So you need a PDA? Or at least you know how to decipher the abbreviation "PDA (Pocket PC), and for you this word sounds tempting ... Before you go to the store, it seems logical to look to solve any problems, actually, do you plan to use your future assistant? Those familiar with the computer industry, people will confirm that almost always makes sense to accurately represent what it is you're going to spend money! In the case of PDA the most critical characteristics (and at least attractive!) Are functionality, weight and price. The figure below will help you understand the situation of the main varieties of the CPC on two characteristics - weight and price:
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You may already be familiar with the presented models? Nevertheless, I hope that the ideas expressed may be useful for you. Immediately it should be noted that the survey covers only a few of the most prominent representatives of the myriad of handheld and not intended to be a comprehensive assessment. The above prices are retail at Moscow officially imported devices with language, in U.S. dollars.
Electronic notebooks
For those who need a device is really very small in size, with built-in simple calculator, to store 20 or more names, telephone numbers, as well as serve as an alarm clock, timer and clock. The battery life time is about one year. Price: $ 20
Notebooks are sold on every street corner at prices ranging from $ 10 and above. Species mass. Basically, in the notebooks is not provided the ability to synchronize with a desktop machine, yes, though not required - data bit, the probability of loss is very small due to the lack of additional applications as well as feeding problems. Memory capacity is measured in tens or hundreds of kilobytes. PDA as such is not due to lack of file system and the possibility of installing additional software.
Attachable Organizer
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For those who need all the functions of the organizer (address book, tasks, calendar, clock, alarm clock, notepad, diary), but with the possibility of working with lots of information, its categorization and treatment. One of the strengths of this class of devices is the ability to use a huge number of programs developed by third parties: navigation systems, spreadsheets, games, etc. Organiser should really fit in the pocket, possibly not spoiling the form of clothing, as well as having the backlight. As another feature of the organizers should be noted the excellent adaptability to synchronize with your desktop computer. Of course, you can use the organizer and of itself, but coupled with desktop PC performance increases of an order - it concerns the data input and processing. Runtime is about a month or more depending on usage. Prices from $ 200 to $ 500 is no secret that in this market segment is dominated by PalmOS-compatible devices that take up to 90% of all sales. Psion Revo PDA positioned as an organizer, but the lack of illumination can be a crucial drawback for some users. On the other hand, the Revo has its pluses: great stylish gift, a good big screen, speed, keyboard.However, in general the question lingers: what PalmOS-compatible PDA to choose? If you do not need to install more third-party programs, we can recommend the device to 2MB of memory, for example, Palm IIIe, it costs about $ 200. Several upgraded device Handspring Visor Deluxe with an estimated price of $ 390. The main advantage of Visor is a slot for the extensions of Springboard, as well as 8MB of memory. As another interesting option, can be considered 8MB TRGpro, which costs about $ 470. This PDA is distinguished by a beautiful built-in speaker (low-speaker beeper - a big omission on the part of Palm Computing) and a slot Compact Flash, which can be used to connect a variety of devices ranging from memory cards up to 192MB and ending with modems, etc mikrovinchesterami . Palm IIIc and Vx are also quite expensive. In the first set to a color screen that the organizer is not necessarily, the second features a stylish design, the real and miniature aluminum housing branch "Pocket PC" (from licensees Microsoft) can hardly be considered a serious competitor in this market sector, at least for the moment , due to a serious heavy, prices, duration of work from a set of batteries, as well as convenience and variety of existing software.
PDA Keyboard
This section repeats all of the previous, but with the addition of the keyboard, expansion slots, advanced applications and much more serious computing power. Such devices are already quite difficult to put in a jacket pocket, and even more T-shirts, but they get along well in small suitcases, folders, or purses. CCP in this category is fully 32-bit (read: with some margin of obsolescence), and they must built a medium of exchange with other devices, as well as e-mail clients, browsers and means of processing faxes. Hours of battery life is about a week. Prices start at $ 600
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The winner in this category almost the only party to: Psion Series 5mx, running a multi-and extremely stable operating system EPOC. For interfaces and applications Series 5mx is very easy to get used to, especially users of Windows: for example, many hotkeys are the same. 5mx have probably one of the best keyboards for PDAs, big enough and comfortable. Embedded applications are complete and are multifunctional, PDA screen needs for normal functioning fairly good lighting. If you have a mobile phone Ericsson 6xx series or 7hh it is a good alternative would be PDA Ericsson MC218, which is a somewhat reworked 5mx with some additional software and a special infrared adapter to your phone. Series 5mx is worth about $ 650. Psion Revo, mentioned earlier, may also be of interest. It does not have a Compact Flash slot and lights, but most of the functionality 5mx upheld, especially for working with documents and email. And the size, weight and price of the Revo in the third less - about $ 450. Hopefully, some thoughts will be made for you worthless and will help you select a name of the CCP, which will help you in solving many problems. The authors, translation:
Anton Kuznetsov
Steve Litchfield
