The definition of PDAA personal digital
assistant is a small battery-powered
computer intended to be carried around by the
user rather than left on a desk. This means
that the processor used ought to
be power-efficient as well as fast, and the
OS ought to be optimized for hand-held use.
PDAs typically have an instant-on feature (they would be
useless without it) and most are grayscale rather than
color because of battery life issues. Most have a pen
interface and come with a detachable stylus. None use
mouses. All have some ability to
exchange data with desktop
systems. In terms of raw capabilities, a PDA is more
capable than an organizer and
less capable than a laptop
(although some high-end PDAs beat out some low-end
laptops). By far the most popular PDA is the
Pilot, but other common types include
Newtons,
Psions,
Zauri,
Zoomers, and
Windows
CE hand-helds. By far the fastest current PDA is the
Newton (based around a StrongARM
RISC
processor).
Other PDAs are optimized for other tasks; few computers are as
personal as PDAs and care must be taken in their purchase.
Feneric's PDA /
Handheld Comparison Page is perhaps the most detailed
comparison of PDAs and handheld computers to be found
anywhere on the web.
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