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PDA Buying Guide
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are replacing daytimes
and organizers for people on the go who need to look up and
record contacts, appointments and other information. The
capabilities of the latest PDAs and handheld computers have
been extended to include web access, email, phone and games.
Even though the PDA market is only a few years old, there
are a lot of choices. With some consideration of your needs,
you'll soon have the right PDA in the palm of your hand.
Handheld & Palm
PDAs can be subdivided into handheld and palm categories
based on the presence or absence of a keyboard. Handhelds
are larger in size and have full keyboards, whereas palm
devices don't have keyboards and are stylus or pen operated.
Be aware that sometimes PDA is used to mean only palm
devices while the term handheld is often used to encompass
all handheld computers.
Palm computers are better geared for users looking mainly to
store personal information like calendars or contact lists.
Instead of a keyboard, palm units use a pen-like stylus with
handwriting recognition software and a touch screen for data
input. Alternately, an onscreen keyboard can be used where
you tap each letter with the stylus. Their pocket calculator
size and light weight make them easy to hold in one hand and
very portable.
On the other hand, if you plan on doing a lot of word
processing and internet surfing, you'll need the extra
computing power of a handheld. These computers have a
clamshell design with a keyboard and usually have a larger
screen which is touch sensitive. Some handhelds can be as
small as palm units, others the size of a typical paperback.
Professional models are as large as a hardcover book.
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