In some cases, although the PDA has several different uses, people often get them simply for the use of having a digitalized journal. This is a good concept in the fact that PDA's have the ability to let you create a password denying anyone who does not know the password access. The journals you would buy at the store in reality have locks on them but these locks ultimately can be broken into.

The PDA has memory that can hold several journal entries depending on their length. And if this is the only use for the PDA, it will probably be useful as a journal for quite a long time. People can either use the word pad program or notepad program that is already installed on the PDA when you purchase it.

Using a PDA for a journal prohibits others from knowing what you have typed. Or written using the stylus and the touch screen. It is a very private way of keeping or making notes of your days events or other things on your mind. There are those who feel a better sense of security by using a PDA as a journal. While some people, think it is a waste, considering all the capabilities a PDA actually has to offer. But in all fairness, it depends on the one that owns the PDA doesn't it?

Personally, I think journals kept on PDA's are a good form of privacy as well as being able to not "lose" the journal. People are more apt to lose a book style journal than a PDA that has their journal on it. Personal use of a PDA is up to the individual and not those around them. In many cases, a journal can be rather lengthy on a PDA without scarcely using space, where as with book style journals you tend to run out of pages faster. And even if your memory did start to fill up, the journal entries could be saved. They don't have to be saved on a desktop style computer for everyone to access. Remember PDA's have slots for memory card use. All the person has to do is place some of the journal entries onto the memory card and put it in a safe place. It is that simple. Then, continue on using the PDA as their journal.

Using the PDA as a journal is effective if you do not want others to have any type of access to your journal. This is truly a private means of keeping your thoughts safe and of course private. Journals are often considered the inter most private thoughts of an individual. And these thoughts deserve to be protected. With the use of a PDA, it makes it virtually impossible for anyone to see your journal after a password is set. In some cases even the individual forgets the password and has to think about it.

However if the PDA is reset the password in most cases stays in effect and will not let anyone who doesn't know the password access to those files.

A PDA can also play mp3's if they are stored in the memory of the PDA. Just like a desktop computer, depending on the amount of memory on your PDA. The PDA has a built in windows media player, that allows mp3 files to be played. You can be doing other tasks on your PDA while the mp3's are playing, however it may slow your PDA down a little. Once again in depends on the amount of memory you have.

Another way to store your mp3's you want to play on your PDA is by the use of a memory card. The memory card slides into the top of your PDA in most cases, and then using your stylus you simply open the storage card folder and it lists the mp3's you have on the memory card. If you have enough memory, this is how you also transfer mp3's to the main memory of the PDA in order to play a specific mp3 at a different time.

You can listen to mp3's through the speakers that are usually found on both sides of the front of your PDA. Different models vary however. There is a place for a headphone set to be plugged into the PDA as well, so you can listen to mp3's without disturbing those around you.

Another feature with the PDA referring to mp3's is the windows media player. When it is showing on the touch screen and you aren't doing anything else with your PDA, it will display the name of the song that is playing. And, with a simple touch of the touch screen with the stylus the mp3 will be paused. Once the touch screen is tapped again, the mp3 will continue.

Your PDA will often times be able to play music in the .wma format as well, if it is set to do this. You have to allow it however, by going to the settings on your PDA and changing it, so it will accept those file types and play them as well as the Mp3's you have on your PDA or memory card. Additionally, you can't simply take a memory card out of a Mp3 player and play it in your PDA. The memory card must be formatted for the PDA specifically and then the MP3's you want added to the memory card, to play in the PDA itself. Usually if an Mp3 will not play or a .wma file doesn't play a format error will come up on your PDA screen letting you know.

Mp3 play lists can be created on the PDA as well. Usually the amount of Mp3's you actually store on the main memory of your PDA depends on other information that might be vital. Otherwise the Mp3's can easily be stored on the memory card and used for later. They do not have to be erased, unless you need the memory card for different use.

Mp3's however have to be in a certain format for them to play on your PDA but this depends on what kind of PDA you own as to the format the Mp3's will play.

Depending on the brand, the amount of memory and the style you are looking for; PDA's can average in cost. To some people they are not expensive at all. While to others they sound too expensive to get. Basically a PDA that is good for the use of basic programs and optimizing word documents as well as other simple tasks the cost is lower.

However the newer models coming out now, with wireless capabilities, Wi Fi, and of course blue tooth will cost you more. It also depends on where you go to purchase the PDA as well. Basically the cost of a PDA can be anywhere from $99.00 to over $600.00. And after buying other accessories to go with your new PDA, such as a case or screen covers and much more, the cost increases a great deal. Don't lose your breath this is true.

The newer you go with a PDA, the higher the cost is going to be. Some people want the best brand name, while others want good processor speed for a PDA. And yet there are still others who want to outdo their associate. This of course, is the one that gets the best of us. Unfortunately, there are people like that. But if they want to pay the cost, its their choice.

Sometimes you can find PDA's at a cheaper cost, however it means buying a PDA that is used. And often times these PDA's aren't under any type of warranty and if something happens to go wrong, you pay to get the PDA fixed. When you purchase a PDA that has been refurbished, this means the PDA has either had a programming problem, a processing problem, or some other flaw. It has been repaired and now it is being sold as used. Most of the time refurbished PDA's only last for a short period of time.

Not to mention the fact that there may be flaws in different programs on the PDA that you are initially unaware of until you go to actually access or use that specific program. So, the cost of the PDA you have purchased as being used will obviously increase as time goes on; or problems should arise. As a matter of speaking bluntly, you shouldn't really buy a used PDA from a friend, if for some reason something goes wrong with the PDA it can ultimately end a friendship quickly.

There are some computer stores, that will sell PDA's as well as other accessories that are in fact brand new, they will however sell them lower as part of a wholesalers price, whereas at a store where you won't find as many products by the company would initially cost you more. It sounds confusing, however either way cost effective, when it comes to the purchase of a PDA that you want.

You can also buy PDA's that are brand new on the Internet through websites, however the shipping cost and insurance on the PDA can be costly. This is something to take into consideration too.

Oh my, where does one begin when it comes to the considerable variety of games that can be installed and played on the PDA. While some people choose learning games, still others like card games or games that are casino style. By putting games on their PDA, they have something to do while waiting for a meeting to begin, or an appointment. Playing games on your PDA does help to pass the time.

Most of the game software sold for PDA's are below twenty five dollars, they are not expensive at all. And in some cases if you have access to the internet you can actually download different types of games and versions for PDA for absolutely no cost to you at all.

The graphics on the PDA are pretty good, and depending on what style or brand of PDA you have will let you know how the game is going to perform. And how well you will be able to see the game screen shots too. Different games, such as card games or other games will play a lot more effectively rather than if you choose to play a game where the display screen is constantly. This of course uses memory and its best if you are playing games that no other programs are running on your PDA at that time.

For example, if you are playing a game and listening to mp3's at the same time your PDA is going to run slower, therefore the game you are playing will run slower as well. With this in mind, all you need to do is one or the other. Then, when you are finished start the program back that you need to or want to.

In most cases if you are adding appointments to your PDA and listening to mp3's your PDA shouldn't actually perform any slower, the main fact is that game programs need memory to perform the way they should. With setting appointments all you are using basically is your virtual keyboard, and this does not take much memory at all.

Also some game programs are bigger than others, so you might want to take this into consideration when installing them on your PDA too, the game you install does use memory space. You have to keep in mind the amount of space your PDA actually has.

Some games that are made specifically for the PDA can be transferred to another PDA by using "beam" or the infrared port. This doesn't always work, however for some of the games that don't use a lot of memory, it will work. This way you and your friend both have the same games. It is also a good way to share games that one or the other may not have but wants to play.

Unfortunately however, you both can't play the same game against each other using the beam technique it is only designed to transfer files from one PDA to the other. In some cases however, among the more expensive PDA's cables are sometimes used.

Okay, everyone agrees that PDA's are effective in many ways. The PDA helps maintain schedules, keep addresses, among other things. PDA's are also used in colleges in some areas. So, if they are so important; how can there possibly any type of drawbacks?

- Your PDA is stolen, if you have any type of personal information or addresses that are important they are now in the hands of whoever it was that has stolen your PDA.

- The stylus sometimes doesn't stay in place exactly as it should and it can get lost easily. Then you are forced to purchase a new one.

- The PDA is set in water, this can damage the battery or affect the battery life.

- If the screen gets damaged the PDA can not be repaired.

- Buying used PDA's have no warranties.

- Loading applications that have a virus, just like your desktop computer can cause the PDA to not function properly.

- Using household cleaners on the screen can reduce touch sensitivity or damage PDA.

- Putting information that is illegal on your PDA, someone else could get access to your PDA.

There are additional drawbacks people need to take into consideration, however in some cases the PDA can in fact, be prepared.

To some people this is not important, because they have the funds to simply go out and purchase a new PDA, yet to others they cannot afford to just run out and buy a new PDA, therefore these people take every precaution necessary to make sure their PDA is completely taken care of and properly used at all times. Some of the consideration that is put into the idea that would be considered a definite drawback, is if you are a parent and you bought your teen or preteen one of these PDA's and they showed absolutely no respect for the PDA. Leaving it in places where it could stolen, or damage and misplaced. This would definitely serve as a drawback I would think.

You only want to get a PDA for those with the responsibility and will be sure to take care of the PDA and know what it actually can do to help them, Adults can make the same mistake sometimes, forgetting where they laid their PDA down and other things, however with adults they usually remember where they laid it and retrieve it quickly.

One more thing you should not do, and this is to loan your PDA out to anyone. Information you have put on your PDA could be deleted or information could be added. This is definitely not a good idea and would definitely be considered a drawback as to owning a PDA.

Newer versions being released so often that tend to make the PDA you already own, just not as accurate or as good as you thought it was at first. Some software restrictions that apply to some PDA versions that won't work on your specific brand of PDA.

Some schools do not allow the use of PDA's as part of their program, so it won't help you much educationally such as taking notes and other different things. Like using the task manager and other programs you might have installed on your PDA.