Compaq PDAs come in a variety of models, each with their own unique characteristics designed to make business and life easier for people who spend a lot of time away from the office. Matching the ability of the available Compaq PDAs to the tasks you expect to use most when on the road can be the difference between a successful and enjoyable trip, and a frustrating and disappointing business endeavor.

A Compaq PDA can effectively replace a laptop, Smartphone, MP3 player, iPod and even your personal GPS. Compaq PDAs are ruggedly built for field work, dependable in all environments and situations, and provide a quick, all-in-one source of services and capabilities for the world traveler, all in one hand-held package.

When deciding on the right Compaq PDA for your needs, you should take into account the following:

1. What functions will you require a Compaq personal digital assistant to do for you?
2. How much time do you spend on the road?
3. What are the environment and conditions under which you will use your Compaq PDA?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Finding the best Compaq PDA sellers and Compaq PDA vendors

Find a Compaq PDA seller with the cheapest price for the model you want, or a Compaq PDA wholesaler if you want to purchase a number of units for employees around the office.

I recommend: Check out the service provided by PriceSpider.com, they provide real-time, hourly price quotes on products from every site on the internet, not just the ones that pay them. Digital World also has a selection of Compaq PDAs.

Check out customer reviews of the Compaq PDA you want

Review information provided by customers who have used the model of Compaq PDA you desire to purchase.

I recommend: Check out reviews of the model you want at Epinions.com, Ciao, Yahoo!.Shopping, dooyoo, Digit-Life, and Cnet Reviews.

Research the product and service record of the Compaq PDA providers you are interested in

Buy your Compaq PDA from a reputable Compaq PDA seller and check out third party and online retailers for Compaq PDA deals.

I recommend: There are many sites that have Compaq PDAs available for purchase, check out HP, Amazon, Ebay, BizRate, and Super Warehouse.

Think about going with a refurbished Compaq PDA

Check out the possibility of purchasing a perfectly functional refurbished Compaq PDA of the model you want.

I recommend: Check out NovatechGadgets.com for quality refurbished Compaq PDAs. Also try BMSoftware, they specialize in refurbished Compaq PDAs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When deciding on the functions, jobs and conditions under which you will use your Compaq PDA, take into account the worst case scenario for all jobs and use these worst case scenarios as the criteria upon which to decide the model you want.
• •  Pay attention to the screen and keyboard included with the model you purchase. If you're working outside or in conditions where you don't have control of the lighting, it will be advantageous to have a larger screen with better lighting, and a keyboard with letters that are easier to see in darker conditions. If you're working outside, you will need a transflective screen, which absorbs the sun's rays for outdoor readability. Get a model with a QWERTY board so you can enter data more easily.
• •  Data transfer is generally the main use of PDAs, not voice transfer, so get a model that offers EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment) connectivity. If you want improved multimedia capability with your PDA, then get one that has 3G connectivity as well; many Compaq PDAs offer both EDGE and 3G.