NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA Choosing the Right PDA Professional Toolkit Series NSBE – Houston Space Chapter

Professional Toolkit Series: PDA Why Should I Own a PDA? World is becoming increasingly wired/wireless PDA gives capabilities not possible with pen and paper alone Information transported in PDA could fill notebooks of paper Portable presentation capability PDA-like technology will eventually enter the lab/field environment – stay ahead of the learning curve

NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA What Can PDAs Do? Virtually all PDAs: –Calendar –Contact/Address Software –Task/To-Do Lists –Calculator –Memo –Interface to exchange information with laptop or desktop

NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA What Can PDAs Do? Other Capabilities: –Word Processor –Spreadsheet –Database –Money-management functions –Voice Recorder –MP3 Playback –Picture Viewer –Digital Camera

NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA Peripherals Virtually unlimited GPS Folding keyboards Interfaces to connect to virtually any desktop peripheral Beware: may require adapters to connect peripheral – sometimes almost as expensive as the peripheral itself.

NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA PDA Specs Processor –16 to 400 MHz –2 to 64 MB memory –Note: faster processors drain battery faster Backlight –Standard on monochrome PDAs, universal on color PDAs –Color drains battery faster

NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA PDA Specs Expansion Slot(s) –Allow removable memory, connections to PC, modems, projector, etc. –Several types CompactFlash, MultiMedia/Secure Digital, Memory Stick Make sure your PDA has the expansion slot types you need to connect to the peripherals you want iPAQ is notorious for requiring an expansion module to accept peripherals

NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA PDA Specs Connectivity –Wireless: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, built-in Cell Phone –Wired: Cell Phone Connectivity Kits – not universally available. Only some cell phones have connectivity kits, and these are only compatible with certain PDAs. Best to choose cell phone based on desired connectivity Modem – Relatively easy to find 56K modems that can be connected to PDA Digital Cable, Ethernet, may or may not be forthcoming –Internet access software still emerging

NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA Internet Access Virtually ALL advertise internet access Pocket PCs come with Internet Explorer Most do NOT come with internet connectivity –Additional hardware, software, and/or subscription required –If internet access is desired, check costs CAREFULLY before purchasing anything –Cell phone/PDA models are beginning to emerge

NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA Compatibility Most PDAs can interface with Windows or Macintosh computers –Check to make sure your PDA is compatible with your operating system –Is 3 rd party software or additional hardware required? (can be expensive)

NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA PDA Families Palm OS (most popular) –Palm and Sony Pocket PC (Windows based) –Casio, Dell, HP (aka Compaq), Toshiba Proprietary operating systems –Less popular; hard to find software for these models

NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA Palm vs. Pocket PC

NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA Palm vs. Pocket PC? Palm –Capable of interfacing with Windows or Macintosh –Generally simpler user interface –Requires extra software to use MS Office files –Generally less expensive Pocket PC –Windows-like interface (needs 3 rd party software to connect to Macintosh) –Version of MS Office pre-loaded (does NOT contain PowerPoint, but many will come with a PowerPoint emulator that displays files)

NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA How to Choose? Palm –Best for basic organizer functions (date/address books) –More 3 rd party software currently in the stores Pocket PC –Best for exchanging, reading, editing word processing documents, spreadsheets, and other MS Office files –Wider variety of plug-in cards Both –Well-suited for multimedia

NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA Practical Issues How will you carry it? –Simpler PDAs are small, fit in pocket easily –PDAs with features, expansion slots, peripherals may need a belt clip or larger case –Screen should be protected What features do you really need? –Simple organizing functions? Get a Palm –Computer in your pocket? Get a Pocket PC

NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA Consumer Reports Recommendations If new to PDAs: –Sony CLIE PEG-SJ20 or Palm Zire If replacing a PALM: –Palm m515 or Palm TungstenT Power and Multimedia: –Palm Zire 71, Sony CLIE PEG-NX70V, Dell AXIM X5-400MHz Pocket PC Ratings: –Dell edges out Compaq IPAQ H3955 and is significantly less expensive ($350 vs. $500)

NSBE – Houston Space Chapter Professional Toolkit Series: PDA Summary Do your homework before making a purchase Decide what capabilities you want Determine what PDA, cell phone, adapters, peripherals, carrying cases, etc. are required Verify all of the above exist, and can be conveniently located before buying the PDA Now you are ready to bargain hunt and enjoy!