Cell & Smart Phone Home

Deciding Between A Mobile Phone and a PDA

1.Cell Phones are small.  PDA's are fairly large.

Most cell phone screens are less than 2 or 3 inches.  PDA screens can reach up to 4 or 5 inches and are often times are of better resolution. 

2.Reach Out And Touch Something

PDA handheld devices usually have touchscreen capability that allows users to touch the screen for control functions or use a digital pen to select.  This is not a feature cell phones readily offer, because of the complexity and small screen size.  Though not in every circumstance, oftentimes touchscreen controls make tasks easier.

3.Voice Recognition Phones For Sale

Most PDAs don't have voice recognition capabilities, at least not as readily available as leading cell phones.  If you don't have time to push buttons and just want instructions followed, an enhanced cell phone with voice technology might be just what you need.

4.  PDAs are for business, cell phones are for emergencies.

PDAs are personal computers in many ways, whereas even powerful cell phones are limited in their capacity...at least for now.  PDAs, even small ones, can give you access to spreadsheets, word processors, and other multimedia programs too complex for mobile phones.  (In terms of screen space more so than hardware)

5. If you just want to chat and play, a cell phone is not a bad idea.

Mobile phones can play games, can check email and provide instant messaging services.  They can even play movies or MP3s, just as a PDA can.  Unlike a PDA, however there seems to price cap on most cell phones.  Some high end PDAs can be priced between $500.00-$800.00!  Compared to some high tech cell phones?  Free.  Cost is surely an issue, particularly if you're not looking to use your portable device for heavy business.

6.Unless of course...

You actually are buying a PDA and think it's a cell phone.  Many PDAs have cellular options that can turn your complete PDA system into a functioning "Smart Phone", meaning a device that works as a cellular phone but that does so much more.  The best part about PDAs is that you can install software from any source into the device, whereas many cell phones have no way of accepting third party installations.

In short, mobile phones are for talking to friends, workmates, family and offer interesting distractions in between calls.  PDAs on the other hand let you drag whole computer with you wherever you go.