better equipped to make a more informed choice when choosing a PDA that best suits your needs.