PDAs

Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's)

Considering a new PDA or handheld device?  You'll have a large number of choices - not only between manufacturers - but also in the functionality, user interface and accessories associated with the device.  However, before you decide on the particular "type " or manufacturer of the PDA or handheld that you're going to purchase, we suggest that you first make sure that a handheld fits in with how you do business (or want to do business).  So before spending what can be significant dollars (upwards of $1,000 for a "high end" PDA with accessories), ask yourself a few questions:

• Am I or am I willing to be, disciplined about maintaining my contacts, tasks, schedule electronically?  If you are already using software like Microsoft Outlook, ACT!, or Lotus Organizer to manage contacts, tasks, "to do's" and your schedule you're a prime candidate for a PDA or handheld.  If you aren't doing this already (or keeping it in your Daytimer or Franklin Covey Planner), you'll need to change your habits to include this discipline.  Otherwise, your PDA or handheld will turn into an expensive toy that you use for games, it's MP3 player or maybe just as an costly digital voice recorder.

• Are you constantly at meetings where you take notes and then have to transcribe them later onto your PC?  If you are, then a PDA (with an accessory keyboard) would be a great help.  Take your notes electronically (even in handwriting!) and then edit them to your heart's delight on your PC.

• Do you need consistent access to email?  If you do, a wireless-enabled PDA or handheld could boost your productivity and keep you constantly in touch with your customers.

• Are you in the market for a new wireless phone - and want a PDA too?  A "combo" phone/PDA device could be a wonderful tool.  We review these devices on our Review of Wireless Phones page.

Need that PDA or handheld?  Great!  In general, PDAs and handhelds can be classified into five distinct categories:

• Electronic Organizers - Organizers range in price from just $9.95 to around $49.95 and provide "just the basics".  You'll get a contact base (some synchronize with your PC and Microsoft Outlook) a scheduler and a task tracker (and depending upon the model, some other modest functionality).  However, your contact base can't be extensive as most of them "top out" at 1 MB of memory (and you'll be surprised how fast you'll "eat up" that memory!).

  Web Home Office Reports

• RIM Blackberry Devices - The Blackberry's claim to fame was that it was the first of the handhelds to incorporate wireless email access.  It also utilizes a "thumb wheel" on the side of the device for navigation (in contrast to most other PDAs that use a stylus).  If you want to manage your contacts, tasks and calendar and incorporate wireless email into your business, this moderately simple device could be for you. (RIM also makes a "combo" phone too - see Review of Wireless Phones for more information.)

• Palm-based Devices - Palm was the first PDA/handheld to use a stylus as the user interface and integrate "graffiti" (the ability enter text by 'writing' on the PDA) for data input.  Palm-based devices have traditionally been considered the ones with the "easiest" to learn user interface, although the remembering just how to write the alphabet in Palm "graffiti" can be a challenge! (One that goes away if you use an external keyboard.)

• Pocket PC-based Devices - Microsoft's entry into the handheld world.  Pocket PC not only integrates contact, task and calendar data, it also allows you to use your handheld to work on Microsoft Office applications like Word and Excel and, if you have Microsoft's MapPoint software, download maps and directions directly to your handheld.  Pocket PC has been viewed as a more "complex" interface and also uses a stylus for data entry. (Again, however, external keyboards are available.)

Since their beginnings, PDA's and handhelds have gotten more powerful in everything from processing to memory, accessories to software applications.  There is a lot to choose from.  So, if you're unsure where you're headed first you might want check out our Review of Personal Digital Assistants to make sure that the device you choose can do the tasks you require of it (or with accessories can meet your needs!).

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