PDAs Reviews

The reviews below are assigned ratings by ConsumerSearch. These ratings are based on credibility in testing, evaluating and identifying the best PDAs. See our ratings criteria

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PDAs Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	PDAs Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. CNet.com	Editors' Top Handhelds Bonnie Cha and Editors of CNet.com Aug. 10, 2007		In its PDA reviews, CNet.com includes each unit's drawbacks as well as its selling points, and models are compared and contrasted in ratings. The Palm TX is currently the highest-rated PDA, with a Wi-Fi that's quick and easy to set up and a 320 x 480-pixel screen that's "gorgeous." The Palm Tungsten E2 does not rank as highly because it lacks Wi-Fi capability and a voice recorder, and it becomes sluggish if multiple applications are running at once. Still, it's a good choice for PDA users with more basic needs. CNet.com also maintains a separate listing of Pocket PC PDAs, but the only current model is the HP iPAQ hx2790/hx2795. Though the rating isn't far behind that of the E2, Brian Nadel says the hx2790 lacks a high-resolution screen, is chunky and overweight, and is one of the more expensive PDAs available.
2. PC Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	PDA Reviews Sascha Segan and Editors As of Aug. 2007		PC Magazine hasn't done a PDA roundup review in a while, and the bulk of their coverage has shifted to smartphones, but its single-product reviews are excellent and include comparisons to competing PDAs. The best products in a given class receive an Editors' Choice rating. The Palm TX and Palm Z22 are the current top picks, as the best mid-range PDA and the best entry-level PDA (respectively).

PDAs Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	PDAs Ratings Comments on Reviews

3. MobileTechReview.com	PDA Reviews Editors of MobileTechReview.com As of Aug. 2007		MobileTechReview.com features highly detailed and comprehensive reviews. PDAs are mostly covered in individual reports, but are frequently compared to similar models. Among current devices, the Palm Tungsten E2 gets an Editor's Choice recommendation. Editor-in-Chief Lisa Gade says that the E2 is not for power users, but is an "excellent mid-range PDA" at a "near budget price." The HP iPAQ hx2490/hx2495 and hx2790/hx2795 also get top grades. Among other PDAs, the Palm TX gets kudos for value. The HP iPAQ rx5915 is a good combination PDA and GPS device.
4. Laptop Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	PDA Reviews Editors of Laptop magazine As of Aug. 2007		Editors at Laptop magazine cover new PDAs when they come out, and though they rarely compare PDAs directly to one another each gets a star rating, which provides somewhat of a results comparison. Top-rated products get an Editor's Choice designation. Among current PDAs, the Palm TX is a good value. Although it lacks Wi-Fi or a VGA display, the Palm Tungsten E2 offers almost everything else you could ask for in a handheld -- at a budget price. The HP iPAQ rx5900 Travel Companion combines the functionality of a PDA, a GPS device and an MP3 player into one sleek package. All three of these PDAs are rated as Editor's Choice winners.
5. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	PDAs: For a networked world Editors of Consumer Reports Dec. 2005		It has been two years since Consumer Reports last reported on PDAs, but many models in its most recent ratings remain available. Consumer Reports gives PDAs the same competent and even-handed treatment it affords other categories, though the magazine can't match dedicated computing publications and websites for thoroughness and detailed reviews.

PDAs Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	PDAs Ratings Comments on Reviews

6. Infosync World.com	PDA Reviews Larry Garfield and Jorgen Sundgot As of Aug. 2007		Reviews at this Norwegian website are thorough and critical, with no PDA escaping completely unscathed. Among current PDAs, editors like the Palm TX. Although it's called "complete" and "well-rounded," the reviewers note that it doesn't break any new ground. There are also good reviews on the site for the Palm Tungsten E2.
7. PDAStreet.com	Hardware Reviews Editors of PDAStreet.com As of Aug. 2007		PDAStreet reviews PDAs and other mobile computing devices. Reviews are critical, but not as detailed as at the better review resources. Ratings are not given, but PDAs are occasionally compared to one another. Among current PDAs, Gerry Blackwell says that the HP iPAQ rx5900 is pricey, but "a nifty tool to take on a trip." Troy Dreier says that the Palm Z22 is a "basic and easy-to-use PDA at an unbeatable price." He also writes that the Palm TX is a "great all-around performer."
8. Smart Computing >> Details/Subscribe	Handheld/Palmtop/PDAs Editors of Smart Computing As of Aug. 2007		Smart Computing and its sister publications, PC Today and Computer Power User, occasionally cover PDAs. Most of the short writeups seem more like product announcements than reviews; however, more in-depth coverage can sometimes be found. One example is a face-off between the Palm Z22 and Palm TX in PC Today. Chad Denton concludes that while the TX is considerably more expensive, its networking and multimedia capabilities, along with a better display, make it the better choice.

PDAs Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	PDAs Ratings Comments on Reviews

9. Laptop Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Top Ultra-Mobile PCs Jeffrey L. Wilson Mar. 16, 2007		Although they are larger and far more expensive than PDAs, ultra-mobile PCs offer the functionality of a full-sized PC in a highly portable form factor. This review compares and rates four UMPCs. None are good or compelling enough to score an Editor's Choice recommendation, but the OQO model 02 is highly rated for being compact enough to tote in a jacket pocket, purse or briefcase, as well as for its use of the faster EV-DO data network for Internet connectivity.
10. Geek.com	Mini-Review: palmOne Tungsten E2 "Palmsolo" May 26, 2005		Though this review of the Palm Tungsten E2 is not particularly long, it does a good job of covering the essentials. A nice plus is that the review is well illustrated. The reviewer describes the E2's performance as "zippy," and adds that it feels solid and is comfortable to hold. Excellent battery life is also appreciated.
11. Gear Digest	Palm TX Handheld Brings Affordable WiFi to PDAs Barry Gerber Oct. 17, 2005		GearDigest.com is an offshoot of Tom's Hardware Guide. A multitude of mobile computing devices, including PDAs and accessories, are reviewed here, but most of the PDA reviews are now out of date. One exception is the Palm TX, featured in this review. The PDA is said to be a good value, but reviewer Barry Gerber had setup issues.
12. PC World >> Details/Subscribe	How to Buy a PDA Editors of PC World Nov. 3, 2006		Although PC World has largely abandoned its PDA coverage in favor of rating smartphones with PDA capabilities, this article on what to look for when shopping for PDAs is both current and useful. It outlines what the editors consider to be the most important considerations when shopping for a PDA (e.g., key specifications and features to look for), and it also gives several useful shopping tips.
13. Brighthand.com	PDA Reviews Editors of Brighthand.com As of Aug. 2007		Although the reviews on this site are generally very detailed and competent, and opinions about a PDA's pluses and minuses are offered, the PDAs are not rated or compared to each other. One useful feature is that the site provides links to PDA reviews at other sites.
14. The Wall Street Journal >> Details/Subscribe	Nokia's Marriage To Small Computers Still Has Its Problems Walter S. Mossberg Feb. 22, 2007		Walter S. Mossberg, personal technology columnist for The Wall Street Journal, notes that while the Nokia N800 is a notable improvement over its predecessor, he "can't imagine many people carrying around this device." For one thing, it's too large for a pocket. More importantly, Mossberg says the software seems "unpolished and unfinished."
15. PDA Buzz	Product Reviews Editors of PDABuzz.com As of Aug. 2007		This is a better review site for PDA accessories, such as games, cases and headsets, than for PDAs themselves. Still, it's hard to find reviews on these accessories, so PDABuzz.com has an edge for that type of review.
16. Epinions	PDAs Contributors to Epinions As of Aug. 2007		It's a good idea to check Epinions when you have your choice narrowed down to a couple of PDAs. Because most PDAs have been around for a while, many have received significant feedback. A few, however, have received no comments at all. One positive is that reviews tend to be more detailed than at other user review sites, and sometimes they even rival professional reviews for thoroughness.
17. Amazon.com	Handhelds and PDAs Contributors to Amazon.com As of Aug. 2007		Amazon.com is an online retailer that lets users comment on products that they own. Like most user-review sites, the quality and usefulness of the reviews is variable. While the individual reviews here are typically much shorter than those at Epinions, most PDAs have received far more comments.

PDAs Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	PDAs Ratings Comments on Reviews

18. Consumer Guide.com	PDAs Editors of ConsumerGuide.com As of Aug. 2007		Consumer Guide has continued to improve since its association with HowStuffWorks.com, and it actually does a better job than some more highly rated resources at staying on top of the current PDA marketplace. Unfortunately, the reviews themselves fall short and seem to be based more on manufacturer-supplied information than on actual testing, although it appears that in a few cases someone has at least given the PDA a once-over.