What handheld fits my needs?The increased integration of wireless connectivity options into handhelds has made the term "PDA" (Personal Digital Assistant) dated. While all handhelds will still let you organize contacts, help you plan your daily schedule and store short notes, most of them will do other tasks as well. These other tasks include things like surfing the Internet, making phone calls and also playback of music and videos for leisure. Whether you just need a handheld for the most basic tasks, or want a device that will do everything except take out the trash, there will be one that is suitable for you. Your first step should be to decide which of the following profiles best suits your wants and your lifestyle.
For those on a budget who need a pocket-size device to keep their
address book, their calendar, their to-do list, and their notes organized, as
well as synchronize that information with a PC, a basic handheld will suffice.
By adding software and other accessories later, when their budgets permit, they
can easily enhance their PDA's functionality.
 Businessperson  In
order to get the job done, you need a tool that can keep you organized and has
software that works with Microsoft Word and Excel. To accommodate such features,
look for models that have ample memory or expansion slots and a sharp color
screen. Also, having built-in non-volatile flash memory ensures that you don't lose your data even if your battery goes flat or gets removed accidently.
Road warrior  For those who get most of their work done on the go, a handheld can stand in for a full-fledged laptop in many situations. In this category, connectivity, battery life, and size are key factors. Integrated Wi-Fi or HSDPA/3G connectivity lets you check and send e-mail outside of the office, while the right software lets you edit Word and Excel files. If you plan on typing many short e-mails or memos, a handheld with an integrated keyboard will come in handy. Many models are powered by batteries that are both replaceable and rechargeable, so you can swap in a fresh cell when needed. You'll also appreciate a device that's truly pocketable.
Trendsetter  If you're a trendsetter, you always want the latest and greatest technology. For handhelds, this means models that let you listen to music, watch videos, play games, surf the Web, and snap photos. You will get the most out of high-end handhelds with fast processors, lots of built-in memory, high-resolution color screens, graphics accelerators, expansion slots, and other bells and whistles. These are also the devices which are most connected as well--with Wi-Fi built-in and even HSDPA for broadband speeds over the cellular network.
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