That is the question, is it not? Well, the real question might be “What is a PDA?”

PDA stand for personal digital assistant. It is a hand held device used to store address information, your appointments, to do lists, along with other features such as games, maps, city guides, etc.

A PDA comes with software to install onto your computer. Once the software is installed the PDA and your computer can swap information via a cable between the two. This swapping of information is often referred to as “syncing”. This means that you can input your names, numbers and appointments on either the computer or the PDA, sync the two and the information will be available on both.

Before you buy a PDA be sure to get a look at one at the store. The display screen (especially when not color) can be difficult for some to read. Don’t go by the printed out representation at the display case. Ask to have one turned on. Ask for a demonstration. Most people can tell right away if it is going to be a comfortable device to use.

PDAs can vary dramatically in price. This difference is usually based on the storage capacity, screen quality and size.

One warning: Do NOT let the batteries on your PDA run down completely. The more expensive brands have backup batteries, but the less expensive do not. A friend went on an extended vacation leaving her PDA at home. By the time she had returned the battery had died from maintaining the clock and calendar in the PDA and she lost all her data. If she had synced it to her computer she would have been able to recover her data, but she had not. Many weeks of inputting names and addresses were lost.

So, PDQ go and investigate a PDA. KMP (Keep me posted)!