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Travelite Magazine : Winter 2000-2001:
Why Get a PDA? | Four Basics | Travel-Worthy | Picks | Shop Around

Why Get a PDA?

Do you...

have a calendar or appointment book to keep track of everyone's birthdays and appointments?
have an address book listing your friends and relatives?
have a little notebook to keep reminders and notes for yourself?
find yourself juggling lots of paperwork when you travel?

If you said "yes" to any of these, you should consider getting a PDA!

I'm not into gadgets -- how could this help me?

If you don't have a PDA because you don't want to be saddled with yet another gadget, think of it this way: Unlike cell phones, pagers or Game Boys that just take up additional space in your bag, a PDA actually replaces the organizer or address book you might be carrying already. And believe it or not, the interface on a Palm organizer is so straightforward that it's easier than programming your VCR!

I already have a Franklin/Day Runner/Day Timer/Filofax.

There's nothing wrong with keeping your paper organizer. In fact, I still keep my Franklin at home (I write down addresses there)... but I also keep my Franklin stashed and never use its schedule portion anymore since I got my Handspring.

One problem I had with my Franklin was that I only carried it at work. I never had it with me when I went out on weekends or at night. I was out of luck if I needed a friend's phone number or I needed to look up my upcoming schedule. Not so with my Handspring. It's small enough to keep in my purse so I have it with me everywhere I go. Don't carry a purse? My husband carries his in his shirt pocket, or front pocket of his pants.

I already have a home computer. Why should I get one?

Unlike laptops, the Palm handheld is not meant to replace a PC. Instead, your PDA is an extension of your PC. For this reason, a PDA is priced affordably like other external devices for your PC (such as an inkjet printer or a scanner).

Your PDA is not pre-loaded with cobbled versions of MS Word, Excel, or other big programs. In fact, Microsoft has in the past created Windows-based PDAs that have failed to capture the market. Why? Jeff Hawkins, inventor of the Palm and founder of Handspring, believes one of the mistakes manufacturers makes is the assumption that they should add tons of bells and whistles to a product just because it's technically possible. He says it's more important to do a few things well "than to load a product with whiz-bang features."

But I already take a laptop with me when I travel.

If you don't have a PDA because you don't want to be saddled with yet another gadget, think of it this way: Unlike cell phones, pagers or Game Boys that just take up additional space in your bag, a PDA actually replaces the organizer or address book you might be carrying already. And believe it or not, the interface on a Palm organizer is so straightforward that it's easier than programming your VCR!

How does a PDA help me with my travel plans?

Once you organize your vacation plans with your PDA, you might wonder how you got along without one. For starters, keep track of your flights on the Date Book. Have the Date Book beep an alarm to remind you of when you need to perform certain tasks (such as when to pack, when to notify the post office about holding mail). Record contact information airlines, hotels and restaurants in the Address Book. Include a list of all your friends/family for whom you plan to send postcards there as well. Keep a packing list in your To Do List. Do your research and keep notes to yourself in the Note Pad.

I'm on a budget. How much does this stuff cost?

Although most models run from $250 to $500, some are priced for less than $200. Two examples are the Palm M100 and the Handspring Visor, both priced at $149.

The differences in price come in the amount of memory you get, as well as processor speed. Other factors include features such as color displays, and built-in modems. Both the M100 and Visor come with a way to back up your data on your computer however, and are fine models that do not feel cheap or crippled.

What's the difference between brands?

The PDA market is filled with four categories: Those that use the Palm OS, those that use a Microsoft OS, EPOC (developed by Psion), and those that use a proprietary system.

Palm OS: The Palm and Visor models are almost indistinguishable, except for the way they look. This is because Palm leased its OS to Handspring, giving you the same interface. There are other PDAs that also use the Palm OS, including the Sony CLIE, IBM Workpad, TRGpro. This Pilotlite guide focuses on the Palm OS.

Microsoft: There are currently two Microsoft PDA operating systems: the newer Pocket PC (that looks a little more like a Palm with a streamlined interface), and its clunkier older sibling, Windows CE. You can find the Pocket PC in the Compaq iPaq, Casio Cassiopeia E-125, and the HP Journada 545, while Microsoft CE runs their older siblings, as well as Philips Nino, Sharp Mobilon, NEC MobilePro, and Hitachi HPW. Reviews for the iPaq are glowing, although

EPOC: Developed by Psion (a handheld that includes a built-in keyboard), it has now expanded into use by cell phones such as Nokia and Motorola. Models using EPOC include Psion, Oregon Scientific.

Proprietary: The Sharp Zaurus, VTech Helio, Casio PV200 and Sharp TelMail are examples of PDAs that use their own proprietary OS. Recommendation: Unless there are overriding reasons (such as an incredibly appropriate built-in application), my suggestion is that you stick to one of the main OS formats such as Palm and MS. Why? Once you learn your Four Basics and want to spread your wings by downloading other software, you will find a ton to choose from if you stick with Palm or MS.

Okay, so tell me more about this PDA stuff.

Ready to learn more? This guide is broken down into the following:

Introduction: Why get a PDA in the first place?
The Four Basics that serve as the cornerstones of the Palm.
Travel Stuff: Software and products that help you plan your vacations.
Pilotlite Picks: Fun stuff I recommend.
Shopping Sites: Let's go shopping for PDAs, software and accessories at the sites I personally recommend.

Let's get started! Next section: The Four Basics.