PDA Buyer's Guide

PDA Buyer's Guide Part II: How Do I Choose a PDA?

Despite all being called PDAs, devices in the handheld computer category cover a very broad range of functionality, from simple devices that are basically electronic organizers, to high-power products that rival the functionality of laptops. And to make matters even more interesting, mobile technology is evolving so quickly that newer, more advanced options are being introduced with amazing frequency.

To decide which device is best for you, there are a number of factors to consider, the outcome of which should help you narrow down the field of candidates for your PDA dollar. As you begin to make choices as to which features are important and which are optional, you will find the selection process becoming increasingly simple.

Color - Historically, color was one of those features that pretty much dictated your device choice. Pocket PC devices were color, Palm OS devices were not. Time has changed this though and manufactures have moved to more common ground. Both Palm, Handspring, and Sony make color devices using the Palm OS while Compaq makes a monochrome version of its Pocket PC device. People choosing color screens find the clearer display and enhanced readability in low light environments to be the key benefits. More and more software is taking advantage of color displays as well, although aside from games, color doesn't really change the performance. The noticeable disadvantages of color are decreased battery life, and added size and weight of the device.

Memory - On the surface, this seems to be a pretty straightforward comparison. Pocket PC devices generally come with more memory that their Palm OS counterparts (32MB is common for Pocket PC devices compared to 8MB for most Palm OS devices). While this may not sound like much compared to the amount of memory on the average desktop, it is important to note that all memory is not equal. For example, a reference work that may need 10MB on a desktop, may function perfectly well using only 1MB on a PDA.
What is much more important than the amount of memory that comes with the device is whether or not you can add more. Most Pocket PC devices accommodate CompactFlash cards (the same kind of memory used in digital cameras) as do PDAs made by HandEra (which uses the Palm OS). Handspring devices can accept more memory through Springboard modules (Handspring's propertary expansion port) and the new line of Palm devices incorporate the ability to add memory as well.

Operating system - The most important aspect of the operating system is not who makes it, but what kinds of software have been written to run on it (which is discussed next). If you are used to using Windows on a desktop, you may find the Pocket PC interface a bit more familiar as it uses similar features. However, it is not as efficient as the Palm OS meaning it takes more processing power to run. This means either faster processors are required, which generally cost more and use more battery, or response times are slower when you use the device.

Software- The real power of handheld devices comes from the software applications you are able to add to them (just as is the case with desktop and laptop computers). In terms of sheer numbers, the depth of choices for the Palm OS is unmatched. With over 7,500 programs available, there is very little that you cannot do on a Palm PDA. The software library for Pocket PC is slowly improving and one advantage is that, because the operating system is written by the same company that powers most desktops, synchronization between the two and some of the more popular applications (such as Microsoft Word and Excel) can be easier. A key factor in your decision should be which devices have the software that you are going to need. The core programs (databases, document readers, drug guides, etc.) are generally available on both platforms, however, as you start to look for more specialized applications (a specific calculator for example) the advantage definitely falls in favor of Palm OS devices.

Size - Part of the reason for the success of the Palm PDA has been its compact size. Back in the early days of PDAs, most products were much more feature-rich, but at the cost of a far bigger package. As technology has improved, Palm OS devices have added more functionality yet, retained their ideal form factor (and in fact improved upon it with the popular V series and newly introduced m500 series and Visor Edge products). Pocket PC's have tended to be larger, and while recent models have decreased in size, they still have yet to match the sleek designs of the newest Palm OS PDAs.

Battery life - As has always been the case with portable computing, a device is only good if it has the power to run (otherwise, it is little more then an expensive paper weight). In this regard, the monochrome Palm OS PDAs are the hands-down champions, with a pair of batteries lasting the better part of a month with fairly regular use. A Pocket PC device or a Palm OS device with a color screen would exhaust the batteries in a matter of days, if not hours with similar use.
Most higher end PDA's and all color devices have rechargeable batteries that help alleviate this issue. Provided the device is placed in its cradle regularly, it will be a very rare occurance that the device goes dead. The only downside of this system is that if you don't have access to a cradle, there is no way to recharge the device (as opposed to those where the batteries are replaced, which you can do anywhere).

Speed - One of the benefits the streamlined design of the Palm OS provides is quick response time. Because the operating system is quite simple and does not need to process colors (color models excluded of course), Palm OS devices are very fast. Pocket PC devices on the other hand tend to be a little more sluggish as the processing required to produce full-color, graphic intensive images is high. The speed on the newer models of Pocket PC devices is dramatically improved over the older models and will likely continue to get even better.

Data input - Almost without exception, handheld computers use a stylus for data input. If an integrated keyboard is a must, your options are pretty limited. However, both Palm OS and Pocket PC devices have detachable keyboards which can be used for data entry. These add-ons generally cost between $50-$100 and can dramatically increase the speed of data entry. For the more adventurous there are also a number of more esoteric options such as software that is somewhat better at handwriting recognition and on handed keypads to experiment with.

Functionality - Out of the box you will find that Pocket PC devices have the broadest functionality. For example, voice recording capability, MP3 players and video players are pretty standard on most Pocket PC units. This should play only a minimal role in your decision making however, as for the most part, extra attachments (these run the gamut from wireless modems, to digital cameras to GPS transceivers) are quite common for Palm OS devices and allow you to add exactly the features you find most desirable.

Screen size - PDAs generally come with two basic screen sizes depending on whether you are interested in a handheld PDA or a palmtop PDA. Handheld PDAs (Pocket PC, Palm, Handspring, etc.) have screens in the range of 2.5 x 3 inches. Palmtop PDAs on the other hand have larger screens, with dimensions starting at 2.5 x 6 inches up to 10 inch screens (a typical laptop screen averages around 12 inches). If the larger screen is a deciding factor, your choices are going to be limited to a small selection of devices. It is also very important to note that most manufacturers have stopped making palmtop sized devices due to the lack of demand so future product support and software choices could be severely limited.

Expandibility - Much has been made of the expandibilty of the newer PDAs. This is a very important move as the expandibility is what will keep your device from becoming obsolete too quickly. Because expansion slots allow you to add things like memory and accessories, you can increase the functionality of your device over time with out having to replace it. Fortunately, pretty much every manufacturer makes a device with an expansion slot meaning your choices are no longer limited to just one or two brands. The important factor to consider with respect to expandibility are the cost and selection of expansion modules. Make sure the device you ultimately select has the the choices you are going to require and that the cost of those modules is not going to break your pocket book.

Market Share - What percentage of devices being sold are Palm OS verses Pocket PC may not seem particularly relevant to your individual choice, however there are a number of important issues related to market share that may impact you directly. The first is that software developers generally write software to appeal to the largest market. In the case of PDAs, there are many more Palm OS devices then Pocket PC devices meaning developers often write applications for the Palm OS that they do not release for Pocket PC. The second issue is what your colleagues are more likely to be using. Since one of the key benefits of a PDA is being able to share information using infrared beaming, it is important that your device be compatible with that of the person you are going to be sharing data with. In terms of market share, Palm OS devices are the clear leader, out selling the Pocket PC devices almost 8 to 1.

Price - PDAs generally range anywhere in price from $100 all the way up to $1,000 with physical size, memory and color being the most influential factors in pricing. Devices based on the Palm OS tend to be at the low to mid range of this spectrum with Pocket PC devices at the middle to higher end (this is primarily due to the extra memory and added functions that come standard on a Pocket PC). If you are comfortable spending between $250 and $500, you will find a good selection of PDAs using each of the three operating systems.

Part III: Where can I buy a PDA?