Zebra DA 402

Advantages: Cheap PDA.
Disadvantages: Poor handwriting recognition.

...Some background, for all you techie types. The original Royal daVinci (serial number ending in 99) was based on the same chip as the Palm PDA (Motorola Dragonball, or some such), and rumour has it that this was exploited to reuse some of the look and feel of PalmOS. A court case ensued, and a later version (serial number 00) was released, based on a Sharp chip. This would not matter one jot, except that I have tried and tested both, and can confirm that while one was a cheap, useable, Palm-alike, the other is obstinate in its inability to function as a PDA of any description. They are both nice and light. They both have a tactile data-entry screen and stylus. They both dock in a little cradle which can be connected to your PC. In fact, they both look exactly the same, and one would think both offered the same level of functionality... Read review

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Advantages: none
Disadvantages: Expensive and poor quality

...The Da Vinci PDA is very similar in it's functions to other PDA's, in fact so similar legal proceedings were taken against it's makers! THE FUNCTIONS # Phone directory # Diary / Planner # Calculator # 6 language menu # 'to do' / notepad facility The Da Vinci also comes with a docking cradle and the software to communicate with your PC. When using the Da Vinci, you can write directly onto the touch screen or on the virual keyboard. THE PRICE Most retail outlets sell it for £90 but you can get it cheaper for £70. THE CATCH I wouldn't go out and buy this, not even for £20! It was bought for me, so it's not my money that has been wasted! The functions are poor quality and are hard to use. It is even worse when connected up to a PC! It is made of cheap materials and looks very tacky! The screen is very hard... Read review

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Advantages: Does do the job
Disadvantages: There are better options available

...Sweex are an up a coming technological company who primarily make cheap equipment for various types of connection to your PC. The majority of their products appear to be wireless orientated but they have this neat little contraption called and Irda converter. Many of you will have mobile phones with Irda capability along with probably Bluetooth as well. A Bluetooth dongle to facilitate connection to your PC is going to set you back about £15 whilst the Irda converter will only set you back £10 including post and packaging. Not saving you a fortune I'll grant you, but a fiver is a fiver. The unit comes with drivers which should only be needed on systems running pre Windows 2000 I.e. Windows 98 and backward. Windows XP should find the device no problem. The only drawback with using Irda in comparison to Bluetooth is that with IrDA... Read review

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