PDA Features
Learn about and compare features options to choosethe right Palm and Pocket PC PDA for your needs.
Includes processors memory expandibilty handheld screens networking wireless keyboards etc.
Palm versus Pocket PC? Palm operating systems, as found in handhelds by Palm and Handspring Treo
set the early standard in the pda marketplace because it was easy to learn and use, and it was
compatible with the most devices. Microsoft's Pocket PC operating system has been gaining
marketshare in recent years because of its compatibility with MS applications such as Word
and Excel, and because handhelds like HP iPAQ and Dell PDAs have been faster to
incorporate rich multimedia capabilities into sleek units desired by the new generation of users.
Although new software makes it easy to work with Word and Excel files on Palm-based PDAs,
the decision (Palm versus Pocket PC) may still boil down to issues of compatibility with
other devices and software.
For example, consumers who already own a Palm device or whose colleagues are Palm users
will likely want to stick with those devices for compatibility with the hardware and
software already in use. If compatibility is not as great an issue, buyers can be more open
about choosing a pda based on other features.
PDAs with Palm Operating System:
Palm handhelds, Garmin, Handspring Treo
PDAs with MS Pocket PC Operating System:
HP iPAQ and Dell Axim handhelds
Today's pdas come with cpus ranging from 200 MHz to over 400 MHz. The slower processors are
generally found in the entry-level Palm-based handhelds and are fine for basic organizer tasks
such as
managing contact information, jotting down to-do lists, keeping a calendar, and working with
simple spreadsheets. Faster processors, as are found in Pocket PC and advanced Palm devices, are
necessary for good performance in multimedia applications and for dealing with more complicated
Word and Excel files.
All pdas come with a certain amount of internal RAM that is used to run applications and
store data as you work with it (e.g. worksheet data and multimedia files). Current PDAs
have between up to 128 MB internal memory. Generally, 32 MB is sufficient to store contact
lists, calendars, simple documents and worksheets, wheras you will need more memory for holding
larger documents and to store multimedia applications such as photos, mp3 files, and video.
You also have the option to add additional memory
by plugging in a flash memory card to the pda's expansion slot (e.g. Compact Flash etc.). But
if you will be using the slot for other add-ons such as a modem or network card, the slot
will not always be available for adding memory. Thus we recommend buying a handheld with
sufficient internal memory to meet most of your storage and applications needs or choose a handheld
with more than one expansion slot.
Expansion slots can be used to add memory, as well as for other devices such as modems,
network cards, software roms, digital cameras, etc. The most popular types of slots are
Compact Flash and SD/MMC. There are also manufacturer-specific slots such as the Palm Universal.
Compact Flash and SD are the most popular options: they offers the greatest capacity
(up to 2 GB for Compact Flash cards),
and are compatible with the most devices (including many handhelds, digital cameras, mp3 players, etc.).
Dual expansion slot pdas are becoming more common and have an advantage in that consumers
can use one slot to plug in a memory card, and the other is available to add other hardware or
software.
All current PDAs come with in color backlit lcd screens, which allows consumers to take
full advantage of multimedia and entertainment options.
Another recent innovation is the strech displays, which offer more viewing area and supports
landscape mode.
Thanks to advances in handwriting recognition software, it is fairly easy learn and use a
stylus to enter characters thru PDA touch sensitive screens, but some users will prefer
to use a keyboard. Palm Treo and HP offer handhelds with built-in keyboards.
Another option is to add an external keyboard via the unit's expansion slot. Several options
exist ranging from small Qwerty keypads up to full sized and even wireless keyboards.
PDAs with built-in keyboard:
Handspring Treo 650, 680 & 700, HP iPAQ hw6515 hw6925 hw6945
PDAs can access networks wirelessly via built-in wireless capability or thru an optional wireless card.
PDAs with built-in Bluetooth Wireless:
Palm TX & LifeDrive, Treo 650 680 & 700, HP IPAQ rx4240 rx5915 hx2495 hx2795 Dell Axim X51 & X51v, Garmin iQue M5
PDAs with built-in 802.11b Wireless LAN:
Palm TX & Palm LifeDrive, Dell Axim X51 & X51v, HP IPAQ rx1955 rx4240 rx5915 hx2495 hx2795 hw6925 hw6945
Palm's VII series handhelds were the first to feature integrated wireless internet access. Handspring's
Treo line of Communicators merged the pda with a full featured cell phone (voice and internet).
Today's handheld lineup includes models with full featured cell phone capabilities,
internet access and instant messaging (Palm Treo & HP iPAQ).
For those with PDAs lacking these features built-in, cellular modems
are available to connect pda to phone.
PDAs with built-in cell phone:
HP iPAQ hw6515 hw6925 hw6945, Treo 650 680 & 700
PDAs feature an infrared (IR) port, which is handy for beaming data between handhelds. Since IR
is the same technology used by a/v remote controls, some handheld manufacturers have enabled
their devices to act as universal remotes for consumer electronics such as televisions.
For example, some HP iPAQ models have Nevo and consumer infrared technology that allows them
to act as universal remote controls.
Another great way to reduce the amount of equipment you carry around is to choose a pda with
a built-in microphone and voice recorder application. This feature is becoming more standard. See
our PDA comparison charts for handhelds with this capability.
Simple plug-in digital cameras for pdas have been available for a few years, but the newest devices
feature built-in cameras, some with video recording capability. This is also a trend in the cellphone market,
and it seems inevitable that we will see further merging of technologies lead to cell phones with
cameras and organizers soon.
PDAs with built-in digital cameras:
Palm Zire 72, Handspring Treo 600 and Treo 650, HP iPAQ h6315 h6325 & rx3715
GPS receivers can be added to some PDAs via expansion slots, but Garmin, a worldwide leader in GPS
technologies, has introduced a Palm-based handheld with integrated GPS receiver.
The unit features a high resolution color screen for rendering street maps that can be used with the
receiver.
PDAs with built-in GPS receiver:
Garmin iQue M3 M5 3600 & 3200, HP iPaq hw6925 hw6945
palm tx |
palm z22 |
palm tungsten e2 |
palm treo smart phones |
ipaq pdas |
garmin ique pdas |
dell pdas |