Have you ever found yourself at odds because you forgot an appointment or were out and about town and needed to send an email? Do not feel alone because many people find themselves in this situation. They need a device to carry with them that is portable, has the functions of a computer and will allow them to keep up with current events. Sometimes a phone just does not cut it. Why not try a handheld computer to help you out?

The pocket PC has come a long way since its humble beginnings. This device started out as a calculator sized computer that had very limited and basic functions. Later models added the ability to see one line of text. Today's models are much more advanced. You can keep track of important appointments, browse the internet, organize your files and even play games and listen to music.

The pocket PC is also known as a Personal Digital Assistant, or PDA. The previous versions ran on Windows Mobile 5, but have since upgraded to Windows Mobile 6. Windows Mobile 5 was a great relief to PDA owners mainly beacuse of battery issues.

There is not a simple answer to the question: What is the Best Handheld Computer? This is of course dependant on a person needs, but there are a few more successful than others in the market, Palm, IPAQ, HP and Dell are some brands worth looking at.

So you might ask, what can a handheld computer do for me? Personal Information Management (PIM). This is one of the biggest reasons people use handhelds, functionality consisting of calendar, contacts, and a To-Do lists. This is very useful and invaluable for someone that needs to stay organized.

The conventional pocket PC is already getting obsolete and the new up comer, Windows mobile Smartphone is getting the mainstream's attention. This is the new favorite by both companies and civilian gadget users. It's basically a phone with PC Software and can be used just like a regular PC but in a very portable way of course.

Here are some of the best known brands on the market, PalmOs, Blackberry and Hewlett Packard models all are good Smartphones. The new lines of models have the latest PC software, along with the speed and processing ability that you need to schedule your appointments, send and receive emails, text message and make calls. If you find yourself constantly traveling or moving around, then a pocket PC is exactly what you need.