A Computer in Your Hand
Carrying around an address book and planner is becoming a thing of the past. With new PDA developments, you can manage your contacts and schedule, use e-mail, and even listen to music. Personal Digital Assistants, originally called "Palm Pilots," previously were used just for retrieving basic information. Today, using some of the more advanced models could possibly replace the need to carry a laptop computer. Modern PDAs can play music, games, videos, write documents, and connect to networks and databases -- nothing short of a desktop computer.
Although newer PDAs have the processing power of a computer, they still have some limitations. Inputting information is done by handwriting recognition or by a miniature keyboard. Skilled users can input 20 - 30 words per minute, less than half the speed of a good typist on a full-size keyboard. PDAs with a color screen tend to run through battery life faster. Finally, because the small screen size the number of prograqm options that can be displayed, the programs available aren't as advanced because the user doesn't have as much control over the program.
Despite these limitations, the market for PDAs is continuing to expand. Students, doctors, and business professionals are increasingly relying on PDAs for computing on the go. Common PDA applications include spreadsheet, word processing, database, financial management, and games. PDAs synchronize files with your computer so that you can take your important information with you and update it when needed.
What to Look For
The two basic types of PDAs are Palm and Windows Mobile devices. The Palm Pilot was the first PDA available and its operation is very intuitive; some compared it to the Macintosh. Windows Mobile devices run an operating system very similar to Windows on desktop computers. Although Windows Mobile offers advanced features, its interface is still somewhat difficult to navigate in comparison to the Palm.
When purchasing a PDA, make sure that the programs on the PDA are compatible with the programs on your computer. Test out different models, with keyboard and with handwriting recognition, to see which one fits your preferences best. Also consider which application you will be using most. If you plan on using your PDA primarily for e-mail, get a PDA with a good keyboard and good battery life. If you plan on taking digital photos, your main concern should be the quality of the digital camera and the screen.
About The Author
Deryck Richards is the founder and managing partner of Desktronix. With an extensive educational background in computer information systems, Deryck currently manages hosting and data center operations for Desktronix. He also provides system administration and technical support directly to small businesses as he has since 2000. His areas of expertise include networking, Windows, Linux, and Macintosh systems and he is the author of The Guide to Technology for Small Business. For more information on Desktronix, visit www.desktronix.com.
Peoples' private information needs to stay private, even after it... Read More
The basic language of the internet is html. If you... Read More
Buying a receiver is one of the most important decisions... Read More
It seems like fast never quite rates fast enough.No matter... Read More
One of the most common questions computer users ask is,... Read More
Want to save money while promoting your web-based business? Of... Read More
Are you looking for an MP3 player but am not... Read More
Passwords have a strange dual nature. The stronger and safer... Read More
Introduction In this article I will clearly spell out the... Read More
Unless you place your faith in internal search engine software... Read More
PDA Medical BenefitsIf you are concerned about your medical history,... Read More
Most people think that all you have to do to... Read More
Buying Your PCBuying a PC that's right for you and... Read More
Using SQL Server 2000 and above versions you can retrieve... Read More
IntroOne of the big advantages of PCs over earlier types... Read More
Below you will find some useful information and comments about... Read More
First things first, what is Firefox? Well, it's a browser.... Read More
"Automated Testing" is automating the manual testing process currently in... Read More
MP3 players are everywhere! It seems that the number of... Read More
Although there are many things that can affect the performance... Read More
If you don't have an mp3 player, and even if... Read More
Music lovers have been carrying around radios and other bulky... Read More
There are soooo many choices. With all the styles and... Read More
You???ve studied hard; you???ve practiced your configurations; you???ve used your... Read More
If you're a computer expert, you'll probably already know about... Read More
For six years, my Samsung PC 13.8 inch SyncMaster conventional... Read More
I do a holiday letter every year and send them... Read More
Most of the web applications have a lot of images... Read More
There are plenty of articles out there about how to... Read More
You use Ctrl+Alt+Del to see what's running on your PC,... Read More
We have just entered the time of year that most... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More
Computer is an electronic machine work on the instructions of... Read More
Webmasters usually sit at their computers much longer in a... Read More
If you have a computer for home use or for... Read More
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Certification is meant for... Read More
World War II - Germany decided to attack Poland. Poland... Read More
Freezing is also known as crashing or hanging. It's frustrating.... Read More
Tip #1 -- Rebates: A rebate is not always a... Read More
Getting a new computer should be an exciting and gratifying... Read More
Maintaining your computer is extremely important ? especially if you... Read More
Your first step in removing dangerous infections from your computer... Read More
When studying for your Cisco CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE exam,... Read More
Get started creating web pages using text files and HTML... Read More
The best way to get the gaming computer that you... Read More
IntroOne of the big advantages of PCs over earlier types... Read More
The first step is: Start > My DocumentsSo you have... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More
Many computer users are worried about their computer's performance. After... Read More
Flow Text Around a GraphicQuestion: I have inserted a photo... Read More
Personal Technology |