Consumer Reports - PDAs

Besides serving as an address book, calendar, andincluded in a Pocket PC integrates well with the
to-do list, many personal digital assistants offerWindows computer environment. You need to
multimedia functions.purchase third-party software to use a Mac. And
PDAs can store thousands of phone numbers,you’ll need Microsoft Office programs such
appointments, tasks, and notes. All models canas Word, Excel, and Outlook on your computer to
exchange, or synchronize, information with aexchange data with a PDA. Pocket PCs have a
full-sized computer. To do this, you connect thecolor display and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
PDA to your computer via a cradle or cable. ForUnlike most Palm OS-based PDAs, replacing the
models that run on rechargeable batteries, thebattery of most Pocket PCs is usually
cradle doubles as a charger. Infrared, Bluetooth,straightforward. Price range: $200 to $700.
and WiFi let you synchronize your PDA with aIMPORTANT FEATURES
computer without the use of wires or a cradle.Whichever operating system your PDA uses, you
Most PDAs can be made to work with bothmay need to install programs in your computer to
Windows and Macintosh computers, but PDAsenable the PDA to synchronize with it. This
with the Pocket PC operating system usuallysoftware lets you swap data with leading PIM
require third-party software for Macs. PDAs withprograms such as Lotus Organizer or Microsoft
Wi-Fi (wireless) capability can access the Internet.Outlook.
Those without can as well with the addition of aAll PDAs have the tools for basic tasks: a calendar
separately purchased modem. Some PDAs canto keep track of your appointments, contact
record your voice, play videos, display digitaladdress software for addresses and phone
photos, or hold maps, city guides, or a novel.numbers, tasks/to-do lists for reminders and
WHAT'S AVAILABLEkeeping track of errands, and a calculator. A
Most PDAs on the market are the familiarnotes/memo function lets you make quick notes
tablet-with-stylus types that feature a squarishto yourself. Other capabilities include
display screen, a design pioneered by Palm Inc.word-processing, spreadsheet, and e-mail
(now called PalmOne). Today the main choices arefunctions. A voice recorder, which uses a built-in
models that use the Palm operating systemmicrophone and speaker, works like a tape
(OS)--mostly PalmOne--and PocketPC devicesrecorder. MP3 playback lets you listen to
from companies such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard,digital-music files stored in that format, and a
and Toshiba. The latter use a stripped-downpicture viewer lets you look at digital photos. A
version of Microsoft Windows. A few PDAs use afew models also include a built-in digital camera
proprietary operating system. Kyocera, Nokia,and keyboard.
Samsung, and Sony Ericsson offer units thatA PDA’s processor is the system’s
combine a cell phone and a PDA.Palm OSbrain. In general, the higher the processing speed
systems. Equipped with software to link withof this chip, the faster the PDA will execute
Windows and (for PalmOne-brand units) Macintoshtasks--and the more expensive the PDA will be.
computers, PalmOne units and their clones have aBut higher-speed processors may require more
simple user interface. You use a stylus to enterbattery power and thus deplete batteries more
data on the units by tapping an onscreenquickly. Processing speeds are 16 to 400
keyboard or writing in a shorthand known asmegahertz (MHz), and models typically have 8 to
Graffiti. Or you can download data from your64 megabytes (MB) of user memory. Even the
computer. Most Palm OS-based PDAs cansmallest amount in that range should be more
synchronize with a variety of desktop e-mailthan enough for most people.
programs, such as Outlook Express and Eudora.Nearly every PDA offers an expansion slot for
(PalmOne models with VersaMail software aresome form of removable memory card:
good at handling e-mails with attachments.) And allCompactFlash, MultiMediaCard (slots also accept
include a basic personal-information-managementSecureDigital cards), or Memory Stick. Models with
(PIM) application. Palm OS units are easy to use,two expansion slots can accommodate a
although navigation between different programs isperipheral device, such as a Wi-Fi wireless
cumbersome because of the operatingnetworking card, as well as removable memory.
system’s “single-tasking” nature.If you plan to transfer photos from a digital
Most models make it difficult or impossible tocamera to your PDA, make sure the two devices
replace the battery yourself. And beyond theuse the same type of card.
warranty period, you can’t be sure theSome PDAs offer wireless connectivity. Models
manufacturer will do it for you.with a capability known as Bluetooth can connect
Most Palm OS models have expansion slots thatwirelessly over short distances to a properly
let you add memory or attach separatelyequipped computer or peripheral such as a printer
purchased accessories. All Palm OS-based PDAsor modem. Models with Wi-Fi can connect over
can be enhanced by adding third-party softwaremedium distances to a Wi-Fi-enabled home
applications--the more free memory that a modelnetwork or to the Internet at “hotspots” in
comes with, the more software it cancertain airports, coffee shops, and hotels. A PDA
accommodate. There is a large body of Palmcombined with a cell phone can make voice calls
OS-compatible freeware, shareware, andor directly connect to the Internet via a wireless
commercial software available for download atInternet service provider. It’s possible for a
such sites as Many Palm models come withsingle PDA to have more than one of these three
“Documents to Go:” word-processing andtypes of wireless connectivity.
spreadsheet software similar to that used inHOW TO CHOOSE
Pocket PCs but more versatile. Price range: aboutConsider your ties to a computer. Pocket PCs
$100 to $800.provide a Windows-like interface that allows
PalmOne’s top-of-the-line-model, thesimple PC-to-PDA file transfer with drag-and-drop
Tungsten T5, combines a PalmOS-based PDAcapability. They’re also better than Palm
with many of the best features of the PocketPCOS models for setting up a Wi-Fi (wireless) e-mail
operating system.  When it’s connectedconnection. Most have replaceable batteries, along
to a Windows PC, you can drag and drop files towith accessible flash memory to which you can
the T5’s built-in “flash drive,” even onback up data.
PCs that don’t have Palm’s desktopPalm OS models run a wider range of third-party
software installed.software applications than do Pocket PCs. For the
Pocket PC systems. These resemble Palmbasics, they’re still easier to use.
OS-based models but are more like miniatureWhile all PDAs can sync with Macintoshes, only
computers. They have a processor with extraPalmOne models do so out of the box. Sony units
horsepower and come with familiar applicationsneed software such as The Missing Sync 
such as a word processor and a spreadsheet.(available at That program and PocketMac ( work
Included is a scaled-down version of Internetfor Pocket PCs. Both are priced under $50.
Explorer, plus voice-recording and perhaps someSmall size vs. extra features. As a rule, a model
financial functions. The included e-mail programwith a larger display or physical keyboard
handles Word and Excel attachments easily. Alsowon’t be the lightest or smallest. A PDA
standard is an application that plays MP3 musicwith two slots for memory and peripherals is
files, as well as Microsoft Reader, an eBookmore expandable, but will tend to be larger.
application.Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of
As you might expect, all the application softwareU.S., Inc.