What other handheld accessories do I need?

You'll find a variety of different expansion slot types in PDAs: SDIO, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, microSD and so on. A memory card is a great way to store more applications and files as well as to back up RAM data. SD cards are currently the cheapest format these days, but the smaller size of microSD and miniSD formats have made them more popular for use in handhelds.


Other expansion card options include Wi-Fi networking cards, Bluetooth cards, digital cameras, FM tuners, and barcode scanners. If your PDA has an SD slot, see if it supports SDIO, a necessary feature when using peripheral devices rather than mere memory cards. But like the SD format, these are not so popular anymore because manufacturers are now able to cram many of these features into the handhelds in the factory.

Handhelds endure rugged lives as they get tossed from pocket to bag to desk. Some protection is in order, but even pricey PDAs come with decidedly cheap cases. If you know you're hard on your gear, check out metal and rubber cases.


For gentler folk, a soft case is all you'll need--perhaps in leather to suit your business attire. And don't forget the most fragile component on your PDA: The screen. Inexpensive plastic overlays are available to protect it from scratches or inadvertent taps with a real pen rather than the stylus.

Road warriors will need to have an extra battery for their handheld, provided the handheld has user-replaceable cells. When you miss a connecting flight and have to call all your contacts to alert them of the schedule change, it's no time to run out of power. Likewise, heavy Wi-Fi users will appreciate the extra juice.

If you don't have an extra cell or if your PDA's batteries aren't user replaceable, then invest in a travel charger. Most manufacturers supply wall chargers with their devices, but some are too big to ever leave the house. If you spend a lot of time in your car, a car charger may be the best solution for adding juice to your PDA. Alternatively, if you have access to a PC, a third-party USB charging cable may be worth considering, though it will take a relatively longer time to recharge the batteries.

Considering the multimedia prowess built into handhelds, it's a shame that so many models come with subpar earbud headphones--or none at all. The good news is that many dedicated PDAs today ship with standard stereo jacks so you can plug in better 'phones to really hear what your PDA can produce. Some models, such as the Etymotic ER-6 Isolator, are designed to passively block ambient noise so that all you hear is the music. Still others feature active noise cancellation, a technique that can subdue outside sounds. Many PDA-phones come with the smaller 2.5mm audio jacks. Some even come with only a mini-USB jack for audio. You will still be able to use your favorite headphones, but that will require the use of a third-party converter. These can be purchased from most electronics component stores.

If you want to send emails from your PDA or take notes during class, adding a keyboard is a good option. There are several types to choose from: Plug-in mini keyboards to foldable models to ultracool virtual keyboards. However, if you plan on typing out a lot of emails or notes from your device, a handheld with a built-in keyboard might be better suited to you.