CNET editors' PDA buying guide: Do I need wireless connectivity?

If you want your PDA simply for organization, you may not need any special wireless connections. But it seems like everyone today wants to stay connected. Here are your options.

Wireless connections: Infrared | Bluetooth | Wireless LAN | Wireless WAN

Infrared (IR) ports are built in on most mainstream handhelds and are useful for short-range (less than 30 feet), low-bandwidth data transfers, but you will need a clear line of sight for the two devices to communicate with each other, as with TV remote controls. If your laptop has an IR port, for example, you'll be able to synchronize without a cradle or a cable--a particularly handy feature for road warriors. And if your handheld is equipped with the proper software, you can even use infrared to control your TV and other home entertainment devices.

This short-range radio frequency (RF) technology operates on a 2.4GHz spectrum and allows PDAs to communicate with other Bluetooth-enabled gadgets such as some cell phones; thus, you can dial numbers straight from your handheld's contact list or use your cell phone as a modem to check e-mail. You can also transfer files, print to a Bluetooth printer, or sync with a Bluetooth-equipped computer. Unlike IR, Bluetooth's RF signals can travel through clothing and other barriers, meaning you can leave your phone in your pocket and still be connected to your PDA. If the handheld doesn't come with the technology built in, Bluetooth cards are available for the expansion slots--just be sure it supports Secure Digital Input Output (SDIO), a mandatory feature when using a Bluetooth SD card.

With a Wi-Fi-enabled handheld, you can connect directly to the Internet at high speeds to check e-mail, browse the Web, and even access servers via secure virtual private network (VPN) connections. Like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi runs on a 2.4GHz spectrum, and you need to be near (typically 75 to 300 feet from) an access point in order to connect. If your PDA doesn't come with built-in Wi-Fi, you can purchase Wi-Fi networking cards to get connected. Additionally, Wi-Fi requires a lot of power and quickly drains most PDA batteries.


The majority of handhelds use the 802.11b standard, which is the same one found in most common public hot spots, such as cafes, businesses, and universities; it also transmits info at a speed of 11Mbps. If you intend to connect to an 802.11a network, which operates on a 5GHz frequency band and has transfer rates of 54Mbps, you'll need to seek out a card for your handheld's expansion slot.

Wi-Fi works great when you're close to a hot spot but not if you wander far and wide. Instead, you should consider handhelds that use cellular data networks, although not a lot are currently available. As with traditional cell phones, these provide broad coverage, although you should expect more dead spots in the data network than the voice network. Smart phones typically employ this method to keep the device connected. Alternatively, a Bluetooth PDA with a separate data-capable cell phone can achieve the same end. Downsides to consider are the fact that you'll need to have a service contract with a wireless provider, and download speeds are slower than on a wireless LAN (115Kbps vs. 11Mbps).