However, you can rarely find PDAs doing just that as these days it's the norm for devices to include multimedia features such as MP3 playback, voice recording and cameras. There's even phone-capable PDAs too. As devices continue to evolve and get voice capabilities, we'll see the line between a PDA and phone blurring.
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Platform Palm OS and Microsoft's Pocket PC OS rule the market. Depending on your needs, narrow down your choices by selecting a suitable platform. Palm OS devices are generally easier to pick up with their clean and uncluttered interfaces. Pocket PCs are multimedia powerhouses with the ability to multitask. Do get the latest OS such as the Windows Mobile 5.0. |
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Screen As the display takes up a large chunk of real estate on a handheld, choose carefully and check for dead or stuck pixels. Many PDAs today feature TFT screens, but if you use your device outdoors often, opt for a transreflective screen. Pocket PCs have standard 320 x 240-pixel displays, while Palm offers different resolutions. The higher the display resolution, the better the viewing comfort. PDAs such as the HP iPaq hx4700 offer one of the highest resolution displays today at 640 x 480 pixels. | ||
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CPU Most Pocket PCs today are powered by Intel's XScale 400MHz processors, so don't go picking a slower CPU. Palm devices offer various processor flavours, from a 123MHz Handheld Engine to a 400MHz XScale. If you plan to use your Pocket PC for multimedia purposes, it's best to go for one that has a higher processing horsepower. Palm handhelds, which are mostly used for their organiser features, are less dependent on the processing power. |
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Memory All applications and your important data are stored in RAM while the operating system is located in ROM. The general rule of thumb for memory is the more, the merrier. If possible, pick a Palm with 32MB of RAM. For Pocket PCs, look for one with at least 64MB of memory. There's also the new LifeDrive from Palm which offers a massive 4GB microdrive for onboard storage. | |
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Expansion Handhelds come with a variety of expansion options from a Compact Flash (CF) to Secure Digital (SD) card slot. If you have other gadgets such as a digital camera, it's good practice to choose a PDA that uses the same media type to take advantage of the large display and the extra storage media. Users should take note their PDA expansion memory limit though. |
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Connectivity Infrared is pretty much standard on handhelds these days but the need for line of sight can be cumbersome. Get a Bluetooth-enabled PDA to free yourself. If you visit places with Wi-Fi hotspots often, you may want to consider a unit with integrated Wi-Fi to surf the Internet at higher speeds. | ||
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Power If possible, always select a PDA that uses replaceable Lithium cells. This way, you have the flexibility to purchase additional batteries when your current one is defective, saving you a trip to the service centre. You also have the option to buy a spare if you travel frequently. If not, then try to choose a PDA with at least a four-hour battery life. |
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Camera Make sure the resolution is at least VGA (640x480 pixels) to be useful. If you're expecting to print those captures, choose one with a megapixel camera such as the O2 Xda IIi. |
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