6. Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

A PDA was originally developed as an electronic organiser. They aimed to replace diaries, 'to do' lists and address books. However, rapid development has resulted in palm tops and PDAs becoming almost cut down computers in their own right.

PDAs are now available with cut down versions of the main Office software, e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel and Access. The reason they are so successful is that they usually have the ability to synchronize with a desktop PC. So, any work you have been doing on your PDA can be uploaded to your PC and the files updated.

Many PDAs can now also access the Internet and can be used to research web pages, send emails or even play games. Some even double up as phones.

Palmtops are very similar to PDAs in their use. The main difference is that Palmtops have a built in keyboard.