If you're looking to get organised digitally for the first time, and are a little bamboozled by what's out there, we've corralled together the best PDAs for first timers.
Our nominees for best PDAs for first timers: the HTC Touch, Palm Treo 680, HP iPAQ rx4540 and Palm TX
Remember when PDAs were devices to get your life organised? You got one to compile contacts, sort out your schedule and as an alarm clock every morning. But over the last few years, PDAs have become much more than that. Those basic functions listed above can all be performed by most mobile phones and it's difficult to find an inexpensive device because most of them have so many features built in, it's hard to keep the price down.
Hard, but not impossible. There are a handful of handhelds that won't break the bank for the first-time buyer. They may lack the latest features like HSDPA, 3G and GPS navigation, but that's a moot point. Ultimately, these devices are accessible, making it possible for the technophobe to jump right in without worrying. Here are our top five handhelds for n00bs (or newbies) -- two of them even work as mobile phones.
There are few other PDA-phones that come close to the value of the AU$649 HTC Touch. It's really attractive too, ensuring that the first time user won't be lamenting that they have to give up their super-slim mobile phone. Also from the Windows Mobile camp is HP's iPAQ rx4540. With its 1GB memory, it could double up as your music player. So even if you find that using a PDA is not your thing, the fact that it's a music player with expandable memory will ensure it will still be of use.
The Palm OS is famed for its user-friendliness, and that's why two of its units feature in this round-up. The AU$799 mobile-ready Treo 680 lacks some key features, like Wi-Fi and 3G, but when it comes to having almost no learning curve, it is peerless. And there's the AU$499 Palm TX, which misses out on mobile functionality but gains Wi-Fi, allowing you to browse the Internet and read e-mail when you're within range of a wireless network.
HTC Touch
While not a iPhone killer, the HTC Touch represents good value for money. If you can do without 3G support or a high-res camera, then the Touch will offer most features you'd require from a smartphone.
Palm Treo 680
Palm makes a sleeker, cheaper and easier to use Treo smartphone for professionals looking for mobile e-mail.
Palm TX
The Palm TX is a full-featured handheld perfect for a broad range of users.
HP iPAQ rx4540
From its large onboard memory and SD card slot to the implementation of a 3.5mm audio jack and scroll wheel, the iPaq rx4540 combines a well-thought-out feature set with a compact design to appeal to users who plan to use their handhelds for mobile entertainment.
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