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Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) can be categorized based on their operating system
(OS). The two most popular operating systems in North America are PalmOS from Palm, Inc., and
PocketPC, a Windows product from Microsoft. In addition to these, there are some other
platforms such as EPOC (more popular in Europe), Psion, and WindowsCE (used on some ultra-portable PCs), and
some are capable of running Linux,
but most PDAs in the marketplace today use either the PalmOS or PocketPC platform. You will find
more detail from vendors and from large starting point sites like
PDAStreet. Here are some basics:
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PalmOS |
PocketPC |
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| Examples |
Palm
Handspring Visor
Sony's CLIE |
Compaq iPAQ
Dell Axim
Toshiba PocketPC |
|
Main
Advantages |
Can be cheaper than PocketPC
More software and accessories available
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Brighter displays, interface may be easier to learn for Windows users |
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Compatible with
UCSD Wireless? |
Yes! The UCSD wireless Internet service
uses the 802.11b protocol, also called "Wi-Fi." There are wireless cards available for both
Palm and PocketPC platforms, but not every device will have a card available for it. Some models
of PocketPC now come with built-in Wi-Fi cards. If access to the UCSD network is important, ask
the vendor if the device is compatible with 802.11b or if there is an available 802.11b card for that
device. |
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For each operating system, there are many brands and models available. The following
are some options to consider when making a purchase decision:
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Color
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Color screens can make the small display easier to read. Adds cost.
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Batteries
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Some PDAs use regular AAA batteries. Some others contain a self-recharging battery which
recharges when the PDA sits in its cradle (device connecting the PDA to your regular PC for
synchronization). In general, PalmOS devices can go longer between battery charges.
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Weight
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Thinner PDAs are lighter and more portable, but may not accept a wide range of accessories
and expansion modules.
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Memory
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Unless you only intend to use a PDA for your address book and memos, stay away from the
cheapest PDAs. For a PalmOS device, 8MB of memory is the minimum you'll want. Some
PDAs feature an integrated expansion slot which can accommodate
various types of additional memory.
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Wireless/Internet Access
- Some PDAs use a cell-phone-based "wireless"
service that requires you to have a plan with a commercial service. For example Kyocera and
Handspring have PDAs that are also cell phones. The advantage of this type of service is that it
would work anywhere you can get a cellphone connection. UCSD has a wireless network using a
different protocol - 802.11b, also called "Wi-Fi." To work with the UCSD Wireless network you
need a device that can use this type of signal. Cards are now available for both PalmOS devices and
PocketPC devices, and some PocketPCs now have Wi-Fi cards built in. The advantage of this is that
as long as you are in range of a transmitter, Internet access is free - no minutes are counted.
The disadvantage is that this type of wireless network isn't available everywhere.
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