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Mobile Computing - Laptop, Smartphone or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)?
1. Overview
The purpose of this guide is to help identify what type of mobile computing device is the best fit for your needs. Common choices include a laptop or the smaller netbook, a cell phone, also known as a smartphone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA).
Benefits
- Flexibility
If you are a business owner or operator who must always be available, a mobile device may allow you to keep abreast of your business and still be able to work effectively if something comes up.
Considerations
- Applications
The first consideration is what applications you will need and whether they are Internet-based or standalone applications that don't require an Internet connection.
- Email
This is probably the most popular application.
- Internet Browser
More applications are available as Internet services which means you could run your business through a web browser. There are even online versions of popular office/productivity applications. However, browsers on cell phones and PDAs may not function like a regular desktop or laptop computer so you must test the websites you plan to use.
- Calendars and Office/Productivity Applications
Examples include word processing, presentation and spreadsheet applications.
- Other Applications
See the "Operating System" section below.
- Email
- Operating System
Operating systems on cell phones and PDAs are different than normal desktop and laptop computers but they do typically support some form of the application types listed above. However, applications that are made for a typical computer's operating system will typically not be able run on the operating system of a cell phone or PDA. Applications must be written specifically for a cell phone or PDA operating system.
- Internet Use
Do you need to access the Internet? Primary Internet connectivity for mobile devices includes cellular and Wi-Fi access. Cellular access has much more coverage but can be more costly than Wi-Fi depending on how much you connect. Wi-Fi relies on businesses and specific locations to provide a local wireless network as a wireless hotspot that may cover a range up to hundreds of feet. A passphrase is needed to connect to the Wi-Fi network/hotspot and a fee may be charged.
- Devices to Carry
How many devices do you want to carry? Since you likely carry a cell phone, it may come down to choosing between either a bigger cell phone or carrying around a laptop or PDA.
- Keyboard
Do you prefer a miniature keyboard with keys or a touch screen keyboard?
- Screen Size
Is the screen size functional for the applications you are plan to use?
Features
- Applications
The key features are the applications you can run which may include calendars, to-do lists and the applications mentioned in the categories identified above.
- Geographical Positioning System (GPS)
A GPS receiver may be built-in, giving you navigation capabilities.
- Other
Other features include the ability to play music files, videos and take pictures.
Implementation Options
| 1. Laptop | 2. Smartphone | 3. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) |
|---|---|---|
A laptop may also be referred to as a notebook, sub-notebook or netbook. Subnotebooks and netbooks are smaller than traditional laptops. |
Cell phones that include applications are also referred to as "smartphones". Cell phones may include a basic operating system that supports limited functionality or it may include a more functional operating system like a PDA that supports running applications similar to normal computer applications. |
A personal digital assistant is a handheld computer that uses a mobile operating system to run applications that can rival normal computer applications. Since PDAs include stand-alone applications, it may be necessary to synchronize with another computer to move files or data. PDAs are becoming less prevalent with the increased availability of smartphones. |
2. Option Comparison
| 1. Laptop | 2. Smartphone | 3. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Connectivity | Most laptops have Wi-Fi. A cellular access device can be added which will give the same Internet connectivity range as a smartphone. It is also possible to connect to the Internet by connecting your cell phone to your laptop but it can be difficult to configure. |
Cell phones have access to the Internet for additional fees.
Some cell phones also have Wi-Fi capability which allows you to save if you are on a data plan that charges by the amount of data transferred. |
PDA's usually have a Wi-Fi connectivity option Some PDAs even include a cell phone add-on which would classify them as a smartphone. |
| Internet Browser | A standard web browser is used | The browser can vary based on the phone's operating system | The browser can vary based on the PDAs operating system |
| Applications | Since a laptop uses a commercial operating system, there is maximum flexibility to install and run any applications you need. |
Applications are dependent on the phone's operating system. Some phones only provide basic applications like address books and calendars while others provide mini versions of regular computer applications. |
Same as smartphones |
| Size | Not pocket-size |
Smartphones are usually bigger than regular cell phones. |
Same as smartphones. |
| Cost Factors
|
Hardware | ||
| Hundreds of dollars | Hundreds of dollars | Hundreds of dollars | |
| Software | |||
| Depends on the need | Depends on the need | Depends on the need | |
| Services (approximate costs) | |||
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3. Next Steps
| 1. Laptop | 2. Smartphone | 3. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Advice | Use when you need full computer application functionality. This is the most robust choice. |
Use when you need Internet connectivity and less-than full computer functionality is acceptable. |
Use when Internet connectivity coverage is not the biggest priority. |
Find Local Tech SpecialistsSearch TechShortcut's tech profiles for specialists in your area |
NA | Smartphone PDA | |
Find More InformationUse Research Helper to find related web articles |
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Examples of Products and ServicesThese are not endorsements, simply some product or service names we encountered in our research to get you started finding your best fit. |
Any laptop, notebook or netbook computer. |
Cell phones with Web Browsers Cell phones with PDA-like Operating Systems |
PDAs with WiFi |
Outside Information
- Wikipedia.org: Personal digital assistant
- Wikipedia.org: Smartphone
Related Tips
-
Tip 1 - Phone Browser Simulators
It is best to physically test a phone to see how web pages will display but there are websites and software applications that simulate web browsing on various phones. Simulators can give you a general idea how web browsing looks. Try doing a search on "phone simulator" and the type of phone you want to check.
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