How to Choose a PDA Palm OS or Windows Palm PC? Black and White or Color? Accessories for popular PDAs Going Wireless Download Cool Palm OS Applications - FREE! Popular Palm Software and Channel portals

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you're ready to get a new PDA, how will you decide between the many models? Here are some helpful hints, checklists and comparisons:

Palm or Windows? For real estate professionals, the choice is probably going to be the Palm OS for the simple reason that more MLS systems, contact managers (like Top Producer) and mobile devices (like the electronic lockbox systems) are built around the Palm operating system. Additionally, lots of software from popular sites like PalmGear (www.palmgear.com) and Handango (www.handango.com) - including many free titles - continue to proliferate while Pocket PC software products are more expensive due to Microsoft licensing costs and the smaller user base. Of course, this may change in the future, as Pocket PC products continue to drop in price and may become more "integrated" to your normal computer operating system.

For now, it's probably the Palm OS for most sales agents and their managers.

So, which model do you choose? Palm Pilot, Handspring or Sony?  Here's where the fun begins. There are lots of vendors with scads of models to choose from depending upon your need for color, memory, speed and accessories.

For starters, be sure to choose a model that has at least these basic features:

• Rechargeable Lithium Battery

• Color (64k) high resolution screen

• 16 megabytes of RAM or more

• Palm OS 4.0 or greater

• USB cradle for synchronization

Any model with these features will have enough memory for daily usage, enough battery power to last days at a time, and will run almost any shareware or retail software including popular contact management software. Remember, as long as the model has the Palm OS, all vendors and models are cross-compatible for software and beaming.

	Accessories are another story! Palm units add accessories such as digital cameras, modems or GPS modules by snapping the unit into a "cradle." This method increases the size of the Palm by about 1/2 inch around and increases their weight. Cradle-style accessories are limited, too, mostly focused on modems and keyboards. Furthermore, some real estate specific cradles (like Supra's E-Key) require that users purchase specific models (such as the archaic Palm Vx or the overpriced Palm M515) since they make only one cradle size. Users with Palm VII's or Sony or Handspring models are not be able to use these systems if their Association implements such lockbox systems.
	Handspring users add accessories entirely differently. Handspring models are built with a special Springboard expansion slot in the back. This allows Handspring users to purchase a variety of mini-modules like extra RAM, cameras or modems to slip into the back slot without substantially increasing the size or weight of their handheld.
	Sony models expand in a different method, too. Memory modules and digital camera accessories for Sony models are based upon the "stick" technology Sony first introduced in their digital cameras. These "stick-of-gum" sized add-ons are frequently less expensive than larger-sized accessories from other vendors, but the range of add-ons is substantially less than an open-technology vendor like Handspring.