A PDA and a laptop computer share many of the same features, yet they are quite different. A PDA is outstanding for its light weight and portability. The laptop is portable, but is heavier and somewhat more cumbersome. If you are looking to buy a PDA or a laptop, it makes sense to compare the two to determine just what you need.

A PDA is lightweight - more so than the laptop. While you can take the laptop to a class with you, it is harder to carry. You can put the PDA in a pocket or purse. You have to carry the laptop in a carrier, usually with a shoulder strap.

This makes it more difficult to walk in, gracefully take your place, and begin taking notes. With the laptop, you will have to set it up and go through the process of starting it into the right program. There is less on a PDA to sort through, so the start-up process is much easier. You just turn it on, select the program you want to use and you are ready to go in seconds.

The PDA has much less memory. You might think that buying the laptop is a no-brainer. After all, you want the most memory, right? Actually, there are some advantages to having less memory.

You can download everything from your PDA onto a laptop or other PC very quickly if you need to use the information there. Then, you can start over inputting new data into your PDA. Thus, your PDA is a constant source of new material that can go directly into whatever computer you are using.

Another advantage of the small PDA memory is that you have less to sort through when you want to open a program or look up a file. The laptop holds so many files that it takes awhile to find the one you want and bring it up. So, it is a matter of speed versus volume.

PDAs are the winners when it comes to portable music. No one wants to take out, open up, and ready a laptop just to play a song. Yet, a PDA is so lightweight and easy to carry and operate; people love to pull them out for a little music.

However, if you want to view images on a screen, the laptop is far superior. The screen is larger, so you can see more detail and brighter colors. Your pictures will be seen at their best on a laptop. Besides this, pictures take up a lot of memory. It doesn't take too many photos to use up the memory in a PDA as compared to a laptop.

The differences between laptops and PDAs are dwindling. Laptops are becoming smaller and their cost is coming down every year. At the same time, PDAs are becoming more powerful, with the ability to do everything from playing computer games to aiding in the medical and educational fields. It is best to get an idea of which you want the most, and then look for a PDA or laptop that meets your needs.