Determine the features your i-mate pocket PC must have

Believe it or not, more than 30 versions of i-mate PDAs have been introduced in the past three to four years. As with most such devices, each one is basically a new and improved version of its predecessor, although some are more feature rich than others.

I recommend: Consider your needs, and start your research based on what's most important to you. The JAMA 101 is a popular option if a large touchscreen and an easy-to-navigate phone fits your criteria. Consider one of the five models in the i-mate Ultimate Series if computer-related aspects are most important. A handful of versions have a QWERTY keyboard for simplified writing and texting.

Read the reviews on i-mate handhelds

Comparing features, options and specifications on a number of seemingly similar devices such as i-mate PDAs can be overwhelming. It's always a good idea to read the reviews from tech-savvy early adaptors--especially if you're not one of them!

I recommend: The popular i-mate Jam gets a great review at Mobile Tech Review. The i-mate Jam PDA, i-mate Jam phone and i-mate Jam smartphone are some of the best-known i-mate names because the Jam product was among the first to be introduced back in 2004. The entire line of i-mates is reviewed in an easy-to-navigate format at Softpedia.

Buy within your budget

It's easy to get carried away and natural to want it all when it comes to features on i-mate PDA's. With today's rapid advances in technology, however, it's near impossible to have the latest and greatest of anything. Know what you're willing to spend and which features are important to you, and stick with your guns when it's time to buy.

I recommend: Evaluate your options by comparing each model against the others within the i-mate brand with the help of CNET and decide on the one that will work best for your needs. When you're ready to accessorize, Gomadic has everything you need to use your new i-mate pocket PC in style.