The most recent product out is the smart phone. Although it is almost like a PDA it is in addition in fact a cell phone. However, the standard or basic PDA isn't considered as being as bulky whereas the Smart phone of course is. Also, screens on the standard or basic PDA are larger than those of the smart phone, making it easier to see and navigate through web pages. Not to mention the creation of word documents and spreadsheets.
The standard and basic PDA also allows you to see pictures and videos much better than that of the smart phone. So, some recommend that if you really don't need the use of the Internet access, the better choice is the standard and basic PDA. This makes sense given the idea that people who just want the PDA for simple tasks and pictures, perhaps the use of Mp3's and keeping up with appointments, then nothing else is needed really.
True, the smart phone which is a newer type of PDA does have more features, access available to the Internet, it obviously has its draw backs too. Ultimately, this depends on who is buying the PDA and what they intend to use it for.
In comparison however, more people right at the moment would prefer the standard and basic PDA. I think the main reason people ran out to buy the smart phone was because of curiosity, and of course, they were determined to keep up with the times. Having the latest technology and advances that go along with the smart phone.
The smart phone also comes with fees, like when you use the cell phone, or access the Internet and do other things. Sometimes there are even fees for downloading things on the smart phone. But there are those people in the business field that believe they need these additional features to "move up in the business world." If this is the case there is going to be no stopping the person from getting the most advanced PDA on the market.
As for the standard or basic PDA things don't cost you, unless you actually purchase a program and download it to your desktop to add to your PDA. But even then, these programs are considered much cheaper. There are no additional fees obviously, because the standard and basic PDA is not a phone.
That's the biggest reason why people have run out for the newer PDA's because of the phone capabilities however, they didn't stop to think of the charges that would be incurred each month as they use the phone part of the PDA, or perhaps the text messages as well. If a person is not careful this can at the least be very expensive, and the person could probably have gone out and bought a couple standard or basic PDA's for the cost.
While the standard and basic PDA's don't have these capabilities they do however have many of the other capabilities and that's what makes all the difference in the world to some people. This is the real reason for PDA's in the first place.