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| Palm OS |
This is the most popular handheld OS It's extremely easy to use and comes with the basic applications you need in a PDA address book calendar, to do list, notepad, calculator clock expense tracker and e mail. You can download and install thousands of additional applications to expand the possibilities of your handheld. Most people find that learning Palm's Graffiti handwriting system is an easy and efficient way to enter text into the device. Palm OS devices come with the Palm Desktop personal information management (PIM) software for both Windows and Mac Most devices also ship with conduit software that allows you to sync with Microsoft Outlook on a PC. Other conduits for PIMs such as Lotus Notes are available separately. |
| Pocket PC |
Microsoft recently released the fourth generation of its handheld OS, which in many ways looks and feels like a trimmed-down version of Windows. Arguably more robust than the current version of the Palm OS, the Pocket PC OS is capable of performing many of the same functions as a desktop computer. It comes bundled with "pocket" versions of many of Microsoft's well-known applications, including Outlook (contacts, calendar); Windows Media Player for playing digital music and movies; Pocket Internet Explorer; Pocket Word; and Pocket Excel. The latest version of this OS, Pocket PC 2002, even sports an MSN Messenger client, a terminal client, and VPN support. Presently. Pocket PCs synchronize only with Windows-based computers. |
| Windows CE |
You'll find this OS in handheld PCs with keyboards, as well as in less expensive pen-operated devices. Pocket PC is actually built on top of the core Windows CE technology, and you'll find many similarities between the two operating systems. |
| Symbian OS |
Formerly known as EPOC this OS is found in Psion's Revo, which is marketed in the United States as the Sonicblue Diamond Mako as well as in smart phones from Nokia Ericsson, and others. The folks at Symbian hope to be a major force in the wireless market in 2002. |
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| Motorola DragonBall |
This processor has been powering Palm OS devices since their inception. With the release of the VZ model, the clock speed has increased from 16MHz to 33MHz. This may seem slow compared to the clock speed of Pocket PC processors which push 200MHz but the Palm OS is so efficient that even the old 16MHz model provides plenty of zip most of the time. If you're a power user or a gamer, you'll want to get the fastest processor available. |
| Intel StrongARM SA-1110 |
- All PDAs that run Pocket PC 2002 must use an ARM-based processor. Intel's 206MHz StrongARM processor is currently the chip of choice. That sounds like some serious juice, but since the Pocket PC OS and its applications demand more processing power you'll sometimes wish you had an even faster chip.
- You'll find a variety of different processors including the NEC VR4131 and VR4121 and the Hitachi SH-3 processors in other devices. While the processors themselves may be great, because they're not used in the most popular PDAs there are fewer applications that run on them. Pocket PC applications, for instance, must be recompiled for each type of processor.
- For this reason you are better off choosing a handheld with a StrongARM or Dragon Ball processor.
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| The more RAM or memory the better, as it's used to store applications and files. Palm OS based PDAs come with between 2MB and 16MB of built in memory, and Pocket PCs have anywhere from 16MB to 64MB. Because the Palm OS and Palm programs are usually very efficient, most users will find 8MB of internal memory sufficient for their needs. Pocket PC users however should go with a minimum of 32MB or, better yet 64MB |
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| Monochrome |
These displays are less expensive and much more energy efficient than color screens. If you don't want to worry about recharging or replacing batteries often, choose a monochrome screen |
| Color |
- They cost more and run your batteries down more quickly, but they tend to be easier to read and are better suited for displaying games and multimedia content. Ideally, you should look for an active-matrix screen that supports 16 bit color (it can display more than 65 000 colors) and is reflective which makes it much easier to read in direct sunlight.
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| Most Palm screens are 160x160 resolution, while all Pocket PC screens are 320x240 pixel resolution. Higher-resolution screens offer smoother text and images |
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| Most of the inexpensive PDAs use replaceable alkaline batteries, while the more expensive models with color screens use rechargeable lithium ion cells. When purchasing a color unit, find out what the battery is rated at that is how long it will last with "normal" use. Some rechargeable cells offer more capacity than others. Some handhelds also offer replaceable rechargeable batteries. |
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| Your handheld, no matter how powerful, won't see much use if it's too big. Very small differences in size, weight, and even shape can make the difference between something you'll always pop in your breast pocket and something you'll keep in a desk drawer. This reality justifies the price premium that you'll pay for a tiny PDA. |
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- It's a good idea to get a handheld that has an expansion slot for adding more memory or peripherals. Most Pocket PCs have some sort of slot built in, and more and more Palm OS based handhelds have an expansion option.
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| Springboard |
This is a slot on the back of Handspring Visors for adding memory and assorted device modules, including digital cameras MP3 players and so forth. |
| CompactFlash |
One of the most popular forms of removable media. The singular advantage CompactFlash has over MMC (see below) is that the slot is bigger and can currently accommodate more peripherals. |
| MultiMedia Memory Card (MMC) / Secure Digital (SD) card |
This is increasingly popular and is the smallest removable media on the market. Only MMC/SD memory cards are available at the moment, but expect to soon see other types of cards, including a Bluetooth radio. |
| Memory Stick |
Sony's proprietary removable media performs the same function as CompactFlash and MMC cards but generally costs more and is found mostly in Sony products. If you already own a Sony digital camera that uses Memory Stick, you can slip the Memory Stick into a Sony CLIE to view your pictures. Today only memory cards are available but Sony has plans for other miniature devices that use the Memory Stick slot. |
| PC Card |
These slots are more common in laptops than handhelds and they have a large number of storage and wireless options out on the market. However not all PC Cards have the appropriate drivers to work well on PDAs. |
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