PDA is an old term which was widely used for devices that had a touch screen and basic features of holding Contacts, Appointments, Notes and other simple data. Now Windows Mobile Devices have replaced them or at least most of them.
The history of Windows Mobile begins with Windows Mobile 2002 editions and then came 2003 editions with built-in phone capabilities. On the onset of Windows Mobile 5, Microsoft had introduced whole lot of power and features to the devices. And the competing market bought out varitey of devices with ultimate features to keep you connected always. Recently Windows Mobile 6 has been introduced with a little bit of extra eye candy and improved security and other features too.

Hope you've got an overview of the Windows Mobile devices. Now if you plan to go for a Windows Mobile Pocket PC, make sure you opt for Windows Mobile 6 device. Most Windows Mobile 5 devices have official or un-official upgrades to Windows Mobile 6 edition. So in case if you're buying an old Pocket PC, make sure an upgrade is available over the internet. In case if you require assistance, our Exper's Help section is always open for your request.

Which version to go for?
Windows Mobile 6 devices are of three varieties. A Classic version without phone capabilities. Never opt for this. There is a Standard version without a touch screen but with a phone capability, commonly refered to as a smartphone. Smartphones are close to Pocket PC devices and the lack of touch screen will limit your flexibility and possibilities. Go for this only if you cant be without a number keypad just in case if you give priority for calls and need Email and othe Office outlook support. There is a Profesional version which has a touch screen and commmonly refered as a Pocket PC. This is the most powered device. Even some Pocket PC devices come with a qwerty keyboard or normal number keypad. If you need complete flexibilty of having the power close to a Desktop PC in hand, then Windows Mobile 6 Professional device will be your right choice! They are not expensive as well!

Decided the version. Then?
Classic and Standard version are basically for beginners and they don't have much varities over there or at least, they don't vary much as a Pocket PC. So we are going to focus on choosing a best Pocket PC over here!

Microsoft says there are over 60 different manufacturers or companies making and selling Windows Mobile devices. The top ones who fly in the market are HTC, O2, iMate, Eten, Asus, HP and some more.. Dell was here quite a while ago but they have dropped their plans for manufacturing future devices. HTC - High Tech Computer Corporation is steady in the market by releasing new models every year more than once! Their devices are re-branded and sold in various hybrid names by other companies and carriers/mobile operators as well. So it is really a tough time to choose the best Pocket PC for you.

To narow the choice, you need to first focus on your need! A business user or a fancy life style user or a rugged user. Rugged Pocket PC devices are too heavy and ruggedised really. These rugged Pocket PCs are mainly for those who go on trekking and high-terrains and also in some industries. These Pocket PCs will not be your choice as the Industrial management will decide their choice. So leave them out and come to the normal ones. Some devices have a very pleasing look while others are more suited for the business class.

QWERTY or not?
QWERTY keybpard is a slide-out keyboard with all buttons of a basic keyboard aligned tightly! When you slide-out the keyboard, the device can be tilted to horizontal or landscape orientation. This is very useful if you type a lot for the sms or text documents mainly. Various third-party virtual keyboards are available in the market and so you can really manage or get used to it rather than having a qwerty keyboarded Pocket PC. So if you need it, the choice of device is further narrowed down.

Size and Dimensions
Different Pocket PCs are made with different dimension aspects. Some with curvy edges and others with smooth and sharp edges too. So as per your taste, narrow down the choices further.

Screen Size
Just two! VGA and qVGA. VGA Pocket PC will have a resolution of 640x480 and so provide much screen clearity than the qVGA or quater VGA Pocket PC which has only 240x320 resolution. But the VGA Pocket PC is usually a slight bigger and heavy than the qVGA. Very few Pocket PC, like the ones made by Eten offer a VGA resolution on a smaller screen size! So choosing for a VGA or qVGA should narrow your choices further down!

Camera a must?
Since Nokia or some other company introduced the Camera in a Mobile device for marketing, there is a good race between them ending up in having a digital camera with phone rather than phone with camera! Yes, the normal phones are now coming up with real high Mega Pixels of Camera. But the race has not started yet in Windows Mobile Pocket PC devices. They come with a standard 1.9 or 2 Megapixel with a little more than poor picture quality. So if you need a very good camera, carry a digital camera in your Pocket along with a Pocket PC or go for a normal phone itself!

Processors, RAM matter?
Very few variations are here, Intel PXA, Texas Instruments OMAP, and few. Intel PXA with 416 Mhz works the same speed of 200 Mhz OMAP. Really there wont be much noticable difference here. Instead, if there is a device with much higher RAM memory, go for it. At least they help you running many applications than others!

Connectivity issues!
Well.. WiFi, Bluetooh 2.0, Tri/Quad Band GSM has become a basic feature of a Pocket PC. Anyway it is better to verify if the final narrowed down choices of Pocket PC has them. Additionally 3G, HSDPA, UMTS are recent advancements allowing better speeds in browsing and downloads but for a quite high price. So wisely make your option if you need them really!

So by now we guess have covered almost the important criteria by which the right Pocket PC for you can be chosen. Any thoughts or suggestion on this guide is welcomed. Anytime, our Expert's Help section will be there for chat and discussions!