A PDA or Personal Digital Assistant device is a handheld computer also known as a palmtop computer. The latest PDAs have audio capabilities and color screens that can be used as portable media players, mobile phones, or web browsers. Numerous PDAs are accessible to extranets or intranets via (WWANs) Wireless Wide-Area Networks or Wi-Fi and Internet. The newer models already use the latest touch screen technology.

Recently, typical PDAs have a memory card slot for data storage, a touch screen for entering data and connectivity like Bluetooth, Wifi and IrDa. However, numerous PDAs, particularly those used mostly as telephones, may not have a touch screen feature, a directional pad, softkey and either the thumb keyboard or numeric keypad for input.

The software of a PDA usually includes a to-do list, an address book for contacts, an appointment calendar and various sorts of note programs. Moreover, linked PDAs also usually include Web and E-mail support.

Numerous original PDAs such as the Palm Pilot and the Apple Newton features touch screen for consumer interaction. Some have shortcut features to often used programs. Touch screen PDAs like Windows Pocket PC devices commonly have an attachable stylus that can be used for touch screen purposes.

Personal Digital Assistants for business use such Treo and Black Berry. It has full keyboards and thumb wheels or scroll wheels to facilitate navigation and data entry. There are also life-sized foldable keyboards available in the market that plugs directly. You can also use wireless technology to interact with the PDA and allow the user to type normally like using a computer keyboard. Black Berry has additional functionality such as applications and push-based emails.

The latest PDAs such as an iPod touch and the Apple iPhone have new user interfaces that use other means of input. The iPod touch and iPhone use a technology known as Multi-touch.

PDAs have two major categories such as palm-sized computers and hand-held computers. The major differences between the two include the mode of data entry, size, and display.

Palm-sized computers are lighter and smaller compared to hand-held versions. It has smaller liquid crystal displays, relying on touch screen or stylus technology as well as handwriting identification program for data entry. Hand-held computers are therefore heavier and larger than palm-sized computers. It has larger liquid crystal display or LCD, making use of small technology for data entry.

When buying, determine how much you're willing to spend in purchasing a PDA. PDAs can cost between 100 to 600 US dollars. You can purchase one at any electronic supply store. There are more than 10,000 software applications for Palm PDAs, forming graphic programs to word processors.

Research on the features of the model you are interested on. Compare it with the features of other models.

Also check its compatibility with your desktop computer or laptop. You might not be able to transfer data files if the two units are incompatible.

Verify which operating system your Palm PDA uses before purchasing. Not all PDAs are comfortable with any type of OS.

Find the owner's manual online through the company website. Keep an electronic copy for your records.

Palm PDAs are fragile. It can be easily destroyed and damaged when accidentally submerged or dropped in water.