The ABC's of Choosing

Once you have decided which operating system to standardize on, your next choice is what specific make and model to purchase. Because prices can range from CA$200 to over CA$1000, this can be a daunting decision to make-and it's made even more difficult by the fact that new models and pricing are announced almost every month! To make it easier, here are eight generic guidelines:

a. Entry level is good. Although it's always a temptation to buy the lowest-priced unit, remember that this will likely become one of your most essential reference and organizational tools, and whatever model you buy it will take a beating.

b. B is for Blackberry. This device, also known as the "Crackberry" because of its addictive nature, there are many models out there. Buyer beware.

Always check for compatibility with your important software before you buy.

c. C is for Connectivity. Wireless access to the internet is now standard on handheld devices, but it can be quite confusing to figure out all the various options, and how they may be useful to you. For details on this topic, visit the Connectivity section of this site.

In brief, we have found that wireless features, though potentially useful, are not easily accessable on campus or in the hospitals.

d. Handhelds offer many different memory card options for easy expandability. Not all cards are created equal, when shopping take your PDA with you and at least then you can make sure it fits.

e. E is for Extras.
Consider peripherals before buying. There are many add-on peripherals available for PalmOS units, from modems and keyboards to MP3 players and digital cameras. Many, however, are designed for specific makes and models. The standardization on the SD Input/Output (SDIO) slot is helping to solve this problem somewhat, but PalmOne keeps changing their hotsync port and power cord design, which is very frustrating. Keep this in mind when purchasing-or, more importantly, upgrading--because if you need to replace all your peripherals, then the initial purchase price will be a lot higher.

f.F is for Fast.
The faster the better. Until a couple of years ago, all PalmOS all models used the same speed processors, so there wasn't much choice. Now speeds have gone from an average of 16Mhz up to 33Mhz and 66Mhz--and even up to 200Mhz for some units running PalmOS version 5.0. In general, the faster the processor, the faster the operating system will be (in drop down menus, searches, etc.), and the longer it will be useful to you.

g. Even though rechargeable batteries are now the standard, power is actually more of a problem now than it ever was before. In the "good old days" of slow monochrome Palms batteries would last for weeks or months, but newer high-speed models are starting to boast "10 days" as their average life, meaning maybe 10 hours of actual "on-time." So, if you have a rechargeable model, and are going to be away from "home" for a while, you need to bring along a travel recharger or a hotsync/charger combination cable that plugs into the USB port on your laptop. Travel rechargers are available for all handhelds in a variety of configurations, and run on 110 V AC for a wall plug-in, and 12 V DC for car/boat/plane.

Also keep in mind that the use of peripherals like keyboards will discharge the battery even more quickly than usual, as will features like IR or Bluetooth, or a bright screen. Detach or turn off/down these features if they are not in use to increase your battery life. External keyboards are a particular problem because most do not allow you to charge your Palm while using them, which results in greatly decreased battery life. Separately-powered keyboards that communicate wirelessly with the Palm using Bluetooth may solve this problem.

For the seasoned traveller, battery extenders are small devices that allow you to run and recharge a Palm handheld from ordinary batteries while away from a wall source of electricity, or if the handheld's battery drains before you can recharge it from plug-in. Keep in mind also that after a year or two of daily use, some rechargeable batteries will begin to fail, no longer holding a charge. Replacement batteries can be inserted, but usually the owner will have to send the handheld away for that service.

i. i is for iphone.
This MacIntosh product has pushed into the #2 spot on the marker, and may soon overtake Blackberry.