My first handheld: PDAs for first-timers

Remember when PDAs were devices to get your life organized? You got one to compile contacts, sort out your schedule and as an alarm clock every morning. But over the last few years, PDAs have become much more than that. Those basic functions listed above can all be performed by most mobile phones and it's difficult to find an inexpensive device because most of them have so many features built in, it's hard to keep the price down.

Hard, but not impossible. There are a handful of handhelds that won't break the bank for the first-time buyer. They may lack some connectivity features, but that's a moot point. Ultimately, these devices are accessible, making it possible for the technophobe to jump right in without worrying. Here are our top five handhelds for n00bs--three of which even have cellular capabilities.

*n00b=newbie

Click here for a feature comparison table.

	1.	HTC Touch (2nd generation)   CNET Asia rating: 7 out of 10 The good: Very compact design; Windows Mobile 6 Professional; TouchFLO interface; attractive modified Home screen; 128MB RAM makes interface snappy. The bad: Lacks 3G; poor SIM card and microSD slot design. The bottom line: With more color choices and much better performance due to the increased RAM, the enhanced Touch is what the original should have been to begin with. The n00b factor: At its current retail price of just S$588 (US$432.92) and much lower with operator discounts, few other PDA-phones come close to the value of the HTC Touch. It's really attractive, too, making sure that the first-time user won't be lamenting that he has to give up some superslim mobile phone to use this. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	2.	Palm Centro   CNET Asia rating: 6.7 out of 10 The good: Inexpensive; small and light; easy to use; QWERTY keypad. The bad: No 3G; no A2DP support; keypad hard to use for larger hands; no Wi-Fi. The bottom line: While there are more feature-packed devices at similar prices, the Centro is a good choice for those who need a basic, user-friendly PDA-phone. The n00b factor: Possibly the least espensive PDA-phone with a QWERTY keypad, the Palm Centro is also simple to use because of the user-friendly Palm OS. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	3.	HP iPaq 112 Classic Handheld   CNET Asia rating: 7 out of 10 The good: Fast processor; 3.5mm audio jack; good battery life; compact and light; inexpensive; full SDHC slot. The bad: Screen only QVGA; no additional multimedia applications; doesn't offer much more if you already have a non-cellular iPaq. The bottom line: There aren't many choices for dedicated, low-cost PDAs, so it's good to know the 112 Classic Handheld pretty much gets all the basics right at an affordable price. The n00b factor: An HP PDA with a full SD slot. It's just like going back to the good old days before everyone had a mobile phone. If you need something basic, you can't beat this one which costs just S$499 (US$367.39). Review | See full specs | Rate this
	4.	ASUS P320   CNET Asia rating: 6.8 out of 10 The good: Compact and light; inexpensive; GPS module built in; 2-megapixel camera with autofocus. The bad: No GPS software bundled; slow 200MHz processor; single I/O port for all connections; microSD slot hard to access. The bottom line: If you want an inexpensive PDA-phone and 3G is not a must, the P320 has a good mix of style and function. The n00b factor: Not only is it compact and inexpensive, this PDA-phone comes with another bonus feature: Built-in GPS for navigation. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	5.	Palm TX   CNET Asia rating: 7.7 out of 10 The good: Slim and lightweight design; bright screen; Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity; Secure Digital (SD) expansion slot. The bad: Cannot be used as a USB drive; average battery life. The bottom line: There’s little to complain about this chic model that follows closely on the success of the Tungsten T5, except that it is not for those looking for the complete all-in-one mobile device as it does not have phone and camera features. The n00b factor: Just like the Centro, the TX will win you over with its user-friendly interface. Unlike that model though, this one doesn't come with cellular features, but does instead have Wi-Fi for use with the Internet browser and email application. Review | See full specs | Rate this