Connectivity
Of course, you can synchronize your PDA with your desktop computer by popping the unit into its cradle, but connectivity doesn't have to stop there. Some higher end units offer built-in Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth connections; for the rest, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth expansion cards (CF, PC, and Springboard) are available. With these capabilities, your users can roam (relatively) freely while still able to access the Web or the corporate network, or connect to other devices via their PDA. Infrared--or IrDA--ports are also available on most PDAs, but these have an extremely limited, line-of-sight range, really only useful for synchronizing data to a notebook PC or swapping business cards with another PDA user. Some models--such as HP's iPaq 3870 and Palm's Tungsten T--even let you establish a wireless Internet connection via a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone.

Battery life
Batteries and battery life have always been contentious issues for PDAs. Gone are the days when a Palm device could run for months on a pair of triple-A batteries. As users demanded more functionality like backlit screens, wireless connectivity, and other power-hungry options, PDA vendors added many of these functions to all but the most basic PDAs.

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For example, a full charge to the lithium-polymer battery in Palm's new Tungsten T model--with its backlit, high-resolution color display, zippy processor, and built-in Bluetooth--lasts an average of one week. (This assumes about half an hour of use per day, with some--though not constant--use of Bluetooth.) Such performance apes the battery life of most Pocket PC devices.

Then there's the issue of charging the batteries. Some devices must be docked in their cradles to recharge, which could be inconvenient in some circumstances. More important perhaps is whether a PDA has a user-replaceable battery, so a spare can be popped in when the primary runs out. This issue is key, since some PDAs (early iPaq models, for example) have an internal battery that can be replaced only by the vendor should it wear out. And batteries do wear out.

There are steps that users can take to minimize power consumption, such as turning off the backlight and refraining from listening to MP3 music files. But if your users will be using their PDAs extensively--as notebook replacements, for instance--a replaceable battery (and several spares, for that matter) is a must.

Bottom line
Choosing the right PDA for your users isn't a simple task. To get the most for your money--and keep your users happy--you must find the right balance of utility and price. The good news is that viable choices are available in both the Palm and Pocket PC camps. The big issues--power, expansion, connectivity, ergonomics, input options, and battery life--have reasonable solutions. Do your homework, and choose wisely.

Which PDA is the ideal handheld for your staff? TalkBack below or e-mail us.

Todd Volz is an Associate Editor for ZDNet Tech Update.
Jonathan Blackwood is an educator, freelance writer, and editor living in Austin, TX.

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