PDA Computers
PDA computers are small (generally hand-held) devices that are meant to increase your organizational skills and provide some basic computer functions at the same time. The name PDA is short for Personal Digital Assistant, and while a PDA computer can easily store your important dates, documents, meeting notes, and give you access to the Internet, it is unlikely they could replace an actual personal assistant.
PDA Handheld Computers
Early PDA handheld computers were intended to act as an address book, phone book, calendar, and task manager -- a small list of tasks for today's PDAs. If you buy a PDA today, you'll be buying a device capable of acting as a cell phone, fax machine, wireless Internet device, and plenty of other jazzy features that early PDAs didn't dream of.
There are as many "kinds" of PDA as there are manufacturers, and though "smart phones" like the iPhone, Nexus One, Droid, etc. perform all the functions of a PDA and then some, you could say those devices wouldn't exist without the pioneering and advancements made by the PDA family of devices. Almost every PDA model runs either on Palmtop software or Windows Mobile, a special version of Windows meant for mobile devices. Your PDA will be able to hook up to your laptop or desktop using a USB cord or some other similar cable. With this "syncing" ability, you can transfer documents from your PC straight to your PDA, making it easy to sync up your work and personal calendar and keep it all in a neat little location.
Today's Handheld PDA Computer
Today's handheld PDA computer has cell phone capability and can connect to the Internet wirelessly. This means you can organize your address book, check your email, write out your schedule for the next week send text messages, then lay back and look at stock market quotes, all on one device. Using your PDAs "flash memory" option, you can store and have easy access to all kinds of documents and information -- keep maps, itineraries, presentations, and anything else you want in the palm of your hand.
PDA Price Ranges
PDAs range in price from about $100 at the low end (these PDAs are increasingly tough to find, as most of them don't incorporate cell phone or Internet capability) to several thousands of dollars. As with all technology, the more expensive the PDA the more features are packed into it. Like any computer, the price of a PDA computer depends on things like the display type (brilliance and display of colors) and the size of the display screen itself.
Business Use of PDAs
A PDA computer might be the perfect investment for a businessman or any career person on the go -- while for another user, someone like me who works from home and doesn't use the computer for anything besides the Internet and the solitaire game, a PDA computer may be too much function and not enough form. Consider what functions of a PDA computer you need before deciding to invest in one. If you need a new cellphone and have use for one with a built-in organizer and computer, a PDA computer could fit your lifestyle better than a "smart phone".