PDAs are handheld computers originally designed as a type of personal organizer. A PDA is also called “Personal Digital Assistants”. They are also regarded as palmtops or pocket computers. PDAs have become much more versatile over the years.

Personal digital assistants have many uses. This would include being a calendar and clock or calculator. It is also suitable for access to the internet, playing computer games, receiving and sending emails, as well as word processing and typewriting. You can also include video recording and its use as a radio as well as an address book. You will also have the advantage of making and writing on spreadsheets, along with the Global Positioning System.

The latest PDAs have both audio capabilities and color screens, allowing it to be used as a web browser, mobile phone or portable media player. One of the most important characteristics of a PDA is the presence of a touch screen. The typical PDA can function as a fax sender, cellular phone, personal organizer and web browser. Unlike a portable computer, most types of PDAs began as pen-based, using a stylus rather than a keyboard for input.

Although numerous early PDAs have no memory card slots, most PDAs now have either a Compact Flash slot or a Secure Digital or SD. Although it is originally designed for memory, Compact Flash cards and SDIO are available for usage as a Web cam and Wi-Fi purposes. Several PDAs also have a USB port, mostly for USB flash drives. Thus, other types of PDAs are now compatible with micro SD cards which are much smaller than standard SD memory cards and it can carry more data.

PDAs can also synchronize data with a computer. This will allow up-to-date contact information stored in software like ACT or Microsoft Outlook in order to update the database on the PDA. The data synchronization actually ensures that your personal digital assistant or PDA has a precise list of email, appointments and contacts, letting the user access similar information on the PDA as the host computer. The synchronization also prevents loss of information stored on the PDA, in case it is stolen, destroyed or lost.

If the Palm OS PDA began the age of electronics and mobile communication as well as organization, the Blackberry Personal Digital Assistant caught up quickly. Both have internet abilities and email. Blackberry PDAs are designed for short text messages, while higher-end Palm OS PDAs pose as a convergence device, often doubling as a message and phone server.

Here are some tips on choosing between a Blackberry and a Palm OS PDA. First, determine the amount of money you are willing to spend. Both operating systems that come in PDAs vary a lot in price.

Determine your main need for a PDA. It could be for email, calendar, wireless internet access or other organization needs. It is possible that a simple Blackberry can meet your needs for a lot less money as compared to a more highly developed Treo unit from Palm.

Make notes throughout an average day and see which function of your PDA you use the most. If you frequently send larger email, Treo is the better option.

Research about the products of both Blackberry and Palm and then decide which of the two can fit in your lifestyle.

Use the information you collected in testing PDAs and choose on the most precious functions a PDA should be able to offer you. Find out which gadgets are restricted in electronic shops, computer stores or cellophane shops. Find out also which ones they have in store or if they have a sale on PDAs.