Buyer's guide - PDAs and Smartphones

Staying connected with the office on the move

Whether you're constantly on the move or a busy Mum, you might want to trade your diary in for an electronic PDA or Smartphone. But which one to choose? PDAs are compact and practical, allowing you to keep a record of dates, notes and contact names and addresses. Smartphones let you make phone calls and connect to the internet, so you can surf and check e-mails at any time. PDAs are the perfect personal assistants. They're filled to the brim with office software in a more compact form, such as word processing packages, spreadsheets, slideshow viewers and more. This means you'll be able to open e-mail attachments or make changes to presentations just before going into a meeting. When synchronised with your computer, PDAs allow you to save data while updating it: any changes made are noted on your computer, in your diary or in your address book, and are then transferred to your PDA, or vice versa. Computers and PDAs must be regularly connected to keep information up to date. With Smartphones, you no longer need to start up your computer to automatically synchronise information via the internet. PDAs and Smartphones are the best, most advanced mobile personal assistants currently available. Some models even have wireless capabilities such as Bluetooth, infrared and WiFi, so you can connect your PDA or Smartphone to your PC, to any wireless hotspot, or to a friend's handheld computer without any fuss. Before deciding on which PDA or Smartphone to purchase, check battery times. With wireless capabilities being constantly switched on and off, PDAs' batteries run low twice as quickly. You should carry a second battery with you at all times to avoid getting caught out. Backlit screens on PDAs are a major cause of loss in battery power, and tend to make your PDA's battery less efficient. Adjust backlighting according to ambient lighting, or select a model with automatic brightness control. Operating systems (or OS) make your PDA work in exactly the same way as your computer. The power of the OS not only depends on the performances of your personal digital assistant, but also on your PDA's processor power. A 200 MHz processor should be enough if you only intend to use office applications on your PDA. Most screens on personal digital assistants are comfortable to use, and some are also touch-sensitive. Screens typically occupy three quarters of the surface of your Smartphone or PDA, that's to say a diagonal measurement of 2.5 inches (or 6cm). Don’t forget to watch out for automatic stand-by modes to help save on battery power.

Accessories for your personal digital assistant

Boosting performances

PDAs and Smartphones are just like jukeboxes with unlimited storage space and top quality audio connectors. You can listen to music without getting tangled up in wires using a Bluetooth headset or a docking station with a built-in speaker. A high-capacity memory card will allow you to listen to your favourite music non-stop. Check to see what your PDA or Smartphone is compatible with: not all personal digital assistants support the latest-generation high-capacity cards with 16 GB of memory or more. If you want to make calls while you're on the move or in the car, don't forget to get yourself a Bluetooth earpiece and a hands-free kit. These are practical for emergency calls, but should not be used while driving.

Protecting your PDA

A case or cover is recommended if you want to keep your PDA or Smartphone looking as good as new. Cases and skins are available in a variety of models. They can be made of leather or clear plastic, and can be tight or loose fitting. Regardless of the case or skin you choose, your PDA will always be protected from shocks and bumps, dust and splashes as you use it. The screen is probably your PDA's most important feature. It's extremely practical as it's usually entirely touch-sensitive - but it's also fragile. Make sure you only use a suitable stylus on it. Don't jab at it with a stylus that could scratch or even pierce it, and don't forget to protect it with a transparent cover. Transparent covers are available for all PDA and Smartphone models.

Powering up

You will need a spare battery or an in-car, USB or travel charger for your PDA, especially if you're a globe trotter. To transfer files without consuming any unnecessary battery power, don't forget to use your PDA's basic connectors. A USB cable means you won't have to resort to using Bluetooth to send data, while a docking station lets you recharge your device's battery as you use it.

Ditching your desktop for a mobile PDA

You can lose data when a battery goes flat, which is why you should opt for a li-ion or li-polymer battery. These types of batteries have a greater lifespan and are generally lighter, and you can recharge them when you need to without any trouble. In fact, you can recharge them whenever you like without worrying about reducing their capacity (otherwise known as "memory effect"). You need to consider connectivity if you're planning on taking your handheld assistant with you on the move. Connectivity doesn’t just mean looking out for infrared, WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities; it also concerns mobile network coverage, which is especially important for Smartphones. If you're a globe-trotter, you'll need a quad-band PDA to communicate with friends and family across the world, although 90% of users make do with a tri-band model. When it comes to network generations, choose a Smartphone that supports the latest generation networks (3G and 3G+), especially if you have the intention of making video phone calls or sending large amounts of data. Since the introduction of GSM (otherwise known as 2G or "2nd generation"), 3G (or UMTS) and EDGE (or 2.75G), networking standards have moved forward and now make it possible to transfer even more information in less time. In theory, GSM networks can be as fast as 80 Kbps. EDGE networks have maximum speeds of 384 Kbps, and 3G networks can transfer as much as 1.2 Megabits of data per second, meaning even large documents can be sent within seconds. 3G and 3G+, or HSDPA, provide endless possibilities: you can watch TV, surf the internet with broadband speeds, or send videos in just a few seconds. 3G+ reaches speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps, and will attain 14.4 Mbps soon! 3G and 3G+ networks are most common and are available in most large towns. If you travel regularly, check that your Smartphone is compatible with 2.75G (EDGE), which works with current GSM networks.