Handheld computers, also termed PDAs (personal digital assistants), have evolved in just a few years from essentially a digital calendar and address-phone book to the “communicators” like the just-released Handspring Treo 270 and Nokia 9290, both of which combine the functionality of a laptop computer and a cell phone.
Types of PDAs
Current PDAs fall into two predominant categories: Pocket PCs (those running the Windows CE operating system) and Palm Operating System (OS) devices. The Windows CE devices tend to be larger, have more memory and a brighter screen, and drain their batteries daily if frequently used. Palm OS is much more efficient, requiring little power and allowing for far superior battery life. The screens are generally less impressive than the Windows CE devices. However, the Palm OS devices themselves are slimmer and lighter.
Both types of devices store applications and data in RAM rather than on a hard drive. This enables rapid access and is less cumbersome. The obvious limitation is the amount of memory available. Some devices offer an expansion slot or digital media slot for extra memory. All of these devices come with an infrared (IR) port for local communications. Some newer devices incorporate Bluetooth communications, a wireless protocol utilizing 2.4GHz frequency band that will allow data transfer without requiring cables or line-of-sight connection.
If you need to present, edit, or review images, movies, or other graphics files, the Windows CE devices are head and shoulders above the Palm OS devices. Also, if most of the demands you place on a handheld include MS Excel spreadsheets, Word files or other Office documents, the CE units are probably a better choice. Applications are available to synchronize the Palm OS devices with your MS Office programs, but the native Windows environment that the CE units have still seems to work better.
The Windows CE devices also allow you to run PowerPoint slide shows or make other types of presentations directly from the PDA. Also available are wireless modems, dictation features, and expandable memory up to 5GB or greater.
Choosing a PDA
For a review of some of the features to be considered when choosing a Palm OS PDA, see the complete article at https://www.neurosurgery.org/aans/bulletin/winter01-02/computerease.html. The “Handhelds” section of the CNET Web site https://www.cnet.com is a resource for additional comparative information.
Portions of this article are condensed from an article by Harold Pikus, MD, in the Winter 2001 issue of the Bulletin.