In the mad rush of a workday, it's hard to keep track of all your appointments and tasks, and sometimes it just isn't feasible to get to your computer or laptop to check info; that's where a PDA can come in handy. Not only does this ultraportable device organize your contacts and notes, it also lets you fire off e-mail, surf the Web, or even record your voice, proving that you don't have to be a slave to your desk. PDAs give you the freedom to work on the go.

Whether you're just starting out in the corporate world or are a seasoned veteran, there's sure to be a PDA to meet your business needs. All models come with basic productivity tools for keeping organized, and as your responsibilities expand, you can look for more-advanced features, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, or even invest in a smart phone to meet the growing demands of your business. The best business PDAs offer portability, some form of wireless connectivity, and solid performance and battery life.

Once upon a time, a PDA's primary purpose was to organize personal information, including contacts, appointments, tasks, and notes. Nowadays, however, a handheld lets you surf the Web, check and send e-mail, and work on your documents, whether you're dashing from meeting to meeting or on the road. And smart phones (PDAs and cell phones combined) give you the best of both worlds.

While a handheld lets you work on the go, it can't stand in for a laptop. Its small screen and relatively awkward input methods (a virtual keyboard or handwriting recognition) aren't ideal for churning out documents or long e-mail messages. Nor can the software on most handhelds cope with a Microsoft Word-size workload.

PDAs range in price from $100 to $650. You can find a no-frills handheld such as the PalmOne Zire 31for about $150, but you'll get only basic personal information manager (PIM) capabilities. For business use, we suggest you upgrade to a midlevel model for between $250 and $400, which will typically buy you some form of wireless (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or both), ample memory, and a fast processor. Top-of-the-line models will cost a wallet-stretching $450 to $650. Many smart phones also fall in this price range, but you can usually get them for less with a service contract.

Are there any hidden, recurring, or long term costs for owning a Handheld?

To avoid any long-term costs (that is, having to replace the whole unit), you'll want to protect your investment with a couple of extras, such as a sturdy case and screen overlays--pieces of thin plastic that protect your screen while you use it. You should also purchase a couple of memory cards so that you can carry more files and supplement the PDA's internal memory, since overloading your device with large amounts of data can slow it down. And avoid the most costly mistake of all--losing all your data--by remembering to recharge your battery. Alternately, for a PDA with a user-replaceable battery, get a high-capacity cell so that you always have a spare.