For several years the Portable Digital Assistant (PDA) has been a useful but expensive purchase for well-off business owners, but as prices go down and availability goes up they are quickly becoming a worthwhile investment for the small business owner on the move.
With technology continuing to advance at such a quick speed, mobile phones with PDA like features (Smartphones) are also viable alternatives for communication on the road. However, to get the best out a PDA-like device you need to plan your purchase carefully; you should look to find a model that suits your needs, don’t just go for the cheapest or flashiest!
As models and specifications move so quickly, discussing particular models is of little use; so here are details of the key features you should look for, and the differences between the different types of PDA-like devices.
PDA Operating Systems
The operating system (OS) is the main software on the PDA; it controls all the programs and documents. It works in the same way as the OS on a computer such as Windows XP and Mac OS, but specially designed for PDA’s.
There are two common operating systems in PDA’s; Palm and Pocket PC (Windows Mobile). Each OS works with different software programs, so although many files (E.g.: Documents and pictures) are compatible with both, programs are not.
Windows Mobile (Pocket PC) is now the most common OS in new PDA’s, but each has their advantages and disadvantages.
As programs and features change all the time, you should check both operating systems out in detail before making a decision!
Smartphones use a number of different operating systems, some use Windows Mobile, while others use OS specially designed for phones (E.g.: Blackberry, Symbian).
As these systems are specially made for phones, they are not compatible with software for other PDA’s; and are therefore more limited in the programs you can add to them. They are however much less complex to run, saving on the cost of processing power and reducing battery drain.
Article Index
1. Choosing the Right PDA
